Speaking of Aiming - Pat's "System"

[Patrick Johnson]

Aiming doesn't have to be complicated, especially if you can visualize the object ball contact point and estimate the location of the cue ball contact point. If you can do that then all you have to do is point one at the other.

Accurately visualizing the OBCP and estimating the CBCP takes practice and memorization, and having something to "measure" for each cut angle makes memorizing them much easier. Here's the way I do it:

For each shot I simply notice how far the tip of my cue is pointed away from the OBCP. For thinner cuts this distance is larger (like in the first picture below); for thicker cuts it's smaller (like in the 2nd and 3rd pictures below). I don't do anything special with the information - simply taking notice of how much it is for each shot helps me memorize cuts quickly and repeatably.


This isn't a system in the sense that elaborate methods like x-angle systems are, but "systematically" focusing on exactly where my stick is pointed also helps me get aligned consistently with each shot, which I think is very important.

This is similar to ghost ball, since my stick points to the ghost ball center by definition, but I don't visualize a ghost ball. It's also similar to double-the-distance, but I don't try to find the OB center.

I try to visualize the CB contact point aimed at the OB contact point, and so I think of this as contact point-to-contact point aiming. Noting the distance that my stick is aimed from the OBCP is the visible "marker" that helps my mind remember and recall successful "shot pictures".

Of course, aiming adjustments must be made for squirve caused by sidespin. Noticing the adjusted "offset distance" is also helpful for memorizing cuts with sidespin.

pj <- that'll be $40 please
chgo

 

[paulempor]

Gimme your paypal info..... :thumbup:

 

[SpiderWebComm]

You know you're kinda a big deal when you have your own system.

 

[JolietJames]

He's a big deal because, like most players, he didn't need to buy a dvd to figure out how to pocket the object ball.

 

[Neil]

...............

 

[SpiderWebComm]

He's a big deal because, like most players, he didn't need to buy a dvd to figure out how to pocket the object ball.

I guess I'm a big deal too! Ain't that something? People who aim like that can play their entire life and never get better.

 

[lastminutepanic]

So, all you have to do is memorize each individual shot. Let's see, there are how many thousands of shots possible on a pool table??? And, you have them all memorized! Think I'll give it a try, .......uhh......it should only take a hundred years or so...... I'll get back to you on how it worked out.

I wonder if they're just going to can the C/B/A/Open ranking system and just go with the percentage of the PJ aiming system you've mastered...

'yeah, i'm a 20%er, hopefully by the time i'm 50 i'll be a 50%er and can start playing with the big boys!

 

[Patrick Johnson]

So, all you have to do is memorize each individual shot.

Yep, just like you. I just don't clutter the process up with lots of complicated ways to pretend it ain't so.

Let's see, there are how many thousands of shots possible on a pool table???

Actually only a few dozen. Lots more than 6 though.

And, you have them all memorized! Think I'll give it a try, .......uhh......it should only take a hundred years or so......

Sorry to hear that. Must be annoying to work with inferior tools.

pj
chgo

 

[JolietJames]

I guess I'm a big deal too! Ain't that something? People who aim like that can play their entire life and never get better.

Or people who play like that can go pro. It doesn't matter how you aim. Practice gets you to the height of your ability. I'm tired of people making it sound like systems are necessary in this game because they are not. I played in the acs state tourney last week and missed three shots in the open 9ball and three shots in the open 8ball teams event. I'm sure that put me in the mid .900s for pocketing percentage. I'm no champion and I don't use a system. Pool is basically two dimentional and with an elementary understanding of geometry one can pocket balls consistantly with no system if they have a good stroke. Learning a system WILL NOT make my percentages any higher. Maybe they can help beginners or eggs who just don't get the game. When I see top pros pivoting their way to the US Open championship I will gain a little respect for systems but not until then.

 

[Ratta]

Everyone uses a system-- and this cannot be discussed!

 

[Johnnyt]

No matter what way you pocket the balls it all boils down to you hitting a tiny spot or line, or ghost ball...sometimes 8 1/2' away. Johnnyt

 

[JoeyA]

Look like a whole lot of guessing going on.

 

[JolietJames]

Where's the guesswork in seeing a target and hitting it with the CB?

 

[Maniac]

Aiming doesn't have to be complicated, especially if you can visualize the object ball contact point and estimate the location of the cue ball contact point. If you can do that then all you have to do is point one at the other.

Accurately visualizing the OBCP and estimating the CBCP takes practice and memorization, and having something to "measure" for each cut angle makes memorizing them much easier. Here's the way I do it:

For each shot I simply notice how far the tip of my cue is pointed away from the OBCP. For thinner cuts this distance is larger (like in the first picture below); for thicker cuts it's smaller (like in the 2nd and 3rd pictures below). I don't do anything special with the information - simply taking notice of how much it is for each shot helps me memorize cuts quickly and repeatably.


pj <- that'll be $40 please
chgo

This works, and Speed Pool is a pefect example of how it does so. Does anyone on this site actually think that players pocketing 15 balls in under a minute are using any other way but this one? I can almost assure you (FTR, I do not personally know any Speed Pool players) that Speed Pool players do not use anything complicated, nor one that has any "steps" in it. Now I'm not slamming ANY system out there, as I believe they ALL have their merits, but I myself (and probably many of you out there) have tossed 7 or 8 balls out onto a table and shot them in in mere seconds. Memorization is the only way to do this. So don't come on here flaming me as I am not DEBATING any system. I am just saying that this form of pocketing balls does work and comes naturally for anyone devoting enough time to practicing. After a while, your mind just "sees" the shot and does all the "correcting" for you. Then it's just a simple matter of delivering the cueball precisely using a smooth, clean stroke (the hardest part for me).

Maniac

 

[champ2107]

OK, let's assume you're not just piling on with the rest of the CTE zombies...

I have no difficulties with CTE - I don't use it. If I tried to use it I'd quickly reach a point where the system instructions stop (right about where it instructs you to "acquire the visuals") and I have to complete the aiming job by feel. Since I already aim by feel and use my own "visuals" to align myself with the shot, I have no need for another more artificial way to do that.

My only interest here is to contradict the false claim made about CTE by most (all?) of its AzB users: that CTE works entirely "mechanically" without any user "feel" needed. The false claim that CTE's few defined cut angles are enough to make all shots is part of the false claim that it works without feel.

If you want to ask about those specific details I'm happy to talk (assuming you're one of the few in these threads who can follow a conversation). I'm not interested in droning on about whether or not CTE "works". Leave that horse for the zombies to eat... er... beat.

pj
chgo

This is the second thread you have started like this lol I will give you $40 and use it wisely and get some help.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Look like a whole lot of guessing going on.

Just like every other kind of aiming - I'm surprised at how widely this basic truth is misunderstood here on AzB, particularly by CTE users like you, who on other topics seem almost normal. The difference is that this method openly faces that truth with a direct, no-nonsense, no-bullshitting-yourself method to cope with the reality. And, of course, it's simple and free.

You, of course, are allowed to aim any way you wish, to pay whatever you want for the privelege, and even to act foolish on the internet about it.

pj
chgo

 

[MOJOE]

I am a fan of learning anything new, this can too be valuable in certain situations I'd think..

I've tried aiming every way imaginable, many of them have value to me for different shots..

Thanks for sharing this Pat!

 

[lfigueroa]

Just like every other kind of aiming - I'm surprised at how widely this basic truth is misunderstood here on AzB, particularly by CTE users like you, who on other topics seem almost normal. The difference is that this method openly faces that truth with a direct, no-nonsense, no-bullshitting-yourself method to cope with the reality. And, of course, it's simple and free.

You, of course, are allowed to aim any way you wish, to pay whatever you want for the privelege, and even to act foolish on the internet about it.

pj
chgo

Guessing is pretty much how the game is played. You guess at the right strategy, shot selection, hit, spin, speed, swerve, squirt, and the final blend of all that and take your chances. The only thing is that, after time, you get better at guessing, or hypothesizing about how things are going to turn out, based on your past experiments.

Lou Figueroa

 

[pablocruz]

Aiming doesn't have to be complicated, especially if you can visualize the object ball contact point and estimate the location of the cue ball contact point. If you can do that then all you have to do is point one at the other.

Accurately visualizing the OBCP and estimating the CBCP takes practice and memorization, and having something to "measure" for each cut angle makes memorizing them much easier. Here's the way I do it:

For each shot I simply notice how far the tip of my cue is pointed away from the OBCP. For thinner cuts this distance is larger (like in the first picture below); for thicker cuts it's smaller (like in the 2nd and 3rd pictures below). I don't do anything special with the information - simply taking notice of how much it is for each shot helps me memorize cuts quickly and repeatably.

View attachment 176662
This isn't a system in the sense that elaborate methods like x-angle systems are, but "systematically" focusing on exactly where my stick is pointed also helps me get aligned consistently with each shot, which I think is very important.

This is similar to ghost ball, since my stick points to the ghost ball center by definition, but I don't visualize a ghost ball. I try to visualize the CB contact point aimed at the OB contact point, and so I think of this as contact point-to-contact point aiming.

Of course, aiming adjustments must be made for squirve caused by sidespin. Noticing the adjusted "offset distance" is also helpful for memorizing cuts with sidespin.

pj <- that'll be $40 please
chgo

Where in your sysytem other than straight in, do you aim contact point to contact point? This does not appear to be what's happening in your diagrams!! In diagram one you have the contact point on the ball, yet you are aiming into space somewhere!!

 

[JoeyA]

I'm holding back the blue.

Just like every other kind of aiming - I'm surprised at how widely this basic truth is misunderstood here on AzB, particularly by CTE users like you, who on other topics seem almost normal. The difference is that this method openly faces that truth with a direct, no-nonsense, no-bullshitting-yourself method to cope with the reality. And, of course, it's simple and free.

You, of course, are allowed to aim any way you wish, to pay whatever you want for the privelege, and even to act foolish on the internet about it.

pj
chgo

Your aiming system is free? It would be easy to say, "You get what you pay for" but that wouldn't be fair.

While your aiming system leaves much to be desired, I feel some people could benefit from using it.

Like you so often accuse others of, "You obviously don't read my posts or you simply don't comprehend very well" (about CTE/Pro One).

JoeyA