What is a good aiming system?

[Razorback Randy]

I have been playing for about 2 years now and play decent (I can break and run out a rack of 8 ball or 9 ball every now and then - I might be a low B or high C player? I really don't know how you tell). Problem is I don't really know how to aim other than just feel. Some people have told me that Mosconi's 7? places to hit the cue ball works almost all the time. Is this a good method? I took Randy G's SOP pool school class in Dallas last year ( I would highly reccomend it) and at the end we were supposed to go over an aiming system but didn't have time. At times I don't feel confident that I am aiming at the right place on the object ball. What works best for you and where can I get the info to practice it?

 

[dr_dave]

aiming system resources

A good "aiming system" is one that works for you. You can read articles and view videos about some here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/aiming.html​

Regards,
Dave

I have been playing for about 2 years now and play decent (I can break and run out a rack of 8 ball or 9 ball every now and then - I might be a low B or high C player? I really don't know how you tell). Problem is I don't really know how to aim other than just feel. Some people have told me that Mosconi's 7? places to hit the cue ball works almost all the time. Is this a good method? I took Randy G's SOP pool school class in Dallas last year ( I would highly reccomend it) and at the end we were supposed to go over an aiming system but didn't have time. At times I don't feel confident that I am aiming at the right place on the object ball. What works best for you and where can I get the info to practice it?

 

[mars]

i use the hal houle system. i works great.

marty

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Ron Vitello or Hal Houle...they are who you seek.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Razorback Randy:
... I don't really know how to aim other than just feel.

You'll always aim by feel; no system will change that. Even with the "systems" that show you exactly where to hit the OB ("ghost ball", "double overlap", "paralleling") you need to "feel" when you're lined up exactly right and "feel" how much adjustment to make for OB throw and CB squirt/swerve.

And most systems don't show you exactly where to hit the OB; they give you an approximate aim point (which you have to line up correctly by feel) and from that you have to adjust to the real aim point by feel. "Approximating" systems include all the systems that are not the well-known "exact" systems I named above.

"Approximating" systems include those taught by Hal Houle, Cue-Tech, RonV, Stan Shuffet, Joe Tucker and others, going by such names as "fractional aiming", "3-angles", "S.A.M.", "center-to-edge", "Pro 1", etc., etc. Some users and teachers of these systems will tell you that they are "exact" systems that need no adjustments, but they're wrong. All of them are approximation systems and all of them require you to adjust your aim by feel. The only one that I'm aware of that actually admits this fact openly is Joe Tucker's system.

At times I don't feel confident that I am aiming at the right place on the object ball.

Confidence is essential to increasing your "feel" for aiming, with or without an aiming system, and one of the main benefits of using a system is that it can help boost your confidence by narrowing down the range of choices you have to make by feel. Even players who don't think they use any system often use one (or more) unconsciously - for instance, when faced with a tough shot they might get a "second opinion" on their aim by imagining how "ghost ball" or "double overlap" aim would look. Many players use different systems for different kinds of shots - for instance, the "double overlap" system is especially useful for long thin cut shots.

Whether or not you use a system(s) and which one(s) you use are personal choices. Hopefully understanding exactly what aiming systems are and are not before you make those decisions will help you make the right ones for you.

pj
chgo

 

[ugotda8]

I have been playing for about 2 years now and play decent (I can break and run out a rack of 8 ball or 9 ball every now and then - I might be a low B or high C player? I really don't know how you tell). Problem is I don't really know how to aim other than just feel. Some people have told me that Mosconi's 7? places to hit the cue ball works almost all the time. Is this a good method? I took Randy G's SOP pool school class in Dallas last year ( I would highly reccomend it) and at the end we were supposed to go over an aiming system but didn't have time. At times I don't feel confident that I am aiming at the right place on the object ball. What works best for you and where can I get the info to practice it?

IMO, an aiming system only reinforces what your brain will do for you automatically. Even the most reliable aiming system on the planet will fail you if you aren't stroking straight.

Focus more on a smooth straight stroke and I am willing to bet any aiming system you settle on will work for you.


JMO

 

[cleary]

Like someone said before, the right system, is what is right for YOU. A system is only as good as the person using it. And not every system is good for everybody.

Aiming systems have been the popular thing to talk about lately and Ive learned a great deal in the past month or so.

Ron V. showed me his swivel system (similar to Hal's system), light aiming system and shadow aiming. All of which are very interesting and Ive been mixing and matching depending on the shot but for easy shots, I still use the ghostball system.

 

[ribdoner]

Find the spot on the OB that the QB has to impact to pocket the OB, then..............JUST DO IT.

Developing a repeatable stroke is, IMO, more important than "systems".

 

[stan shuffett]

PRO ONE and Feel

As a player approaches the table for a turn there are at least three variables to mentally consider: angle and speed and spin. Angle is mostly about making the ball while speed and spin largely determine cueball positioning. In PRO ONE the sightline angle is constant. It?s center-to-edge. There?s no guess work at this point. A player is freed up to put more energy into the variables of speed and spin.

After a player?s initial mental work concerning angle, speed and spin are complete, it?s time to prepare to shoot. Preparation for shooting is largely a sensory function. In PRO ONE alignment the eyes see center-to-edge. No guess work yet. 99% of the aiming is over. During the center-to edge-visual the PRO ONE player is also visualizing and feeling the speed and spin aspects of the shot. Yes, there are systems for speed and spin but feel is a must. The aim aspect is easy. Getting the speed and spin correct is ultimately the greatest challenge. There?s a lot of feel in speed and spin especially during the preparation phase of shooting as one must absorb the precise feeling that is necessary for that speed and spin required for successful shot execution.

Now it?s time to go into a proper stance and physically shoot. In PRO ONE a player uses a simple technique involving 2 variables that brings tip postition to center cueball. The practice strokes are next??Perhaps 3 practice strokes. The aim and tip position is dead on?or maybe a 1% tweak can be made. Yeah, that may involve a little feel. Is it time to shoot yet? I think, no!! The aim is so good at this point that it actually allows a player to have more practice strokes to actually connect with the proper speed and spin feeling that is necessary to pinpoint the cueball.

PRO ONE gets a player aimed-up correctly shot after shot so there?s more time to actually feel the speed and spin during the practice strokes. This is one of the key elements to a pro level game. Aim is easy and not complicated. There?s not much feel or guess work at all with aim. Pros spend their feel time with the all important aspect of controlling the cueball.

Stan Shuffett

 

[Patrick Johnson]

PRO ONE and Feel

As a player approaches the table for a turn there are at least three variables to mentally consider: angle and speed and spin. Angle is mostly about making the ball while speed and spin largely determine cueball positioning. In PRO ONE the sightline angle is constant. It?s center-to-edge. There?s no guess work at this point. A player is freed up to put more energy into the variables of speed and spin.

After a player?s initial mental work concerning angle, speed and spin are complete, it?s time to prepare to shoot. Preparation for shooting is largely a sensory function. In PRO ONE alignment the eyes see center-to-edge. No guess work yet. 99% of the aiming is over. During the center-to edge-visual the PRO ONE player is also visualizing and feeling the speed and spin aspects of the shot. Yes, there are systems for speed and spin but feel is a must. The aim aspect is easy. Getting the speed and spin correct is ultimately the greatest challenge. There?s a lot of feel in speed and spin especially during the preparation phase of shooting as one must absorb the precise feeling that is necessary for that speed and spin required for successful shot execution.

Now it?s time to go into a proper stance and physically shoot. In PRO ONE a player uses a simple technique involving 2 variables that brings tip postition to center cueball. The practice strokes are next??Perhaps 3 practice strokes. The aim and tip position is dead on?or maybe a 1% tweak can be made. Yeah, that may involve a little feel. Is it time to shoot yet? I think, no!! The aim is so good at this point that it actually allows a player to have more practice strokes to actually connect with the proper speed and spin feeling that is necessary to pinpoint the cueball.

PRO ONE gets a player aimed-up correctly shot after shot so there?s more time to actually feel the speed and spin during the practice strokes. This is one of the key elements to a pro level game. Aim is easy and not complicated. There?s not much a feel or guess work at all with aim. Pros spend their feel time with the all important aspect of controlling the cueball.

Stan Shuffett

Some users and teachers of these systems will tell you that they are "exact" systems that need no adjustments, but they're wrong.

pj
chgo

..........

 

[iowa_player]

Slowly gently pull the trigger !

 

[SpiderWebComm]

PRO ONE and Feel

As a player approaches the table for a turn there are at least three variables to mentally consider: angle and speed and spin. Angle is mostly about making the ball while speed and spin largely determine cueball positioning. In PRO ONE the sightline angle is constant. It?s center-to-edge. There?s no guess work at this point. A player is freed up to put more energy into the variables of speed and spin.

After a player?s initial mental work concerning angle, speed and spin are complete, it?s time to prepare to shoot. Preparation for shooting is largely a sensory function. In PRO ONE alignment the eyes see center-to-edge. No guess work yet. 99% of the aiming is over. During the center-to edge-visual the PRO ONE player is also visualizing and feeling the speed and spin aspects of the shot. Yes, there are systems for speed and spin but feel is a must. The aim aspect is easy. Getting the speed and spin correct is ultimately the greatest challenge. There?s a lot of feel in speed and spin especially during the preparation phase of shooting as one must absorb the precise feeling that is necessary for that speed and spin required for successful shot execution.

Now it?s time to go into a proper stance and physically shoot. In PRO ONE a player uses a simple technique involving 2 variables that brings tip postition to center cueball. The practice strokes are next??Perhaps 3 practice strokes. The aim and tip position is dead on?or maybe a 1% tweak can be made. Yeah, that may involve a little feel. Is it time to shoot yet? I think, no!! The aim is so good at this point that it actually allows a player to have more practice strokes to actually connect with the proper speed and spin feeling that is necessary to pinpoint the cueball.

PRO ONE gets a player aimed-up correctly shot after shot so there?s more time to actually feel the speed and spin during the practice strokes. This is one of the key elements to a pro level game. Aim is easy and not complicated. There?s not much feel or guess work at all with aim. Pros spend their feel time with the all important aspect of controlling the cueball.

Stan Shuffett

My bad, I forgot to mention Stan in my post above. Pro One is mega strong!!!!!

PJ....based on what you said....no system is exact....not even ghostball or double the distance. Perception is a big part of both of those.

to say double the distance is more accurate than Pro1, cte or ronv is nuts....nobody uses that in the heat of battle!

 

[Craig Fales]

I have been playing for about 2 years now and play decent (I can break and run out a rack of 8 ball or 9 ball every now and then - I might be a low B or high C player? I really don't know how you tell). Problem is I don't really know how to aim other than just feel. Some people have told me that Mosconi's 7? places to hit the cue ball works almost all the time. Is this a good method? I took Randy G's SOP pool school class in Dallas last year ( I would highly reccomend it) and at the end we were supposed to go over an aiming system but didn't have time. At times I don't feel confident that I am aiming at the right place on the object ball. What works best for you and where can I get the info to practice it?

Here's my aiming system: Look at the contact point, hit the contact point, lather, rinse, repeat...:thumbup:

 

[BWTadpole]

My advice:

- Work your stroke to the best consistency you can get. This is of utmost importance. With no consistency, you might be looking at the right contact point, but you'll miss it from time to time. I'd rather you be making a mistake with the aiming system than with a bad stroke.

- Get real friendly with the curves of the object ball and cue ball. After a while, you'll know where the balls will make contact, quickly and accurately on both ball surfaces. You'll be using ghost ball without even knowing that you're using it.

- Shoot many, many, many shots. Get a FEEL for aiming with english. Shoot several different shots with the same english. Different distances and angles. The best anyone can do is approximate what will happen with deflection, swerve, and throw. Just hone in your senses to the feeling.

- Make an effort to completely visualize the shot during your practice strokes, or even before you bend over to shoot. That reminds me, too...

- For the love of God, find the contact point before you bend down to shoot! It's easier to see the angles from above. You'll more easily fall into the right position knowing where you're shooting. You'll adjust less. You'll have more confidence in your stroke.

[/rant]

 

[Matt90]

thanks

PRO ONE and Feel

As a player approaches the table for a turn there are at least three variables to mentally consider: angle and speed and spin. Angle is mostly about making the ball while speed and spin largely determine cueball positioning. In PRO ONE the sightline angle is constant. It?s center-to-edge. There?s no guess work at this point. A player is freed up to put more energy into the variables of speed and spin.

After a player?s initial mental work concerning angle, speed and spin are complete, it?s time to prepare to shoot. Preparation for shooting is largely a sensory function. In PRO ONE alignment the eyes see center-to-edge. No guess work yet. 99% of the aiming is over. During the center-to edge-visual the PRO ONE player is also visualizing and feeling the speed and spin aspects of the shot. Yes, there are systems for speed and spin but feel is a must. The aim aspect is easy. Getting the speed and spin correct is ultimately the greatest challenge. There?s a lot of feel in speed and spin especially during the preparation phase of shooting as one must absorb the precise feeling that is necessary for that speed and spin required for successful shot execution.

Now it?s time to go into a proper stance and physically shoot. In PRO ONE a player uses a simple technique involving 2 variables that brings tip postition to center cueball. The practice strokes are next??Perhaps 3 practice strokes. The aim and tip position is dead on?or maybe a 1% tweak can be made. Yeah, that may involve a little feel. Is it time to shoot yet? I think, no!! The aim is so good at this point that it actually allows a player to have more practice strokes to actually connect with the proper speed and spin feeling that is necessary to pinpoint the cueball.

PRO ONE gets a player aimed-up correctly shot after shot so there?s more time to actually feel the speed and spin during the practice strokes. This is one of the key elements to a pro level game. Aim is easy and not complicated. There?s not much feel or guess work at all with aim. Pros spend their feel time with the all important aspect of controlling the cueball.

Stan Shuffett

:thumbup:
good review

 

[Surly]

I don't know about aiming systems, but I discovered something today that worked well for me.

It's kinda like ghost ball... I'd aim, take my practice strokes, and then freeze on my contact point. Then I would follow the track of that aim and see it contacting the object ball, and seeing what it would do to the object ball. I saw many times that my aim was off.

I re-adjusted and checked the ghost ball again. When it 'looked' perfect, I concentrated solely on hitting the cue ball at that exact point. Worked almost every time.

Don't know how revolutionary that is - probably worth exactly $.02, but there it is.

 

[CueAndMe]

I'm someone who's really into aiming systems, but I don't believe they work as well as getting out of your own way. On the last couple of trips to the pool room, I've abandoned the many systems that I know, which all work to some extent, in favor of just feeling my aim. I think my biggest problem in the past has been assuming that intense focus is required for pocketing balls. I'm finding that, for me, it's the opposite that works best.

I play straight pool which requires thinking about patterns and insurance and break balls, etc., but I've been trying to separate that type of thinking from the overkill ball-pocketing thinking. After I've done my straight pool thinking, I feel the aim while standing behind the cueball and just do my best to get down along my predetermined "felt" aim line, and just trust it. If it feels wrong I get back up. One of the worst things for me is to be down over a shot for a long time. The longer I'm down, the more disconnected I become from the shot I saw while standing. I'm only down long enough to get grooved. It helps with my overall rhythm to do this as well.

The one thing that I find most important to visualize in order to sense the proper aim and alignment is the line from object ball to pocket. I seem to maneuver naturally into the right alignment most of the time if I see this line clearly. I basically become the cueball.

All of that said, I just came up with what I think is an interesting new aiming system that I'll try to post later in another thread today. It's not refined yet, but maybe those of you here in the forum can help out with the refinement.

I like the idea of having aiming systems at my disposal even if I won't use them most of the time.

 

[BWTadpole]

Wow, I almost forgot. If you want a system to follow that allows you to be a "feel" player as well, I recommend finding an eye pattern that works for you.

My pattern is object ball, pocket, object ball, cue ball, object ball, cue ball, and finally object ball.

 

[Surly]

I think my biggest problem in the past has been assuming that intense focus is required for pocketing balls. I'm finding that, for me, it's the opposite that works best.

There's definitely something to be said for that. When my husband goes to the bathroom and I just throw some balls on the table and shoot them, I almost always run them and make sweet bank shots... because I'm just playing. And it pisses me off every time.

 

[Scott Lee]

Patrick...You make yourself sound like an idiot, when you just FLAT say everyone else is WRONG and only you are right. There is no right or wrong in thinking about or playing pool. There are some methods, that for some people (in some cases, many people), will bring them more consistent results or success. That is all...

Of the major aiming systems, that are taught by instructors, you have experienced exactly NONE of them in person. How that makes you such an expert, and justified in condemning all of them is beyond me!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

. Some users and teachers of these systems will tell you that they are "exact" systems that need no adjustments, but they're wrong.

pj
chgo