Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

Number: 79 Jim Tellier May 2013 Summer 2013 Session

TOPIC: Hello, Mr. Cue Ball!

[ paraphrased from an article by Tina Pawloski, at http://www.poolplayers.com/instruction/tina-pawloski/lesson-10-in-parting-my-greatest-tips-for-playing-great-pool/ ]

CATEGORY: Beginner/Intermediate

INTRODUCTION:

In pool, like many other sports such as golf or bowling, consistencydoing the same thing over and overis important. A person who plays golf would never haphazardly step into their stance, and someone who wants to bowl a strike would never approach the lane at any odd angle. Why do people do this in pool? I often watch someone come off their previous shot, walk around to their next one, and slide right into the shot.

TECHNIQUE:

You need to get down on each shot the same way, every time. Step back from the shot, standing in the line of the shot, and then step in the same way every time. Your approach to one shot should look exactly the same on the next shot you shoot. While you are standing up in the line of the shot, you should be looking at position for the next ball. Pinpoint where you would like the cue ball to end up and what angle you would like to have. How can you do this when you get off one shot, walk around to the next, and instantly get down on the ball!? Every time you are behind a shot, you should be chalking your cue stick, and formulating a concrete plan for that shot. This is your pre-shot routine. Giving yourself enough time to see the line, chalk your cue stick, and formulate a plan for the run out or safety play. It is difficult to describe a pre-shot routine. See this YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pU5vBK3kvI to illustrate this for you.

The important message here is this: the steps you take just before you actually shoot at the ball are at least as important than any other aspect of making the shot maybe even more so!!! Consistency is the name of the game, no matter what your skill level may be. As a matter of fact, what you will notice, as you advance in skill level, is that you may feel more comfortable with certain shots, and you may be inclined to treat them with less respect. As a result, you WILL find yourself missing shots that you know you shouldnt have missed. What to do? Go back to this fundamental principle: always approach every shot the same way, and eliminate variables by doing so. IF you still find yourself missing that same shot, look for other reasons because youve been able to eliminate the pre-shot mechanics as the culprit.

A couple of very useful links to instructional materials are:

http://www.azbilliards.com/2000instruction.php

http://www.billiards.colostate.edu

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J