October 18, 2007
The Score is Vital to Your Journey
Sometimes we need to know the score.
I have always advocated that we play one game at a time and not be concerned with the score. Sometimes however, we can break the match down into the score concerns. For instance, my student was playing Earl Strickland in the US Open. Naturally we felt like the underdog and Ceri was nervous as the match began.Earl began his usual tirade against a spectator who was chewing on some candy. I told Ceri we must get to eight frames. Focus on getting to eight frames. Don't worry about eleven games or winning htis match. This is like climbing a mountain where you focus only on a spot somewhere in front of you. You don't spend all your time looking at the summit and I did not want Ceri thinking he had to beat Earl Strickland.
He played a tough match with very few mistakes and soon found himself at eight games to five. The summit was now in site. Focus on the next game and we will be home free. Ceri broke and cleared to reach nine to five. Earl came back to make it nine to six and then missed a shot allowing Ceri to reach the hill game. From there, he broke and cleared for a nice sweet victory over a very tough opponent.
When you focus on certain levels you will find that your journey becomes clear. For instance, when it is two to one you must try to make it three to one. Two to two is not nearly as good as three to one. When it is three to one, do everything you can to reach four to one.
The score is only an element when you can focus on the game you are playing. Win the game and reach the score level you desire. Get to a number and move on from there.
In match play you always try to reach those magic numbers like three to one or six to four. I like to get to the hill and then bare down with all my focus to win the hill game. Win the hill game when it is tied and win the hill game when you are ahead eight to nothing. Always win the hill game. Once you are on the hill, you must run to the finish line.
Ceri is in the Masters of Art in Pocket Billiards program. I now have a three thousand dollar program offer for just one thousand dollars. You can read more about it on The Masters on www.monkbilliardacadem-e.com
You can also read about Ceri Worts in the US Open on www.monkbilliardacadem-e.com
I am on the road this month. I have a wonderful weekend planned in Lancaster Ohio. I will be in Chicago on the 10th & 11th of November. I am working on a Seatle Washington stop for the end of November. I do hope to meet you on the road. It would be an honor to help you with your game.
I do have an opening for a Texas stop. Let me know if you would like to be in that class.
Read The Monk Blogg for news on the trip.
I am sharing my daily trials and tribulations with wind, wet and cold as I travel around this great country on my bike. Read The Monk blogg on this site or on www.themonk.com.
A Special Week in Lancastor OH
I am going to hold a Monk 101 workshop on November 17th & 18th. I will also hold a special class on November 21st & 22nd. Then I will direct The first Monk 101 9-Ball tour event on November 24th & 25th. This all happens in Lancastor OH. Make plans to attend. Email me for further details.