How Fractional Aiming Systems Help

I don't have the time to go through all of the previous posts right now, so I apologize if someone has already touched on this. I read about this aiming system in a little book written by Willie Mosconi and believe that this is the best way to aim since in reality there are two contact points (one on object ball one on cue ball) in a properly executed shot:

aim1copy.jpg


The most difficult part of this is proper visualization, but with practice it will come to you. Also, it is worth mentioning that when there is spin on the cue ball or collision induced throw you must adjust how you aim. There is no system for that. Feel along with having some spin shots that you own and can use as references is the only recipe for success in these cases.
 
I don't have the time to go through all of the previous posts right now, so I apologize if someone has already touched on this. I read about this aiming system in a little book written by Willie Mosconi and believe that this is the best way to aim since in reality there are two contact points (one on object ball one on cue ball) in a properly executed shot:

aim1copy.jpg


The most difficult part of this is proper visualization, but with practice it will come to you. Also, it is worth mentioning that when there is spin on the cue ball or collision induced throw you must adjust how you aim. There is no system for that. Feel along with having some spin shots that you own and can use as references is the only recipe for success in these cases.
If people want a simpler illustration and explanation of this method, it can be found here:

Good post,
Dave
 
Thanks for the kind words and all of your hard work and resources Dave. After thinking about it for a second, I do use this method when spin or collision induced throw is involved, I just don't aim for the pocket anymore. I believe that this helps me keep my stroke straight.
 
Try that out and what else do you need help with? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVhLI3W8TAE

I get it - I know that feeling when you are on target but I have not learned to trust it because I have been brainwashed into thinking that anything that is feeling - based is bad for being an emotional decision and not scientifically or geometricaly verfiable.

I also need help on making decisions as to which target to point the cue tip to on the object ball when the target area is borderline between A & B or between C & B. When it is a very thick cut, it's very obvious that you aim (pre-pivot) at CBE to A or CBE to C depending on the direction of the pivot. However, the clarity of this division fades as the cut gets thinner, the angle gets larger, and you get nearer to the dividing line between the 2 panels. As Stan explains in his DVD, this is not a problem with fractional aiming systems because they do not employ a pivot. In CTE Pro/One, the pivot substitutes for the lack of gradations on each panel. Of course this is the hardest part of CTE/Pro One to master, and it is easier said than done.

You think you can help me here? It would be very much appreciated. I think the answer is obtainable by focusing on how the hips move and how the eyes hover over the cue from a bird's eye viewpoint. Again, this is not scientific, but it works if you can get it right. The final question is when to make the switch from A to B or from C to B - that's it!
 
...I know that feeling when you are on target but I have not learned to trust it because I have been brainwashed into thinking that anything that is feeling - based is bad for being an emotional decision and not scientifically or geometricaly verfiable.
The best players in the world aim substantially by feel. Everybody does regardless of the method used. It's an inescapable part of all aiming - no aiming system can eliminate it. There's nothing "bad" about it; it's just a universal fact of pool life.

...In CTE Pro/One, the pivot substitutes for the lack of gradations on each panel.
Actually, the combined "visual" and pivot do this. The "visual" is how you visualize the correct angle within the "panel", and the pivot is how you aim at it.

Of course this is the hardest part of CTE/Pro One to master, and it is easier said than done.
It's the hardest part because it's the "non-systematic" part. The "panels" help the learning and recalling process so the "gradations" become second nature.

Here's how I'd say the same thing:

It's the hardest part because it's the adjustment by feel part. The reference angles help the learning and recalling process so the adjustments become subconscious and automatic.

pj
chgo
 
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trying to help the guy out Pj do you always have to give a lecture on feel and fractions every time someone post about cte?
There have been nearly 100 posts in this thread since my last one, just about all of them about CTE. I think "every time" is a little over the top, even for you.

Filibogado raised the topic of playing by feel - maybe he learned something from my perspective that he didn't from yours. Maybe he doesn't need you to try to censor what others say to him.

Besides, you and Filibogado aren't the only people reading here.

pj
chgo
 
The best players in the world aim substantially by feel. Everybody does regardless of the method used. It's an inescapable part of all aiming - no aiming system can eliminate it. There's nothing "bad" about it; it's just a universal fact of pool life.


pj
chgo

Suggesting that a particular aiming system requires substantial feel is really a knock on the system.

"FEEL", like in estimating the amount of contact induced throw, or spin-induced throw, or the feel adjustment for squerve is just fine.

Often times your words seem to insinuate that CTE/Pro1 is a feel based shooting system, which it is not.

Also, in your posts, you seem to indicate that CTE/Pro1 is not "exact" and maybe you mean something else but the users of CTE/Pro1 are EXACT & PRECISE in the things that they do.

It is my belief that CTE/Pro1 teaches a person how to aim PRECISELY. Of course a person will have to estimate many things and if you want to call that feel great, but calling CTE/Pro1 a feel based aiming system is not in line with my thinking. Your kind of thinking is equivalent to saying that Ghost Ball aiming is a feel based aiming system and that's not true either.
Sure, all aiming systems require feel for speed, feel for cue ball action, feel for object ball action, feel for table conditions et cetera but CTE/Pro 1 users do the same thing over and over. If that's the feel you are talking about then I can agree with you.

After becoming proficient with CTE/Pro1, aiming becomes second nature (automatic if you will), similar to your style of aiming, just with a LOT LESS "FIDGETING".
 
I get the impression when you post your not giving a perspective but lecturing people on "this is how it is"
Some things are obviously true that readers here may not know are obviously true. I say those things confidently so readers here will know that I consider them obvious and will maybe want to learn why that is.

i can back up anything i say or have said in this thread with a video also.
No, you can't. As you yourself have said, it's impossible to tell from watching your videos that you're pivoting at all. How much harder is it to see whether you're following specific system instructions (that you can't describe) or pivoting by feel?

why dont you try and find out where/how the feel is used in the system
That's most of the point of this thread. Where have you been? Thinking up cute names to call your "enemies".

pj
chgo
 
Suggesting that a particular aiming system requires substantial feel is really a knock on the system.
If CTE really is the greatest thing since flush toilets, it can stand the shame of requiring some feel.

Often times your words seem to insinuate that CTE/Pro1 is a feel based shooting system, which it is not.
I try not to insinuate; it's a posting tactic I don't respect. I come right out and say that CTE, like every other aiming method, requires substantial feel on the part of the user. I also come right out and say that CTE can be a significant aid to that process.

Also, in your posts, you seem to indicate that CTE/Pro1 is not "exact" and maybe you mean something else but the users of CTE/Pro1 are EXACT & PRECISE in the things that they do.
So am I, and I aim by feel.

...calling CTE/Pro1 a feel based aiming system is not in line with my thinking.
It's also not what I say. I say feel is inescapable in aiming. CTE doesn't "cure" that; it makes it easier to do.

...all aiming systems require feel for speed, feel for cue ball action, feel for object ball action, feel for table conditions et cetera but CTE/Pro 1 users do the same thing over and over. If that's the feel you are talking about then I can agree with you.
CTE, like all other aiming methods, cannot prescribe for the shooter exactly how to aim any shot (except the ones that fall exactly on the common fractional "system angles") - the system "steps" required for that would be way too long and complicated. This is made obvious by the simple fact that CTE, nor any of its users, nor even its inventor/instructor, can describe in any clear or systematic way how to get from system alignments to final aim.

After becoming proficient with CTE/Pro1, aiming becomes second nature (automatic if you will),
Sure, just like any aiming, including my entirely by-feel aiming.

similar to your style of aiming, just with a LOT LESS "FIDGETING".
You and John seem to really like that word. You insinuate (that word again) that "fidgeting" means "not shooting well" and that anything but CTE involves "fidgeting". I guess the big blue font makes it more true, huh?

pj
chgo
 
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Suggesting that a particular aiming system requires substantial feel is really a knock on the system.
Like PJ, I disagree with this. Every aiming system requires feel because the systems don't totally define a precise set of mechanical steps to arrive at each cut angle exactly. Also, even if a procedure were totally precise and clear, "visual intelligence," perception, and judgement are still involved. We are not precision robots ... we are humans. Perception, experience, intuition, and feel are a big part of everything we do at the table.

I personally think CTE, and Pro-One in particular, is better described as a consistent pre-shot routine, and not as an aiming system. There are definite benefits to using a pre-shot routine like Pro-One. A consistent and purposeful pre-shot routine helps somebody learn how to aim. The pre-shot routine doesn't do the aiming for you, but it can help you learn to aim more efficiently and more quickly. It can also help you create accurate and consistent alignment and sighting.

"Aiming" systems like CTE and Pro-One also provide additional benefits to some people, but the systems don't provide the aiming line, the person does this through their perception and judgement (AKA "feel").

I think if we called Pro-One a "pre-shot routine" and not an "aiming system," there would be a lot more agreement in threads like this.

Regards,
Dave
 
Like PJ, I disagree with this. Every aiming system requires feel because the systems don't totally define a precise set of mechanical steps to arrive at each cut angle exactly. Also, even if a procedure were totally precise and clear, "visual intelligence," perception, and judgement are still involved. We are not precision robots ... we are humans. Perception, experience, intuition, and feel are a big part of everything we do at the table.

I personally think CTE, and Pro-One in particular, is better described as a consistent pre-shot routine, and not as an aiming system. There are definite benefits to using a pre-shot routine like Pro-One. A consistent and purposeful pre-shot routine helps somebody learn how to aim. The pre-shot routine doesn't do the aiming for you, but it can help you learn to aim more efficiently and more quickly. It can also help you create accurate and consistent alignment and sighting.

"Aiming" systems like CTE and Pro-One also provide additional benefits to some people, but the systems don't provide the aiming line, the person does this through their perception and judgement (AKA "feel").

I think if we called Pro-One a "pre-shot routine" and not an "aiming system," there would be a lot more agreement in threads like this.

Regards,
Dave

Just out of curiosity, precisely what feel is involved with Ghost Ball?
 
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