boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I've been reading the CTE book a bit. I actually was in about a 2 week slump. I had some spare time and decided to try CTE, because why not? I'm only on page 47 but have referenced the chapter on pivoting. I've not read in depth yet and barely practiced CTE. I practiced the first 3 example shots in the book til I was consistent, then played solo 9 ball for 3-4 hours one night using only CTE aims. At this point, it's kind of a medley or my normal aim and CTE but as I read more, I incorporate more CTE into my practice. It's like being spoon fed how to actually play pool. I have to tell you, it's working. I don't want to give a review yet because I've not practiced and am not in a position yet to evaluate it, it's still too early. I'm still neutrally skeptical.
I will say that there are several aspects I've found very helpful.
Using the edge as a reference point and checking the center ball is great. If you're eyes are between the two (and tilted correctly), you have a much better view of what's going on, and two reference points is just enough to distract you from playing sabotage head games with yourself. The shots, once aimed with CTE just have a feel to them. You're not doubting and instead of the "exact" laser point on the ball, you know it's going in and you can stroke it. CTE aiming really does need your participation to understand it. The book does a perfect job of explaining.
The pivot feels glorious, it feels like you might be trying some crazy half masse shot, but the CB goes dead straight to the aim point and it's in the pocket. For me personally, it adds feel into the shot, something I had lost a bit of. It feels fun again and my "subconscious/muscle memory" is earning an A+. That dude is phenomenal! Why the hell did I ever doubt that dude? Why was I ever worried about the outcome of a shot?
The shots go. Often in pool, the near infinite shot selection can be a detriment to me, I mean, I could hit the ball in 10 different places and get leave. Now add 4 other make-able shots into the equation and I'm lost sometimes. The truth is, most of the time I'm guessing and feeling for leave. I'm extrapolating from AMB and it's not always fun. With my normal method I get leave often, but many times the CB just does not do what I asked it. Limiting yourself to 6 cuts (not every cut is used on every shot (maybe 2 at most?), lets you imagine the possibilities without getting analysis paralysis. You can get anywhere on the table you want with any single aim point. Once you're CTE "aimed up" you can focus much of your effort on leave and the ball still goes.
I've also noticed on 9 ball, if I miss, the OB will actually slop more often in other pockets than normally (the angle thing?). The CB seems to have a good action that will sometimes even make unseen shots in for you after contacting the OB.
I've been skeptical as hell with CTE and I still haven't read or practiced enough to see the intricacies of it, but I think it's worth pursuing. Last night I felt like crap and not even into playing pool at all, but was asked to sub at 8 ball league I decided to use only CTE shots unless I was absolutely baffled. I only used my normal aim once, and I played a hell of a lot better than normal. My teammates noticed a difference and I shut down the two best players on the other team. Sure I still made a few mistakes, but I was playing a lot better than usual.
I've not mastered it enough to have my speed down, but every hit that went had that lovely ping sound of a perfectly struck ball. My misses were mine, not CTE's. My mind shut the hell up and the pool dance started. I didn't play perfect, I miscued once, as I tend to do when nervous in competition. I stroked a draw shot way too pure and scratched, giving BIH and losing a game. The thing is, I missed way less often and stroked the ball way more pure. I also had good safety play, good 2 way shots and even pocketed 2 balls at once twice (both times problem balls that would be hard for shape).
I hate to admit this, as I'm an inspector, but I have a hard time imagining angles. I didn't imagine/calculate any angles last night, If you're a pool player, you just automatically know which CTE point you need to shoot. You don't have to know jack about angles, just what looks right. When you're aiming pure, stroking pure, I have news for everyone, you only need a 15, 30, 45, rarely a 60, and almost never a paint scraper. It was news to me, but it's true. CTE simplifies your game because you have less choices for your "thinking brain" and you can just get to work on playing pool.
I know some are thinking, it's a new thing, it will wear off, every time you try something new it works then doesn't anymore. Well, that's why I won't do a review yet. It's working now, but I don't want to pass of "new cue syndrome" off as an objective review. But honestly, no shit, it shows real promise.
I will say that there are several aspects I've found very helpful.
Using the edge as a reference point and checking the center ball is great. If you're eyes are between the two (and tilted correctly), you have a much better view of what's going on, and two reference points is just enough to distract you from playing sabotage head games with yourself. The shots, once aimed with CTE just have a feel to them. You're not doubting and instead of the "exact" laser point on the ball, you know it's going in and you can stroke it. CTE aiming really does need your participation to understand it. The book does a perfect job of explaining.
The pivot feels glorious, it feels like you might be trying some crazy half masse shot, but the CB goes dead straight to the aim point and it's in the pocket. For me personally, it adds feel into the shot, something I had lost a bit of. It feels fun again and my "subconscious/muscle memory" is earning an A+. That dude is phenomenal! Why the hell did I ever doubt that dude? Why was I ever worried about the outcome of a shot?
The shots go. Often in pool, the near infinite shot selection can be a detriment to me, I mean, I could hit the ball in 10 different places and get leave. Now add 4 other make-able shots into the equation and I'm lost sometimes. The truth is, most of the time I'm guessing and feeling for leave. I'm extrapolating from AMB and it's not always fun. With my normal method I get leave often, but many times the CB just does not do what I asked it. Limiting yourself to 6 cuts (not every cut is used on every shot (maybe 2 at most?), lets you imagine the possibilities without getting analysis paralysis. You can get anywhere on the table you want with any single aim point. Once you're CTE "aimed up" you can focus much of your effort on leave and the ball still goes.
I've also noticed on 9 ball, if I miss, the OB will actually slop more often in other pockets than normally (the angle thing?). The CB seems to have a good action that will sometimes even make unseen shots in for you after contacting the OB.
I've been skeptical as hell with CTE and I still haven't read or practiced enough to see the intricacies of it, but I think it's worth pursuing. Last night I felt like crap and not even into playing pool at all, but was asked to sub at 8 ball league I decided to use only CTE shots unless I was absolutely baffled. I only used my normal aim once, and I played a hell of a lot better than normal. My teammates noticed a difference and I shut down the two best players on the other team. Sure I still made a few mistakes, but I was playing a lot better than usual.
I've not mastered it enough to have my speed down, but every hit that went had that lovely ping sound of a perfectly struck ball. My misses were mine, not CTE's. My mind shut the hell up and the pool dance started. I didn't play perfect, I miscued once, as I tend to do when nervous in competition. I stroked a draw shot way too pure and scratched, giving BIH and losing a game. The thing is, I missed way less often and stroked the ball way more pure. I also had good safety play, good 2 way shots and even pocketed 2 balls at once twice (both times problem balls that would be hard for shape).
I hate to admit this, as I'm an inspector, but I have a hard time imagining angles. I didn't imagine/calculate any angles last night, If you're a pool player, you just automatically know which CTE point you need to shoot. You don't have to know jack about angles, just what looks right. When you're aiming pure, stroking pure, I have news for everyone, you only need a 15, 30, 45, rarely a 60, and almost never a paint scraper. It was news to me, but it's true. CTE simplifies your game because you have less choices for your "thinking brain" and you can just get to work on playing pool.
I know some are thinking, it's a new thing, it will wear off, every time you try something new it works then doesn't anymore. Well, that's why I won't do a review yet. It's working now, but I don't want to pass of "new cue syndrome" off as an objective review. But honestly, no shit, it shows real promise.
