Everyone uses an aiming method/system

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plfrg

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Everyone uses some type of aiming method or system - whether they admit it or not. The system they use enables them to approach each shot in a similar manner.

Aiming isn't the holy grail be-all-end-all that some make it out to be, but it is a key to consistent play.

Consider the alternative, approaching every shot randomly, looking at different things on the table: the cue ball for one shot, the object ball contact point for another, the ghost ball or aimpoint for another, using a pivot for the next shot...

It's absurd to state that anyone that can run the table consistently is not using an aiming system/method (whichever term you would like to use).

Even the famous "1 man and no aiming system" has a method. I would bet a lot of money that every time he gets down to shoot, he looks at the same references for about the same amount of time - on virtually every shot. It's not the only reason he's so good, but it doesn't hurt...
 
A prefer to consider a aiming system a sub system of a complete system.

Aiming is a sub system.
Cue delivery is a sub system.
Shooting position is a sub system.
Strategy is a sub system
Shot selection is a sub system

The complete system is a game of pool. A game of pool is about who can use their sub systems the most consistent.

Any flaw in a sub system effects the performance of the system.
 
I've mentioned before to players who say they aim by feel: You might aim by feel, but your brain uses a system. In lining up a shot, the brain makes hundreds of Yes/No decisions. The brain is actually very systematic, especially about tasks it has done before; it's just that it's so fast (and second nature) that it doesn't inform us of every single decision it's making.

For a "feel" player those Yes/No decisions translate easily into a shot line. A player who uses a formal aiming system needs the system to "guide" the Yes/No decisions to the shot line. It's like the difference between a musician who plays by ear vs. one who reads musical notation. They'll both get to the same place...and they'll both ridicule the other.
 
bdorman said:
I've mentioned before to players who say they aim by feel: You might aim by feel, but your brain uses a system. In lining up a shot, the brain makes hundreds of Yes/No decisions. The brain is actually very systematic, especially about tasks it has done before; it's just that it's so fast (and second nature) that it doesn't inform us of every single decision it's making.

For a "feel" player those Yes/No decisions translate easily into a shot line. A player who uses a formal aiming system needs the system to "guide" the Yes/No decisions to the shot line. It's like the difference between a musician who plays by ear vs. one who reads musical notation. They'll both get to the same place...and they'll both ridicule the other.
Click to expand...

I agree with what you're saying here.

The main point is that to be consistent in an aiming sport like pool (as in other aiming sports) you need to be methodical on how you approach the shot. The references you use are not as important as being methodical. That's why there can be so many different aiming styles. But they all have at least one thing in common: a consistent process.

Everyone that I've seen play at high levels approaches shots in a methodical way.
 
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