Simple CTE based system

pw98

Registered
For those of you interested in CTE this is a simple CTE based system I learned from a PBIA instructor (and that I only sometimes use for bank shots, and never for normal shots).

To use this system you need to be able to make contact with an object ball where you want, it will not tell you how to aim to make contact where you want, it will only tell you where you need to make contact to sink the ball. Of course for some shots and speeds you need to compensate for throw and the system does nothing to help with this.

All shots are not possible with the system. You have two possible shots you attain can at a time. Most of the time one of the shots is a bank shot (lining center of CB with inside edge of OB) and the other is to the closest pocket (lining up center of CB with outside edge of OB). When the object ball gets close to a rail and the angle gets acute it seems to only work for bank shots.

These results are expected and Hal Houle wrote in his original post on his CTE system only that a ball 'finds a pocket', not that it will find the pocket that you want. I think Stan Shuffets CTE system allows one to be more specific which pocket they want, but am not sure and of course Stans system is about 100x's more complex and requires a ton of memorization, this system does not.

The beauty of this system is that it doesn't require any pivoting, nor any real memorization. The downside as previously explained is that it will only get you to the pockets that edges of the object ball 'magically' line up with.

When using it to aim bank shots you need to already be proficient with which spins are required for certain angles of bank shots because if the angle needs spin and you don't apply it then it will bank short (most of the time).

The picture below is for the outside edge of an object ball (normally a shot directly into a pocket), you just reverse the edge of the object ball you line up for to get the other possibly shot (normally a bank shot).


Simple_CTE_Aiming_System.png
 
Your diagram is confusing. If you shoot the CB’s center toward the OB’s edge, the CB won’t contact the OB at the point shown.

pj
chgo
Thats not how the system works. It only finds the contact point, making the cue ball contact the contact point takes additional aiming by feel and is up to you.
 
Thats not how the system works. It only finds the contact point, making the cue ball contact the contact point takes additional aiming by feel and is up to you.
If the OB contact point is where you show it, then it’s a cut to the right and the OB’s “outside” edge is on the left.

Sorry to pick your system apart, but it’s not making sense yet...

pj
chgo
 
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Geometrically incorrect .
The contact points are opposite of each other .
And if the two balls are the same sizes, they are of equal parts.
 
Now the fun begins, arguing about aiming. Same old bs just different day.

Secret to being great at anything is working at it, not talk about it.

Practice, and more of that practice.
 
If the OB contact point is where you show it, then it’s a cut to the right and the OB’s “outside” edge is on the left.

Sorry to pick your system apart, but it’s not making sense yet...

pj
chgo
Yes i agree the picture is messed up but the general idea works. You align center of CB to edge of OB then look at the opposite edge of CB and see where it intercepts the OB then aim to make contact at that point. It seems to work very well for bank shots on a Brunswick table (I haven't had a chance to try ot on a diamond since learning this because of covid) as long as you know what spin the shot requires. Sometimes with certain banks I dont see the shot right and my base aim is totally off, with this system that is not the case.
 
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Simple? If it requires multiply adjustments and feel it's not a system nor is it simple.
Its simple in that you dont need to remember a tables or learn mystical pivots. All you need to do is remember how to find 2 lines between the balls then aim to make contact where one meets the object ball and the ball goes in (in theory).
 
All you need to do is remember how to find 2 lines between the balls then aim to make contact where one meets the object ball and the ball goes in (in theory).
Those steps produce only one OB direction - parallel to the center-to-edge line. It's about the same as saying "shoot every shot center-to-center" - it only works when the CB/OB are luckily aligned for the shot (i.e., not very often).

You must be describing it wrong.

pj
chgo
 
Its simple in that you dont need to remember a tables or learn mystical pivots. All you need to do is remember how to find 2 lines between the balls then aim to make contact where one meets the object ball and the ball goes in (in theory).
Are you saying the regular CTE is too complicated ?
 
Those steps produce only one OB direction - parallel to the center-to-edge line. It's about the same as saying "shoot every shot center-to-center" - it only works when the CB/OB are luckily aligned for the shot (i.e., not very often).

You must be describing it wrong.

pj
chgo
Maybe the line isnt parallel, i just know you look down the line for the intersection with the OB and it is the point you want to make contact with.
 
All you need to do is remember how to find 2 lines between the balls then aim to make contact where one meets the object ball and the ball goes in (in theory).
The point where the second line hits the OB (your OB contact point) changes with your head position. If your head position is always the same when looking down the CB's center-to-edge line, then the OB contact point will always be the same. If your head position isn't always the same, then what prompts you to move it?

pj
chgo
 
The point where the second line hits the OB (your OB contact point) changes with your head position. If your head position is always the same when looking down the CB's center-to-edge line, then the OB contact point will always be the same. If your head position isn't always the same, then what prompts you to move it?

pj
chgo
I keep my head still once I find CB center to OB edge. Then I look at the cueball edge and see where it aligns on the object ball: That is the contact point.
 
I keep my head still once I find CB center to OB edge. Then I look at the cueball edge and see where it aligns on the object ball: That is the contact point.
Then the OB contact point is theoretically the same one every time. That means you're "adjusting by feel" for different cut angles. Nothing wrong with that - it's how everybody aims, even those who think their system "takes them to" the exact aim line every time. Personally, I think it's helpful to know I'm finalizing the aim myself - some don't want to know; they like the confidence that "believing in their system" gives them.

pj
chgo
 
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I keep my head still once I find CB center to OB edge. Then I look at the cueball edge and see where it aligns on the object ball: That is the contact point.
The side of the ball does not hit the contact point of the OB. The contact point on the cueball is at the opposite of the OB.
This version of CTE was actually taught by Colliding Spheres instructor . If you aim the side of the cue ball to the contact point, you'd like overcut the ball.
But, if you do it enough, you will probably learn how to compensate and change your aim .
 
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