The PSR is not to set up your timing.

The PSR is not to help you concentrate.

The PSR is not designed to help you make the shot.

The PSR is not used to calm yourself down.

The Pre Shot Routine is used to help you get into the shot-at-hand mode.

AND

A tiger goes through the exact same ritual before he leaps to action. He is building up his adrenalin and focus so it is keen and sharp. There is only one thing left to do. He wants to strike with everything he has.

What is his everything? He can only have his everything when he thinks of nothing. Then he can go into the attack mode with total commitment.

Have you ever stood at the edge of a high diving board and shook with fear? Your buddy yells up, "go on three". He begins to count "one, two three"! You leap on three. You do this because you were prepared to strike. All you thought about was "leap on three".

Have you ever stood at the starters’ gate and heard the starter yell "ready?" You began to focus. "Set" you were alive with intent. "Go" you sprung into action. On the word "go", you had nothing in your mind but to leap forward with everything you had. There was no hesitation, no second thought and no fear, no consideration.

That is what your pre shot routine is designed to do for you. It is designed to get you ready to strike. Nothing is on your mind. You strike with everything you have. In battle you only see the opponent in front of you. You do not see the field full of fighters. You see your opponent because you were trained to see him. You were trained to deal with the issues in front of you.

I use a set of 3's.

2. I connect to the shot. At this point I am feeling the shot. I make a spiritual or instinctive connection to the shot. I am holding my cue like a warrior holding his spear.

3. I grip my cue with the stroke I am going to use. At this time, I use a full grip for punch, a forward grip for draw a lose grip for follow and a two fingered grip, thumb and forefinger for spin stroke. My grip is my key to my stroke.

NEXT I have another set of 3.

2. I move my left leg in line for my stance.

3. I go down to the shot.

At this point I check my landing. Am I am in line with the shot? The way you address the cue ball is very important. When the tip comes up to where you intend to deliver the stroke, think about what this will do with the cue ball. Then apply that to your intentions. If they match up, you are ready for the next set of threes.

NEXT I have another set of 3.

2. I say the word "Pause" and bring the cue tip back for a short pause.

3. I say the word "Finish" and send the cue tip through the cue ball with complete commitment.

At times when I am training, I focus on my "set." Other times, my "pause" and still others, "finish". You must be able to experience every facet of your PSR.

3 is the magic number. You run balls in 3’s. You shoot the first shot to set up for the second ball so you are able to get to the third ball.

You "see the shot, know the stroke and shoot the shot".

You "take action, measure your progress and make adjustment".

Pre Shot Routine is 3 words.

You practice "right thinking, right mindfulness and right action".

What kind of player would you be if you were all of these 3's? It is worth the effort. This training will take months of hard work. Perhaps six months. A master is ready to strike because he prepares for that moment. A world class player uses his PSR to clear his mind and reach peak performance.

I want you to flash forward. You are a master. You have completed the program. You are performing in front of a large audience. They came to see you play. What they marvel at is not your ability to pocket balls, but our discipline, your pre shot routine, your embrace of the art of pocket billiards. Never stop working on your PSR.

You can have The Monk in your town.