Thanks for the support. I have some YouTube clips under "Poolology" explaining a few things and showing a few examples. All comments, suggestions, and criticism is welcome.
Brian
Fractional aiming zones - new system
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Thanks for the support. I have some YouTube clips under "Poolology" explaining a few things and showing a few examples. All comments, suggestions, and criticism is welcome.
Brian
What's great about acquiring new knowledge is that your mind becomes more equipped to understand what's going on, allowing it to easily handle more situations. It doesn't matter if we're playing pool or juggling chainsaws....the more we know and understand, the better we become.
One player may strictly use Poolology, or CTE or ghostball, while another player uses a combination of all three depending on the particular shot. And another might use no system at all, when in reality this player is using a system - a system of feel that his or her brain has developed over time through muscle memory and visual recognition.
Anyway, the diamonds ratio image posted above is very close to Zone B in Poolology, which makes the two methods compatible, or complimentary.
I bought the ebook for $10. Nice job Brian. It makes sense to me, unlike some aiming systems. I really like the idea of using the diamonds to determine the angle, and thus the fractional hit. The difficult thing about using fractional aiming is accurately identifying the cut angle, and this system provides a concrete way of doing that. I haven't seen another system like it. Most aiming system focus on the balls "out in space" without reference to the table itself.
Unfortunately I just found the system for determining the cut angle to be too complex, with different zones and numbers that you need to memorize. It reminds me a little bit of some of the 3-rail kicking diamond systems, but there's more to memorize.
I look at it this way: It's possible to simply visualize the angle formed by the CB and OB lines. It's not as concrete or as accurate to do it that way, but I came away from reading the book not being sure it's worth it to learn this system for the little bit of an edge in concreteness and accuracy that you'd get over and above just visualizing the angle. I'd love to see this simplified, but maybe it's just not possible. And for people who want a really concrete system for determining the cut angle, and who are willing to put in some time memorizing the numbers, it's ideal.
Finally, I have a question: What is the correct angle line from CB to OB? Is it formed by the line going through the centers of both balls, or the line formed by the center of the cue ball to the center of the ghost ball after it is aimed to make the shot? I believe it's the latter, but it seems like the book uses the former.
Unfortunately I just found the system for determining the cut angle to be too complex, with different zones and numbers that you need to memorize. It reminds me a little bit of some of the 3-rail kicking diamond systems, but there's more to memorize.
I look at it this way: It's possible to simply visualize the angle formed by the CB and OB lines. It's not as concrete or as accurate to do it that way, but I came away from reading the book not being sure it's worth it to learn this system for the little bit of an edge in concreteness and accuracy that you'd get over and above just visualizing the angle. I'd love to see this simplified, but maybe it's just not possible. And for people who want a really concrete system for determining the cut angle, and who are willing to put in some time memorizing the numbers, it's ideal.
Finally, I have a question: What is the correct angle line from CB to OB? Is it formed by the line going through the centers of both balls, or the line formed by the center of the cue ball to the center of the ghost ball after it is aimed to make the shot? I believe it's the latter, but it seems like the book uses the former.
If you can accurately visualize the line from CB center to the center of the ghost ball, then you don't need any aiming system
- just shoot along this line. So I believe the alignment value is derived from center of CB to the center of OB line.Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk
Exactly. Shot angles are always defined by the angle between the aim line (CB to ghostball) and the shot line (ghostball to pocket, straight through the OB)
The alignment line in this method (CB to OB) is only used to determine the fractional hit needed for the shot. The angle between this line and the shot line is typically 2 to 5 degrees less than the actual angle of the shot, depending on the distance between CB and OB. That angle difference is built into the system. But if a player has the ability to accurately determine the shot angle simply by looking at the shot, or imagining a ghostball, he (or she) can simply aim for the ghostball, or aim for the fractional aim point that matches the shot angle.
For most players, it would be a game-changing eye opener to have that skill, that ability, because it's like the Holy Grail of pocketing balls consistently. That's why there are so many aiming systems - because most players don't have that fabulous skill, that protractor behind their eyes. And it's unfortunate that most aiming systems fall short of helping a player find it.
I have to disagree somewhat with the above. I believe the real Holy Grail in pool is to have a perfect alignment and stroke so that you can hit the cue ball in the exact spot you want to, and send the cue ball to the exact place you want it to go. I think far too many people underestimate the stroke, possibly because "aiming better" somehow seems more concrete and easier to accomplish.
If every beginner had a perfect stroke they would naturally figure out all they need to know about aim in about two weeks.
dan
i dont want to sidetrack this thread so we can continue via pm if you want to
i agree a perfect straight stroke is a must
but a perfect vision center for alignment is also necessary
so the message of where to aim is the correct message
jmho
I believe this also, that stroke and alignment are too often overlooked. But strokes differ. What may feel perfect and provide excellent accuracy for one player might be too wonky and unnatural to another. A lot of players waste time trying to mimick a stroke that belongs to someone else, only prolonging their natural ability to develop their own stroke.
So the perfect stroke being the real Holy Grail is probably a better analogy than saying it's the quest for consistent aiming, because great stroke and alignment takes longer to achieve, if ever. It requires greater dedication and more commitment in order to develop the much needed muscle memory. Many players aren't willing to put that much effort into the quest, or can't seem to find enough time to dedicate themselves to it. Aiming becomes their primary goal because it seems easier. Knowing where to point your cue is something that provides immediate results, even if a wonky stroke creeps in on occasion to blow the shot.
I can think of two local examples: One guy has no stroke at all and makes about every shot he shoots. He places the tip about 4" behind the CB, lines the shot up from there, then pokes it. And not like a barbox jab-stroke....it's a strange site. His position play suffers because of it, but he has no problems getting out a rack of 8-ball because he makes shots. 9-ball is a different story with no shape skills. The other example is a guy that looks like a robot because he is so hung up on trying to have a perfect machine-style stroke. It doesn't work for him. He rarely runs more than 4 or 5 balls. I told him he's trying to hard, that the pool stroke is similar to the golf swing - we each have our own style. Certain fundamentals are required, but beyond that it is truly an individual thing.
Was this good advice? I'm not sure, as I can only speak for my game, my pool stroke and my golf swing. I also told him to find a certified instructor for a good lesson.
I think this is so important and infuriating when it's off. You can have a great stroke, know where to aim and to point the cue ball and cue, and then you get down over the cue with your eyes a little off of perfect, and everything starts falling apart. I guess everything falls apart when any of the factors are off though. Another infuriating thing is having an astigmatism. Nothing ever looks right, even when it's right. :shakehead:
bluepepper
read this and pm me for comments
i dont want to sidetrack this thread
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=446255
just got it
I got the book on kindel today. I will try it and report back. As with most players
I have always aimed by instinct. For me, sometimes, I just don't feel right on a shot
and no matter how many times I get up and down on it I am not confident. If this
will help on those shots it would be worth a lot to me.
jack
I got the book on kindel today. I will try it and report back. As with most players
I have always aimed by instinct. For me, sometimes, I just don't feel right on a shot
and no matter how many times I get up and down on it I am not confident. If this
will help on those shots it would be worth a lot to me.
jack
Thanks, Jack. If you have any questions or comments about the material please don't hesitate to PM me. You can also find supporting videos on the Poolology YouTube channel.
I just watched the videos you posted in the last week or so. Excellent, Brian! I was wondering about the spot and how 20-20 doesn't add up, but you explained it very well. Thanks!
Thought I would bump this up. Purchased the e-book about three weeks ago. Been traveling a ton for business, so have only played twice in that time. I have to say, this system is pretty slick. Pretty much have stayed in A&B zones, but damn it is rather intuitive. I have used edges for aiming a good bit, but never really thought about the fractional aiming. I like it; a lot. Sometime just for reassurance, but it has opened my eyes a good bit.
How have I aimed before? A combination of instinct, some manual pivoting, some TOI, all depending. While I think there are places for lots of techniques, just like with banking, kicking, etc., This will be my main go to for sure.
Thanks to the author! Good stuff!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
How have I aimed before? A combination of instinct, some manual pivoting, some TOI, all depending. While I think there are places for lots of techniques, just like with banking, kicking, etc., This will be my main go to for sure.
Thanks to the author! Good stuff!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Many thanks!
Zones A and B are 95+% of shots in most games. Just last week I had a friend check my stats on that. I told him I studied every shot in the $100,000 Hong Kong challenge between Earl and Efren, when they raced to 120 playing 9ball. Zone C shots were very rare. So my buddy decided to do his own analysis. He watched an Accustat match between Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris, a race to 11, 9ball. Can't remember what he said the final score was, I think 11-6 Earl. He said of all the games played he counted 3 or 4 zone C shots. I said, "Told you so!"
Anyway, pm me if you have any questions and check out my YouTube vids for extra clarification and updates.
Brian
Zones A and B are 95+% of shots in most games. Just last week I had a friend check my stats on that. I told him I studied every shot in the $100,000 Hong Kong challenge between Earl and Efren, when they raced to 120 playing 9ball. Zone C shots were very rare. So my buddy decided to do his own analysis. He watched an Accustat match between Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris, a race to 11, 9ball. Can't remember what he said the final score was, I think 11-6 Earl. He said of all the games played he counted 3 or 4 zone C shots. I said, "Told you so!"
Anyway, pm me if you have any questions and check out my YouTube vids for extra clarification and updates.
Brian
Thanks to all who commented on Dan White's thread, "Comments on Poolology".
The feedback is greatly appreciated. I wish I had copied some of the comments/reviews for my personal record, because now the thread is gone. I have received numerous emails asking about the disappearance of the thread, but I have no clue what happened.
The feedback is greatly appreciated. I wish I had copied some of the comments/reviews for my personal record, because now the thread is gone. I have received numerous emails asking about the disappearance of the thread, but I have no clue what happened.
The thread is back but closed to further comment. You should be able to copy and paste the comments made.
Lou Figueroa
Yes I saw that. Thanks, Lou. And thanks for taking the time to look at my book.