August 12, 2004
Issue No. 37
Welcome
Under four, That's our goal
Help From The Monk, formerly "The Monk Reloaded should be read within four minutes. I don’t want to overload you so I keep this weekly lesson short and to the point.
Without further introductions, let's get right into it:
The Rythem Method Will Get Your Game In Sync
What does it take to get you into a shot? How do you get ready? Every good pool player has a personal routine. Some shoot slow, some shoot fast, some shoot in between. This rhythm is right for them. It suits their personality. Their rhythm fits well with their ability to concentrate.
We all have a limit on our ability to concentrate. Concentration, is the ability to focus on a field of attention for a time determined by the will. So our personal rhythm is vitally important. Once we are out of rhythm, we are out of stroke.
After a spectacular shot, we are usually not ready to perform the next shot. Our hearts are still beating with excitement, emotion is racing through our minds. How many times have you made a great shot, only to miss the next one. And there is always the wise guy who says, "The same guy shot that one".
You were not prepared to shoot the shot. Now is the time to chalk up, stand upright, observe the shot, and allow the emotions to subside. You are taking the time you need to prepare for the next shot. Remember, every time you step to the table, this is the shot you could miss. And you don't want to miss it because you were not in your rhythm.
When you step into your stance, you need to be totally free to perform. Don't shoot a shot while you are excited. Don't shoot a shot while you are angry, and don't shoot a shot while you are fearful. Shoot only when you are free.
Remember, "concentration is the focus on the field of attention for a time determined by the will." If I stay down in my stance beyond my ability to focus on the field of attention for a time determined by my will skills, I will miss the shot. In my minds eye, I must see the cue tip going through the cue ball, the cue ball colliding with the object ball, and the object ball going into the pocket. If I am not prepared to see all of this, if I am distracted by fear, anger or excitement, I will miss the shot.
You will only be able see the shot for a time determined by your will. So if you I go beyond that time, you will be out of rhythm.
For example, Once I go beyond my concentration point, my stroke is not crisp, committed, and pure. There is no quality to my hit. With a tentative stroke, I am going to come up with negative results.
You are not on a journey towards pocket billiard excellence. You are the journey itself. You are the path itself.
Running A Rack--Just Do It
Often times, we hold back in the game of eight ball because we think we will end up with no finishing shot and our opponent will have a clear change to win the game. It is this holding back that gets us behind the eight ball, or snookered behind another ball. Study yourself and determine how many times you missed a good chance to run out.One time I left a road map for my opponent. Yet I felt he could not run out. His game was strong, he was a great shooter. But I knew he couldn't run out because he was not committed to an aggressive performance. He was rolling everything in. Not taking any chances of a miss. With that inner reservation, he would be hard pressed to turn in a winning performance. He was playing not to lose.
Sometimes we have to go for it. We need to focus on winning. Go for the chance to win. Take a shot at it. If you take enough shots, you will score.
The game of eight ball has many snares. Players half your speed can win a game of eight ball, or even a match.
The game has funny rolls. that is why it is best to be aggressive. And once you decide to be aggressive, you must demonstrate this action at every chance you get. If you hold back, you reinforce timid ness. If you go for it, you reinforce aggression. When you get into a match, take it to him. Let him have it with both barrels.
This is not an easy thing to do. There will be times when your aggressive shots cost you the game. You could have played safe and had a better chance to win from there. When you play safe, you take away the skill that is going to serve you well. This will have an effect all all the games that follow.
Weather you win or lose, if your turn at the table is well spent, you will count it a personal gain. That's the important thing.
| Feel free to make yourself some money. You have my permission to create an “I Came to Win” T-Shirt and market it any way you want to. If you are a subscriber to HELP FROM THE MONK, you will not be required to pay any royalties to The Monk. Share this great message with others and make a profit. The bright red cover to my book I Came to Win will make a great T-Shirt. Thanks for all you do for our players. |
Free Gift From The Monk
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My purpose is to share the great message of hope and strength with as many players as I can
. I need your help.
Be a friend of The Monk’s and sign up a fellow traveler to Help From The Monk. Simply copy his address, go to the subscription page, and hit paste and give your fellow traveler a new perspective on this great game. When you sign up a friend, you can download my best selling book Point The Way, absolutely free.
Coming: Monk Members Only, Be Free To Learn
I am excited about the Membership website we are working on with a scheduled September 1 launch. This is going to become Monk Billiards Central and you'll want to be involved from the beginning to help us shape it into what you, the billiards student want.We have heard from many of you through the forum at www.themonk.com and from the Monk Family of Players.
The concept is to bring together those with a serious interest in improving their billiards play and provide them with interactive training by The Monk. The object is to do this online so members can learn when, where and how often they want.
The Monk's membership site is the major effort for The Monk and The Monk's Apprentice. It is based on 20+ years of successful billiards instruction and over three years of learning from the Master.
If you have some things you would find helful in online education, drop me an e-mail at:
Take Five From The Monk
Take five free lessons from The Monk.Click on the link and begin your unique training here and now.
I am making the cd’s available on line. For the next few weeks I will be recording some new material. You can learn while you drive your car. Learn while you lay on the beach. Learn while you are working at your desk. The cd’ program is very helpful in mastering the inner game of pocket billiards.
The Four Strokes of Pool
Changing the Script
The 101 Laws for Success
Changing the Script (subliminal)
Listen and learn while you drive.