This is a great example of the traditional hard break in 9 ball. Jeff De Lunas pockets five balls on the break, but he still ends up with a crappy shot. Although he breaks perfectly, Mr. De Lunas would have been better off by pocketing only one wing ball and having a shot on the 1 ball.
It's nice if you pocket multiple balls on the break. It is imperative that you have a shot after the break.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
9 Ball Break Shots
The 9 ball break shot has changed over the years. For a long time, it was pure power. Many old pros positioned the cue ball on the spot and took a hard straight shot.
As time went by, the pros learned that a little angle was a good thing. That is why they would bridge up from the rail. This type of shot made it possible to sink the 1 ball in the opposite side pocket from the break position.
They got pretty good at this. Even amateurs learned to pocket the 1 ball on the break.
The trouble is that if you pocket the 1 ball on the break, you have to shoot at the 2 ball. That can be tough because you have to depend on luck leaving you a shot on the 2.
Nowadays, the pros are learning that they can pocket a ball and get position on the next ball if they learn to pocket a ball other than the 1 ball.
They do this with a medium break, and they bridge on the cloth, not on the rail. They drive the cue into the 1 ball. They want the cue ball to draw back to the middle of the table, and they want the 1 ball to go near the side pocket, miss the pocket, and continue to the other end of the table. Hopefully, they end up with a clear shot on the 1.
So what ball do they try to pocket? They look to the wing balls. The wing balls are the balls on either side of the 9 in the rack. If the pro breaks from the left, he wants th wing ball on the right side to go in the right corner pocket. If he breaks from the right, he want the wing ball on the left to go in the left corner pocket.
One nice thing about this break is that both wing balls come close to their respective pockets no matter how you hit the cue. Plus, if they miss their pocket, they often bank into the opposite corner.
You want to hit a good strong stroke, but not a really hard one. It will take a little experimenting. The strength of the stroke will change the way the balls react.
You want to hit a solid shot full in the face of the 1 ball. You want a little bit of draw. If your cue ball travels more than 2 feet after the break, you did something wrong.
The 1 ball should move further up the table than the cue ball. Hopefully, it will not reach the short rail on the break end of the table.
Besides sinking one of the wing balls, all you are trying to do is separate the cue ball and the 1 ball from the pack. You want them to be all alone on the other end of the table so that you can get a clear shot.
Some pros and some announcers are still against this kind of a break. They feel that this break does not open up the rack enough. They have a point, but I don't want to open up the rack if I am not going to pocket a ball.
As time went by, the pros learned that a little angle was a good thing. That is why they would bridge up from the rail. This type of shot made it possible to sink the 1 ball in the opposite side pocket from the break position.
They got pretty good at this. Even amateurs learned to pocket the 1 ball on the break.
The trouble is that if you pocket the 1 ball on the break, you have to shoot at the 2 ball. That can be tough because you have to depend on luck leaving you a shot on the 2.
Nowadays, the pros are learning that they can pocket a ball and get position on the next ball if they learn to pocket a ball other than the 1 ball.
They do this with a medium break, and they bridge on the cloth, not on the rail. They drive the cue into the 1 ball. They want the cue ball to draw back to the middle of the table, and they want the 1 ball to go near the side pocket, miss the pocket, and continue to the other end of the table. Hopefully, they end up with a clear shot on the 1.
So what ball do they try to pocket? They look to the wing balls. The wing balls are the balls on either side of the 9 in the rack. If the pro breaks from the left, he wants th wing ball on the right side to go in the right corner pocket. If he breaks from the right, he want the wing ball on the left to go in the left corner pocket.
One nice thing about this break is that both wing balls come close to their respective pockets no matter how you hit the cue. Plus, if they miss their pocket, they often bank into the opposite corner.
You want to hit a good strong stroke, but not a really hard one. It will take a little experimenting. The strength of the stroke will change the way the balls react.
You want to hit a solid shot full in the face of the 1 ball. You want a little bit of draw. If your cue ball travels more than 2 feet after the break, you did something wrong.
The 1 ball should move further up the table than the cue ball. Hopefully, it will not reach the short rail on the break end of the table.
Besides sinking one of the wing balls, all you are trying to do is separate the cue ball and the 1 ball from the pack. You want them to be all alone on the other end of the table so that you can get a clear shot.
Some pros and some announcers are still against this kind of a break. They feel that this break does not open up the rack enough. They have a point, but I don't want to open up the rack if I am not going to pocket a ball.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Stop Shot in Pool and Billiards
In a previous post, Warmup Drill #1 was given to you. That drill requires you to run a series of straight shots. It teaches you to stroke your cue stick accurately and straight.
If you can do tha drill, then it is time to move up. The Stop Shot is next on the list. You need the Stop Shot. It shows up several times in each pool game that you play, and it is relatively easy to do. Finally, the mechanics of the Stop Shot are used in many other shots. Those shots are angled, but from your end of the cue, you do the same thing on those shots as on the Stop Shot.
So it is time to learn the Stop Shot.
Set up the balls for the first shot as if you were doing Warmup Drill #1. But this time, when you stroke the shot, you want the cue ball to stop as soon as it hits the object ball.
To do that, you merely have to hit the cue ball a tiny bit below center. How far below is up to you. It depends on how hard you stroke, what kind of tip you have, whether your stick is level, etc.
Following the drill from Warmup Drill #1, your second shot is a little longer. You have to hit a little further below center. The third shot is even longer. You have to hit even further below center.
You may continue with the rest of Warmup Drill #1 if you have had good results so far, but a lot of people should just repeat Balls 1, 2 and 3. If you do it right, you should be able to get the cue ball to stop completely.
Balls 4 and 5 are long shots. Even pros have difficulty stopping their cue ball on long shots. Don't kick yourself too hard if you experience problems also.
If you can do tha drill, then it is time to move up. The Stop Shot is next on the list. You need the Stop Shot. It shows up several times in each pool game that you play, and it is relatively easy to do. Finally, the mechanics of the Stop Shot are used in many other shots. Those shots are angled, but from your end of the cue, you do the same thing on those shots as on the Stop Shot.
So it is time to learn the Stop Shot.
Set up the balls for the first shot as if you were doing Warmup Drill #1. But this time, when you stroke the shot, you want the cue ball to stop as soon as it hits the object ball.
To do that, you merely have to hit the cue ball a tiny bit below center. How far below is up to you. It depends on how hard you stroke, what kind of tip you have, whether your stick is level, etc.
Following the drill from Warmup Drill #1, your second shot is a little longer. You have to hit a little further below center. The third shot is even longer. You have to hit even further below center.
You may continue with the rest of Warmup Drill #1 if you have had good results so far, but a lot of people should just repeat Balls 1, 2 and 3. If you do it right, you should be able to get the cue ball to stop completely.
Balls 4 and 5 are long shots. Even pros have difficulty stopping their cue ball on long shots. Don't kick yourself too hard if you experience problems also.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Cue Sticks and Chalk
Chalk up that stick!!
Your cue stick needs chalk after every shot. Even if you hit mostly straight shots, you should chalk up at every opportunity.
Most of the experts will give you a big long explanation about how to chalk up. They will tell you that the pros do it their way.
Well, I am sure that some pros do it their way, but I have seen an awful lot of pros who grind that chalk onto the cue like crazy.
I don't believe that the actual method of applying the chalk makes a big difference. I believe that the only thing that matters is the results. If your cue has an light coating of chalk spread on the tip, then you have done your job.
Your cue stick needs chalk after every shot. Even if you hit mostly straight shots, you should chalk up at every opportunity.
Most of the experts will give you a big long explanation about how to chalk up. They will tell you that the pros do it their way.
Well, I am sure that some pros do it their way, but I have seen an awful lot of pros who grind that chalk onto the cue like crazy.
I don't believe that the actual method of applying the chalk makes a big difference. I believe that the only thing that matters is the results. If your cue has an light coating of chalk spread on the tip, then you have done your job.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Visualize the Pool Shot Before You Put Your Stick on the Table
I just finished watching Efran Reyes play a game. During that game, he had a tough shot.
In this situation, rank amateurs walk up to the table, look at it for a minute, then bend over and cue up. At this point, an awful lot of them are still unsure what shot they will take. While they are over the ball, they are thinking about what to do.
What do you think Efran did? Well, I'll tell ya.
Efran walked up to the pool table, looked at it for a minute, walked around the table, looked at it from several angles, called for an extension, walked around the table, looked at it from more angles, walked around again.
Eventually, he picked his shot. Then he bent over, aimed, and fired. It did not take long once he knew what shot he wanted to take. He was over the ball for no more than five seconds.
The key is to know what type of shot you want to take. After you have that, all you have to do is perform.
In this situation, rank amateurs walk up to the table, look at it for a minute, then bend over and cue up. At this point, an awful lot of them are still unsure what shot they will take. While they are over the ball, they are thinking about what to do.
What do you think Efran did? Well, I'll tell ya.
Efran walked up to the pool table, looked at it for a minute, walked around the table, looked at it from several angles, called for an extension, walked around the table, looked at it from more angles, walked around again.
Eventually, he picked his shot. Then he bent over, aimed, and fired. It did not take long once he knew what shot he wanted to take. He was over the ball for no more than five seconds.
The key is to know what type of shot you want to take. After you have that, all you have to do is perform.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Efran Reyes Winning against Earl Strickland
In this billiards video, Efran Reyes shows his magic on the pool table. Watch how he hooks Earl with a great safety - only to be hooked himself when he accidentally pockets a ball. Then watch as he gets out of the hook and wins the game. Efran is the Wizard!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cue Ball Maintenance
Of all the balls on the table, the cue ball is the only one that you will touch with your cue stick.
If you are going to use any English, draw, or follow, you need a clean cue ball. Heck, if you slow roll a shot, the cue ball may play different with a dirty ball.
Hopefully, you carry a cloth to wipe your stick. Use that to polish the cue ball. If you don't carry a cloth, I'm sure you can find a napkin or toilet paper.
A dirty ball means that you won't be able to judge how much English to use. Your cue stick will not "grab" the cue ball in the same way if it hits a greasy or dirty spot.
On those slow shots, the cue ball can "cling" to the object ball if it hits a dirty spot. That can throw your shot off.
Occasionally on TV, you will see the pros request that the cue ball be wiped down during a game. Usually, it is because there is a spot of chalk on the cue ball. Even that little bit of chalk dust can affect the shot.
So take a minute and clean your cue ball. It can make a difference
If you are going to use any English, draw, or follow, you need a clean cue ball. Heck, if you slow roll a shot, the cue ball may play different with a dirty ball.
Hopefully, you carry a cloth to wipe your stick. Use that to polish the cue ball. If you don't carry a cloth, I'm sure you can find a napkin or toilet paper.
A dirty ball means that you won't be able to judge how much English to use. Your cue stick will not "grab" the cue ball in the same way if it hits a greasy or dirty spot.
On those slow shots, the cue ball can "cling" to the object ball if it hits a dirty spot. That can throw your shot off.
Occasionally on TV, you will see the pros request that the cue ball be wiped down during a game. Usually, it is because there is a spot of chalk on the cue ball. Even that little bit of chalk dust can affect the shot.
So take a minute and clean your cue ball. It can make a difference
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Holding your Butt like a Pro
Your bridge hand is important, but many games are lost because of your other hand. Most amateurs hold the cue like they hold a sledge hammer. The fingers are wrapped tightly around the stick. The wrist is rigid. The muscles are way too tense.
Relax your hand. The pros use a very loose grip, and you should too. Usually, if you have four fingers wrapped around the cue, your grip is too tight. Three fingers is about average. Two fingers and one finger is used by some, but you should avoid it. It promotes other problems.
General rules: Hold the stick loose. The thumb points toward the floor. Do not tighten your grip as you stroke. Try not to flex your hand or any of your fingers as you stroke.
Forget all the mumbo-jumbo you hear about how to hold the stick. Just relax your hand, and keep it relaxed throughout the stroke. If you do that, your stroke will be true and accurate -- at least as far as your butt hand goes.
Relax your hand. The pros use a very loose grip, and you should too. Usually, if you have four fingers wrapped around the cue, your grip is too tight. Three fingers is about average. Two fingers and one finger is used by some, but you should avoid it. It promotes other problems.
General rules: Hold the stick loose. The thumb points toward the floor. Do not tighten your grip as you stroke. Try not to flex your hand or any of your fingers as you stroke.
Forget all the mumbo-jumbo you hear about how to hold the stick. Just relax your hand, and keep it relaxed throughout the stroke. If you do that, your stroke will be true and accurate -- at least as far as your butt hand goes.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Jump the Cue Ball
The jump shot is very hard to perform for the average billiards player, but it is a shot that shows up in just about every game of pool.
Friday, September 19, 2008
After the Beginner's Stick
There are more than a few sticks that you can purchase for less that $200. Some of them are quite good. They are solid. They hit true. They are good sticks.
How to find them is pretty easy. Search for pool sticks or billiard sticks. Visit at least five sites. Look for the same model at each site. You will find that the prices are similar at each site. You won't find somebody selling sticks for half price. They all sell their sticks within a certain range.
At this point, you know what your stick is worth. You can buy it from one of these sites. You can go to Amazon or eBay and look for a used stick. You can buy it new from Amazon or eBay.
I have had great relationships with the Internet sites. I am very comfortable purchasing from them, and I am sure that you will have the same experience.
I have had good luck with eBay and Amazon when I purchased used items. Most sellers really attempt to tell you about any dings, scratches and the condition in general.
I won't ever try to buy something "new" on eBay or Amazon if the price is substantially below the normal retail price. Either the stick is not new or it is a blackmarket stick. For instance, one company has had trouble with their production rejects. They thought they were putting them in the trash, but somehow they ended up on eBay.
How to find them is pretty easy. Search for pool sticks or billiard sticks. Visit at least five sites. Look for the same model at each site. You will find that the prices are similar at each site. You won't find somebody selling sticks for half price. They all sell their sticks within a certain range.
At this point, you know what your stick is worth. You can buy it from one of these sites. You can go to Amazon or eBay and look for a used stick. You can buy it new from Amazon or eBay.
I have had great relationships with the Internet sites. I am very comfortable purchasing from them, and I am sure that you will have the same experience.
I have had good luck with eBay and Amazon when I purchased used items. Most sellers really attempt to tell you about any dings, scratches and the condition in general.
I won't ever try to buy something "new" on eBay or Amazon if the price is substantially below the normal retail price. Either the stick is not new or it is a blackmarket stick. For instance, one company has had trouble with their production rejects. They thought they were putting them in the trash, but somehow they ended up on eBay.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
A Beginner's Pool Stick
You won't hear this from any of the other billiards sites, but if you are a beginner, you can get a usable stick from a sporting goods store or a chain like Wal-Mart. I have several cheapies in my collection, and all of them play fine.
Pros: Price is low. Quality can be quite good. Your game will improve as you get comfortable with your stick.
Cons: It is up to you to pick a straight stick. Some of the straightest sticks will not be wooden sticks. They will play fine, but they have a different sound.
Most of the sticks you find will be stiff. That is fine. Most players like a stiff stick.
Choose a stick around 19 ounces. Very few pros play with a heavy stick (21 ounces) and some of them play with a light stick (below 19 ounces). The light stick gives you a better feel for how hard to hit the ball.
Check the straightness of the stick before you buy it. Hold the butt up to your eye and sight down the cue. Rotate the stick. If you notice a wobble as you turn, the stick is not true.
Another way of judging the stick is to roll it on a pool table. This isn't a good method for all sticks, but it usually works on the inexpensive ones.
When you buy your stick, see if they have a tool for shaping the tip. Usually, you can find something for 5 bucks.
I have seen sticks for under $20 that are good enough to learn the basics of pool.
Pros: Price is low. Quality can be quite good. Your game will improve as you get comfortable with your stick.
Cons: It is up to you to pick a straight stick. Some of the straightest sticks will not be wooden sticks. They will play fine, but they have a different sound.
Most of the sticks you find will be stiff. That is fine. Most players like a stiff stick.
Choose a stick around 19 ounces. Very few pros play with a heavy stick (21 ounces) and some of them play with a light stick (below 19 ounces). The light stick gives you a better feel for how hard to hit the ball.
Check the straightness of the stick before you buy it. Hold the butt up to your eye and sight down the cue. Rotate the stick. If you notice a wobble as you turn, the stick is not true.
Another way of judging the stick is to roll it on a pool table. This isn't a good method for all sticks, but it usually works on the inexpensive ones.
When you buy your stick, see if they have a tool for shaping the tip. Usually, you can find something for 5 bucks.
I have seen sticks for under $20 that are good enough to learn the basics of pool.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Groove Your Stroke aka Warm-Up Drill #1
1 ball on the third diamond and about 6 inches from the rail.
Cue ball on the second diamond. Line up the cue ball directly behind the 1 ball.
Your goal is to pocket the 1 without hitting the rail. Even when you think you have hit a perfect shot, the cue ball is likely to veer to one side or the other after striking the object ball. Give yourself a pat on the back if the cue ball follows the same path as the object ball. It is very hard to do.
After you pocket the 1 ball, put the 2 on the fourth diamond. Pocket it the same way.
The 3 ball goes on the fifth diamond.
The 4 ball goes on the sixth diamond.
The 5 ball goes on the seventh diamond.
Repeat the process with balls 6 through 10, and 11 through 15.
You will notice that you have trouble with some of the shots. I love the 1 ball shot. I hate the 5 ball shot. I can't find the point of aim. On days when I have a bad stick, I have trouble with the 3 and 4 ball shots.
With enough practice on this simple drill, you will eventually have one of the great billiards epiphanies. To make the object ball roll into the pocket without hitting the rail along the way, you can't aim for the center of the pocket. You have to aim for the side of the pocket. Many of us miss shots because we aim for the wrong part of the pocket.
Now you know one of the great billiards secrets.
Cue ball on the second diamond. Line up the cue ball directly behind the 1 ball.
Your goal is to pocket the 1 without hitting the rail. Even when you think you have hit a perfect shot, the cue ball is likely to veer to one side or the other after striking the object ball. Give yourself a pat on the back if the cue ball follows the same path as the object ball. It is very hard to do.
After you pocket the 1 ball, put the 2 on the fourth diamond. Pocket it the same way.
The 3 ball goes on the fifth diamond.
The 4 ball goes on the sixth diamond.
The 5 ball goes on the seventh diamond.
Repeat the process with balls 6 through 10, and 11 through 15.
You will notice that you have trouble with some of the shots. I love the 1 ball shot. I hate the 5 ball shot. I can't find the point of aim. On days when I have a bad stick, I have trouble with the 3 and 4 ball shots.
With enough practice on this simple drill, you will eventually have one of the great billiards epiphanies. To make the object ball roll into the pocket without hitting the rail along the way, you can't aim for the center of the pocket. You have to aim for the side of the pocket. Many of us miss shots because we aim for the wrong part of the pocket.
Now you know one of the great billiards secrets.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Warm Up
How should you get ready for your pool game? It depends on who you are.
If you are just pounding balls at the local bar, forget the traditional practice. Instead, take the entire night as a practice session. Let everybody else play their macho games while they swill beer and pretend to be the kings of the cue. You concentrate on nice smooth strokes and, perhaps, a little ball placement. Keep the goofy low-percentage shots to a minimum. Just try to show a little cue ball control.
If you are warming up before a league match, you may be forced to warm up by playing your teammates in a practice game. If so, then you should also concentrate on your basic stroke. Forget the fancy stuff. Try to groove your stroke. You may be playing your match in ten minutes or two hours from now. You don't want to waste the first game or two while you try to get your stroke under control. Work on it now.
But, if you can find a way to get some real practice under your belt, the best way to practice is to do it like the pros. Work on your stroke . Forget the fancy stuff until your stroke is golden.
Sorry. I'm sure that a lot of you wanted to hear about some fancy shots that you should practice. Nope. If you want to be the king of the table, you gotta be the king of the swing.
Groove your stroke.
If you are just pounding balls at the local bar, forget the traditional practice. Instead, take the entire night as a practice session. Let everybody else play their macho games while they swill beer and pretend to be the kings of the cue. You concentrate on nice smooth strokes and, perhaps, a little ball placement. Keep the goofy low-percentage shots to a minimum. Just try to show a little cue ball control.
If you are warming up before a league match, you may be forced to warm up by playing your teammates in a practice game. If so, then you should also concentrate on your basic stroke. Forget the fancy stuff. Try to groove your stroke. You may be playing your match in ten minutes or two hours from now. You don't want to waste the first game or two while you try to get your stroke under control. Work on it now.
But, if you can find a way to get some real practice under your belt, the best way to practice is to do it like the pros. Work on your stroke . Forget the fancy stuff until your stroke is golden.
Sorry. I'm sure that a lot of you wanted to hear about some fancy shots that you should practice. Nope. If you want to be the king of the table, you gotta be the king of the swing.
Groove your stroke.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Aiming your pool stick
An absolute beginner at pool and billiards watches his tip. He is only concerned with where the cue strikes the cue ball. This type of aiming does not line up your stick behind the cue ball.
An intermediate player will also make sure that his tip strikes the cue ball in the proper place. But he will go further with his aiming. He will line up the front and back of the stick behind the cue ball. When he strikes the cue ball, his stick will be solidly behind the cue. It will not be angling off to either side. His stick will be straight, but his aim may still be missing something.
A pro player will position his stick properly and will line up his stick behind the cue ball, but his point of aim is not at the cue ball at all. The pro aims through the cue ball to the object ball. As soon as the pro gets over the shot, he aims his cue from the butt to tip through the cue ball and to the object ball. If he does this right, his stick will be absolutely behind the cue ball, his stick will be straight, and all he has to do is stroke the shot and continue his run.
Aim from the back of your stick through the tip, through the cue ball, to the object ball. Your accuracy will improve dramatically.
An intermediate player will also make sure that his tip strikes the cue ball in the proper place. But he will go further with his aiming. He will line up the front and back of the stick behind the cue ball. When he strikes the cue ball, his stick will be solidly behind the cue. It will not be angling off to either side. His stick will be straight, but his aim may still be missing something.
A pro player will position his stick properly and will line up his stick behind the cue ball, but his point of aim is not at the cue ball at all. The pro aims through the cue ball to the object ball. As soon as the pro gets over the shot, he aims his cue from the butt to tip through the cue ball and to the object ball. If he does this right, his stick will be absolutely behind the cue ball, his stick will be straight, and all he has to do is stroke the shot and continue his run.
Aim from the back of your stick through the tip, through the cue ball, to the object ball. Your accuracy will improve dramatically.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Nine Ball Break Shot
Nine ball instructions on the break shot. This is a power break from the rail.
Friday, September 12, 2008
A Trick Shot That Takes All Day to Set Up
It's a great billiards trick shot that involves a lot of balls, a lot of pool tables, a lot of sticks, a lot of dominoes, and zero missed shots.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Cheating by
At this moment, I am watching Sarah Ellerby and Iris Ranola play a 9-ball match on TV. They met in the semifinals of the US Open 9-ball Championship. Iris eventually wins 7-2.
These two ladies are professionals. When they shoot, they shoot. And when they sit, they sit. They don't interfere with each other.
That brings me to a point. It is considered cheating to try to distract your opponent. When you are not shooting, you should retreat from the table. Take a seat and be quiet.
Of course, if you are at a bar and people are more concerned with socializing than playing pool, you can relax the rules.
But if you walk into a real pool hall, and you play a stranger, take your seat after every shot and keep your talking to a minimum. After your opponent gets into position to shoot, any movement of any kind could be construed as cheating.
Now, don't go overboard. Usually, there aren't any serious arguments unless money is being wagered. Still, I have been yelled at by close personal friends because I was too loud or I walked past them while they shot.
The next time you watch a televised pool tournament, check out the players when they are seated. They will not move a finger while a shot is being made. It is bad form. It is cheating.
These two ladies are professionals. When they shoot, they shoot. And when they sit, they sit. They don't interfere with each other.
That brings me to a point. It is considered cheating to try to distract your opponent. When you are not shooting, you should retreat from the table. Take a seat and be quiet.
Of course, if you are at a bar and people are more concerned with socializing than playing pool, you can relax the rules.
But if you walk into a real pool hall, and you play a stranger, take your seat after every shot and keep your talking to a minimum. After your opponent gets into position to shoot, any movement of any kind could be construed as cheating.
Now, don't go overboard. Usually, there aren't any serious arguments unless money is being wagered. Still, I have been yelled at by close personal friends because I was too loud or I walked past them while they shot.
The next time you watch a televised pool tournament, check out the players when they are seated. They will not move a finger while a shot is being made. It is bad form. It is cheating.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Max Eberle Pool Tips and Shot Making
Leah D'Emilio becomes a hustler for a day: a pool player, that is! Leah takes a lesson on how to play pool with 3-time national champion Max Eberle. From how to pick the right cue to the various forms of hand bridges, Max takes us through some helpful hints as well as how to pull off a few trick shots.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Straight Pool Shot without English or spin
To make the ball go absolutely straight forward, you must hit it exactly in the middle vertically and with the stick exactly straight behind the cue ball. To help the ball go straight forward, you should also hit a little bit higher than center.
This is very hard to do. Even pros have trouble.
To practice the basic straight shot, put the cue ball on the table. Don't set up behind it. Set up beside it. Now practice your stroke. Stroke back and forth with an easy rhythm. Do you notice your tip moving left to right or right to left? You have to remove that movement. To do that, all you must do is to line up your back hand and your front hand and then move your back hand straight forward.
That sounds easy, but again, it is difficult. Most amateurs find that they can reduce most of the side to side "wiggle" by doing one of two things. One, make sure that your eyes are directly over the stick. Two, make sure that your shoulder, elbow and hand are lined up vertically. Personally, I use the second one, and I do it by simply "pushing" my elbow to the rear. That lines it up for me.
When you feel that you can stroke straight forward, it is time to go to the ball. Before you put your stick behind the ball, you must find the center of the ball. To do that, look at the bottom of the ball where it touches the cloth. Put your stick directly behind that point. Most amateurs use the top of the ball and so do some pros, but you see a lot of pros who actually get the stick down really low when they line up. After they find the center, then they move the stick up to the proper height.
Use as little English or top and bottom spin as possible. They make the shot a lot harder to control. Even pros only use English when they have to, and they miss a whole lot more shots when they use English.
Top and bottom spin are easier to control, but still not a cakewalk. Many people can make the cue ball go absolutely straight with no spin, but they can't do it with top or bottom.
Hit most shots with a medium stroke or slower. To figure out what a medium stroke is: stand at one end of the table; hit the cue ball so it goes to the other end and comes back to your end. Get it to come as close to the cushion as you can. That is a medium stroke. Most shots in a pro game are medium or slower. The pros know the value of accuracy over force.
This is very hard to do. Even pros have trouble.
To practice the basic straight shot, put the cue ball on the table. Don't set up behind it. Set up beside it. Now practice your stroke. Stroke back and forth with an easy rhythm. Do you notice your tip moving left to right or right to left? You have to remove that movement. To do that, all you must do is to line up your back hand and your front hand and then move your back hand straight forward.
That sounds easy, but again, it is difficult. Most amateurs find that they can reduce most of the side to side "wiggle" by doing one of two things. One, make sure that your eyes are directly over the stick. Two, make sure that your shoulder, elbow and hand are lined up vertically. Personally, I use the second one, and I do it by simply "pushing" my elbow to the rear. That lines it up for me.
When you feel that you can stroke straight forward, it is time to go to the ball. Before you put your stick behind the ball, you must find the center of the ball. To do that, look at the bottom of the ball where it touches the cloth. Put your stick directly behind that point. Most amateurs use the top of the ball and so do some pros, but you see a lot of pros who actually get the stick down really low when they line up. After they find the center, then they move the stick up to the proper height.
Use as little English or top and bottom spin as possible. They make the shot a lot harder to control. Even pros only use English when they have to, and they miss a whole lot more shots when they use English.
Top and bottom spin are easier to control, but still not a cakewalk. Many people can make the cue ball go absolutely straight with no spin, but they can't do it with top or bottom.
Hit most shots with a medium stroke or slower. To figure out what a medium stroke is: stand at one end of the table; hit the cue ball so it goes to the other end and comes back to your end. Get it to come as close to the cushion as you can. That is a medium stroke. Most shots in a pro game are medium or slower. The pros know the value of accuracy over force.
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