Are Systems Essential to World Class Pool?
I can't help but wonder how anyone could think you could play pool (or anything else) at the highest level without a system. Whether we want to realize it or not there is a conscious or unconcious system for all aspects of pocket billiards. That goes for pocketing balls, playing zone position, lining up your eyes correctly relative to the line of the shot, etc.
The main thing with aiming is the way we connect the two balls together BEFORE getting down on the shot. If anyone doesn't think we have a system for that I will tell them they're living in a fantasy world. The thing that intermediate players are missing is there's 2 lines when aiming and one uses the edge of the cue ball and the other uses the center of the cue ball. And to understand this you must stop looking at the balls like they're round....they are, for all intents and purposes FLAT and one dimensional for the purposes of aiming. I go over a lot of this in my 3rd volume of Ultimate Pool Secrets, but after talking to Stan I realized I was doing something else unconsciously that is more of the foundation of his system. This has done wonders for my understanding how it all comes together and has enabled me to "rembember" exactly how I was doing it in my prime. When playing good (gambling) I would expect to miss about one ball an hour (that I was trying to pocket) , and when I was playing great I would not make one ball every 2 hours. When I played Efren in Seattle for 14 hours I missed 6 balls total (that's my top speed). If anyone thinks I didn't use a system to do that that's fine.....but I'd challenge them to shoot a gun or bow without sights, because that's how they're playing pool if they don't know how to line up ABOVE the ball.
I understand why Pros say some of the things they do about him not having an aiming system....however, I also don't think they would say the same things to me in private....everyone has a system, and you also know if you analyze it too much without completely understanding it your game will suffer greatly....at some point it's essential to keep from "thinking" about the unconscious activity too much. However, I for one have sacrificed my level of play quite a bit to figure this stuff out and when I start playing seriously again I'll also try to "not think about my game"....that's why it's virtually impossible to teach at a world class level and play at that level at the same time....CJ Wiley www.cjwiley.com
The main thing with aiming is the way we connect the two balls together BEFORE getting down on the shot. If anyone doesn't think we have a system for that I will tell them they're living in a fantasy world. The thing that intermediate players are missing is there's 2 lines when aiming and one uses the edge of the cue ball and the other uses the center of the cue ball. And to understand this you must stop looking at the balls like they're round....they are, for all intents and purposes FLAT and one dimensional for the purposes of aiming. I go over a lot of this in my 3rd volume of Ultimate Pool Secrets, but after talking to Stan I realized I was doing something else unconsciously that is more of the foundation of his system. This has done wonders for my understanding how it all comes together and has enabled me to "rembember" exactly how I was doing it in my prime. When playing good (gambling) I would expect to miss about one ball an hour (that I was trying to pocket) , and when I was playing great I would not make one ball every 2 hours. When I played Efren in Seattle for 14 hours I missed 6 balls total (that's my top speed). If anyone thinks I didn't use a system to do that that's fine.....but I'd challenge them to shoot a gun or bow without sights, because that's how they're playing pool if they don't know how to line up ABOVE the ball.
I understand why Pros say some of the things they do about him not having an aiming system....however, I also don't think they would say the same things to me in private....everyone has a system, and you also know if you analyze it too much without completely understanding it your game will suffer greatly....at some point it's essential to keep from "thinking" about the unconscious activity too much. However, I for one have sacrificed my level of play quite a bit to figure this stuff out and when I start playing seriously again I'll also try to "not think about my game"....that's why it's virtually impossible to teach at a world class level and play at that level at the same time....CJ Wiley www.cjwiley.com
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Comments
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Thanks for your thoughts on this. I know Stan quite well and what he has done with the help of Hal Houle is to express in words, exactly how he aims and how he develops a perfect sight picture. It isn't easy expressing in words, what we attempt to do visually. I'm glad you've had an opportunity to talk with Stan. He is one of the best teachers of pool that I have ever met in my lifetime. Looking forward to reading more of your blog. To this date, to my recollection, I have never posted one thing to anyone's blog on AZB. I enjoy your writing and look forward to the video on Earl Strickland's Million Dollar Adventure.Posted 08-14-2012 at 11:04 PM by JoeyA 
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Unlocking Pool's Mysteries
Yes, I had a great time with Stan...we are on the same page about how there's a hidden perfection in pool....our aiming systems are similar, but he's put much more thought into that department and understands how the dominant eye works better than me and I use the contact points on the cue ball where he uses the quarter points on the object ball.....my main thing is more about "feeling with the eyes" and aiming with the body (using the feet as sights).....ultimately we all need to stand on each other's shoulders to understand all this game has to offer.....it's a very mysterious and alluring game and it's all about uncovering it's secrets.....you can improve every day in pool.Quote:Originally Posted by JoeyA
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I know Stan quite well and what he has done with the help of Hal Houle is to express in words, exactly how he aims and how he develops a perfect sight picture. It isn't easy expressing in words, what we attempt to do visually. I'm glad you've had an opportunity to talk with Stan. He is one of the best teachers of pool that I have ever met in my lifetime. Looking forward to reading more of your blog. To this date, to my recollection, I have never posted one thing to anyone's blog on AZB. I enjoy your writing and look forward to the video on Earl Strickland's Million Dollar Adventure.Posted 08-15-2012 at 01:36 AM by CJ Wiley
