just posting in this forum makes you a junkie, well it should anyways, but then again lots post here for ulterior motives.
How Many Aiming Systems...
- Thread starter lfigueroa
- Start date
just posting in this forum makes you a junkie, well it should anyways, but then again lots post here for ulterior motives.
Is that two or three systems... or just some really good weed
Lou Figueroa
Lol you didn’t like the poem.
It be 5 wayz mon!
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I'd never teach a "neophyte" any other than ONE of the following three systems:
1. Ghost ball
2. Contact point
3. Back of ball (and variations)
Teaching a neophyte to pivot just invites disaster. Too much can go wrong, and it's very difficult to trouble shoot, especially when the player isn't standing and stroking properly.
If the player is more experienced I could probably teach 4 or 5 more, including pivoting. I don't teach others aiming systems, or indeed pool, unless asked, and I never charge. For a while I believed very strongly in the merits of exotic and elaborate aiming systems, but now I'm not so sure. Unless the aiming systems are taught one on one, with on the spot corrections, I think there is so much that can go wrong, especially with the very elaborate ones. Aiming systems are fun, teaching them is not.
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Someone once said any instruction that is free is usually worth every cent you paid for it.
Someone once said any instruction that is free is usually worth every cent you paid for it.
Not charging means I don't have to deal with people I don't like. It also means I don't have to sell anything, and I don't have to live the lifestyle of a professional pool instructor. Sleeping in the back of the pool room must get old pretty quick, if you ask me.
It means, someone wants me to show them how I do something. If I like them, I will. They see me doing it, then ask. I only pay people who can actually demonstrate the shots they teach. Not all "professional" ones can. Buyer beware.
Good luck with your pool instruction.
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I assume neophyte means any bar banger or lower willing to listen and learn. If they are aiming straight at the contact point (even on cuts) I might share a tip or two on aiming to fix that issue. I’d definitely focus on some more basic systems, e.g. ghost ball. If they’re struggling with extreme thin cuts I might show edge-to-edge. Stuff like that.
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Gotta's agree with you on all that.
Especially the part about 'sleeping in the pool room' and 'buyer beware'.
To further that thought, I know of some instructors who live in trailer parks and apartment projects that resemble stuff I lived in back in my hippie days. Not very inspiring.
(I am not any type of 'instructor' whatsoever, merely a student of the game).
I am, however, pretty good at advising someone on how not to make a bad bet and to try and have the game won, percentage wise, even before the balls are broken for the first rack.
"Locksmith" is a good hat to wear.:wink:
Being a "nit" is pretty good too....it helps in leaving with the cash. (if they don't lay for you in the parking lot, beat hell out of you, and take it all back). Gamblers in pool rooms. contrary to all the on-line BS, are not very nice people over all.
Stay happy.
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hmmmm. I'm thinking my use of the word "neophyte" was maybe ill advised.
What I was trying to get at was just: how many aiming systems do you know well enough to teach?
So I'll put you down for seven.
Lou Figueroa
You forgot to drop the mic.
I was lucky enough to get a lesson on straight pool safety strategy from Stu M. a few years ago, and he doesn't accept payment. I guess that was a waste of my time, too.
Some people have nothing better to do than take swipes at people for no apparent reason. But hey, "stay happy" and all that BS.
Ok, so thanks to all who participated.
It seems like everyone knows around a half dozen aiming systems, give tor take, well enough to pass on to someone else. So the next logical questions Is: how many of these systems to you actually use shot-to-shot, day-in-day-out?
Me, I know half a dozen systems and use... none of them -- zippo. I also know a few kicking systems but when I have to go one or three rails I use exactly: zero. (OK, one time I used the Spot on the Wall.) I have books, and videos, and DVDS with huge steaming piles of aiming systems... but I use none. As I've oft said, I just see the shot and shoot the shot.
I use no systems though I have the knowledge and resources to do so if wanted. How 'bout you?
Lou Figueroa
It seems like everyone knows around a half dozen aiming systems, give tor take, well enough to pass on to someone else. So the next logical questions Is: how many of these systems to you actually use shot-to-shot, day-in-day-out?
Me, I know half a dozen systems and use... none of them -- zippo. I also know a few kicking systems but when I have to go one or three rails I use exactly: zero. (OK, one time I used the Spot on the Wall.) I have books, and videos, and DVDS with huge steaming piles of aiming systems... but I use none. As I've oft said, I just see the shot and shoot the shot.
I use no systems though I have the knowledge and resources to do so if wanted. How 'bout you?
Lou Figueroa
Zero for me. I used to look into them but don't anymore. My pool teacher shows me I can hit the size of a piece of chalk when I aim at it. Most of us don't even aim at the different sections of the pocket as he does. Every lesson, he shows me what a difference of the cue ball angle depending on how we hit the pocket thick or thin or in the middle. Too much information for most pool players though as I've found out posting that on AZB. You've got to see it before anyone argues about it.
"the size of a piece of chalk".........man, that's no good.
Gotta's do better than that to keep those chumps in the chair.
I can hit a ballpoint pen dot 1/16" in diameter 10 feet away all day long and will never miss it. I have very good eyes....from a distance. I still need help, though, in "estimating the cuts"...therefore I use a system.
Just because I still have good eyes and a straight stroke doesn't mean I can hit the correct spot on that object ball with the cueball all day long to ensure the shot is pocketed.
The aiming system(s) refine the process of selecting and hitting that correct spot at various angles on the table.
That's ALL they do primarily. (although the one I use will, all by itself, correct any stroke flaws that may exist). The process of the "system eliminating the stroke flaws", admittedly, takes some time (maybe months)....but it eliminates any conscious effort in doing so.
I will refrain from mentioning its title since that always seems to start a "flaming war" one way or another concerning its validity. You can use your imagination on that one.
I can't speak for any others except "The Line" on the ferrule method that Lassiter used at one period for zeroing in on the contact point. Which when used correctly will allow the shooter to "dial in" any English by merely rotating the cue slightly to the left or the right when lining up.
The 'edge of the ferrule method' has been used by some players I knew. (Danny Jones, David Sizemore, Ralph Guest, Joe Cosgrove) I couldn't seem to make it work though.
Is your teacher an action player as well as being a teacher?...if so, he/she is probably a very good one. I don't think too much of teachers who can't do it themselves.
Stay happy.
:thumbup:
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We've been through this before, I do NOT use any aiming system. Don't want it, don't need it.
No, we "haven't been through this before". I don't even know who you are, mister.
And if you don't want any aiming systems, by all means don't use any. I'm sure as hell not selling any.
:boring2:
I have heard there are certain individuals who have developed or evolved to a much higher state of being that transcends the mundane act of needing to relieve themselves through all bodily functions ever again. Once reaching this state of deity, all normal Earthly functions completely disappear. I never believed it could ever happen but it's been stated numerous times so it must be true.
If it can happen for bodily functions, it must be the case for those touched by the Gods of pool themselves to be elevated into this highest state of deification for no need to aim, use any type of system, or miss a shot ever again.
I BELIEVE!! I BELIEVE!!
(Spidey - One who is not destined to evolve to this glorified state of existence along with most Pro players)
If it can happen for bodily functions, it must be the case for those touched by the Gods of pool themselves to be elevated into this highest state of deification for no need to aim, use any type of system, or miss a shot ever again.
I BELIEVE!! I BELIEVE!!
(Spidey - One who is not destined to evolve to this glorified state of existence along with most Pro players)