How important are aiming methods really?

I know there are some posters on this thread who have made reference to assorted pros regarding aiming. Here are just a few quotes from assorted bangers regarding aiming and developing a sense of "feel" for shotmaking:

Robert Byrne-
"The aiming process becomes automatic with practice."

Steve Mizerak-
"Unfortunately, few players can tell you exactly how they aim. Most players, even at the highest levels of play, will tell you that aim is a matter of feel. No one is so precise that he can tell you exactly how to aim."

Gerry Kanov & Shari Stauch-
"Once you get to a more consistent playing level, you, like these pros, will come to rely less on certain aiming techniques and more on memory and feel."

Willie Mosconi-
"Don't shy away from words like acquired 'feel' and 'sense' of stroking. They are the most expressive I can think of to describe the necessary ingredients to improve ability."

"Which brings us to the main point of this chapter-to help you develop an 'eye' for sighting the object ball, aiming the cue ball, and to outline special strokes for certain advanced shotmaking."
 
JLW said:
I know there are some posters on this thread who have made reference to assorted pros regarding aiming. Here are just a few quotes from assorted bangers regarding aiming and developing a sense of "feel" for shotmaking:

Robert Byrne-
"The aiming process becomes automatic with practice."

Steve Mizerak-
"Unfortunately, few players can tell you exactly how they aim. Most players, even at the highest levels of play, will tell you that aim is a matter of feel. No one is so precise that he can tell you exactly how to aim."

Gerry Kanov & Shari Stauch-
"Once you get to a more consistent playing level, you, like these pros, will come to rely less on certain aiming techniques and more on memory and feel."

Willie Mosconi-
"Don't shy away from words like acquired 'feel' and 'sense' of stroking. They are the most expressive I can think of to describe the necessary ingredients to improve ability."

"Which brings us to the main point of this chapter-to help you develop an 'eye' for sighting the object ball, aiming the cue ball, and to outline special strokes for certain advanced shotmaking."

A lot of people said a lot of things about Aiming in past years, me included. similar to what Robert Byrne said but I think this was due to the inability of one player to pass on their precise knowledge of aim to another, probably because it really wasn't entirely based on fact and they each had or added their own little feel to it ( a way to identify the shot and then the way to look at it and execute it). What I'm telling you when I explain my method of aim is that it doesn't have to stay that way. I in the past few years have been able to pass my knowledge and perception of aim on to others (who apply some effort). This is because I give them a fact based 100% believable answer to initially aim a shot(we joke about it, this is a 4 and we both are mentally seeing the same way) and then, we work out their perception of the shot which they can then add their own little twist or touch to.

The other methods of aim are much too vague for this to happen. You would have to stand their and get your student to agree with you that yes this is a 35 or 39 degree angle and it calls for a little more than a half ball hit or even worse, you would both have to agree to where the center and edges of that ghost ball should be visualized. (what color is that ghost ball anyways?)

I'm not just selling my aiming system here, trust me the time I spend typing, thinking about what to say or how to say it and my cut of the sales generated by this conversation, I would rather be sleeping. What I do want is for some people to start to understand, that the reason a lot of people said a lot of things about aim, feel and you can and can't do this in the past, was due to their inability to pass it on to others. Not because what they said was true but it was the best they knew at that time and they really couldn't say anything else. Times change, I can now effectively not only teach someone to aim but I can teach them how to teach it and not worry about them doing it wrong. And in the future I will set up some seminars based on that but right now I'm working on something that's for the masses so I won't have to work for the classes.

So I want all of you to know there is a way to consciously aim, it is very accurate and you don't have to wait around for the zone to tap you on the shoulder. Some of you will learn it, some of you won't but those old expressions about you have it or you don't are no longer acceptable in my book.
Good night
 
Razor_Blade said:
White.....!
It's white and lines up with the tangent line.
If you just look at it when you shoot, you are liable to pocket better and control whitey better.
 
Joe T said:
A lot of people said a lot of things about Aiming in past years, me included. similar to what Robert Byrne said but I think this was due to the inability of one player to pass on their precise knowledge of aim to another, probably because it really wasn't entirely based on fact and they each had or added their own little feel to it ( a way to identify the shot and then the way to look at it and execute it). What I'm telling you when I explain my method of aim is that it doesn't have to stay that way. I in the past few years have been able to pass my knowledge and perception of aim on to others (who apply some effort). This is because I give them a fact based 100% believable answer to initially aim a shot(we joke about it, this is a 4 and we both are mentally seeing the same way) and then, we work out their perception of the shot which they can then add their own little twist or touch to.

The other methods of aim are much too vague for this to happen. You would have to stand their and get your student to agree with you that yes this is a 35 or 39 degree angle and it calls for a little more than a half ball hit or even worse, you would both have to agree to where the center and edges of that ghost ball should be visualized. (what color is that ghost ball anyways?)

I'm not just selling my aiming system here, trust me the time I spend typing, thinking about what to say or how to say it and my cut of the sales generated by this conversation, I would rather be sleeping. What I do want is for some people to start to understand, that the reason a lot of people said a lot of things about aim, feel and you can and can't do this in the past, was due to their inability to pass it on to others. Not because what they said was true but it was the best they knew at that time and they really couldn't say anything else. Times change, I can now effectively not only teach someone to aim but I can teach them how to teach it and not worry about them doing it wrong. And in the future I will set up some seminars based on that but right now I'm working on something that's for the masses so I won't have to work for the classes.

So I want all of you to know there is a way to consciously aim, it is very accurate and you don't have to wait around for the zone to tap you on the shoulder. Some of you will learn it, some of you won't but those old expressions about you have it or you don't are no longer acceptable in my book.
Good night




Joe-

The Robert Byrne quote is from a book that was just re-issued in 1998. And, as you may be aware, Robert Byrne is a Hall of Fame teacher.
 
Joe T said:
A lot of people said a lot of things about Aiming in past years, me included. similar to what Robert Byrne said but I think this was due to the inability of one player to pass on their precise knowledge of aim to another, probably because it really wasn't entirely based on fact and they each had or added their own little feel to it ( a way to identify the shot and then the way to look at it and execute it). What I'm telling you when I explain my method of aim is that it doesn't have to stay that way. I in the past few years have been able to pass my knowledge and perception of aim on to others (who apply some effort). This is because I give them a fact based 100% believable answer to initially aim a shot(we joke about it, this is a 4 and we both are mentally seeing the same way) and then, we work out their perception of the shot which they can then add their own little twist or touch to.

The other methods of aim are much too vague for this to happen. You would have to stand their and get your student to agree with you that yes this is a 35 or 39 degree angle and it calls for a little more than a half ball hit or even worse, you would both have to agree to where the center and edges of that ghost ball should be visualized. (what color is that ghost ball anyways?)

I'm not just selling my aiming system here, trust me the time I spend typing, thinking about what to say or how to say it and my cut of the sales generated by this conversation, I would rather be sleeping. What I do want is for some people to start to understand, that the reason a lot of people said a lot of things about aim, feel and you can and can't do this in the past, was due to their inability to pass it on to others. Not because what they said was true but it was the best they knew at that time and they really couldn't say anything else. Times change, I can now effectively not only teach someone to aim but I can teach them how to teach it and not worry about them doing it wrong. And in the future I will set up some seminars based on that but right now I'm working on something that's for the masses so I won't have to work for the classes.

So I want all of you to know there is a way to consciously aim, it is very accurate and you don't have to wait around for the zone to tap you on the shoulder. Some of you will learn it, some of you won't but those old expressions about you have it or you don't are no longer acceptable in my book.
Good night

So, use this incredible method to go out and make a whole lot of money in tournaments and gambling.
 
woody_968 said:
OK Drivermaker, show me what it is you know that can make me increase my ball potting % over and above what Ive ever done in my life. Im not being a smartass, Im totally serious.


I already did. What did YOU do with the email address I gave you?
 
RichardCranium said:
I've found that when I fall out of "alingment" is when I start to miss...It's not that I need a better "aiming system"....When my "aglinment" is on... the game is simple and I feel like I can make any shot on the table...but as soon as I start skipping my shot routine...my alingment falls off and that is when I miss...


I think part of a good aiming system is a way to "see the shot" to align yourself better to it.
 
BazookaJoe said:
What's the aiming system for golf?


Ask Richard Cranium...he was formerly an asst. golf pro. Maybe one of the must highly used is the railroad track system. That's right douche bag...we're right back to where we've started in both sports...your favorite...choo-choo....choo-choo....
 
BazookaJoe said:
If you are to view it that way, then I concede.
Yes, everyone uses a system.
Maybe I'll SPAM message boards with mine.
Or write a book.
Or make a video.
All I have to do is say something like "secrets the pro's beg him for" :rolleyes:

Sorry for all the rants on this.
I'm just not a big believer in learning pool from a textbook, or white papers.


What do we have here...a breakthrough, a fleeting moment of lucidity?

Since you're still a young punk Bazooka and haven't done Jack Shit with your life in ANY respect either as a pool player, a businessman, or a human being...here's your chance big mouth.

When I was learning the game we didn't have textbooks or white papers either. It was handed down from one player to another. So since you're such a great player, how about a few explanations to help struggling players on here and hand down some of this phenomenol knowledge that you've acquired in only 27 years of life on Earth.

Let's assume you have 4-5 feet separating the CB and the OB with the CB about 1 1/2 feet from the end rail and the OB straight in to the corner pocket.
Describe how you "see the shot" align yourself to both the CB and OB and aim your cue stick or balls to pot that straight in shot. In other words, describe everything you see and do.
 
drivermaker said:
What do we have here...a breakthrough, a fleeting moment of lucidity?

Since you're still a young punk Bazooka and haven't done Jack Shit with your life in ANY respect either as a pool player, a businessman, or a human being...here's your chance big mouth.

When I was learning the game we didn't have textbooks or white papers either. It was handed down from one player to another. So since you're such a great player, how about a few explanations to help struggling players on here and hand down some of this phenomenol knowledge that you've acquired in only 27 years of life on Earth.

Let's assume you have 4-5 feet separating the CB and the OB with the CB about 1 1/2 feet from the end rail and the OB straight in to the corner pocket.
Describe how you "see the shot" align yourself to both the CB and OB and aim your cue stick or balls to pot that straight in shot. In other words, describe everything you see and do.


hmmmm, both of you seem to be in georgia............

i've got 25 on DM..........any takers???

VAP
 
Kevin said:
I'm interested in references you have for these quotes from far better players (perhaps! there is hope yet!) than me.

I have at least 5 Grady tapes, don't know how many he has made but I can't recall offhand any mention of using the lights or base of the ball to aim.

I am not aware of any magaziine article or tape anywhere with Efren discussing his systems, other than brief comments "I got lucky" by accu-stats after a match anywhere.

I stand welcome to be corrected on any and all of the above points,

Drivermaker, if you please, more detail on the how to find these sought-after materials (at least by me), please.


Well Kevin...sometimes when we watch a tape we tend to gloss right over something that's right in front of our nose. So, go back and watch Grady's tape..."The 16 Steps", and you'll hear his reference to aiming about the base of the ball and the lights. Now, after you rewatch the tape and hear it, I would like YOU to come right back on this thread and verify that it was on there. Will you do that? He doesn't explain "HOW" to do it, he just says what he uses and what a bunch of other pro's use.

The article that I'm referring to was posted on HERE by Bob Jewett a while back. It was a reprint from P&B Magazine back in the 90's. IF and ONLY IF, you come back on here and verify Grady talking about the his aiming, I'll email a copy of that P&B article. And THAT is where you'll find Efren's aiming system.
 
drivermaker said:
I forgot...his computer went to hell and he was trying to get it fixed.

Do you know of another way I can contact him?

Yea,,, I know I can use the phone,,, but do you have his number? :D
 
woody_968 said:
Well,,, I guess I didnt word my question right,,, can I get his number from you?

And would he mind me calling him?


I'll have to be honest with you Woody, he may very well mind. He's not to keen about discussing his methods with other instructors.
 
drivermaker said:
....that you've acquired in only 27 years of life on Earth.

Firstly,
Let me just say you arent much of a mathematician.
11-14-1970 to 5-19-2005
Hmmmm
that's 34+ years old. Isn't it?

But your ignorance with math is irrelevant.
You've obviously become my bitch.
Seems I can affect your mood, without even posting directly at you. :D

Secondly,
I don't believe you can learn how to aim from an internet post.
I don't pretend to be a great teacher. I learned to aim without any "systems"
Ball hits ball here. Ball goes there.
I understand the use of some of these "systems" as teaching tools.
They all give someone a very good base and visualization for the shot.
But, in my opinion, it all comes down to a "feel" for the shot.
Do you add spin? Does it change aimpoint?
Is there such thing as throw? As squirt?

There is no friggin "miracle, can't miss, system" that will make turn a banger into a pro.
 
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