Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

 

Number: 68 Jim Tellier October 2012

 

TOPIC: Are you Jumpy?

 

CATEGORY: All Skill Levels

 

INTRODUCTION:

Do you ever jump up as soon as you hit the cue ball? What happens? Well, you probably miss the shot more often than not, right?

How can you stop doing that? Tough question!

 

 

TECHNIQUE:

The reason (REALLY!) that you jump up is simple: once youve hit the ball, your brain doesnt have anything else to do! Many people think that whatever happens at the instant the tip of the cue

HITS the cue ball, theyre done with the shot. What else could possibly happen? Well.one thing at a time:

First, if you tend to believe that nothing could happen after you hit the ball, well.technically speakingyoure right! After the tip makes contact, a few thousandths of a second later the ball is no

longer in contact with the tip, and its off and running! BUT --- when you adopt that thinking, what happens is this: your perception of when youre actually hitting the ball changes! Because your brain

knows that nothing else could possibly happen as soon as you hit the ball, you begin the mental process of being finished with the shot. What happens then? You finish the shot prematurely, and start to

stand up, lifting the cue up even before the tip contacts the ball. This can happen in the span of a fraction of a second --- so quickly that you wouldnt be able to see yourself doing it. But, the end result is:

MISSED SHOTS.

So, what to do? Conceptually, its simple: you need to give your brain something to do, as (and after) the tip hits the cue ball. Hmm.. what would that be?

A few experts recommend keeping your eyes focused on the point of contact that you intended to make on the object ball. Personally, I find this to be enough of a goal to work on, when I get into that silly

habit of jumping up. We all do it at times; nobody can really explain why (other than were human). So making it part of your routine as you shoot will help, guaranteed. IF you still think that keeping your eyes

on the object ball (point of contact) isnt quite enough, for you, then stay focused on the Object Ball until it goes into the pocket. Remember you may need to get out of the way if balls are moving back towards your

shooting position.

PRACTICE:

Set up a shot doesnt matter what it is, just so you can repeat the setup over, and over, and over. J

At first, practice with a soft to medium speed. Concentrate on watching the cue ball hit the object ball ONLY. Forget about making the shot, at first.

When you reach the point where you think that your eyes are staying on the object ball --- youre well on the way!

One final note: there are really two kinds of pool-playing: casual and serious. If youre playing a casual game, maybe you relax a bit more, and dont focus on all of the

important things (like jumping up!). But when you get into playing a league-nite match, sometimes it helps to consciously flip over into serious mode --- that can

Give you the mindset needed to focus on the important stuff!

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J