thank you to CJ Wiley for teaching, learning, growing and sharing!

[Mikjary]

Most of the top players that aren't being sponsored are equivalent to top amateurs in other sports. They have to pay their own way to the tournaments and aren't on any binding schedule/contract to play, like in a league or tour.

Without the backing of a stake horse or sponsor, only a small amount of players can eke out any type of existence on the road. There's no season or off season to rest, and support from other players and fans is limited. They're basically on their own or rely on close friends or travel partners.

Many sports have gained notoriety over the last twenty years, but some have lost ground in that respect. I'm also involved in the martial arts. The tournaments are few and far between. Attendance has dropped off to half and some annual events have been cancelled due to lack of interest.

Bowling has suffered along with pool. In order to compete, the players have to be put out there to the public as personalities. The game is great, but non-players don't realize that and need to connect to the players as celebrities. Only then will we gain a foothold in the entertainment/sports marketplace. Sponsorships will come from this and prize funds will grow to allow the top players to compete and make a living.

Instead of hating the players that put themselves out there in the public eye, we should be promoting them unselfishly. Arguing and petty squabbling because of personal agendas gets us nowhere. I've been guilty of it as have many others. CJ is on the right track. Love him or hate him, he's promoting pool which is what we need right now. The players need it, too!

Best,
Mike

 

[CJ Wiley]

change pool in a very positive way for all of us!!! 'The Game is Ready'

Thanks, and the major project I've been working on is being presented this week...wish us luck, it may change pool in a very positive way for all of us!!! 'The Game is Ready'

It's time for the cycle to change........

Most of the top players that aren't being sponsored are equivalent to top amateurs in other sports. They have to pay their own way to the tournaments and aren't on any binding schedule/contract to play, like in a league or tour.

Without the backing of a stake horse or sponsor, only a small amount of players can eke out any type of existence on the road. There's no season or off season to rest, and support from other players and fans is limited. They're basically on their own or rely on close friends or travel partners.

Many sports have gained notoriety over the last twenty years, but some have lost ground in that respect. I'm also involved in the martial arts. The tournaments are few and far between. Attendance has dropped off to half and some annual events have been cancelled due to lack of interest.

Bowling has suffered along with pool. In order to compete, the players have to be put out there to the public as personalities. The game is great, but non-players don't realize that and need to connect to the players as celebrities. Only then will we gain a foothold in the entertainment/sports marketplace. Sponsorships will come from this and prize funds will grow to allow the top players to compete and make a living.

Instead of hating the players that put themselves out there in the public eye, we should be promoting them unselfishly. Arguing and petty squabbling because of personal agendas gets us nowhere. I've been guilty of it as have many others. CJ is on the right track. Love him or hate him, he's promoting pool which is what we need right now. The players need it, too!

Best,
Mike

 

[CJ Wiley]

"hindsight" is always 20/20

Thanks, and it's amazing how you've progressed in the last few months. We needed to do a "before and after" video....oh, well, "hindsight" is always 20/20

See you Tuesday, enjoy the holiday and safe travels.

Yes, very glad to see this post.

Thanks CJ for all your patience and for my game. It would not be what it is without your input.

 

[GoldenFlash]

YES !!!...Its called, "Can't stand gullible, pool illiterate, poster's syndrome".....Sorry, its in my gene's. :sorry:
It stems from being anti- "TOI", and "tip squeezing", "martial arts", "yoga", and other nonsense, being promoted
as being [sic] valuable pool information ! (sadly, it appears there will always be a market)

That's a wide sweeping coverage of what "you can't stand"..and , in my opinion, it reads as if you were vicariously dining on the ideas of others while giggling and snickering like a teenage girl.
Perhaps if you had engaged in some martial arts and other mind and body exercises along the way, you wouldn't be coughing up phlegem and gasping for air while stumbling from chair to chair in an old beat up pool room somewhere.
I've watched you in action for years, since I now know who you are. Man. you could use some help.
Open your mind...you're old, but not that old. Lots of sound information out here from some of these guys. There's hope for you yet.
My best,
Flash.
aka "The Mustache Kid" from San Diego, (Tommy The Sailor's backer)

 

[CJ Wiley]

I'd be glad to offer my assistance in giving "SJD" some assistense

I'd be glad to offer my assistance in giving "SJD" some martial arts lessons absolutely FREE!!! And I also have a place he could get some "Colonics" done, which would help his overall health, well-being, and attitude.....so he can sit more comfortably in style.

Win/Win/Win

That's a wide sweeping coverage of what "you can't stand"..and , in my opinion, it reads as if you were vicariously dining on the ideas of others while giggling and snickering like a teenage girl.
Perhaps if you had engaged in some martial arts and other mind and body exercises along the way, you wouldn't be coughing up phlegem and gasping for air while stumbling from chair to chair in an old beat up pool room somewhere.
I've watched you in action for years, since I now know who you are. Man. you could use some help.
Open your mind...you're old, but not that old. Lots of sound information out here from some of these guys. There's hope for you yet.
My best,
Flash.
aka "The Mustache Kid" from San Diego, (Tommy The Sailor's backer)

 

[dbkrider]

Watched toi Monday night and put it into practice at Tuesday night bar box race to one 8 ball tourney for 9 and under players. I am a seven rated player and I split 1st and 2nd with 7 rated friend Eddie.
Toi works. Cue ball is on a string and floats downtable. Thank you CJ. I now have another arrow for my quiver!

 

[CJ Wiley]

the willingness to explore a new dimension in the "art of pocket billiards".

Some players catch on to it faster than others....and when it "clicks" the game of pool gets so much more enjoyable. With TOI you narrow down what you have to think about and utilize your mental energy to align with the game.

It's always satisfying to hear from another satisfied TOI practitioner......all it takes is an open mind and the willingness to explore a new dimension in the "art of pocket billiards".

Play Well, the game is our teacher ........

Watched toi Monday night and put it into practice at Tuesday night bar box race to one 8 ball tourney for 9 and under players. I am a seven rated player and I split 1st and 2nd with 7 rated friend Eddie.
Toi works. Cue ball is on a string and floats downtable. Thank you CJ. I now have another arrow for my quiver!

 

[CJ Wiley]

HOUSTON OPEN.....hope to see a lot of familiar faces down there.

Thanks, it does seem that way, doesn't it?

I'm on my way down to Houston this weekend for the HOUSTON OPEN.....hope to see a lot of familiar faces down there.

Play Well, and enjoy a fantastic weekend in the "Pool World" - CJ

CJ,

You have a solid fan base in this thread. The same half dozen pop in and out to give you verbal support and let you know, jokingly of course, that they're thinking about you all the time. I'd almost call them stalkers, at this point. :grin:

Congrats on the streak and good luck with it. I gotta get out there and start one of my own.

Best,
Mike

 

[Cardigan Kid]

Cj, when are you going to make a northern appearance and play the turning stone classic? Your fans up here, including myself would like to see you take it down. Can't wait to watch you play.

 

[CJ Wiley]

I'm more likely to participate in the US OPEN.

I'm trying to get to the point of playing more and more tournaments. Turning Stone Classic is a great tournament, however, I'm more likely to participate in the US OPEN......We're about 70% sure I'll play this one coming up in Virginia if nothing changes in my schedule.

Thanks, and Play Well.

Cj, when are you going to make a northern appearance and play the turning stone classic? Your fans up here, including myself would like to see you take it down. Can't wait to watch you play.

 

[CMarshall]

I'm just echoing what so many other have said, CJ didn't know me from Adam and went out of HIS way to help me... Totally giving back to the game. He's a class act in my opinion.... I live in Las Vegas, if there is anyway that I can help you out in the future, CJ, let me know....

Muchas gracias, Señor


Marshall

 

[CJ Wiley]

hanks, my friend, glad to have the ability to be of service

Thanks, my friend, glad to have the ability to be of service. One reason I was able to reach a higher level of play was because of champion players going out of their way to say what I needed to hear, or show me something crucial to my development.

Teaching does a lot of good to share what's been freely given concerning the game of pocket billiards. It takes thousands of hours to learn some of the techniques/systems that can be shown in a few hours if someone is interested enough to pursue the sources. Buddy Hall and I were discussing this topic last week and most players would agree with what he had to say on this {rules} subject.

I have about 3 more years of giving back to the game and trying to get it consistent TV schedules.......I also have some variations to some of the rules that will make a HUGE difference. The current "one foul" rules with magic racks, jump cues, short races, "rack your own" etc. is not showing the game's true persona....it's like watching "tick-tac-toe" after being exposed to checkers or chess....it's a sad state of affairs.

Unfortunately, right now the game's rules keep it's true value diluted (watered down) although with some hard work this can be changed and improved rather quickly. One way or another pool will see it's time in the spotlight again......and it will be the pure version, not what's being shown currently.

I appreciate you, CMarshall and wish you the very best.....maybe I'll be in Las Vegas on of these days and we can shoot a few games.

I'm just echoing what so many other have said, CJ didn't know me from Adam and went out of HIS way to help me... Totally giving back to the game. He's a class act in my opinion.... I live in Las Vegas, if there is anyway that I can help you out in the future, CJ, let me know....

Muchas gracias, Señor


Marshall

 

[HawaiianEye]

IThe current "one foul" rules with magic racks, jump cues, short races, "rack your own" etc. is not showing the game's true persona....it's like watching "tick-tac-toe" after being exposed to checkers or chess....it's a sad state of affairs.

Unfortunately, right now the game's rules keep it's true value diluted (watered down) although with some hard work this can be changed and improved rather quickly. One way or another pool will see it's time in the spotlight again......and it will be the pure version, not what's being shown currently. QUOTE]

I agree 100%. I have played pool my whole life and am one of the most ardent fans of the game, but the "game" has been changed so much that I find it WAY MORE BORING than it used to be.

Everybody wants a "quick fix"...new rack, jump cue, rack the balls differently, alternate breaks, etc., etc.

There was NOTHING wrong with the game in the FIRST PLACE as far as I'm concerned. All the "bells and whistles" were added to the game and it actually drove away viewers because it became a game of "gadgets" and not a game of "personalities and players". Gadgets quickly become outdated but "personalities" usually stay around a bit longer and attract more people.

People should think "Minnesota Fats, Earl, Keith, Louie Roberts, etc." People came to see "personalities" as much as they did to see the "game". They didn't come to see "gadgets" because there weren't any then.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Imagine what Mosconi and Lassiter would have to say about "magic racks," "jump cues,

This fact is obvious to anyone that played "Two Foul" rules. People all over the country used to LOVE to gamble playing "Two Shot," and there was NO WAY they would ever gamble playing "One Foul". The reason is because "Two Foul" is many, many, times more strategic than "One Foul" and brings out a much different game that is entertaining and exciting to watch (although I do have a enhanced set of TV rules that are awesome to play).

I appreciate, understand and even respect those that wanted to use "One Foul," however these rules were never designed for champion level players. The "One Foul" rules were designed to speed up play and "even up" the competition so there would be more players sign up for tournaments.

Every other sport has very strict protocol on tampering with rules, equipment guidelines, and playing conditions.......pool DOES NOT have this protection and the results are disturbing.....pool has de-evolved into a boring, uneventful game - through no fault of it's own, and no protection from this trend continuing.

Even tennis, when the players started serving faster changed the size/weight of the tennis ball. If you notice at WIMBLEDON the players don't even "serve and volley" anymore because the ball change made such a difference (golf has also been a great example of maintaining the integrity of their game through recent equipment and material changes).....imagine what Mosconi and Lassiter would have to say about "magic racks," "jump cues," "measle balls," and "one foul rules".......I know what Buddy Hall says about them and it's probably similar.....and many champions agree.

IThe current "one foul" rules with magic racks, jump cues, short races, "rack your own" etc. is not showing the game's true persona....it's like watching "tick-tac-toe" after being exposed to checkers or chess....it's a sad state of affairs.

Unfortunately, right now the game's rules keep it's true value diluted (watered down) although with some hard work this can be changed and improved rather quickly. One way or another pool will see it's time in the spotlight again......and it will be the pure version, not what's being shown currently. QUOTE]

I agree 100%. I have played pool my whole life and am one of the most ardent fans of the game, but the "game" has been changed so much that I find it WAY MORE BORING than it used to be.

Everybody wants a "quick fix"...new rack, jump cue, rack the balls differently, alternate breaks, etc., etc.

There was NOTHING wrong with the game in the FIRST PLACE as far as I'm concerned. All the "bells and whistles" were added to the game and it actually drove away viewers because it became a game of "gadgets" and not a game of "personalities and players". Gadgets quickly become outdated but "personalities" usually stay around a bit longer and attract more people.

People should think "Minnesota Fats, Earl, Keith, Louie Roberts, etc." People came to see "personalities" as much as they did to see the "game". They didn't come to see "gadgets" because there weren't any then.

 

[CJ Wiley]

your missed shots aren't consistently "over cut" or "under cut"

One thing that I've noticed after training several players is their eye access patterns being synchronized incorrectly.

There are many "aiming systems" that may or may not work, however, when the player's eye access patterns aren't connecting them to the shot the game becomes frustrating.

If your missed shots aren't consistently "over cut" or "under cut" you probably need to work on your visual processes. imho

'The Game is the Teacher' .com

 

[ENGLISH!]

Hi CJ,

I had always looked at the OB 'area' last, but... when I first started trying TOI, I found myself looking at the cue ball last. During that time frame, I was using both TOI & 'my' english method. You were correct when you said going back & forth would drive one nuts. I then started using the TOI method to apply english & it does work quite well.

I'll try to make this shorter than a long story. Bottom line is, I was less comfortable with pivoting & found it less taxing for me to go back to my 'parallel' or more 'natural' for me less mechanical method for using english. (I know what you say about 'feeling comfortable'.)

So... for quite some time I was looking at the cue ball last for TOI & at the object ball last for 'my' english shots. I find it amazing what we will subconsciously do. I have since evolved into looking at the object ball last for both. I think it just happened as I became more & more comfortable with TOI & perhaps as a means to 'track' the object ball to the pocket to know where it goes in or misses if it does while still staying still during the shot.

I also went through a brief period where I was undercutting when using 'my' outside english methods & traced it to basically using too much to the center of the cue ball to align like done with TOI. Now that I 'realeyes' my error I am using both TOI & 'my' method for outside english quite well. That said I have found myself now looking at the object ball last for both TOI & 'my' method for outside english.

I guess my game is still evolving since being introduced by You to TOI & may still be oscillating between methods until my conscious & subconscious have a meeting of minds for ALL shots.

I don't really know why I am posting this other than to solicit your ideas. Possibly because of being silenced for quite a while.

Anyway, What do you think, not just for me but for everyone in general.

Stay Well,
Rick

 

[nine_ball6970]

One thing that I've noticed after training several players is their eye access patterns being synchronized incorrectly.

There are many "aiming systems" that may or may not work, however, when the player's eye access patterns aren't connecting them to the shot the game becomes frustrating.

If your missed shots aren't consistently "over cut" or "under cut" you probably need to work on your visual processes. imho

'The Game is the Teacher' .com

Could you expand on this?

 

[CJ Wiley]

look at the object ball last so you can follow it into the pocket visually

There are times to look at the cue ball last.

1) Breaking (Wade Crane woke me up to this)

2) When shooting off the rail or "jacked up" over a ball

3) When attempting to hit the cue ball precisely when "slow rolling" a ball

However, when pocketing balls you must look at the object ball last so you can follow it into the pocket visually. This enables the shooter to fully connect to the shot and see where it hits the final target (the pocket).

Hi CJ,

I had always looked at the OB 'area' last, but... when I first started trying TOI, I found myself looking at the cue ball last. During that time frame, I was using both TOI & 'my' english method. You were correct when you said going back & forth would drive one nuts. I then started using the TOI method to apply english & it does work quite well.

I'll try to make this shorter than a long story. Bottom line is, I was less comfortable with pivoting & found it less taxing for me to go back to my 'parallel' or more 'natural' for me less mechanical method for using english. (I know what you say about 'feeling comfortable'.)

So... for quite some time I was looking at the cue ball last for TOI & at the object ball last for 'my' english shots. I find it amazing what we will subconsciously do. I have since evolved into looking at the object ball last for both. I think it just happened as I became more & more comfortable with TOI & perhaps as a means to 'track' the object ball to the pocket to know where it goes in or misses if it does while still staying still during the shot.

I also went through a brief period where I was undercutting when using 'my' outside english methods & traced it to basically using too much to the center of the cue ball to align like done with TOI. Now that I 'realeyes' my error I am using both TOI & 'my' method for outside english quite well. That said I have found myself now looking at the object ball last for both TOI & 'my' method for outside english.

I guess my game is still evolving since being introduced by You to TOI & may still be oscillating between methods until my conscious & subconscious have a meeting of minds for ALL shots.

I don't really know why I am posting this other than to solicit your ideas. Possibly because of being silenced for quite a while.

Anyway, What do you think, not just for me but for everyone in general.

Stay Well,
Rick

 

[ENGLISH!]

Thanks CJ.

I think I'm on the right track.

By the way, I like the 'TIPS' & am amazed at times how well it works, when done properly, & it takes the guess work & tension out of banks. I think you should do a volume two with a bit more precision as to how you might decide if & when to use the TOI with a pivot for both getting the ball to the pocket while getting the use of the english on the cue ball. That might not be enough for a whole DVD though.

Thanks Again,
Rick

 

[One Pocket John]

Thanks CJ.

I think I'm on the right track.

By the way, I like the 'TIPS' & am amazed at times how well it works, when done properly, & it takes the guess work & tension out of banks. I think you should do a volume two with a bit more precision as to how you might decide if & when to use the TOI with a pivot for both getting the ball to the pocket while getting the use of the english on the cue ball. That might not be enough for a whole DVD though.

Thanks Again,
Rick

Welcome back Rick. :thumbup:

John