I don't think I learned anything in this video in terms of technique. But to be fair, I am not sure there is really anything new to learn to use TOI system for anyone somewhat experienced in pool.
In the couple of times I have watched the video, I kept wanting to see more on WHY you want to use the TOI system. I think this what I want to know and I don't think CJ convinced me of the benefits of using the TOI system.
I don't understand his logic that people don't hit the cue ball in the center so they should try to use inside english on all their shots. His logic is flawed. I mean if I am unable to hit the cue ball exactly in the center than why would I be able to hit the cue ball with the proper amount of inside english? I mean, by CJ's logic, I would accidentally hit center ball when I am trying to hit inside. It doesn't make sense.
The logic that it limits the number of shots and makes it more simply for the player to play doesn't make sense to me either. You could use the same logic for using center ball. That is, if it were true, which I don't think it is. You can't use center ball on all your shots to be a proficient player. Nor, to me at least, can you only use inside english on all your shots to be a proficient player.
The only thing I could potential see being advantageous to this system, is that it helps slow down the cue ball on a lot of shots after hits the rail. This could help with cue ball control. Though, I still think it limits your arsenal in not using outside english ever or just more center ball.
The fact he is saying to use TOI on break shots, an extreme cut shot where the balls are right next to each other, and soon a banking video makes it seem like he is forcing this concept into a supposed system. It makes me wonder about the legitimacy of the whole concept.
Professional pool players don't make $ playing pool. And I wonder if this is something CJ has come up with to make some $. I am not sure that is true, but it needs to be a concern and something for everyone to ponder.
I'll address a couple of points. The concept of hitting to the "inside" of the ball is this......and I'll use an example:
If you have a cut shot to the left, you "aim" or "line-up" to pocket the OB into the right portion of the pocket. Effectively cheating the pocket a little bit. Think of it as "undercutting it" or "hitting it thick". When you do that you're lining up parallel to the center of the CB......using a slight touch of left.
Now, with experience and practice using YOUR tip on YOUR shaft with YOUR cue, you can step into a shot feeling how much TOI you need to pocket it. So, when you line up for that "undercut" to the right side of the pocket and you hit it perfectly, the CB will deflect the OB slightly to the left, which is the dead center of the pocket.
If you "accidently" strike the CB with a bit too much TOI to the left, you'll deflect it even further into the left side of the pocket. So, you've overcut it a bit. And you'll see that. Always truly study where the OB physically goes in the pocket, btw. It'll allow you to make subtle adjustments for future shots.
If you "accidently" strike the CB with "not enough" TOI.....as in closer to the center of the CB that you intended, whether it be thru simply not contacting where you're aiming or you didn't calculate or "feel" that much TOI was needed (and it indeed was needed)......the OB won't be deflected as much and it will go into the right side of the pocket. Which is where you lined it up to go to begin with.
It almost sounds like "black magic", if you over think it. But, here's a couple of nice benefits to this method. One, and CJ says it's just a side benefit, hitting the CB with TOI transfers a little bit of spin to the OB that aids in pocketing it. Some call it "pocket acceptance spin". I'd almost have to be at a table to show you. But, you'd understand pretty quickly, if you already don't. On that cut to the left in the example above, the OB has a slight bit of left on it. So, if it contacts the rail on the way in and hits the opposite pocket facing, that little touch of left, spins it off the facing and into the pocket. I hope that I'm explaining that correctly. It's easier shown than typed.
Also, it's a huge relief to KNOW which side of the CB you're striking. I was always worried when I HAD to hit center CB. I tried to be sooooo precise. And now that tension is gone. I know which side of the CB I'm going to hit and it allows me to focus deeper on zoning out. Mental stress is greatly reduced for me.
As for outside English, you do all of the above, but when you step in parallel to the of the CB to that touch of inside, THEN you can swivel your tip BACK to the center. You've just effectively given the CB backhand English. And you'd be WAY surprised as to how much English you can get out of this. I actually had a shot come up like this last week and I remember distinctly thinking that I need to swivel back to center to come off the cushion with some outside. I was astonished at how much "outside English" that technique gave me. I still ended up oooook on that shot, but I swiveled just a hair too far, honestly. Hey, I'm still learning. But, I know I smiled when it happened and thought, "Dang, you can still really get some outside with this method."
Getting down to brass tacks......since me and my road buddy have started using TOI, just about 3 months ago, he's won 4 league tourneys.....and he'd never won any before. And I just won my first one last week. We're consistently placing higher than pre-TOI and both in the running for Player of the Year in our division (I think he's gonna win, but our goal was to finish 1-2 and we have a good chance of that occurring). We're both "B" division players in our league and have been informed we have to move up a level at the end of this year. But, my buddy and I have both agreed to sign up and play 2 levels higher next year for the added pressure. We're both starting to beat "A" division and even "Master" division players more regularly. Sometimes even completely outrunning the handicap.
There's always something to be learned in this game. That's why it's the greatest game on Earth. TOI has helped me more than anything that I can remember, not to mention in a very short amount of time.
And at the 3 month mark, I think it's safe to say that we're past the "placebo effect".
I don't think I learned anything in this video in terms of technique. But to be fair, I am not sure there is really anything new to learn to use TOI system for anyone somewhat experienced in pool.
In the couple of times I have watched the video, I kept wanting to see more on WHY you want to use the TOI system. I think this what I want to know and I don't think CJ convinced me of the benefits of using the TOI system.
I don't understand his logic that people don't hit the cue ball in the center so they should try to use inside english on all their shots. His logic is flawed. I mean if I am unable to hit the cue ball exactly in the center than why would I be able to hit the cue ball with the proper amount of inside english? I mean, by CJ's logic, I would accidentally hit center ball when I am trying to hit inside. It doesn't make sense.
The logic that it limits the number of shots and makes it more simply for the player to play doesn't make sense to me either. You could use the same logic for using center ball. That is, if it were true, which I don't think it is. You can't use center ball on all your shots to be a proficient player. Nor, to me at least, can you only use inside english on all your shots to be a proficient player.
The only thing I could potential see being advantageous to this system, is that it helps slow down the cue ball on a lot of shots after hits the rail. This could help with cue ball control. Though, I still think it limits your arsenal in not using outside english ever or just more center ball.
The fact he is saying to use TOI on break shots, an extreme cut shot where the balls are right next to each other, and soon a banking video makes it seem like he is forcing this concept into a supposed system. It makes me wonder about the legitimacy of the whole concept.
Professional pool players don't make $ playing pool. And I wonder if this is something CJ has come up with to make some $. I am not sure that is true, but it needs to be a concern and something for everyone to ponder.
I'm taking my time. I watched the TOI PPV 3 times so far. I think it is an excellent production and CJ does a wonderful job of explaining everything needed in a most direct and pleasing way.
I'm going to review it a couple more times till I think I have absorbed it all then head to my home table to practice and get the touch down. I'm totally sure it is viable and I can execute what CJ is teaching. Seems straightforward. I really like to listen or read whatever CJ puts out there. He is one clear thinking guy with credentials and I look forward to more.
I'm happy I spent the money for sure and can't wait to get on the table and make it happen!
Thanks so much to CJ and Mary for making this great DVD.
--Jeff
I'll address a couple of points. The concept of hitting to the "inside" of the ball is this......and I'll use an example:
If you have a cut shot to the left, you "aim" or "line-up" to pocket the OB into the right portion of the pocket. Effectively cheating the pocket a little bit. Think of it as "undercutting it" or "hitting it thick". When you do that you're lining up parallel to the center of the CB......using a slight touch of left.
Now, with experience and practice using YOUR tip on YOUR shaft with YOUR cue, you can step into a shot feeling how much TOI you need to pocket it. So, when you line up for that "undercut" to the right side of the pocket and you hit it perfectly, the CB will deflect the OB slightly to the left, which is the dead center of the pocket.
If you "accidently" strike the CB with a bit too much TOI to the left, you'll deflect it even further into the left side of the pocket. So, you've overcut it a bit. And you'll see that. Always truly study where the OB physically goes in the pocket, btw. It'll allow you to make subtle adjustments for future shots.
If you "accidently" strike the CB with "not enough" TOI.....as in closer to the center of the CB that you intended, whether it be thru simply not contacting where you're aiming or you didn't calculate or "feel" that much TOI was needed (and it indeed was needed)......the OB won't be deflected as much and it will go into the right side of the pocket. Which is where you lined it up to go to begin with.
It almost sounds like "black magic", if you over think it. But, here's a couple of nice benefits to this method. One, and CJ says it's just a side benefit, hitting the CB with TOI transfers a little bit of spin to the OB that aids in pocketing it. Some call it "pocket acceptance spin". I'd almost have to be at a table to show you. But, you'd understand pretty quickly, if you already don't. On that cut to the left in the example above, the OB has a slight bit of left on it. So, if it contacts the rail on the way in and hits the opposite pocket facing, that little touch of left, spins it off the facing and into the pocket. I hope that I'm explaining that correctly. It's easier shown than typed.
Also, it's a huge relief to KNOW which side of the CB you're striking. I was always worried when I HAD to hit center CB. I tried to be sooooo precise. And now that tension is gone. I know which side of the CB I'm going to hit and it allows me to focus deeper on zoning out. Mental stress is greatly reduced for me.
As for outside English, you do all of the above, but when you step in parallel to the of the CB to that touch of inside, THEN you can swivel your tip BACK to the center. You've just effectively given the CB backhand English. And you'd be WAY surprised as to how much English you can get out of this. I actually had a shot come up like this last week and I remember distinctly thinking that I need to swivel back to center to come off the cushion with some outside. I was astonished at how much "outside English" that technique gave me. I still ended up oooook on that shot, but I swiveled just a hair too far, honestly. Hey, I'm still learning. But, I know I smiled when it happened and thought, "Dang, you can still really get some outside with this method."
Getting down to brass tacks......since me and my road buddy have started using TOI, just about 3 months ago, he's won 4 league tourneys.....and he'd never won any before. And I just won my first one last week. We're consistently placing higher than pre-TOI and both in the running for Player of the Year in our division (I think he's gonna win, but our goal was to finish 1-2 and we have a good chance of that occurring). We're both "B" division players in our league and have been informed we have to move up a level at the end of this year. But, my buddy and I have both agreed to sign up and play 2 levels higher next year for the added pressure. We're both starting to beat "A" division and even "Master" division players more regularly. Sometimes even completely outrunning the handicap.
There's always something to be learned in this game. That's why it's the greatest game on Earth. TOI has helped me more than anything that I can remember, not to mention in a very short amount of time.
And at the 3 month mark, I think it's safe to say that we're past the "placebo effect".
I ahve been playing with this once it came out and it helps on a lot of shots , But not everyone.. I feel it may not be for everyone But me it works will .. Thanks Cj ....
CJ said it best of course but one point he made is a point I've been told several times using different words... aiming at center ball gives you the chance to error to either side of center. Your resulting shot can then either be shot with inside or outside. On slow shots you might not notice but on a firm shot your cueing errors tend to be larger and the effects of deflection and such are more pronounced. The proper aim point for inside english vs outside english requires a different correction so it makes a lot of sense to pick one and make that correction rather than letting chance determine which side you actually hit it on and not making any correction.
I took my first CJ class and am still practicing my alignment so I haven't started TOI yet. However, as an instructor myself I know many lower skilled players favor outside english much more than inside. Some good books (Byrnes for example) even talk about using outside english to negate throw and make cut shots easier - which works but it can become a crutch that people try to use all the time. Simply taking an under-utilized technique and focusing time to improving it will elevate your game.
Craig
Just got my copy. Cant wait to out this in my small arsenal. Will keep everyone posted on the progress
Sent via Samsung hand held device.
What happend to puertorociii? He never came back to keep us posted on his progress.