The last lesson with Stan really turned the light on with Pro One. I really believe I'm seeing the visuals correctly now. However, I still miss (although less and less). From evaluating everything in practice, I've come to the following conclusions of the primary causes for misses when using Pro One aiming. I'm throwing this out there as I'd be interested in hearing from some of the more proficient Pro One shooters including Stan.
1. Stroke, stroke, stroke. I find this gets to be even more of a factor on 1/2 ball and thinner cuts. For whatever reason, I seem more prone to want to steer the CB on the thinner cuts. I think that somewhat comes from another of the primary reasons for missing, trust. But Pro One is different. With other aiming systems, you're more focused on the OB when you aim. So you may be more apt to stroke straight towards that aim point. Pro One sets you up on the right line but I have to be very careful to focus on stroking through the aim line and not let my subconscious steer the CB.
2. Hitting on CCB. Most of the my dedicated Pro One practice is done using the white donuts for CB and OB placement. Stevie Moore really, really emphasizes staying down on the shot, holding your position and seeing where your cue is to evaluate this (also using the donuts). On 99% of my misses, the cue is off center from the donut. 99% of the time when my cue is dead center on the donut, the OB goes in the pocket. Another way to say this is I believe my misses aren't coming from being offline after my pivot, they come from not getting precisely to CCB with my cue tip.
3. Trust. mohrt made a great post on this in the past couple of days. Countless times, for whatever reason, I didn't like how everything looked and adjusted slightly. It seems like the majority of the time, I adjusted to a miss. When I go down and don't like how things look, I'm getting much better at getting back up and starting all over again. Sometimes it may even be something as trivial as minutely adjusting your bridge after getting set. Don't. Get back up and start over.
4. This one has been the big breakthrough for me lately. Keep the cue out of the way and let the eyes lead you to the shot line. Stan opened my eyes to this during our last lesson and it has helped a ton. I exaggerate it and bring the cue in as late as possible. I think bringing the cue in too early can also cause you to lose your visual focus as you're moving into the ball. Keeping it out of the way helps me with my precision.
I am now using Pro One aiming on 90% plus of the shots I shoot when playing. I am playing the best pool I've ever played. My limitations now are more CB control and experience related than they are aiming ... by far.
I hope sharing some of my own experiences helps some of the other folks out there who may still be struggling a bit with Pro One.
1. Stroke, stroke, stroke. I find this gets to be even more of a factor on 1/2 ball and thinner cuts. For whatever reason, I seem more prone to want to steer the CB on the thinner cuts. I think that somewhat comes from another of the primary reasons for missing, trust. But Pro One is different. With other aiming systems, you're more focused on the OB when you aim. So you may be more apt to stroke straight towards that aim point. Pro One sets you up on the right line but I have to be very careful to focus on stroking through the aim line and not let my subconscious steer the CB.
2. Hitting on CCB. Most of the my dedicated Pro One practice is done using the white donuts for CB and OB placement. Stevie Moore really, really emphasizes staying down on the shot, holding your position and seeing where your cue is to evaluate this (also using the donuts). On 99% of my misses, the cue is off center from the donut. 99% of the time when my cue is dead center on the donut, the OB goes in the pocket. Another way to say this is I believe my misses aren't coming from being offline after my pivot, they come from not getting precisely to CCB with my cue tip.
3. Trust. mohrt made a great post on this in the past couple of days. Countless times, for whatever reason, I didn't like how everything looked and adjusted slightly. It seems like the majority of the time, I adjusted to a miss. When I go down and don't like how things look, I'm getting much better at getting back up and starting all over again. Sometimes it may even be something as trivial as minutely adjusting your bridge after getting set. Don't. Get back up and start over.
4. This one has been the big breakthrough for me lately. Keep the cue out of the way and let the eyes lead you to the shot line. Stan opened my eyes to this during our last lesson and it has helped a ton. I exaggerate it and bring the cue in as late as possible. I think bringing the cue in too early can also cause you to lose your visual focus as you're moving into the ball. Keeping it out of the way helps me with my precision.
I am now using Pro One aiming on 90% plus of the shots I shoot when playing. I am playing the best pool I've ever played. My limitations now are more CB control and experience related than they are aiming ... by far.
I hope sharing some of my own experiences helps some of the other folks out there who may still be struggling a bit with Pro One.
