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Monk Transcript No. 85-"Let's Get Back To The Basics"
February 06, 2006
In this Issue:

Let's Get Back To The Basics

Basics Update

Try This!!

The Four Strokes now on DVD

Know Your Practice



I believe we deal with a special group of players. Our mailing list numbers several thousand yet not all readers open this newsletter. But I believe a special group does. And it is to these wonderful friends, I share my strengths, hopes and experiences.

Let's Get Back To The Basics


The Stance

You must develop a reason for every movement you make. When you walk to the table, be sure to step into your shot. Do not come in from the side. The in step of your right foot should be facing the line of the shot. I like to line up my right thigh with the target. The left foot is more parallel to the line of the shot. The space between both feet really depends on how tall you are. You must be comfortable and balanced. There should be no added weight on your left arm as you should not be leaning forward. If I kick out your left arm, you won't fall forward. You are balanced.

Your right leg should be locked at the knee. This will give you the stability you need for the shot. If you are not solid, your cue tip to cue ball will be off line. At the very least your stroke will not be pure.

The shooting arm is in a perpendicular position when you drive the cue tip through the cue ball. Try to make this motion with your lower arm only. If you are not up on the cue ball, and stroke past the perpendicular line, you will push the cue ball. You also want to keep your head still when you deliver the stroke.

If you do not have a disciplined stance, and you want to do it right, then I suggest very short training periods. You will resist change. You will always want to revert back to your old ways. Go to your basement and deliver five perfect stops shots in your new stance and then walk away. Return later and repeat the process. Little by little extend your training time. Remember, you are changing something that has become dear to you. That is, shooting pool with an unfaithful stance. It will take time to let go of the old and bring in the new.

Try this. Place the object ball in the center of the table. Place the cue ball about a foot behind it, directly in line with both pockets. Plant your right foot in line with both pockets. You should be able to lean forward and shoot this shot with your eyes closed. When you hit this shot, focus on your right leg. With success we need to associate it with something so we can repeat it later on. Associate the success of your shot, with the alignment of your right leg. If you miss, forget it. We are never training to experience misses. In addition, focus on your lower arm. That is the only thing that moves! Always leave the cue extended until the object ball is safely tucked away at the bottom of the pocket.

At this time, I am working on a new DVD that features the stance and how to train for the perfect stance. I will let you know when that training program is ready.

Billiards Basics2; an Update To Your Basics

My Webmaster, and student, Reg Hardy has updated his Billiards Basics e-Book now titled "Billiards Basics2" and for casual players, this can be a tremendous refresher.

Billiards Basics2  helps your game in two ways. It helps you address your immediate problem areas by taking you through a must have set of fundamental instructions to establish your own game's foundation. 

Second, this ebook will serve you well for many years acting as an easily searchable reference when something goes wrong (and it will) with your game. You will find you are on a never ending road to perfection, but most of your troublesome issues stem from the fundamentals of the game.

This Basics handbook includes:
Billiards Basics Your crucial manual of the Basics of Pocket Billiards complete with practice drills.
Know The Rules of the Game The first order of business when you start getting serious about any game is to learn the rules--Value $5.00
17 Deadly Mistakes That Keep You Losing Are there really 17 of them, I only remember one or two. Value $10
What A Laser Can Tell You About Your Game   I raided my toolbox. A laser can check your alignment, your eye dominance and see if you are on the level.  Plus you can use it to improve your cut shot aiming.  Value $50.
A Dozen Practice Drills These drills include table diagrams, a description on how to make the drill progressive and a score sheet to track your practice. Just print the drill you need and take it to the table--Priceless
Billiard Tips e-Press, my monthly e-zine devoted to billiard tips to improve your game.--Value $40.00

For More information:

check out Billiards Crossing

 

Try This!!

I have been having trouble with sighting from time to time. Of course, I try everything, including prayer. This morning, I decided it could be my bridge hand. I am having a lot of pain in my left shoulder, so perhaps I am not extending it out far enough. To correct that, or at least address it, I now lay my cue in line with shot as if I am going to shoot it one handed. Then I lean over and simply place my bridge hand where the cue is lined up. It seems like I am in line with the shot and I ran two racks with this aiming method.

The Four Strokes Now On DVD

I just completed my new DVD The Four Strokes of Pool. This is a two disk set. There was so much material I had to put it on two DVD's.

I have received many letters and I am shocked by how many players do not know the four strokes of pool. If you are playing frequently without knowledge of The Four Strokes of Pool, you don't know how good you could be.

• You must master The Four Strokes of Pool because the stroke determines the track line.
• You must master The Four Strokes of Pool because the stroke determines the speed of the cue ball.
• You must master The Four Strokes of Pool before you can master cue ball speed or position play.

The fact that there are four strokes in pocket billiards should come as no surprise. In all sports there are a variety of shots we can use to win games. You can hit a high fade in golf, a low draw, a punch & run, and back spin pitch shot, a plop shot. You do not hit the golf ball the same way for each shot.

You use a different swing to get the different results. In bowling, you can use various methods to shatter the pins. In tennis, there are spin shots, back hands, power forwards. In all games, we use different shots to gain the advantage. So it is with pocket billiards. Once you begin to use your stroke to control the cue ball you find that you have far better control of your position play. This is a breakthrough. Decide to dedicate your training to the mastery of each stroke and you will find yourself in the winner circle more often.

Here's a taste of my new DVD set:

The Punch Stroke Compare this to a boxers left jab. You are flicking the stroke out to stop the cue ball dead in its tracks.

The Follow Stroke In this case, you are rolling the cue ball along the slate to follow the object ball. There is no dramatic spin like you would find in a force follow. The Follow stroke is limp, soft and smooth.

The Draw Stroke In this fabulous stroke you are snapping through the cue ball to impart dramatic spin. Actually, there are four distinct draw strokes:

– The Follow Through Draw

– The Snap Back Draw

– The Snip Draw

– The Bounce Back Draw

You will find that you need to execute one draw stroke over the other to win games. The difference between winning and losing is found in which draw stroke you use. There are Lessons in this book to help you master each one.

The Spin Stroke This is a throw back to the old days of 14.1 pocket billiards. Once again, the difference between winning and losing comes from your choice of strokes. I have seen situations where The Spin Stroke was the only way to position the cue ball for the winning shot. It is an important weapon to have in you fine arsenal.

Speaking of arsenals, you need to master The Four Strokes of Pool.

Once we master the four strokes of pocket billiards, we will find ourselves adding a little of one stroke with another. For instance, there are
times when you add a little punch with your force follow, a snip draw with your punch. It is important however that you become the master
of the four strokes of pool. You must reach a point where you will not be using one when you intend to use another.

Decide right now that you will master each stroke. Put yourself into action to make that happen by learning more about this New

Four Strokes of Pool DVD Set

Know Your Practice

Last week we talked about the four stages of pocket billiards. When you go to the pool table, choose one of the stages to work on. You could have some fun with shoemaking. Play rotation and you will amaze yourself by how many great shots you make.

You could then decide to practice the second stage, The Four Strokes of Pool. Work on your strokes. Order quickly, I have a feeling this first run will go pretty fast. You also get a copy of my training book “The Lesson”. You will be well equipped to begin your serious training when you receive this special DVD package. You can order that today. Click on this link to find out more about it. Once you place your order, I will ship it out from New Zealand and then I will download “The Lesson” for you. This is a special offer. Check it out at my website.

I love my Cue Ball Speed sessions. The third stage work is always fun for me. I set up shots that require two and three rail speed shape and try to hit my spots.

The fourth stage of mastering self is great as well. I try to run one hundred balls. This way, I can master concentration and learn to spend more time at the table without a miss.

Once in Dallas I worked on the fourth stage in a practice session. All went well. I had been on the road doing personal appearances and was in good stroke. On the third day of this training, I noticed an ice storm moving into the area. I needed to be on the other side of Texas later that week so I was concerned.

This concern broke my concentration and I could not run one rack. Since I still had two hours left on my training, I decided to practice stage two, The Four Strokes of Pool. This way utilized my training time to gain the most benefit. I would have wasted the entire afternoon if I stayed with Mastering Self.

When you go to the practice table make sure you know what you want to achieve. You should plan your training. Don't waste time going from one stage to the other. Remember, we strengthen that which we focus on.

Don't forget to claim that special someone as your Valentine.


May All The Rolls Go Your Way

The Monk
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