Ghost ball, Paralell line etc.

[BRKNRUN]

visualize any shot in your head right now. now picture moving the cueball around to various locations, but leaving the object ball in the same spot. everyone needs to realize there are an infinite number of places you can put the cueball, and thus an infinite number of cut angles. any system you use, for it to be correct, would have to be infinite in its possible solutuions to be correct or valid. i know for a fact there is no system that has an infinite number of solutions (on the contrary, i've heard people say things like there are only 4 shots in pool, bla, bla, that is a huge load of crap). sadly, there is really no debating this. if you do debate it, it's like debating evolution vs creation.... people will debate all they want, but there is one side that is obviously correct.

now, do these systems help people, i'm sure they do. so, good for all the people who get advantage from them, i'd never discourage you from continuing to use it. but the argument that systems are mathematically correct is flawed.

thanks for the discussion everybody!

You just stated the perfect reason why people fail to understand the 3-line system. (there actually are 4 "aim" points)

Here is the "key" to understand...(which alot still won't)....Just because your are "aimied" at the exact same "edge" or "quarter" of the OB does not mean you are "contacting" the same spots.

The "edge" of the ball remains the same...but as the angle steepens or shallows "ever so slightly"...the "actual" contact points will be "ever so slightly" different (even though you are still "aiming" at the edge of the ball.....

I am not trying to say anyone is smarter or dumber here...so please don't take it that way...but from reading these boards and the arguements between some, I do believe that this system takes a type of personality or "brian" that is wired in such a way that they can understand this concept...I fully believe that some people will not be "able" to understand because thier brains are wired different, and can not get past "actual contact point" and "aim" point.

I am also not saying that this is the "only" way to aim...My opinion is whatever you do to make balls that works is fine by me...

 

[TheConArtist]

here is some articles on aiming that people put up on the EasyPoolTutor site great reads just for some people to read if they haven't seen the articles already and already know the systems.

http://www.easypooltutor.com/articles.html

Alot of different things there drills, cue care etc... they have short video clips too.

 

[Bob Jewett]

here is some articles on aiming that people put up on the EasyPoolTutor site great reads just for some people to read if they haven't seen the articles already and already know the systems.

http://www.easypooltutor.com/articles.html

Alot of different things there drills, cue care etc... they have short video clips too.

The first article I read there, about light reflections on the balls, was horribly, pitifully wrong. Just a warning to the unwary..

 

[vapoolplayer]

Sorry to dig this up. I was just laying around bored and decided to write a bit.

I've talked to many many pro players, and I've taken lessons from pro players. Pro players have "systems" or ways to make things easier for them just like everyone else. Some do just play by feel, but even the ones that do have little things that help them on certain shots. They are human just like everyone else, and just like everyone else learned to play pool the same way.

Jude does have a good point, that after a while you tend to just know where to hit the balls. Sometimes though, this doesn't work for everyone. In fact, a pro that Jude knows very well (very common name in pool) has told me personally that he uses/used the ghost ball. He also uses the same "secret" (if thats what you want to call it) I do for extreme cuts.

Pro players tell people how they aim all the time, but people refuse to listen to it. They believe that because someone plays super well that they have to have some magical talent that everyone else lacks. If anything they have above average hand eye coordination.

On a personal level, if I hadn't had a few conversations with Hal Houle (thanks Hal) that lasted a few hours each conversation......along with a few things I picked up from other players, I wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn with a handful of rocks. I use one of Hal's systems anytime I used inside english, I use another one occassionally when I use outside if I need a bit more help sighting the shot. For the most part I use another method that a local player showed me that I have tweeked myself to an even more precise way to sight shots.

If anyone genuinely has questions feel free to PM me and I'll give you a bit of they "system" to tinker with and see if they like it.

Also, I highly recommend anyone serious about playing better or at least learning something new with quite a few stories along the way to call Mr. Hal Houle.

VAP

 

[ridingthenine21]

Sorry to dig this up. I was just laying around bored and decided to write a bit.

I've talked to many many pro players, and I've taken lessons from pro players. Pro players have "systems" or ways to make things easier for them just like everyone else. Some do just play by feel, but even the ones that do have little things that help them on certain shots. They are human just like everyone else, and just like everyone else learned to play pool the same way.

Jude does have a good point, that after a while you tend to just know where to hit the balls. Sometimes though, this doesn't work for everyone. In fact, a pro that Jude knows very well (very common name in pool) has told me personally that he uses/used the ghost ball. He also uses the same "secret" (if thats what you want to call it) I do for extreme cuts.

Pro players tell people how they aim all the time, but people refuse to listen to it. They believe that because someone plays super well that they have to have some magical talent that everyone else lacks. If anything they have above average hand eye coordination.

On a personal level, if I hadn't had a few conversations with Hal Houle (thanks Hal) that lasted a few hours each conversation......along with a few things I picked up from other players, I wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn with a handful of rocks. I use one of Hal's systems anytime I used inside english, I use another one occassionally when I use outside if I need a bit more help sighting the shot. For the most part I use another method that a local player showed me that I have tweeked myself to an even more precise way to sight shots.

If anyone genuinely has questions feel free to PM me and I'll give you a bit of they "system" to tinker with and see if they like it.

Also, I highly recommend anyone serious about playing better or at least learning something new with quite a few stories along the way to call Mr. Hal Houle.

VAP

Tap Tap


If you do decide to use the HH aiming system(s), my advice would be to give it time. Breaking the habit of approaching shots like you are used to doing can take some time. With that said, I do believe his stuff and think if you try it open mindedly and apply it you will benefit.