Shooting with feel

[pete lafond]

Yes he did show me the clock system. However, I don't think Buddy consciously thinks before he's shooting a shot, "If I use 1:00 it will get me to diamond 2, maybe I should use 2:00 instead because I really want to be at diamond 3." He just knows where to hit the cb to get to diamond 3 without even thinking about it. He developed the clock system to help demonstrate how he does it so that people can learn.

I understand the diamond system very well, so well that I can generally adapt to variations in tables. Even though to a viewer it may look as if I am not using it, I am. I can spot my intended path very quickly and I do aim for a specific spot on the first rails to enable this path. I can not see anyone just hitting a ball into the rail out of feel. Now feel does count for table variations and english used, but there is still very clearly an aim in advance to the shot.

I'd be interested in the clock system, I'll do some research and check it out.

 

[alstl]

You guys remind me of a couple of elderly brothers I used to know. Neither of them could hear worth a crap and they argued because:

a) Neither could hear good enough to understand what the other was saying.

b) They liked to argue.


It was actually kind of funny to watch because sometimes they would be in total agreement but didn't know it.

 

[drivermaker]

Yes he did show me the clock system. However, I don't think Buddy consciously thinks before he's shooting a shot, "If I use 1:00 it will get me to diamond 2, maybe I should use 2:00 instead because I really want to be at diamond 3." He just knows where to hit the cb to get to diamond 3 without even thinking about it. He developed the clock system to help demonstrate how he does it so that people can learn.

You and I are not really far apart. I've said before that a system is very helpful to learn. Where I think we disagree is that once you learn via a system or systems, and as you get more and more proficient at whatever you're doing, i.e., pool, golf, tennis, whatever, you don't rely on the system anymore, you let yourself go and rely on your feelings that were deveoped by using the aforementioned system or systems.

I think you ALWAYS rely on your systems. You really aren't as cognizant and aware of conscous thought, especially when you're in the zone. When you're in the zone, all of the thought just happens so much quicker that it seems like it doesn't even exist. You see and think in warp time. FEEL is then accentuated and is seemingly the only sense being used. That's my take on it.

 

[Rickw]

I think you ALWAYS rely on your systems. You really aren't as cognizant and aware of conscous thought, especially when you're in the zone. When you're in the zone, all of the thought just happens so much quicker that it seems like it doesn't even exist. You see and think in warp time. FEEL is then accentuated and is seemingly the only sense being used. That's my take on it.

I respect your take on it. I really don't think there is much difference between us and what little there is could be just a matter of semantics. I only know that when I'm playing good a lot of it has to do with my touch and feel and when I'm not playing good, I couldn't feel the roughness of a stucco wall.

 

[pete lafond]

I respect your take on it. I really don't think there is much difference between us and what little there is could be just a matter of semantics. I only know that when I'm playing good a lot of it has to do with my touch and feel and when I'm not playing good, I couldn't feel the roughness of a stucco wall.

I understand the roughness. I play only once or twice a week and each time for less than 2.5 hours. Here is what I do when I'm trying to get in stroke, it may or may not help you,

1. grip the butt of my stick with my whole hand (do not grab hard).
2. focus totally on the point of the object ball I paln to hit
3. stroke all the way through the point of the object ball just as if the tip could reach out and touch it while never allowing any change in my grip

After about the 5th or 6th shot, I feel my grip getting more relaxed to the point of almost a slip stroke. Creating a focus and with a complete stroke to the object ball is like drawing a straight line from point to point. The line is straighter if your focus is on the point ahead. Before you know it your in stroke. This will not work if you do not reamian steady and totally focused on the tiniest point of the object ball.

Note: Anyone who has difficulty with action on the cue ball will find out very fast that the cue ball can do tricks, yes just like Cory D. does. The key to even more action is to dig the cue ball into the rail as you hit it. (Nothing to do with this thread, just threw it in)

 

[Rickw]

I'll try that Pete. Thanks for sharing!