Here is a simple and effective practice routine to simulate running out with 3-? balls left on the table.

Most of you probably already know and use this drill, but for those who don't, this is just a reminder of a great drill to hone those essential skills.

8-ball Scenario
Your opponent just scratched making his last ball. You have ball-in-hand with three balls left on the table--two of your balls, plus the 8-ball. You have to be able to run out from here or you will lose the game.

9-ball Scenario
In 9-ball it is imperative that you be able to run the table if given ball-in-hand with 3 or 4 balls left. Your opponent has scratched while pocketing the 6-ball. The 7, 8, and 9 are on the table and you have ball-in-hand.

The Drill
Depending on your preferred game, throw the appropriate balls on the table in random positions, or set the three balls on the foot spot and break them. At this point, I like to mark the position of the balls with hole reinforcers (Avery #05729 available at any office products store), so I can repeat the layout.

Your job is simple. Run the remaining balls to win the game. The pressure is on!

Once three balls are no longer a challenge, increase the number until you can ultimately run the rack with relative ease.

The real benefit of this drill is that it sets up a realistic scenario that can somewhat simulate competitive play. Force yourself to complete each layout until you can pocket and get ideal position on each shot.

At the Predator Pro Pool School, one of the instructors mentioned the importance of accelerating through the shot. At the time, I recall thinking "OK, tell me something I don't know." But watching the pros over the next two days made me realize that I really didn't know!

I will admit that never gave a thought to accelerating through the shot. After all, if you don't accelerate the cue, how is the cue stick going to get to the cue ball--it seems like a no brainer. Nonetheless, the seed was planted. On the second day of Pool School, it became very obvious that there was a clear difference in the stroke, and specifically the cue acceleration, between the pro instructors and the students.

The instructors demonstrated virtually every technique they discussed. Nick Varner spent a lot of time at the table during his sessions. Tony Robles and Ralph Souquet were more interactive. They would demonstrate and then let each of us prove the techniques to themselves. This combination of teaching styles, provided ample opportunity for an A/B comparison of stroke techniques between pros and amateurs.

The pros, whether or not they paused at the end of the final backstroke, had a distinct acceleration on every shot, even the soft ones.

The pros, whether or not they paused at the end of the final backstroke, had a distinct acceleration on every shot, even the soft ones. You could see the cue moving steadily faster as it went through the cue ball. The cue would then come to an abrupt halt several inches in front of the cue balls original position.

Acceleration has advantages in virtually every sport. Imagine a bowler trying to control the speed of the ball on the downswing--all types of muscle tension become involved and it would impossible to accurately deliver the ball. Golf is exactly the same; start at the top of the back-swing and accelerate through the ball. The pool stroke is no different. If you are not accelerating the cue, then some other subconscious effort is being applied. Acceleration allows everything to move on a designated straight line which means consistency!

At the school, the amateurs showed a noticeably more controlled stroke. I wonder if we subconsciously associated a smooth stroke with a steady controlled speed. A smooth ride is one of constant speed and not of acceleration and deceleration. In an attempt to be smooth, we may have ruined the very thing we were trying to perfect.

I was explaining this to a fellow player recently. He asked the logical question, "How do you make the soft shots?" There are really two answers to that question, in my opinion:

1. The pros shoot very few soft shots. They use stop, stun, stun follow, and stun draw to control the cue ball effectively on medium speed shots.
2. Acceleration on soft shots does take a little practice, but once you get used to it, it feels incredibly comfortable and natural, even when the acceleration is slower.

If you think about it, on 99% of our shots, the speed with which the object ball moves to the pocket is of little importance. It is the cue ball we need to control. That is easily accomplished by where and how we strike it. With a medium stroke, you can stop the cue ball dead, draw it a few inches, draw it a lot, follow just a few inches, or follow it a lot. We can do it by controlling cue speed too, but that is much less predictable. I am sure we have all tried a very soft shot that didn't quite make it to the pocket.

Putting It to the Test
The day after returning from Pool School, I was anxious to put this new theory to the test. The first few shots were admittedly a bit awkward--like any change in your stroke--but I adapted very quickly and within minutes I could feel I was pocketing balls cleaner and with more authority than ever before. A surprising side effect of stroke acceleration was that my play seemed to be a little more aggressive and confident, and that's a good thing.

I have told several players about this and virtually everyone has not liked it initially because they start off hitting the ball very hard. But once they realized that acceleration was not directly related to speed, it feels even more effortless and natural than before.

Conclusion
If it ain't broke, don't fix it! If you are happy with your stroke, I would never recommend trying this or anything else that might mess it up. If, on the other hand, you are struggling with stroke consistency or shotmaking, acceleration may provide the missing link. Try it, you may just like it.

If you have been struggling with compensating your aim when applying english to shots, you should try a technique known as Back Hand English. It is a little bit tricky to explain BHE, but I'll do my best.

BHE works extremely well on short shots, but when the distance between the object ball and cue ball exceed a few feet, it can be less predictable. Trial and error is the key, but most people I have shown this too are quite amazed!

Try it yourself. Set an object ball about 8-12 inches from a pocket. Place the cue ball wherever you like. Setup and aim the shot as if you where going make a centerball hit. Now, without moving your bridge hand, point the cue to acheive the desired english and make the shot. I know, this appears to break all the rules--but it worked, didn't it? It doesn't matter what type of english you want to use--low, high, left, right, or any combination.

It is called Back Hand English because you make the shot by simply changing the position of your back hand. This isn't my invention, it has been promoted by great instructors such as Jerry Briesath and Bert Kinnister. Try it yourself. I can take a lot of the frustration out of using english on those critical shots.

A pool magazine interviewed several top pros to determine their secrets for bank shots. Here is the surprizing answer.

Whenever someone starts talking about banking systems, I can't help but recall an article I read a few months ago. I apologize for not remembering the source, but it was one of the popular pool magazines. The article was a survey of top pros to determine what banking systems they used.

I felt somewhat vindicated in my opinion that banking systems, while interesting, are generally useless.

Some of them mentioned the Diamond System or Parallel Lines, but in the end, each admitted that they banked primarily by instinct. In other words, they just evaluated the shot and then did what felt right.

I was somewhat surprised by the fact that none of them used a system of any kind. After all, when it comes to banking, almost all books and instruction materials promote the use of systems.

On the other hand, I felt somewhat vindicated in my opinion that banking systems, while interesting, are generally useless. I have never found one that worked with any acceptable degree of accuracy. They all start out sounding great, but you soon find out you have to memorize comples numerical values. And if that is not enough, you will have to learn all the exceptions required to adapt them to the vast number of variables that can effect a shot. No thanks.

Like most things in pool, there are no secret tips or miracle systems that can substitute for experience and practice.

Banking systems may be useful as learning tools because they can sometimes make sense of the relative cue balls paths around the table, but beyond that I don't know of a single serious player who uses them in normal play.

Don't Be Surprized
A few simple bank shots during each practice session will quickly hone your banking skills. Practice cross-side banks to a corner and a side pocket, then practice long banks to a corner pocket. Before long you begin to see the angles.

There has always been a great deal of debate over the effect of eye dominance in any sport that you use both eyes for aiming. Regardless which side of the argument you favor, it may pay to take another look how you aim.

All of us, that have two good eyes, have one dominant eye and one passive eye. In some sports that require aiming or sighting, such as archery and shooting, the dominant eye is an important factor. For example, it is well-documented that a right-handed shooter with a dominant left eye will have trouble sighting down the barrel of a gun. However, how this applies to aiming a pool shot is a matter of great debate.

Some suggest that we use two eyes for everything else, why should pool be an exception, but many players say the simply do not shoot with the same consistency uless we favor our dominant eye.

Forget About It
One school of thought suggests that since we inherently do everything with two eyes and allow our visual and mental processes to resolve the difference in the two perspectives that we need not worry about the issue. In other words, forget about it and get on with learning to aim properly. That argument seems logical.

But Wait, There's More
But others, including some experts and professional players, maintain that a person with a strong eye dominance may aim more accurately if their alignment favors their dominant eye. In other words, a person with dominant right eye should line up with their right eye directly over the cue. Since the left eye is actually seeing a wrong line of aim, try to insure it has as little infuence on the aiming process as possible.

Given the lack of any real scientific research in this area, we are left to choose sides based without any concrete information. Perhaps eye dominance is a factor, perhaps it is not, but if you are among those having trouble with aiming, it may be worthwhile to consider the possibility.

Given the lack of any real scientific research in this area, we are left to choose sides based without any concrete information. Perhaps eye dominance is a factor, perhaps it is not, but if you are among those having trouble with aiming, it may be worthwhile to consider the possibility.

I have never seen someone shoot pool with one eye closed. Pool is naturally played with two eyes to take advantage of full peripheral vision and depth perception. Try playing with just one eye and you will quickly see that you are missing a good deal of critical information. Nonetheless the debate rages on regarding the importance of the dominant eye.

What is Strong Eye Dominance
A strong eye dominance seems a very subjective measurement. All of us have an eye dominance of some type, but what constitutes strong dominance is another debatable topic.

In my many years of shooting, I always shot with just one eye, my right eye, open. If I tried to use two eyes, the method preferred by most top shooters, I saw two gun barrels and two target, and my whole field of vision was very confused. Since most other two-eye shooters I talked with claimed to not to have this problem, I assumed that have a strong dominant right eye.

Unfortunately, I have no way to prove this, nor do I know of any way to test it. Had it not been for my experience with shooting, I would have never considered my vision to be anything but normal.

Testing Your Dominance
The simple test for eye dominance is to point your index finger, with both eyes open, at some object several feet away, such as a light switch on the wall. Now close your left eye and see where your finger is pointing. If you are still pointing directly at the switch, you are right eye dominant. If you close your right eye and are still pointing directly at the switch, you are left eye dominant. In other words, the eye that sees correctly is your dominant eye.

So, What Does that Mean?
As stated previously, whether this is important in pool is debatable, but some suggest that you want your dominant eye to be directly over the cue when aiming. If you look at the pros, you can see many, but certainly not all, pros favor their dominant eye when setting up for a shot. Buddy Hall is an excellent example of this.

How Low Can You Go?
Some suggest that getting your head as low as possible to the shaft actually promotes more accurate aiming because the dominant eye will take over. A lower perspective creates a more direct line that causes more critical focus. This is the same phenonenon as seen in shooters who use two eyes--for most, the passive eye is simply taken out of the process of aiming.

Conclusion
If you are not experiencing any abnormal aiming problems, I would not suggest changing anything. If, on the other hand, you feel you are missing shots that appear to be dead-on, it may be worth experimenting with eye dominance and how it might effect your setup and alignment.

Here is a test that may help determine if you have an eye dominance problem. Set up a long straight-in shot using two both eyes as you normally would. Take dead aim to insure you are lined up perfectly. Now close your non-dominant eye. Is your aim still perfect? If it is, you most likely do not have a problem. But if your aim is even the slightest bit off, your non-dominant eye may be coming into play and effecting your line of aim.

I recently had a student ask, "How can I tell how far the cue ball will travel after a shot?" Good question. Here is a basic technique I developed for him.

That seemed like such a logical question but I was not prepared to answer it. My initial reaction was to say, "you will have to determine that yourself through trial and error." But that answer did not suit me. It seemed like a question I should be able to answer and yet I could not recall ever seeing it mentioned in any book or video.

Once you know how far the cue ball travels after a medium stroke 45° shot, it is much easier to envision its travel on other shots of various speeds and angles.

Experienced players will often advise "you just have to get a feel for it". That does apply to many areas of the game, but it doesn't necessarily have to apply to all. After all, that was probably the stock answer regarding where the cue ball travels after hitting the object ball until someone discovered the tangent line.

I went to the table and begin to experiment with various shots, and tried to think through the process. I decided it was logical to base the experiment on 2 basic concepts; a 45° cut shot, and the medium speed stroke associated with the Stroke Drill that I suggest all students learn and use regularly.

Since the range of makable shots is between 0° (a straight in shot) and 90° (the thinnest cut), a 45° cut shots is the middle ground. And since the medium speed shot is a known reproducable shot, even for beginners, those two factors combine to produce a good baseline for predicting cue ball travel.

Try it yourself.

1. Set up an object ball for a corner pocket.
2. Place the object ball 1 diamond from each cushion.
3. Place the cue ball about 4 diamonds straight up-table to produce a 45° shot into the corner pocket.
4. Make the shot at he medium "Stroke Drill" speed and note where the cue ball comes to rest.
5. Repeat several times to produce a reliable average.

My guess, based on the fact that the medium stroke is about the same for all of us, is that the cue ball will travel about 8 diamonds. You may wish to think of it as one table length or 2 half table lengths, whichever makes more sense.

Whatever number you come up with in your tests, the fact is that you now know, in real numbers, what happens on this shot. Some students find that information is all they need to understand cue ball travel at different angles and speeds. Others go on to experiment with other angles and speeds to get a more complete picture of how all of the variables tie together.

Try it for yourself and see if doesn't put things a better perspective.

The great Jimmy Reid, felt by many to be the best money player of all time, has said that he can walk into a pool room and immediately spot the best players with one simple observation.

Jimmy Reid says that to identify the best players in any room, just look for the ones who stay down on their shot. He advocates staying in the shooting position until the balls stop rolling, assuming of course that a ball is not going to hit you or your cue.

Mr. Reid may be onto something. A few months ago when I was trying to fix an ailing pool game, I noted this same technique demonstrated by most of the pros on TV. When I adapted it into my game, it made a tremendous difference.

If you stay down on each shot and see your cue tip extended through the cue ball and laying on or near the table, it is a good indicator that your stroke was most likely delivered as intended.

It was not an easy thing to learn. Most of us amateur players just don't think about staying down on the shot. What we do after we hit the ball is involuntary. Some may argue that anything that happens after the ball is hit is of no consequence. Technically that is true, but many of the motions that appear to be after the hit actually start during the shot. That can be devastating. For example, I have noticed that many players who have trouble drawing the ball, are the same ones who subconsciously drop their arm at the end of the shot. If they drop their arm just a fraction of a second before contact, there is no draw because their cue tip was moving upward on contact.

If you stay down on each shot and see your cue tip extended through the cue ball and laying on or near the table, it is a good indicator that your stroke was most likely delivered as intended.

In my case, staying down on the shot (some people call this "finishing the shot") helped to smooth out my stroke. It was really amazing how everything came together once I realized I didn't have anywhere to go when the cue hit the cue ball.

Test Yourself
The best way to test yourself and see if you are staying down, is to use the Basic Stroke Drill. That is the drill where use only the cue ball (or any other ball is fine) and shoot from the head spot to the center of the foot rail to return the ball to your cue tip. The idea of using the Basic Stroke Drill is that you are taking all other thoughts out of your head except the task at hand--staying down on the shot.

On each shot, two things should happen; your cue should extend several inches past the head spot, and you should stay in that finished position until the cue ball stops. If you have a good stroke and a good finish, this will all feel completely natural. If not, work on it until it feels good. This shot can me accomplished with a nice smooth medium speed, so it should never feel forced, jerky, or jabbed.

Take It Further
Now that we have the stroke fine tuned and you are comfortably staying down, give it a try making some balls--any shots you prefer. Stay down until the cue ball stops, or a ball is about to hit you or your cue. The final test is to do some draw shots. This is where we are most likely to jab at the ball, but it should be the same smooth stroke with a finish. Be sure to set up the shots with a slight angle so you aren't forced to move the cue immediately out of the way. All of this may feel funny at first, but the important thing is to master this important part of the stroke.

The next time you're in a match, don't be surprised if your opponent says, "You are really stroking the ball well!"

The Basic Stroke Drill
The Basic Stroke Drill is described in detail on page 13 of the BCA pamphlet How To Play Pool Right. It is also described in many instruction books. Here is the short version:

1. Place a single striped ball on the head spot with the stripe in a vertical position facing the side rails, e.g. the number on the ball will be facing your cue tip.
2. Aim at the foot spot or center diamond on the foot rail. If desired, set a piece of chalk on the center diamond to act as the target.
3. Shoot the ball hard enough to return the CB to the tip of your cue.
4. After shooting, hold your final position while the cue ball returns to the head of the table.

While performing this drill, observe the following:

1. Did the stripe ball roll perfectly straight down the table or did it appear to wobble? On a good stroke, the ball will appear to roll perfectly end over end.
2. Does your cue extend perfectly straight over and beyond the head spot for 5-8 inches?
3. Did the ball rebound from the foot rail and return to hit your cue tip. If the ball returned to hit your tip, it was a good shot--it does not have be be perfectly centered.
4. If all of the above criteria was met, then it was a good stroke.
5. Repeat until you are successful on 8 out of 10 attempts.

I know many players, some who have been playing for many years, who still perform this drill at the beginning of every practice session. It is quick and easy, and provides a wealth of information about your stroke. It also reinforces the most important concepts of the game--stay down and finish the shot!

Emulating a better player's technique can be a good news - bad news situation. The good news is that most pros have great fundamental technique. The bad news is that some of them have techniques that they would not want if they had a choice.

Ask Tony Robles what he sees when he lines his cue tip up for a center-ball hit and he will say, "I always see 1/2 tip of left on my center ball hits." Watch Nick Varner execute a draw shot and you will see his cue elevated 4-5 inches at the butt. If you were to emulate these guys, or justify you own technique based on what they do, you would be dead wrong.

You can learn a lot watching the pros, but as with any instruction, you have to separate the good from the bad.

Both Robles and Varner have adapted to defects by using techniques that they never wanted to master but were forced to in order play to play professional pool. Robles has a vision defect. It took a long time to diagnose. When he sees the cue tip aimed at the center of the cue ball, his cue tip is actually 1/2 tip right of center. It is an optical illusion that he has had to compensate for by shooting all center ball shots with what appear to him to be 1/2 tip of left english.

Varner has a physical defect in the center finger of his bridge hand. Unlike most of us, he cannot bend that finger to allow for the low bridge needed to hit a draw shot with a level cue. To compensate, he has to elevate the butt of the cue to get the tip low on the cue ball.

How do I know this stuff? They personally told us about these problems the Predator Pro Pool School. Based on that information, it is quite likely that some of the other pros have adapted their unorthodox techniques not out of desire but out of necessity.

Emulate with Care
The old adage, "Do as I say, not as I do", may be appropriate here. Neither of these guys recommend the technique they use, and hope that others will not emulate them without knowing the reason. If you were to emulate Varner's draw shot or Robles' use of english, you would be headed down a slippery slope indeed.

The next time you consider mimicking an unusual technique of your favorite pool pro, it may pay to do some research to see if they have actually perfected a better technique, or simply acclimating to a uncorrectable condition.

Don't Justify Your Faults
It has always been difficult to discuss a person's poor technique when they counter with, "But player X does it, and he has won several championships." They often add, "If it's good enough for player X, it's good enough for me!" Now I realize that the rebuttal to that justification is, "But do you know why they do it?"

Just though you'd like to know!

Tony Robles, 2-time UPA Player of the Year", teaches that we should focus on our technique and not the results. When you think about it, that may make a good bit of sense.

Here's a thought. If, when you make a pool shot, you are concentrated on your technique, i.e. the fundamentals, and intimately involved with your preshot routine and stroke, everything else will take care of itself. In essence, we could say that the whole game is about technique--execution of a predetermined action.

If our technique is right, we will make the shot. If we consistently execute the shots properly, we will win.

Of course, the real benefit of focusing on our technique is that we are not thinking about the match, the score, our opponent, the last shot, or any of those other distractions that do not immediately impact the task at hand.

While no technique is right for everyone, if this approach makes sense to you, why not give it a try?

Off on vacation now! See ya soon.

It was once felt that getting into "the zone" or "dead stroke" was happenstance--it can happen for no particular rhyme or reason. Now, experts and pros alike feel it a matter of focus and concentration.

I have been reading a lot lately about the mental side of the game and how we can control our mind and body to achieve the best performance. Many of us have experience the feeling of being "in the zone" or "dead stroke". It is the ultimate in confidence and performance where, with no effort or conscious thought, we play our very best.

When in dead stroke, it is as if your whole game is on autopilot. Many players that have experienced it say, that after the match, they have very few recollections of the details. Wins, losses, and individual shots are unimportant, but the overall feeling of accomplishment is unforgettable.

This article was written before I read "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Dr. Bob Fancher. I am in the process of writing a review of this book. It will appear here in a couple of days. In that book, he provides a good deal of insight and advice regarding dead stroke. As you will learn in my review, I think "Pleasures of Small Motions" is an indispensable book and I highly recommend it for all aspects of the mental side of pool.

It was once felt that getting in the zone was matter of luck and as unpredictable as the weather, but the current thinking is that the zone is actually induced when we are totally focused on the task at hand.

In some respects getting in the zone is a bit like going to sleep. You will never go to sleep by trying to make yourself sleep. Going to sleep involves setting up the right conditions--such as temperature, darkness, and quiet--and then letting yourself go to sleep. Likewise, you do not get in the zone by concentrating on it. You set up the conditions--focus on the table, the balls, and your technique--and let yourself be consumed by it.

The Mind of a Champion
At one time, I shot skeet and trap competitively. Larry, a good friend of mine, and a championship shooter, would take a unique approach to a match. From both his performances and his demeanor, I am convinced that Larry was "in the zone" during the vast majority of his matches.

Thirty minutes before each match, Larry would stop talking to everyone around him. He would go off by himself and prepare mentally for the match. If someone happened to interrupt him, he would politely say, "I am preparing for a match, please see me when the match is over." So what was he do during that time?

For that 30 minutes prior to a match, Larry would totally engross himself in the task at hand--shooting his best. He would check and double-check his gun, ammunition, and any accessories he anticipated needing. Then he would obverve the field, weather, and conditions under which the match would take place. And finally, for approximately the last 15 minutes, he would mentally shoot a perfect round by visualizing an optimum performance, exactly the way he wanted to perform.

When his squad was called, he was totally immersed in the task at hand. Other shooters may have been thinking about their last match, plans for later in the day, or any number of things unrelated to shooting, but not Larry. Anything unrelated to the current match was completely out of his mind.

My observations and conversations with Larry, were my first inkling that being "in the zone" was not just something that happened, it was something you can invoke, almost at will.

Focus on Whitey
One logical technique I have heard and read about is to keep your attention totally focused on the cue ball during a game/match. Since everything in pool is related to the cue ball, for both you and your opponent, it is the logical point of focus. Not only will you be intimately focused on the game, you will always be aware of any foul or rules infraction. While I have not been successful at implementing this technique, it sure does make sense.

So, How Do You Do It?
This is the part I cannot tell you. Beyond what I have already said, I think it's a very personal process. If you have the discipline to use Larry's approach, it would no doubt help tremendously. But any technique you may use or devise to stay focused and concentrate fully on the game will be an asset. Even if you cannot go into dead stroke at will, your game should improve as a result.

Always remember, "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."

How often do we hear this in a pool. The player misses the shot, but marvels at the great position he got.

I have a theory that this occurs when our last thought is about the position instead of making the shot.

1. Aiming a shot should normally be a three step process:
2. Aim the shot to make the ball.
3. Consider the speed and english to get the desired position.
4. Aim the shot again to make the ball.

But all too often we eliminate #3, and that is when we get just what asked for--great position but a missed shot. If our last thought is to "take dead aim", the chances of making the shot, and getting good position, are much better.

Virtually every instructional resource on pool tells us that we should have goals for our practice sessions, but many of us constantly head out for practice with no idea of what we will do when we get there.

I am as guilty as the next guy. I will go to the pool room to practice with no real plan or objective. Oh sure, I have the best of intentions--I'm going to work on my game. When I arrive, I throw out some balls and I start making shots. An hour or so later, I am bored to tears and pack up my cues. I have accomplished absolutely nothing.

As the old saying goes, "We don't plan to fail, we fail to plan."

My problem is that I have always scoffed at the idea of goals. After all, if we can't predict the future, what is the purpose of setting goals for it. I know all the arguments, but I still can't buy into the concept. It all sounds like so much gobbledygook promoted by the self-help I-feel-good-about-me industry.

While I don't like goals, I do understand the merits of planning for something that it is about to happen, such as pool practice. I wouldn't go down to the workshop and build a box without some vague notion of what what it was going to look like, so why do I practice pool with no objective in mind.

I think I need a pool practice air freshener. You know, one of those things that hang from the mirror in my car. It should say, "Do you have a plan?" But it would need to smell really nasty or I would just ignore it.

I certainly know the benefits of having a plan for my practice sessions. The main benefit is that it prevents me from just banging balls around. Practice is also more meaningful and productive if I have a job to do--something to accomplish. With a plan, even if I don't demonstrate a marked improvement in ability, I will at least learn something, even if it is only that I need more practice.

I am not sure what this entry is meant to do, except perhaps reinforce to myself, and to you if you suffer from this problem, that any practice plan is better than nothing at all. There, I said and I feel better, but I still wish someone would make one of those air fresheners. Maybe I should just take a walk and get in touch with my inner being.

There are a number of shots that come up often where there is no obvious target. These are shots where our first priority is just to make contact with the object ball. But, if we don't have a target, we are likely to get exactly what we planned for.

If you have ever watched professionals play pool, either on TV or in person, you have probably seen some great shots. Shots that leave you wondering if the shot was planned or if it was just luck. In my experience, after having spent some time with touring pros, I would estimate that 99% of those shots are planned. That is not to say that they were high percentage shots, or that the player would bet a lot of money on them, but the shot was indeed made with the possible intended outcome.

Every shot can and should have a predetermined course of action, for the cue ball and object ball, that will be to your benefit.

Most shots we make on a pool table have two very specific goals; pocket the ball and get position, or in the case of safeties, send the object ball and cue ball to a desired location. It is much harder to keep those same objectives when it's tough just to hit the object ball. In such cases we often just throw up a Hail Mary shot and hope to hit the ball so we don't give our opponent ball-in-hand.

The hazard in this approach is that we get just what we asked for--absolutely nothing. Perhaps you got lucky and pocketed a ball. But now you have poor position because you never intended to make the shot. But with a little extra effort you can actually plan a shot. Sure, that three rail kick shot you are about to try is low percentage, but why not give it 110%? If there is a pocket nearby, why not try for it? If there is absolutely no shot, play for a safety if you hit the object ball.

Every shot can and should have a predetermined course of action, for the cue ball and object ball, that will be to your benefit. Will it happen? Maybe, maybe not, but at least give it a try. You will be amazed how often those shots actually work!

Total Defense
But what about those times when there is simply NO SHOT? A scratch is inevitable. Now is the time to go into total defense mode. You are still at the table and have the right to make a shot, so why not give your opponent a situation that will lessen his chances of running out. Forget the object ball and deal with the shots you have available. Here is an example:

You are playing 9-ball with the 5 through 9 balls still on the table. The cue ball is snookered behind the 6 and 7 with no way to get to the 5. Since you are going to give your opponent ball-in-hand anyway, consider these options:

1. Shoot one of the balls to a position that interfere with his ability to make the 5.
2. Create a cluster that will make it difficult for him to run out.
3. Move a ball into position to block the 9-ball path to the pocket.
4. Move the 9-ball to a position that will difficult to get position on when pocketing the 8.

I hope this gives you some new ideas for how to approach those difficult and impossible shots!

The Bottom Line
Regardless of how difficult the shot is that you face, there are almost always options. Having a plan and intended target does not always guarantee success, but no having them almost always results in failure.

A very large part of the pool game is mental, but that doesn't mean we can't control it.

It is often estimated that about 80-90% of pool is a mental game and only the small remainder accounts for physical execution. While those numbers are certainly debatable, it does seem true that pool is a thinking game that does not rely on physical conditioning or stamina. Likewise, competitive pool requires a high degree of mental preparation to cope with the pressures of tournament play.

As we will discuss below, the major mental and psychological aspects of pool are concentration, relaxation, and visualization. The final topic titled "The Power Circle" is a technique I learned that can help you stay focused on playing your best pool.

...the major mental and psychological aspects of pool are concentration, relaxation, and visualization.

Concentration
Pool places unique demands on our concentration because it is, at the same time, competitive and social. We often find ourselves in a highly competitive match with one of our best friends; someone with whom we share a number of common interests. In addition, pool rooms are filled with any number of distractions, such as people coming and going, music, televisions, and any number of emotional outburst at adjoining tables.

The best technique I have found for improving concentration during play is to stay focused on the cue ball at all times--even when your opponent is playing. This keeps you "in the game". It also insures you will see any fouls that your opponent may commit, but you won't be distracted by his technique or style.

Relaxation
Relaxation is critical to playing your best pool. Deep breathing remains the most effective "legal" method of relaxation. If you feel frustration or tension building, just sit down and take slow deep breaths, holding them in for about 3-5 seconds, before slowly exhaling. Set aside everything that is going on around you and concentrate on the act of breathing.

Visualization
Visualization is the process of playing a mental image of what you are about to attempt. Think of it as watching an imaginary image of the upcoming shot. The more detail you can see in the mental image, the greater the chance of actually repeating it when you make the shot. Visualize yourself making a perfect stroke and then watch the cue ball follow a perfect line to pocket the object ball. Then watch as the cue ball travels to it desired location for the next shot. Visualization is the process of providing detailed instructions to our brain, in essence saying, "OK watch this, and do it exactly this way.

The Power Circle
OK, let's play some mind games, but we'll start with a personal confession. A few months ago, I found myself in a major slump. The odd part of this slump was that it only affected my tournament play, or matches that really counted. During practice and casual play, I was still shooting well. Thus the concept of practicing more to work my way out of the slump was not an option.

After a few weeks of this frustration, it was time to take drastic measures. I contacted a local sports psychologist and described my problem. He immediately understood and claimed my problem was very common. He claimed to have the cure for my ailing pool game, and he said he could fix things in just 2-3 visits. I was skeptical, but also relieved by his confident no-nonsense approach.

As it turned out, Dr. D. (not his real name) was able to fix my problem in just one visit with a simple technique that anyone can master in minutes. I call it my Green Power Circle, but that is because my favorite pool color is green -- yours can be any color you choose. Here is how to get and use your own Power Circle.

1. Find a comfortable chair.
2. Relax using deep breathing.
3. Concentrate on your "best ever" performance. Recall it in intense deal -- the sights, sounds, how you felt, how you played. Really work to recall that experience to full life detail.
4. Now, stand up while continuing to concentrate on that event.
5. Imagine a 3 foot diameter spotlight, of your favorite color, shining just in front of your feet.
6. Step into the spot light while continuing to focus on that "best ever" performance.
7. Let the feeling of satisfaction bath over you as you bask in the warmth of the spotlight.
8. Step back out of the spotlight.
9. Repeat steps 6, 7, and 8 two more times.

Now anytime you want to play your best or recover from a not-so-stellar game, just imagine your Power Circle on the floor in front of you and step in. Let the feeling of achievement and the knowledge you can play a great game wash over you. This is the real you--you are a great player! Now go kick some butt!

There you have it! Simple, easy, effective, free, and you can use it anywhere. No one will ever know our little secret.

As soon as you are comfortable pocketing balls and predicting the position of the cue ball after the shot, it is time to learn and practice safeties.

What's a safety? In essence, it is making a legal shot that causes the cue ball to come to rest in a place that gives your opponent a difficult or impossible shot. It is a defensive maneuver, but can often be the best offensive play.

For example, in 9-ball, YOU WIN if your opponent fouls three times in a row. If your opponent has two fouls already, wouldn't it be smart to move the cue ball to a position where he is likely to commit the third foul.

Pool is great for providing free lessons to anyone who is willing to watch and learn. Ask around you local room to find out which players play a good safety game. Then find an opportunity to watch and learn.

Total Offense Players
It is a simple fact that most pool players don't have a good safety game. They don't think about them. They don't practice them. And some even think they should not be a part of the game. The average player simply attempts every possible shot until he misses, then he sits down and silently hopes his opponent will make a mistake.

The Best Offense is a Good Defense
Once you begin to think about safeties and consider them as an option to making low percentage shot and giving your opponent a run-out, playing them is relatively easy. Simply ask yourself:

"Given my opponent's strengths and weaknesses, what shot can I confidently execute that will provide the worst possible combination of object ball and cue ball positions."

Generally, banks, kicks, thin cuts, and very long shots are tough for any player, but be sure to consider your opponent's game. The objective is to offer him a shot that is tough for him.

Want to Elevate Your Game?
I know several players who have elevated their game several notches simply by employing safety strategy into their game. In essence, they now feel they are creating their own good fortune instead of constantly being behind the 8-ball.

Once you start thinking about and playing safeties, you will quickly recognize how other players use them against you. Now the fun begins! Don't be surprised if you sudden play up to the level of players you could not beat before.

Nick Varner advocates focusing on the collision between the cue ball and object ball. On the surface this may seem like just another aiming gimmick, but there is much more here than meets the eye.

I have written before that we never know from were the next little gem of wisdom will appear. In this case, it is from Hall of Famer Nicker Varner. When he teaches, he stresses the importance of seeing the collision between the cue ball and object ball. At first glance, that seems just another way to look at pocketing the ball, but there is a lot of hidden value lying just below the surface.

This is one of those tips where you have everything to gain and nothing to loose.

This simple technique has several side effects:

• You will visualize the collision of the cue ball and object ball.
• You naturally focus on making the ball.
• You will stay down on the shot to see the collision.

All of these are ideal aspects of a pool shot and are often considered separately, but here we get all three with one simple process.

This is one of those tips where you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. If it works, as it does for many who swear by it, your game could go into overdrive. If it doesn't, just stop doing it. No harm, no foul.

Visualization is a technique promoted by virtually every instructor and pro player of individual sports.

Over the years, I have participated in many individual sports in addition to pool--bowling, golf, and shotgun shooting. I have noticed that there is one instructional suggestion that is consistent among all of these--visualization.

Visualization is highly recommended in virtually every sport where you know the shot you would like to execute. Try it. You may take your game to a new level.

I have tried it and proven to myself that it works. It is extremely easy to do, but it is also extremely easy not to do it. Like many things in pool, if we don't incorporate it into our pre-shot routine, it just becomes another good idea that we should do but don't think about.

What is Visualization?
It is the simple process of "seeing the shot in our mind" before we actually try to make it. It's like watching an imaginary video tape ourself making the perfect shot. Apparently, this works to tell our brain "here is what I want you to do."

We all know that your grip the cue should not be a strangle hold--a light grip, something akin to holding a small bird in your hand is best for a normal shot. Here is a technique one instructor uses with his students.

A friend of mine who is a BCA Coach showed me the technique he uses when teaching the recommended grip pressure.

One of the most common flaws among amateurs is to grip the cue too tight, especially on hard shots. This adds muscle tension that is always a negative in the pool stroke.

He has the student get down in their normal shooting position and line up on a shot. He then casually walks behind them, grabs the butt of their cue, and pulls it backward. If the cue moves out of their grip hand (the back hand), they have a good light grip. But if their grip hand moves with the cue when he pulls it back, they are gripping the cue too tight.

I am not sure how you can use this information. Just thought I would pass it along.

Some experts say the primary differences between players of various skill levels is their ability to correctly align for a shot. Simply put, better players have more accurate alignment.

I recently read an article that suggests the major difference between players of different levels is the accuracy of their alignment. Top players only vary from perfect alignment by ±1/8 inch while beginners can routinely be off by 1-2 inches. The interesting point that was made is that all players feel they are aligned and aimed perfectly.

It is important to realize that there is a big difference between aim and alignment. Aim is where you want the cue ball to go, but alignment dictates where you will actually send it. For example, instructors often demonstrate proper alignment by lining up a shot and then looking away while they pocket the ball. Once the alignment is correct, nothing else matters unless you do something to change it. Conversely, it doesn't matter where your eyes are actually aiming if your cue is not aligned to that point.

Hopefully your alignment was right on the money! That means you are shooting where you are aiming. That is a critical part of the equation, otherwise it is like trying to shoot a gun with a bent barrel.

So the critical question to ask is "are you in actual alignment with the shot you intend to make?" The best way to check this is with a long straight-in shot, which eliminates an aiming errors.

Test Your Alignment
Here is an easy alignment test:

1. Solicit the help of a friend to assist with this short test.
2. Set up a straight-in shot where the cue ball is several feet from the object ball.
3. Have your friend stand behind the pocket you will be aiming at.
4. Get into your normal shooting position and take dead aim on the shot.
5. Now have your friend evaluate your alignment. Does it look as perfect to him as it does to you? He should be able to visualize a perfectly straight line that extends from the pocket, through both balls, and right down the length of you cue. Ideally, your arm and head will be on that same plane.
6. Repeat this process several times with shots at different points on the table to verify your results.

How Did You Do?
Hopefully your alignment was right on the money! That means you are shooting where you are aiming. That is a critical part of the equation, otherwise it is like trying to shoot a gun with a bent barrel.

If your aim is off, have your friend guide you to perfect alignment. Can you see and feel the difference?

Repeat the test several time over a course of 3-4 weeks. You should see your alignment improve measurably as you hone in on ground zero!

Effective basic position play can often be accomplished by simply returning the cue ball to the center of the table. Having trouble getting a grip on position play? Get centered!

For many players, position play is a real challenge--the harder you try, the worse things get. Sometimes you might have been better off forgetting about position and just gone for the shot. The knowledge and experience needed for position play is indeed daunting.

Much like the advice to leave the cue ball in the center of the table after a break shot, position play can be simplified by returning the cue ball to the center of the table after each shot. You will find this technique is often simpler than using english and works on a high percentage of shots.

When in doubt, move the cue ball back to the center of the table where you have the most shot opportunities.

The Solution
Unless the object ball for the following shot is setting near an end rail, simply try to come back to center table on each shot. Ninety percent of all shots on a pool table can be made rather easily with the cue ball in the center of the table, so why not plan to bring it back there on most shots.

You can define your own center-table dimensions, but it is usually the area about two feet (also two diamonds) in diameter in the center of the table. If you are a beginner, perhaps use a 2.5 feet diameter area. That is a nice sized area with a lot of margin for error, but getting there routinely will build confidence and improve your pocketing. Before long, getting to other areas of the table will be easy by following the paths you've learned through the center table area.

Suggestions
Some experts suggest that our mind works better if we give it a specific spot rather than a large area, so try to pick a specific mark within that center-table area for the target cue ball position. But don't get hung up on hitting the exact spot. Accurate cue ball control takes a lot of practice. Patience is the key.

When playing for position, think about the desired location and how you will have to hit the ball before you get down on the shot. Then forget about it! Concentrate on making the ball and let your subconscious handle the cue ball position. Our mind can only focus on one task at time. If you find yourself getting good position but missing the pocket, you were probably thinking about position during your final stroke.

When it is all said and done, if you don't make the shot, you will not stay at the table.

While there are many aspects of pool other than pocketing balls, there are none more important. Strategy and defense are great tools, but ultimately you have pocket balls to win.

The Stroke Drill is one of the most important drills in pool and should be used at the beginning of each practice session.

Test Your Stroke - The Stroke Drill
The first thing you should determine is the accuracy of your stroke. If you cannot accurately move the cue ball from point A to point B, then no aiming method is going to work--it's like shooting a rifle with a bent barrel. Here is a simple drill to test and perfect your stroke. Do this on a pool table where both the head and foot spots are accurately marked.

1. Place the cue ball on the head spot.
2. Shoot the cue ball directly at the foot spot with enough force to return the cue ball to the head rail.
3. At the end of your final stroke to hit the cue ball, hold your cue still and wait for the cue ball to return.
4. If your stroke was true and accurate, the cue ball will return and strike your cue dead center.

If you can successfully perform the above shot 8 out of 10 times, your stroke is quite good. If not, more stoke practice is needed before you experiment with aiming techniques. Either way, consider beginning each practice session with this drill -- it's a great way to warm up!

The Line of the Shot
Visualizing the line of the shot allows you to see where the cue ball must strike the object ball in order to drive it to the pocket. The line of the shot is an imaginary straight line that runs from the pocket through the center of the object ball. In order for the cue ball to drive the object ball to the pocket, it must contact the object ball at the point where it will also be centered perfectly on that line.

Note that the line of the shot will be the same regardless of the cue ball's original position. This means if the object ball position and pocket remain the same, the cue must strike the object ball at exactly the same spot regardless where on the table it starts from.

Aiming Methods
There are three basic aiming methods used by pool players; the instinctive, the ghost ball, and the point of contact methods. It will not be necessary to choose just one. Some players use all three at different times, depending on which seems most appropriate for the shot.

Instinctive method: Players who use the instinctive method just "see the shot". There is no conscious aiming technique. Much like throwing a ball, they just see the target and shoot the cue ball to that position. While there are not statistics that I am aware of, I would guess this is the most common of all aiming methods. It could also be called the "just do it" method.

Ghost Ball Method: With this method, you visualize a ghost ball, perfectly centered on the line of the shot, where it must strike the object ball. Then you simply shoot the cue ball to the position of the ghost ball.

Point of Contact Method: This method uses the shaft of the cue much like a rifle sight to line the cue up with the line of the shot point on the object ball. While some players like to sight directly down the center of the shaft, others feel they have more success using the sides of the shaft. When using the side of the shaft, it is important to use the right side of the shaft when the object ball will travel to the right of the line of the shot and use the left side of the shaft when the object ball will travel to the left of the line of the shot. Experimentation is suggested. Also note that many proponents of this method prefer an open bridge instead of a closed bridge because it gives them a longer uninterrupted sighting plane.

Practicing Shots
A great tool to help practice shots is Reinforcement Labels, also called Hole Reinforcers. These are the small self-adhesive circles used to reinforce the holes in 3-hole paper. They are sold in any office supply store -- you get a box of 200 for about $2.00. Use them to mark the position of the cue ball and object ball when you practice shots to insure you are practicing the exact same shot every time. When you are done, they are easily removed with no harm to the cloth on the table. Just be sure to get the self-adhesive kind and not those that require moistening.