Where Do You Stand in This Game?

Where Do You Stand in This Game? In order to reach a high level of play in the game of pool, players must pass through four distinct stages: 1. The shot-maker’s stage. 2. The mastery of the four strokes. 3. The mastery of cue ball speed, and 4. The mastery of self. Where do you stand in each stage? During my workshops I ask students to declare their purpose in this game. After all, if you don’t know your goals, how will you be able to design your training? I also ask them to rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 10 as to where they are in each stage. In order to reach any goal, you must take action, measure your progress, and make adjustments. Where do you stand as a Shot Maker? There are times when you need to “come with a shot.” In Peoria, IL, I watched Ewa Lawrence come with shots to win games in the Cuetec Cues Midwest Classic. She is remarkable. Those who can pull off the tough shots win tournaments. If you rate yourself a Level 6 in shot making, you need some work. Play the game of 8-ball in rotation, and you will improve your shot-making ability. Where do you stand in the Mastery of the Four Strokes? If you are not at Level 8 or above, you need to work on each stroke. The punch stroke, draw stroke, follow stroke, and spin stroke must be reliable weapons if you are to go far in this game. The stroke determines the track line of the cue ball, and the stroke determines the speed. Place the object ball a chalk’s width from the first diamond on the bottom rail. Set up the cue ball between the center diamond on the bottom rail and the first diamond on the long rail. You are cutting the object ball to your right. Deliver a punch stroke with a half-cue tip above center and bring the cue ball straight down table towards the number eight diamond on your side of the table. Now shoot the same shot with one half cue tip above center and deliver a follow stroke. Bring the cue ball down the other side of the table towards the number six diamond. The ability to change from one stroke to another is mastery of the four strokes. You must be crisp and certain of your cue ball track lines. Where do you stand in the third stage, Mastery of Cue Ball Speed? This is the toughest stage to pass through. Many players abandon this stage when they get into trouble or miss shots because they are playing too much position. If you are not at Level 7 or above, you need to spend time working on this great art. In your practice routine, demand that you are within 18 inches of your next object ball or consider it a missed shot. See how many times you can run five balls this way. Remember, measure your progress and make adjustments. Where do you stand in the Mastery of Self? Throw all the balls on the table and run 100 balls without a miss. The key to self-mastery is to be able to shoot shots without effort. Arrive at the state where the shots shoot themselves. Reach a point where your stance and stroke times are consistent with each shot. Follow the path of least resistance. Do not labor or think about shots. Be free. Master self. In the game of pocket billiards, the numbers don’t lie. The table will give you all the information you need to improve your game. Knowing where you stand in your game will enable you to design the practice routine that will help you reach your goals. When you can rate yourself an average 7 in each stage, I will look for you in the finals.Visit InsidePOOL for instruction and lessons from the sport of billiards and pool.

Pool Balls and Billiard Balls at LOW PRICES!!!

About the Author:
Inside Pool Magazine publishes billiard news. Definitive Synergy creates pool and billiard management software.