Where is Hal Houle located?
My day with Hal Houle and his aiming system
- Thread starter Subsonic2u
- Start date
RascalDoc said:
Randy and Scott will be joining me next month in Charlotte for their annual road trip to the Carolinas. It doesn't take much arm twisting to get SAM covered in the class...we are all happy to teach it in most every class we do. If you could make the trip up here for the class, you can get all of SAM you want, along with quite a bit more.
Steve
I bet he just wishes all his former students would stop sticking up for him...
pj
chgo
Patrick Johnson said:
Pat...With your negative attitude? You MUST be joking!
Well, okay...but you have to "pony up" like everybody else...or you can go see Hal! Honestly, you would first need to clean up your stroke before S.A.M. would make any sense to you. That's why most students don't get exposed to S.A.M. in the first lesson or two...because their strokes need a LOT of work.
For a pro, who already has a repeatable stroke (whether it's SPF or not) they often take to S.A.M. like a duck to water. I worked with a pro in Baltimore not long ago, who stated, after spending a couple of hours on S.A.M.: "Wow, now THIS is something I can sink my teeth into! It's worth the price of the whole lesson by itself!" IMO, the really experienced players come to us for help with P.E.P. and S.A.M., because they WORK!
BTW...the main aiming system that Tom Simpson teaches is also S.A.M., which he learned from Randyg in Dallas. He just chooses to call it a different name, and number the shots differently.
FTR, I think Hal Houle is a GREAT man, with a ton of knowledge to share with the pool world. I wish he was 30 yrs younger, and in better health, so he'd be around for a LOT longer! Best wishes Hal, for good health in your late years. You've helped a lot of poolplayers, including helping make us better instructors! Thank You!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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fixed aim points to Bang the Object Ball (BOB)
I experimented with fixed aim points and fixed contact points on the object ball awhile back after one of these endless aiming threads. What I discovered was BOB. I know, you were all waiting with bated breath for one more acronym. That is why I tortured the language to bequeath BOB on you. What I found should be very obvious but what I didn't realize was that this also makes the contact angles of the cue ball and object ball largely self correcting.
I will use a sixth ball hit in this example but the statement is true for any hit from edge/edge to center/center: A one-sixth ball hit from 40degrees does not impact the object ball at the same place as a one-sixth ball hit from 35degrees, etc, etc.
Damn, I wrote a post to tell y'all that? Anyone with half a brain knows that! Well yeah, but when you play with it and the results of this simple fact, all of the fixed aiming point stuff starts to come together. Add in pocket width, speed, and throw, and things start working pretty good.
Hu(World's foremost expert on and leading instructor of BOB)
I experimented with fixed aim points and fixed contact points on the object ball awhile back after one of these endless aiming threads. What I discovered was BOB. I know, you were all waiting with bated breath for one more acronym. That is why I tortured the language to bequeath BOB on you. What I found should be very obvious but what I didn't realize was that this also makes the contact angles of the cue ball and object ball largely self correcting.
I will use a sixth ball hit in this example but the statement is true for any hit from edge/edge to center/center: A one-sixth ball hit from 40degrees does not impact the object ball at the same place as a one-sixth ball hit from 35degrees, etc, etc.
Damn, I wrote a post to tell y'all that? Anyone with half a brain knows that! Well yeah, but when you play with it and the results of this simple fact, all of the fixed aiming point stuff starts to come together. Add in pocket width, speed, and throw, and things start working pretty good.
Hu(World's foremost expert on and leading instructor of BOB)
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frankncali said:
Frank...Hal is a retired physics professor from UC/Berkeley, where he taught for IIRC 25 yrs. Recently he relocated to Walnutport, PA. He was posting here in the last month as Kildagirl. You can search his posts, and see the location. Hope to see you in a couple of weeks!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
ineedaspot said:
ineedaspot...Nice post! Just so you know, "Feel" is a legitimate aiming system, and used by almost every pro for banking, at least! SAM incorporates elements of four different aiming systems (ghost ball, feel, math, and contact point) into one fluid, easy to use (we think) aiming method. It will not work for all people in all situations. It will work for many people in many situations. That's why it's called the S(upplemental) A(iming) M(ethod)! One of the really cool aspects of SAM is that it can be used not just for ball pocketing, but also banking, caroms, and can be adjusted for stroke speed and using sidespin too!
Scott Lee
www.pooknowledge.com
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John Barton
New member
Neil said:
Actually, it does work "on paper" as well. Since meeting Hal in Denver one night I have thought about this whole aiming system business quite a bit. And in reality, as Hal also affirms, there are plenty of them out there beyond those that come up in conversation often.
The test is whether they get you to the "right" line or not. All aiming methods that really work have one goal, to get the player lined up in the one position that makes it possible to pocket the object ball. You can stroke as straight as Archer but IF you are not lined up right then you won't make the ball, or at least you will miss for more than you should.
As I walk around the shot I see that there is only one right line and everything else is "off".
So the way that the systems work is that they train you to automatically sight along the right line and step into the shot on that line.
Take any shot on the table and the only thing that moves is the player. So as you walk around the table looking at the angles you eventually have to decide on one approach to execute the shot. Hal's systems, to me, give me a better way than feel to line up.
The point is that if they work then there is a geometric reason why they work. I have ideas about how to diagram it but I don't have the time or patience to complete them. The few diagrams I did do on Corel Draw proved to me that the system lines up exactly as the ghost ball method. In other words the cueball would pass through the ghost ball if propelled along the line formed through use of Hal's system.
There is more to the universe than ghost ball.
Here's something that has helped me a bunch.
We all know what the ghost ball system is. My problem with using the ghost ball is that I tend to see the ghost ball in the wrong spot. I stand there at look and the shot and put the ghost ball in my minds eye and I'll often see it wrong. It helps me to imagaine/visualize a ghost ball on the pocket side of the object ball and see it all lined up on the line to the pocket or facing or target for the ob to hit.
This ball and the ob are lined up to go in the pocket. Now I can visualize the usual ghost ball and this makes a line of three balls pointed at where I want the object ball to go. I can see the correct ghost ball position much better when I mentally put it behind the true ob and the forward ghost ball to make a line of 3 balls. I am much more accurate using this system. I think I can honestly claim a 50% increase in accuracy when I view this "line up" of balls all aimed in a line.
I also use a system that Hal taught me over the phone and I "feel" the angle, . My mind puts all of these systems together to form the correct aiming point.
We all know what the ghost ball system is. My problem with using the ghost ball is that I tend to see the ghost ball in the wrong spot. I stand there at look and the shot and put the ghost ball in my minds eye and I'll often see it wrong. It helps me to imagaine/visualize a ghost ball on the pocket side of the object ball and see it all lined up on the line to the pocket or facing or target for the ob to hit.
This ball and the ob are lined up to go in the pocket. Now I can visualize the usual ghost ball and this makes a line of three balls pointed at where I want the object ball to go. I can see the correct ghost ball position much better when I mentally put it behind the true ob and the forward ghost ball to make a line of 3 balls. I am much more accurate using this system. I think I can honestly claim a 50% increase in accuracy when I view this "line up" of balls all aimed in a line.
I also use a system that Hal taught me over the phone and I "feel" the angle, . My mind puts all of these systems together to form the correct aiming point.
John Barton said:Actually, it does work "on paper" as well. Since meeting Hal in Denver one night I have thought about this whole aiming system business quite a bit. And in reality, as Hal also affirms, there are plenty of them out there beyond those that come up in conversation often.
The test is whether they get you to the "right" line or not. All aiming methods that really work have one goal, to get the player lined up in the one position that makes it possible to pocket the object ball. You can stroke as straight as Archer but IF you are not lined up right then you won't make the ball, or at least you will miss for more than you should.
As I walk around the shot I see that there is only one right line and everything else is "off".
So the way that the systems work is that they train you to automatically sight along the right line and step into the shot on that line.
Take any shot on the table and the only thing that moves is the player. So as you walk around the table looking at the angles you eventually have to decide on one approach to execute the shot. Hal's systems, to me, give me a better way than feel to line up.
The point is that if they work then there is a geometric reason why they work. I have ideas about how to diagram it but I don't have the time or patience to complete them. The few diagrams I did do on Corel Draw proved to me that the system lines up exactly as the ghost ball method. In other words the cueball would pass through the ghost ball if propelled along the line formed through use of Hal's system.
Great post John! It really reinforces what we teach...that ALL errors on a pool table will be one of three catagories...Recognition, Alignment, or Delivery! In pool school we try to clean up the delivery first, and then help with the alignment part. The recognition comes with practice. SAM is RAD!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
We all know what the ghost ball system is. My problem with using the ghost ball is that I tend to see the ghost ball in the wrong spot. I stand there at look and the shot and put the ghost ball in my minds eye and I'll often see it wrong. It helps me to imagaine/visualize a ghost ball on the pocket side of the object ball and see it all lined up on the line to the pocket or facing or target for the ob to hit.
Pretend the center of the pocket is inches away from the ob.
Imagine the two balls sticking, do they line up to that pocket?
Shoot if yes and keep your eye on the path of the cb.
Pretend the center of the pocket is inches away from the ob.
Imagine the two balls sticking, do they line up to that pocket?
Shoot if yes and keep your eye on the path of the cb.
ineedaspot said:
I can see this happening. I reviewed a Bert Kinister video and in this one, he shows how to pocket a shot straight in from the length of the table. He advises you how to aim this shot and trying it, it works great. This has greatly improved my accuracy on these types of shots.
Now, here is the kicker! You can move the object ball from straight in to about a ball and one-half to the left or the right. Use the same aiming point and still pocket the ball.
This is a prime example of the subconscious at work. You still aim the same, but, you adjust subconsciously.
I am trying to say this is how Hals system works, or SAM. I do not know either system. I am just replying to the above quote.
PKM said:
This is the link that I found that "kind of" analyzes Hal system. Kind of gives you the idea.
http://www.billiardsdigest.com/ccbo...=198526&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
These are funny threads , the kinds no wants to read but everyone does.
Anywho . . .
Few things I find interesting :
Some poeple just hate 'systems' . . . except for what they use which they don't consider a 'system'. I think those people consider openly using a system some kind of sellout and places those people on a scale below them somewhere. Interesting.
There is no such thing as 'feel' unless your shooting blind folded.
What ever your doing to line up a shot is a system whether you believe it or not. You look at the pocket ,estimate the angle ,estimate the point of aim/contact , adjust for whatever , shoot. That's a system , no 'feel' about it. Interesting tho to think otherwise. Try a blind fold and get back to me on 'feel' shooting
Sports ,especially those like pool the require minimal physical prowess (don't let that start something ) are largely mental. Most times even the physical mistakes are mentally based. Not always of course. Confidence and strong visualizations more often than not out weigh flaws even on the physical side.
How ever you get that is irrelevant , only that you do get it somehow , doesn't matter what nametag is it either.
It's what we all strive for . . . it's why champions are champions and why 'we' . . . have "alot of potential".
Systems , Feel (when it's working for you) all aim to give you that.
All that matters is that you find it , it's in you if you look , it may just take a system to find it in all the clutter.
Anywho . . .
I don't use a system . . . also miss alot.
Anywho . . .
Few things I find interesting :
Some poeple just hate 'systems' . . . except for what they use which they don't consider a 'system'. I think those people consider openly using a system some kind of sellout and places those people on a scale below them somewhere. Interesting.
There is no such thing as 'feel' unless your shooting blind folded.
What ever your doing to line up a shot is a system whether you believe it or not. You look at the pocket ,estimate the angle ,estimate the point of aim/contact , adjust for whatever , shoot. That's a system , no 'feel' about it. Interesting tho to think otherwise. Try a blind fold and get back to me on 'feel' shooting Sports ,especially those like pool the require minimal physical prowess (don't let that start something
) are largely mental. Most times even the physical mistakes are mentally based. Not always of course. Confidence and strong visualizations more often than not out weigh flaws even on the physical side. How ever you get that is irrelevant , only that you do get it somehow , doesn't matter what nametag is it either.
It's what we all strive for . . . it's why champions are champions and why 'we' . . . have "alot of potential".
Systems , Feel (when it's working for you) all aim to give you that.
All that matters is that you find it , it's in you if you look , it may just take a system to find it in all the clutter.
Anywho . . .
I don't use a system . . . also miss alot.
There is no such thing as 'feel' unless your shooting blind folded. What ever your doing to line up a shot is a system whether you believe it or not. You look at the pocket ,estimate the angle ,estimate the point of aim/contact , adjust for whatever , shoot. That's a system , no 'feel' about it. Interesting tho to think otherwise. Try a blind fold and get back to me on 'feel' shooting
well, OK.
You know this argument has been going on for years. Here's something I wrote on another group during a discussion about aiming when someone made pretty much the same argument you just did:
I don't know about all the other girls, but today at the pool hall I did a little experiment (which all those who advocate finding the tiniest sub-atomic particle on the object ball that their little peepers can possibly focus on to aim at, can try too):
I busted open a full rack. I selected my first shot and the position I wanted. I got down on the shot. I tried to keep my eyes unfocused and just took a couple of practice strokes.
And then I closed my eyes.
I wasn't looking at any little itsy bitsy point on the ball. (Pinkie swear.) I didn't divide the object ball up into 64 parts. Didn't look at any ball edges. Didn't even check the reflection of the lights off the object ball. (Honest.) I just closed my eyes and then, after a pause, shot the ball. To make a long story short, I ran all 15 this way without a miss. The only thing I noticed going awry was that on shots where I wanted to put a little extra english on the ball, my position tended to be off. My theory on this is that watching the shot helps with stroke speed.
Lou Figueroa
What ever your doing to line up a shot is a system whether you believe it or not. You look at the pocket ,estimate the angle ,estimate the point of aim/contact , adjust for whatever , shoot. That's a system , no 'feel' about it. Interesting tho to think otherwise. Try a blind fold and get back to me on 'feel' shooting well, OK.
You know this argument has been going on for years. Here's something I wrote on another group during a discussion about aiming when someone made pretty much the same argument you just did:
I don't know about all the other girls, but today at the pool hall I did a little experiment (which all those who advocate finding the tiniest sub-atomic particle on the object ball that their little peepers can possibly focus on to aim at, can try too):
I busted open a full rack. I selected my first shot and the position I wanted. I got down on the shot. I tried to keep my eyes unfocused and just took a couple of practice strokes.
And then I closed my eyes.
I wasn't looking at any little itsy bitsy point on the ball. (Pinkie swear.) I didn't divide the object ball up into 64 parts. Didn't look at any ball edges. Didn't even check the reflection of the lights off the object ball. (Honest.) I just closed my eyes and then, after a pause, shot the ball. To make a long story short, I ran all 15 this way without a miss. The only thing I noticed going awry was that on shots where I wanted to put a little extra english on the ball, my position tended to be off. My theory on this is that watching the shot helps with stroke speed.
Lou Figueroa
Play EVERY Hand And You'll Win SOME
Lou Figueroa sez:
I just closed my eyes and then, after a pause, shot the ball.
That's the exact same way that I play Poker.....
Doug
( I'm ALL IN )
Lou Figueroa sez:
I just closed my eyes and then, after a pause, shot the ball.
That's the exact same way that I play Poker.....
Doug
( I'm ALL IN )