Hitting cue ball exactly in the center...

[CJ Wiley]

I'll be waiting for further instructions.

CJ, I must say you are a better man than I am.

I would be booking the next flight to Milpita's with a suitcase full of money and disguises, lookin for some "quackin" action.

I just checked in, target has been identified and targeted for sanction ....I'll be waiting for further instructions.

 

[klockdoc]

I don't believe these are necessarily "bad" habits. You are going with your preferred strengths and that will often get positive results, even if it's simply because your confidence is higher.

No matter what style or preference you choose I think it's advisable to use what you like as often as you can. No two players will run a rack exactly the same because they prefer to hit slightly different places on the cue ball.

The difference with the most advanced players is they will MAKE their preferred shot work as opposed to "slow rolling," or using a shot they know has less margin of error. Anytime you are close to the vertical center you will risk amplifying deflection. I prefer to either go a half tip higher or lower because it will lesson unwanted deviation if the hit is slightly imperfect.

"Slow rolling" balls is something I would recommend avoiding for a variety of reasons, it's more desirable to hit the cue ball firmer with underpin. This shot will hold it's line better, and is less susceptible to skids, unlevel tables and foreign debris on the table.

Prime reason for hitting a ball with a center, stun run through hit!

I have seen many league players shoot a shot and "slow roll" for position....then complain because the table rolled off or something excuse to describe the cb's reaction to the table.

Surprisingly, when questioned about why they didn't play a SRT shot, they say they are not familiar with it.

 

[klockdoc]

Actually I've been gambling a lot lately at one pocket and straight pool is what I practice most of the time.

You have to realize there's different ways to play this game and using a consistent "stroke speed" is a more advanced way of playing. If you choose to slow roll balls and hit spinning shots to make the cue ball "lighter," then that's your option, I'll bet no one will ever try to stop you.

As far as my own game, I enjoy playing a more aggressive style where I'm accelerating, and creating a "heavy cue ball," and treating all the shots pretty much the same. If you don't think I have good cue ball speed, well I guess you can believe whatever you choose in that regard too. It's certainly none of my business what you choose to believe in your life.

Slow rolling balls is like hitting short putts for a Pro Golfer, or "drop shots" for a Pro Tennis Player. Sure, we can do it if we need to, but it's not a deciding factor in our game. That's the way I feel about finesse shots in pool, I can do them, but I don't base my game on them by any means. 'The Game is the Teacher'

PS: if you want to see my straight pool game Accu-stats has some videos you may be interested in. One of them I beat Efren in the winners side, the other one Efren beats me in the finals (in major straight pool event). fyi

Efren Reyes VS CJ Wiley straight pool

Efren utilizes a typical SRT shot at 2:22 into this video shooting the 2 and following up for the 3. This is the kind of shot I was talking about.

 

[CJ Wiley]

started playing straight pool two weeks before

Efren utilizes a typical SRT shot at 2:22 into this video shooting the 2 and following up for the 3. This is the kind of shot I was talking about.

Yes, Efren forces and floats the cue ball rather than "rolling it". Notice the next shot after the one you referred to and watch how it comes off the rail...he's definitely hitting it with the TOI....using the touch of inside makes the balls break out more predictably, and when going to the rail after contact, the cue ball spins up-table, rather than down table. This is much more desirable and another reason the TOI is so effective playing straight pool.

I got to the finals of this tournament and only started playing straight pool two weeks before. When I started I couldn't hardly run a rack until I started to figure out how to break the balls apart, and use less speed to do so using the TOI Technique.

 

[klockdoc]

Yes, Efren forces and floats the cue ball rather than "rolling it". Notice the next shot after the one you referred to and watch how it comes off the rail...he's definitely hitting it with the TOI....using the touch of inside makes the balls break out more predictably, and when going to the rail after contact, the cue ball spins up-table, rather than down table. This is much more desirable and another reason the TOI is so effective playing straight pool.

I got to the finals of this tournament and only started playing straight pool two weeks before. When I started I couldn't hardly run a rack until I started to figure out how to break the balls apart, and use less speed to do so using the TOI Technique.

I remember back in 1992 at the Akron Open, Johnny Archer had never played straight pool and since there was a tournament after this one, (Cleveland Open), he played Nick Varner some cheap $20 games with J.R. Calvert schooling him.

At the Cleveland Open, Johnny lost his first match and ended up playing Nick Varner in the finals.

There were several balls made and several safeties played, then Johnny ran 149 and out!

He continued shooting till he reached around 237 balls, then they stopped him so they could continue the tournament in the other fields of play. (It was a trifecta. 9 ball, 10 ball and 14:1). Not bad for never playing 14:1 before!

 

[CJ Wiley]

if you are looking at you game to have more consistency, why change your stroke?

This is a great example of a shot where I would use the TOI method.

I play alot of 1 pocket and it is true there are times when a "slow roll" is the only option. Even though, as CJ mentioned, I try to avoid the "slow roll," there are times when it is unavoidable. The lesson in that is to approach every shot individually. We can apply lessons learned from similar shots, but each shot has to be shot at least a little differently.

By the way, I think it is absolutely awesome that CJ chooses to participate in these discussions! Receiving input from someone of his caliber is something not to be taken for granted. I have learned an amazing amount from just 1 of his videos and was already dabbling with this TOI method before I realized it had a name. I respect him now even more that I know he is not too conceited to offer his opinions and advice for FREE in these discussions.

Thanks, I enjoy helping players that are committed to improving. This is a GREAT example of TOI and one that I really like to hit because it's SO EASY if I cue it slightly right and hit it with acceleration. The cue ball will just float down like it's on a string.

Players can slow roll this shot, however, if you are looking at you game to have more consistency, why use a slow rolling stroke? It's not going to effect this particular shot, it's going to show up over time, because it's a different type stoke that is almost intentionally decelerating, and that's something that can be negative.

My question is "why change your "stoke speed" if you don't have to?" Are they trying to "conserve energy"? :shrug: LoL

 

[ENGLISH!]

This is a great example of a shot where I would use the TOI method.

I play alot of 1 pocket and it is true there are times when a "slow roll" is the only option. Even though, as CJ mentioned, I try to avoid the "slow roll," there are times when it is unavoidable. The lesson in that is to approach every shot individually. We can apply lessons learned from similar shots, but each shot has to be shot at least a little differently.

By the way, I think it is absolutely awesome that CJ chooses to participate in these discussions! Receiving input from someone of his caliber is something not to be taken for granted. I have learned an amazing amount from just 1 of his videos and was already dabbling with this TOI method before I realized it had a name. I respect him now even more that I know he is not too conceited to offer his opinions and advice for FREE in these discussions.

I just thought I'd throw in my $0.02 agreement. Especially the part about CJ & all that he has contributed.

Thanks for everthing CJ.

Regards to All,

 

[vapoolplayer]

Don't play much 14.1 or 1 pocket,huh. Typically 9 ball player answer. Or rather maybe someone that doesn't know the value of being able to control the cue ball speed.

That a boy.......go tell the world class player in multiple disciplines he must not play any game except 9 ball.

CJ obviously doesn't know the value of controlling the cue ball.

Go play under the power lines some more...........

 

[duckie]

My opinion is just as good as a "world class player". Too bad if you don't like it and since I was red rep for questioning of a "world class player" on the value of slow rolling, well, this just goes to show who all is drinking the kool aid.

Hows this.....if the Game is the Teacher, you don't need a teacher then huh....just the game.

 

[vapoolplayer]

.................

 

[CJ Wiley]

No matter if you choose to use the TOI Technique or not, it's unarguably a great....

That a boy.......go tell the world class player in multiple disciplines he must not play any game except 9 ball.

CJ obviously doesn't know the value of controlling the cue ball.

Go play under the power lines some more...........

It's funny, some people are trying to use the opinion that the Touch of Inside, and stunning the cue ball as oppose to slow rolling is taking away from their game. The techniques I've described add a new dimension to the pool game by adding many shots you would have never knew existed.

When a player like Efren hits a shot that makes you go "WOW," it's almost always (I'd like to see an exception) by cuing the inside portion of the cue ball. This is no accident, and I've done it many times with the same response. The trouble is when you actually explain how it's done you have those that don't even want to believe the process - if it's not something they're familiar with. This is ironic indeed.

When you decide to study the Inside information it's like expanding pool vocabulary so you're cue can "speak" in the same language as some of the all time greats. No matter if you choose to use the TOI Technique or not, it's unarguably a great experience to develop a complete overall game. 'The Game is the Teacher'