Before I begin, I hope you and your family had a good Christmas.
Lots to discuss in your post and consecutive posts, but it's nearing 3am EST so I don't have the energy. A few bullet points to mull over:
- You're incorrect in your assertion that CTE/Pro1 is merely aiming thick and then pivoting to a thinner position in a TOI-like sense. There is definite geometry built into this system - Stan's new DVD clearly points this out. You really need to check that out -- you will NOT be disappointed with your purchase.
Tricky to answer... I agree that CTE/Pro1 is not performed that way, but that is basically what happens. I'm curious about what is in the DVD that hasn't been covered in his dozens of videos on youtube or in the many discussions I've read here and via chatting with the CTE enthusiasts over the years.
- You're also incorrect in stating that shooting blind shots (assuming the setup is truly blind) are easy or that the rails give you enough data for an experienced player to make all the shots they want. Of course, they'll make some... but nowhere near what a CTE player would make. This is an easy test--- take 5 top players from each category and measure the average deviation from center pocket between the groups. The non-CTE players are "drawing dead" and that's a fact. I know this bullet point will certainly rile a bunch of posters who will clearly take offense to it. However, "it is what it is." Fact is: truly blind shots shot traditionally are EXTREMELY tough...even if the rails are there. CTE players won't make them all either (human error in execution), but their average deviation
will 100% be less.
I probably wouldn't take a bet, if such a challenge could be set up, mainly because the most accurate potters, who are the best snooker players, are unfamiliar with the larger balls and because most straight aiming systems are used to making visual reference to the pocket. But, on many harder shots, the pocket is essentially blind, and experienced players can play these with a high degree of accuracy. It would take some practice for most traditional aimers to aim shots without making their habitual visual references. 30 mins ago I was playing some 1/2 ball cuts from 8 feet away. I didn't look at the pocket.. it's impractical to do so, but I can hit within a pocket width every time.... A challenge would be interesting!!!
- Your initial diagram is also incorrect, so count me as the first to point that out. There's a good reason why Stan calls these overlaps "perceptions" and not overlaps -- the two are not congruent. You're failing to figure that the OB appears visually smaller and that the CB will shrink on it's way to the OB (visual illusion-wise).... centered at the core - not the edge. Therefore, depending on the distance, the same "perception" will yield different actual overlaps. Perspective illusions (which is visual reality) are center-based, not edge-based, which is why roads and railroad tracks converge at the center, with each side converging at the same degree, at the same angle. You have the same converging perspective in pool, just at a much smaller scale -- but it's still there -- and it's the core factor that makes CTE work. Therefore, to hit your true "A" overlap, the visual CB edge must be to the left of A in order to offset the perspective illusion.
I understand your contention. The diagram is limited because it can say nothing about how the visual is created, nor does it take into account distance related illusions / perceptions.
I can understand that perception related to vanishing point effects could influence the perceived visual. But that doesn't account for the change in perceptions that take place when balls vary across the horizontal plane. e.g. Set OB balls across the center of the table, with a corresponding CB for each a couple of feet below. All balls will appear the same size, but somehow the visuals change. There is variation at some points, seemingly random from 15 to 30 to 45... and small shifts change one from a single to a double. That has not been explained in any way that makes sense to me.
The math behind CTE (Hal is probably an alien), figures the perspective illusion between two spheres and with a pivot brings you to a right angle on a perfect rectangle (which two balls touching are also a perfect rectangle). It's not hocus pocus nor is it smoke and mirrors. Once again, "it is what it is."
I think unless discussions focus on the above, it's all a waste of time -- just like the previous 10 years have been in discussing the "whys" of this amazing system. There are loads of incorrect assumptions which mainly stem from 2D diagrams that don't take into account the visual ball size discrepancies and the convergence illusion that is the core reality of everyone's vision.
^^^^ Just like old times, eh?
Yeap, LOL. Well, I'm convinced that anything can be explained if it is understood well enough, and diagrams can be of use to certain extents. Stan has been working in that direction with his terminology and explanations to a degree I think. An interesting test/challenge would be for you and I to recruit 5 bangers and measure their before and after results using your, or Stan's methods and mine for 5 weeks, with before and after data. I think Pfizer will sponsor the trial
I may or may not chirp beyond this just because I've sworn to never get into another aiming debate again because I don't have the energy and all it does is breed bad feelings. If there's one guy who can map out the actual proof, it's you because you're a genius with this stuff. However, the math and geometry to do so is FAR beyond your original post --- so your comment that "anyone with basic geometry can see that...." --- that's totally incorrect. Don't forget the convergence -- the table is a visual trapezoid, not a rectangle.
Anyone who thinks pool is a 2D game played with balls that are the same size on a perfectly rectangled playing surface is
SORELY mistaken to the nth degree.
Let us know what you come up with as I'm sure it'll be fascinating.
G'nite all-
I might have a go at diagramming the vanishing point effect someday. The diagram I put here is not meant to explain CTE/Pro1, but to provide a simplistic summary, that may help some get their first grasp of how it works and to help some wonderers / skeptics get a different perspective of the process.
Night mate