Hi! Welcome to Hot Tips!
"HOT TIPS"
04/05/98
HOT TIP #1
Has this ever happened to you?
Your in a match with the slowest player in the world, he's driving you crazy. After its finally your turn at the table you come firing out of your chair to shoot....then you miss, its his turn again, this time he's even slower.
The hot tip: The next time you're in a match with a slow player do the following:
When its finally your turn, stay seated, Take another drink of coke, look at the table for a few seconds.
When you finally do decide to get up, chalk your cue, walk all the way around the table a few times.
Really slow down, slow down to a point where you almost feel your going to go crazy. Then play your next shot.
I know this may sound crazy, there are some players who will intentionally play slow to disrupt your timing and rhythm. The only defense is to play slower that they are.
If your paying attention, you'll notice that the slow player will begin to speed up his play. Don't start shooting your normal speed yet (were not done).
Continue playing way below your normal speed. Before you know it your opponent will begin to run around the table. NOW HE'S YOUR'S
Return to your normal speed of play. "good luck"
8/7/98
Hot Tip #2
Follow through - man there is a zillion books and tapes that tell you to Follow Through the cue ball. How many of them really explain how to do it? Only one I'm aware of. For those of you who have not read this book I'll try to explain it here.
The stroke is a two part process. The aiming stoke and the shot stroke.
1. First, when your bent down lining up the cue ball and stick for the shot the only part of your arm that should be moving back and forth is your elbow down to your hand.
2. Once you feel your in the groove, you'll pull the cue back for the last time getting ready to execute the shot stroke. At this point with your cue drawn back, stop for a brief moment, because what we are going to do now is freeze the elbow in that position. When you begin to move the cue forward to go through the cue ball remember to drop your elbow. The reason for dropping your elbow as you begin to push your way through the cue ball is to insure that the tip of the cue ends up at the same height above the table. Example: I've decided to use high right on a shot. I've placed the tip of my cue at high right on the cue ball. I've also decided I want a 12" follow through to gain position for the next shoot. After the shot is executed and the tip of my cue is at the end of my stroke, I expect the tip of my cue to be at the same height above the table. The only way you can do this is to drop your elbow. Watch the pro's. You just might learn something. Oh, by the way I'm not a pro, I just love the game. If there's anything I can do to improve your game Email me with your questions.
Keep on stoke'in.
One Pocket John