I can play pool at a fairly high level most of the time ( 2nd place in a 8- ball league consisting of about 60 players, most of which are beginners) . I do not use any type of aiming system or diamond system consciously that i know of. Am i missing out or are there good players that only rely on there feed-forward process and do not need aiming systems? i hear of these aiming systems a lot, i hope they are just a gimmick. Know of any pros that do not use aiming systems? i know there are other threads on this but i like to ask the question in my own words
playing well without aiming systems
- Thread starter obclassicut
- Start date
Here come the aiming system bullies.:grin-square:
:thumbup:
My aiming system is from the paperback Willie Mosconi red or blue covered beginners book from the 1970's.
So far it is the only one I know. Look to see where I got to hit it...then knock it in.:smile:
A copy of the book in this ad--------->
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pool-cues-a...BSwZqWW9mySuu6wePyburww=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
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I use an aiming system that works for me. I have always felt that someone who does not have to consciously think about aiming is better off. I think this works for many things in life.
There are people like me who have to work harder to accomplish somethings, and there are people who just do it. Earl Strickland amazes me. He seems to able to just get down and shoot. You are lucky it comes more naturally for you.
I've been playing for over 20 years and never consciously used them (aiming or diamond system) that I'm aware of either.
However, I just picked up a video on the diamond system and have only watch the first 1/4 of it a couple of times and its already helped me out a few times during matches, so I definitely see the benifits to that system.
I dont feel like I need an aiming sytem. I know exactly how to hit the ball to get the result I want, it's just a matter of doing it correctly.
I'm not saying aiming systems aren't good to use or that they can't be a benifit, I'm just saying that I've learned how to aim correctly over the years and personally don't feel the need to learn one.
However, I just picked up a video on the diamond system and have only watch the first 1/4 of it a couple of times and its already helped me out a few times during matches, so I definitely see the benifits to that system.
I dont feel like I need an aiming sytem. I know exactly how to hit the ball to get the result I want, it's just a matter of doing it correctly.
I'm not saying aiming systems aren't good to use or that they can't be a benifit, I'm just saying that I've learned how to aim correctly over the years and personally don't feel the need to learn one.
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Sounds like your natural talent has been enough to play very well at your current level of competition.
You can make future decisions about systems/methods and their worth as increased competition tests your skill set. If you can play well against the bigger dogs-no reason to change anything.
Wishing continued good shooting to you.
Take care
You can make future decisions about systems/methods and their worth as increased competition tests your skill set. If you can play well against the bigger dogs-no reason to change anything.
Wishing continued good shooting to you.
Take care
you are using a system, you just don't know it.
You(OP) must be aiming somewhere to make your shot, there is no way you can play pool and not "aim" at a certain point, in your case you just don't know what to call your aiming system. I would say call it "Aiming System Z".
You(OP) must be aiming somewhere to make your shot, there is no way you can play pool and not "aim" at a certain point, in your case you just don't know what to call your aiming system. I would say call it "Aiming System Z".
I'll check it out. i just figured with throw, english, follow, and draw that diamond systems would be usless. if i always used center ball i guess the diamond system would be a logical way to improve.
A lot of people choose not to use aiming systems, and a number of pros who post on here say they have never used them. Others, like SVB, say they do use them, atleast at times. If you have trouble pocketing balls due to aim, it may be worth trying. For me, I know that my consistency pocketing balls, especially with shots where you can't see the pocket while shooting, has increased greatly since I started using CTE. It took quite a while to really get to where it worked well in my game, but I would much rather play with it than without it at this point in time, and currently use it on almost all shots.
Like most other things in pool it is a personal decision that will work well for some and not others. You will have to try for yourself and make your own decision whether a system works well for you..
Without stirring up too much crap, it sounds like the good 'ol PITH:wink:
Whatever works for you is the right thing. I wouldn't comment one way or another on the need for aiming systems.
What I am curious about is the term "fairly high level" or I'm a "good" player.
Those are relative terms and really difficult to associate with whether or not an aiming system may improve your game.
My personal perception of a fairly high level, or good player is someone who can set up a full rack of balls, pull one off the top, set up a break shot, and within 4 or 5 tries, run 30 to 40 balls without missing. Someone else may feel it should be 50 or 60 balls, and someone else might think its 14 balls.
Others might equate it to beating some ghost guy ... I dunno about all that.
So ... where you fall is your personal comfort zone if you're happy with where you are, you don't need anything.
What I am curious about is the term "fairly high level" or I'm a "good" player.
Those are relative terms and really difficult to associate with whether or not an aiming system may improve your game.
My personal perception of a fairly high level, or good player is someone who can set up a full rack of balls, pull one off the top, set up a break shot, and within 4 or 5 tries, run 30 to 40 balls without missing. Someone else may feel it should be 50 or 60 balls, and someone else might think its 14 balls.
Others might equate it to beating some ghost guy ... I dunno about all that.
So ... where you fall is your personal comfort zone if you're happy with where you are, you don't need anything. What I believe is the most important is to have a systemic approach to practice. Whatever system you use in your practice is a little concern overall.
A systemic approach to practice is where real improvements occur.
Just banging balls around don't get it.
It takes a long time to get ones weaknesses down to just a few. A clear idea on what to practice for where you are, skill wise, is the key to cutting your weakness down to size.
A systemic approach to practice is where real improvements occur.
Just banging balls around don't get it.
It takes a long time to get ones weaknesses down to just a few. A clear idea on what to practice for where you are, skill wise, is the key to cutting your weakness down to size.
I don't use any that I know of
For most shots, no system is needed... plenty of players can cut the ball without any sort of formula.
But I recommend you learn something for kicks and banks. I can't swear to it, but I STRONGLY suspect almost all pros have at least some common reference lines memorized, and probably several full systems.
You can try just eyeballing these, but often the object ball or pocket are out of sight, so it's hard to just eyeball a shot you can't fully see. And it's also hard to eyeball a shot that looks totally new and unfamiliar.
When kicking, if the balls happen to fall on one of those reference lines, you know for sure you'll hit it and can actually control which side of the ball you hit. Maybe even kick a ball into the hole, one that is a full diamond from the pocket and not just hanging.
When banking, you might not hit the common easy banks better than a 'feel' player. But the weird banks that don't come up very often... it's great to have a system for these. You'd be surprised that you can make these off-angle banks in situations where other guys are taking a guess and miss it by a diamond.
As for aiming systems for other shots such as cuts, you'll get lots of raging debate on the usefulness of those. But the info is out there... so I figure, why not take a free shot at something that might help you?
But I recommend you learn something for kicks and banks. I can't swear to it, but I STRONGLY suspect almost all pros have at least some common reference lines memorized, and probably several full systems.
You can try just eyeballing these, but often the object ball or pocket are out of sight, so it's hard to just eyeball a shot you can't fully see. And it's also hard to eyeball a shot that looks totally new and unfamiliar.
When kicking, if the balls happen to fall on one of those reference lines, you know for sure you'll hit it and can actually control which side of the ball you hit. Maybe even kick a ball into the hole, one that is a full diamond from the pocket and not just hanging.
When banking, you might not hit the common easy banks better than a 'feel' player. But the weird banks that don't come up very often... it's great to have a system for these. You'd be surprised that you can make these off-angle banks in situations where other guys are taking a guess and miss it by a diamond.
As for aiming systems for other shots such as cuts, you'll get lots of raging debate on the usefulness of those. But the info is out there... so I figure, why not take a free shot at something that might help you?
Can you describe what you do?
I look at ALL shots like they're "staight in" at first
To do anything consistently requires some type of "system". I think players, especially in this Aiming Forum are mislead about what an aiming "system" really is and how it works. One thing you need before aiming even matters is a "system" for hitting the cue ball straight every time. If you're mishitting the cue ball there's no aiming system that could matter.
If you play well I'm sure you have some kind of pre shot routine to accomplish this with your feet, body angles, hand/cue alignment, etc. Then it's essential to see the cue ball and object ball connect in a way that creates the angle you are trying to "create" to make your next pool shot.
This can be done a variety of ways and you can call this a "system" or not, it's up to you. I can use several "aiming systems" if I choose to, however, the most important thing to me is to AIM WITH THE CUE BALL, instead of "AT" the object ball. Your distance from the cue ball you can control on a consistent basis, and this is impossible with the object ball.
Therefore, the specific "aiming" is easier done usine a specific part of the cue ball and a "relative" spot on the object ball. Whether you use the top, bottom or middle of the object ball I feel it's important to focus on the CENTER or EDGE (depending on how much "cut" you need) of the object ball to calculate your angle with.
I look at ALL shots like they're "staight in" first before letting my mind focus on what angle I need to "Create". When all is said and done pool is a creative game played with feel and touch, the eyes are used to establish the required information for each shot.
I've never heard a champion talk about winning a tournament or match because their "eyes were good that day." They will comment on how good their feel/touch was because that's the "difference that makes the difference." 'The Game is the Teacher'
To do anything consistently requires some type of "system". I think players, especially in this Aiming Forum are mislead about what an aiming "system" really is and how it works. One thing you need before aiming even matters is a "system" for hitting the cue ball straight every time. If you're mishitting the cue ball there's no aiming system that could matter.
If you play well I'm sure you have some kind of pre shot routine to accomplish this with your feet, body angles, hand/cue alignment, etc. Then it's essential to see the cue ball and object ball connect in a way that creates the angle you are trying to "create" to make your next pool shot.
This can be done a variety of ways and you can call this a "system" or not, it's up to you. I can use several "aiming systems" if I choose to, however, the most important thing to me is to AIM WITH THE CUE BALL, instead of "AT" the object ball. Your distance from the cue ball you can control on a consistent basis, and this is impossible with the object ball.
Therefore, the specific "aiming" is easier done usine a specific part of the cue ball and a "relative" spot on the object ball. Whether you use the top, bottom or middle of the object ball I feel it's important to focus on the CENTER or EDGE (depending on how much "cut" you need) of the object ball to calculate your angle with.
I look at ALL shots like they're "staight in" first before letting my mind focus on what angle I need to "Create". When all is said and done pool is a creative game played with feel and touch, the eyes are used to establish the required information for each shot.
I've never heard a champion talk about winning a tournament or match because their "eyes were good that day." They will comment on how good their feel/touch was because that's the "difference that makes the difference." 'The Game is the Teacher'
Whatever works for you is the right thing. I wouldn't comment one way or another on the need for aiming systems.
What I am curious about is the term "fairly high level" or I'm a "good" player.
Those are relative terms and really difficult to associate with whether or not an aiming system may improve your game.
My personal perception of a fairly high level, or good player is someone who can set up a full rack of balls, pull one off the top, set up a break shot, and within 4 or 5 tries, run 30 to 40 balls without missing. Someone else may feel it should be 50 or 60 balls, and someone else might think its 14 balls.
Others might equate it to beating some ghost guy ... I dunno about all that.
never played real straight pool. I can run a rack of 15 balls consistently but that is with a solid break, without using another ball to carom the cue into the rack.
I've used many in the past, including SAM and Pro One. Guess what....I still missed balls. I actually went to the backwoods of Kentucky and took private lessons from SS.
I'm not saying they don't work but for me when I miss I want it to be my fault. I found that my position play suffered a little because I was more focused on the shot than where whitey belongs.
Most of the systems aforementioned depend on hitting whitey at center and under pressure the slightest variation could mean a miss.
Right now I've foregone the systems and feel like I'm playing pretty good. I still miss and when I tire of that I'll go back to Pro One, miss and back to feel.
I'm not saying they don't work but for me when I miss I want it to be my fault. I found that my position play suffered a little because I was more focused on the shot than where whitey belongs.
Most of the systems aforementioned depend on hitting whitey at center and under pressure the slightest variation could mean a miss.
Right now I've foregone the systems and feel like I'm playing pretty good. I still miss and when I tire of that I'll go back to Pro One, miss and back to feel.