System .v.s. Experience

No Hamb doesnt......think about this.......

If HAMB can worsen bad habits, then HAMB can STRENGTHEN good habits........

It all depends on the person...
not sure how you figure that when something can make something else worse that it can also make the same thing better.
 
Just wanted to let you know that I decided to grab an online copy of your book just now.

Hopefully it's obvious at this point that I'm a HAMB/feel kind of player. However I do experience days that just 'feel' off, and I resort to pure muscle memory from HAMB if you will. I thought it would be nice to have something in my back pocket I could check my HAMB experience against when I do struggle. I watched a couple of your YT vids and like your mathematic approach. It strikes me as something I could retain, and best yet won't force me to reinvent my fundamental/PSR wheel.

Not sure if one actually exists but Lulu prompts the purchaser for a discount code. I ran the gambit on what I thought was the obvious, and even tried 'CTE' for giggles without any luck. The ebook is so cheap it really doesn't need a discount. Just thought I'd mention that it did ask for one.

I look forward to reading it.

Well, thanks a bunch! If you end up not liking the concept, don't hesitate to tell me so. Feedback/criticism is always welcome. It's surely not a method for everyone, but if you manage to get a nugget or two out if it, I hope you feel it was worth the money.
 
Last edited:
Well, thanks a bunch! If you end up not liking the concept, don't hesitate to tell me so. Feedback/criticism is always welcome. It's surely not a method for everyone, but if you manage to get a nugget or two out if it, I hope you feel it was worth the money.
Thanks for sharing and putting yourself out there.
It helps you develop a thick skin though.
28EC4AC0-FDCA-4850-B822-1DEB78311BDF.jpeg
 
Well, thanks a bunch! If you end up not liking the concept, don't hesitate to tell me so. Feedback/criticism is always welcome. It's surely not a method for everyone, but if you manage to get a nugget or two out if it, I hope you feel it was worth the money.
So far so good... I'll put some of the harder shot calculations into practice today at some point.

For shits and giggles I set up the basic 20 zone half ball shots. I got to tell ya, trying to not paying attention to the pocket is a weird sensation...lol
 
So far so good... I'll put some of the harder shot calculations into practice today at some point.

For shits and giggles I set up the basic 20 zone half ball shots. I got to tell ya, trying to not paying attention to the pocket is a weird sensation...lol

My advice would be not to do that. Lol

By looking at the entire shot, which includes the aim line, the pocket, where you want the cb to go, etc... you give your mind plenty of visual data to help fine tune the shot. The goal of the system is to help a player develop a good eye for just seeing cut shots and knowing how to shoot them. For that purpose, a good habit to get into is to gather as much visual data as possible. Because when it comes to training the brain, vision trumps all other senses.

With that said, most players that can already play will get the most benefit from Poolology by focusing on whatever shot or shots happen to be most troublesome or inconsistent. That's where the system might be able to give you a different way of seeing and aiming those particular shots.
 
Last edited:
My advice would be not to do that. Lol

By looking at the entire shot, which includes the aim line, the pocket, where you want the cb to go, etc... you give your mind plenty of visual data to help fine tune the shot. The goal of the system is to help a player develop a good eye for just seeing cut shots and knowing how to shoot them. For that purpose, a good habit to get into is to gather as much visual data as possible. Because when it comes to training the brain, vision trumps all other senses.

With that said, most players that can already play will get the most benefit from Poolology by focusing on whatever shot or shots seem to most troublesome or inconsistent. That's where the system might be able to give you a different way of seeing and aiming that those particular shots.
fair enough...lol

What I was trying to do was apply the system without my heavily engrained natural tendencies (subconcious) playing a role.

Can I follow my normal routine and then switch focus to only the half ball hit...?..., well ya. However, I shouldn't have to look at the pocket if the system holds water, and that's what I needed to prove to myself. Although it was just yesterday, I can fully recount dropping that first ball without any visual reference to the pocket. I literally said out loud, "holy crap it went in". o_O

Once I fully prove out the merit of the system and subsequently trust it. It will be blended with the rest of my game. Right now, it will suffer trial by fire if you will.
 
Look at the pocket when standing, in the Aim step of the shot.

That pretty much covers that issue. No need to do it again on Setup. I guarantee you the pocket won't move.


Jeff Livingston
 
1) In terms of aim I find that a slightly confusing statement. If I miss a shot to the left, then I correct my aim so the OB travels more to the right until I get to the pocketing line. That is then stored in memory and reinforced the next time I either pot the shot on the first attempt or miss it to the left again. That's the opposite of worsening.

I can definitely see what you're saying in terms of mechanics or alignment or whatever else.

2) Although I wouldn't be so bold as to speak on behalf of "most pros" I would have to assume someone that plays the game professionally could be using aspects of established systems or more likely has developed their own. (<--HAMB)

I personally follow steps and perform them in a specific fashion based on my HAMB experience. If I choose to jot them down and gave the manifesto a catchy name I could then call myself a system user.
Sorry for the confusion. Here's a real example (that I've seen many times with new students of mine). They don't know the true pocket center and/or "shoot balls coming from the right to the left side of the pocket and vice versa".

These may adjust as you've described, "I overcut that one, I'll try again with a thicker hit on the o.b.," but even as I start to them a "system" their percentage increases.
 
Look at the pocket when standing, in the Aim step of the shot.
I normally do so when standing, during my 'Alignment' step of taking a shot ;)
That pretty much covers that issue. No need to do it again on Setup.
The point is, I was trying to prove out a system without subconcious bias. Using a predetermined drill, following the aiming guidelines, I should never have to look at that pocket at any point.

Normally (no system) I confirm the shot line (confirm with pocket reference) after adjusting my aim (micro adjustments). I know you think that's bad. it works incredibly well for me. ;)
I guarantee you the pocket won't move.
Thanks for the reassurance... :)
 
No Hamb doesnt......think about this.......

If HAMB can worsen bad habits, then HAMB can STRENGTHEN good habits........

It all depends on the person...
I've given an example above, but almost 100% of pro or teacher articles discussing basics of any stick-and-ball sport agrees--you must have proper fundamentals for repetition to help, not hurt, your skills.
 
These may adjust as you've described, "I overcut that one, I'll try again with a thicker hit on the o.b.," but even as I start to them a "system" their percentage increases.
Totally understand... Definitely a massive advantage to start out with a viable system.
 
I normally do so when standing, during my 'Alignment' step of taking a shot ;)

The point is, I was trying to prove out a system without subconcious bias. Using a predetermined drill, following the aiming guidelines, I should never have to look at that pocket at any point.

Normally (no system) I confirm the shot line (confirm with pocket reference) after adjusting my aim (micro adjustments). I know you think that's bad. it works incredibly well for me. ;)

Thanks for the reassurance... :)

Yes, you should look at the ob target, the pocket, first. After all, that IS the goal.

That step is part of my system, anyway. I know some here say they can pocket balls without that and I sometimes do that, too, but really, your brain needs to have that input first to maximize success. Then find the aiming plane, number, whatever.

Deja vu, man.


Jeff Livingston
 
Yes, you should look at the ob target, the pocket, first. After all, that IS the goal.
No the goal is to prove out the system only on it's own merit. Once again, we're talking about two different things. I'm discussing how I am confirming validity of Poolology to my own mind based on documented drills. You talking about overal aiming practices. We're on a different page, and in this situation I'm holding the book.
Deja vu, man.
yeppers....
 
Back
Top