Even those that have never a single one of the many forms of martial arts
are familiar with the concepts. The goal is to arrive at a peak level of
physical and mental performance through strict and disciplined training.
Among the common denominators in all forms of the martial arts are the requirements
that one should, 1, learn specific physical skills. 2, adhere to prescribed
strategies. 3, make abundant use of the powers of concentration. 4, absorb
all the precepts through continual practice until they can be performed
naturally and instinctively.
As the title suggests, the cue sports also make the same demands on participants
who desire to reach higher levels of proficiency at the table. Unfortunately,
however, many players are first introduced to the sport in a very informal
manner. Usually at social gatherings, and are never made aware that pool
is a sport that is also a science and an art form.
You first must master the basic fundamentals. Then learn the strategies
and physical laws governing the balls, and finally, perfect your skills
to a point that they can be performed naturally and instinctively.
An acronym that could easily be used to outline the five areas all players
must become and remain proficient in,(whether they are beginners or highly
skilled professionals) is the word---
You will agree that it would be awfully difficult to even read the word ideas
if you only knew the letter "s" and had no knowledge of the other four letters
in the word. Yet it is amazing how many of pool's participants begin by shooting
without investigating how to aim, and stand, or even care where the cueball
will end up.
By training with IDEAS in mind. Here is what you should be looking toward
perfecting in each area.
I. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU SHOULD DO! The first thing you need to know
in any sport or game is how to plat it. If you are playing 9-ball and are
shooting at the 1- ball, you must first identify where you want the cueball
to arrive for a shot at the 2-ball that will easily allow you to move on
to the 3-ball.
In learning the "I" part of the game, you are perfecting your strategy, learning
the rules, figuring out how to win, when to play safe or take the percentage
shot. As your other skills increase, so will your evaluation of the various
situations presented to you at the table. Greater skills result in more options,
therefore, knowing the "I" portion of your game as a continual learning process.
D. DETERMINES EXACTLY HOW YOU PLAY THE SHOT!Before getting into your
stance, you should know exactly what it is that you intend to do. If you
have no idea! The letter "D" requires that you know what English you are
going to use. How you are going to hit the ball, and visualization of the
result.
E. EXECUTE YOUR STANCE:After you have identified what you should do
and determined how you are going to accomplish your goal, you must take a
balanced position at the table that will allow you to make a bridge comfortably
and perform in a manner that is unhampered. Many professionals are strong
believers that this part of your game is one of the main keys to success.
When their games get off just a little bit, they often look first to their
stance, bridge, stride and other physical forms for minor corrections. Again,
the letter "E" also requires that you first have knowledge of the "I" and
"D" to do it right.
A. AIM AT THE TARGET: You have already identified everything you
need to know about the target, and determined the stroke you are going to
use when shooting at it. And have executed the correct stance that will
allow you to accomplish what you are about to do. In aiming and taking your
warm up strokes you are simply fine-tuning the shot. It is in this part
of your game that you will often encounter the highest mental anguish. It
is here that self-doubt and a loss of confidence often creep in. however,
be of good cheer, if you have trained properly in "I", "D" and "E" the letter
"A" rolls off your tongue as easily as saying IDEA. Be confident that you
have learned the game from the ground up and that you are well on your way
to conquering the negativity that often keeps average player from becoming
great layers.
S. STROKE AND SHOT:We have now finally arrived back at that point
where most new player errors begin at. However, we have learned all our
letters and can now read the entire word with confidence. What you will
train for in learning the letter "S" is developing a smooth natural stroke
and follow-through. When shooting, you must not be tentative or overly aggressive.
You have taken all the proper steps to give your brain the information it
needs to accomplish this final step. Now, you are free to let your hand-eye
coordination take over as you focus on the target and stroke your shot naturally
and instinctively.
When using the martial arts concept in you're pool training, and specifically
when learning each area. Review each letter on every shot. You will soon find
that this conscious effort will become part of your subconscious game as well.
What will initially seem as a boring repetition of thought, will eventually
only take a few seconds, it can even be accomplished in the blink of an eye
as your proficiency increases.
I wish you great success with your newfound look at {pocket billiards} Ken
Tewksbury. "MASTER INSTRUCTOR"
Hours: By appointment only.
Contact Ken Tewksbury at 603-545-2709 or 603-225-8298 Concord, New Hampshire or
e-mail me at ken@billiardinstructor.org