Lesson 7(G): Pausing For Perfection

By Nick Prinsloo

More of this Series •  Introduction • 1.) Philosophy Of Pool • 2.) Learning To Play Pool • 3.) Overcoming The Physical Barriers • 4.) Overcoming The Mental Barriers • 5.) Why Pool? • 6.) Becoming A Natural Player • 7.) Judging The Angle & Establishing The Right Technique • 7e.) Sighting The Shot • 7f.) The Practice Strokes • 7g.) Pausing For Perfection • 7h.) Final Cue Delivery

PAUSE #1, PAUSE #2, AND THE BACKSWING

We've assessed the angle of the shot, stepped into the extended line of the shot, lowered our bodies over the table and the head over the cue, sighted the shot, and done a few warm-up strokes to get the rhythm going and to ensure the cue is running in a straight line. We're almost ready to bring the cue through for that final delivery: the stroke itself. We could, at the end of the last practice stroke (when the tip of the cue is almost against the cue ball), let the cue continue its forward motion and actually play through the cue ball, thereby finishing the stroke.

Chances are, if you have done everything correctly up to now, and provided the shot is not one that makes professionals think twice, you will pocket the ball. Now ask yourself the following questions: will I make the ball ten times out of ten? Will I make the ball if getting on the next one requires some kind of fancy positional maneuver? Will I then make it ten times out of ten? Will I make that ball if it is the winning ball of an important game? Of an important match? Of the finals of an important tournament? Against Efren Reyes in the finals of an important tournament, broadcast live on television with camaramen moving around you and bright lights in our eyes?

If you are serious about pool and improving your game, and you answered NO to any of the previous questions, then simply letting go at the end of the final practice stroke is not good enough. You need an important additional element or two. Something that will help you focus enough without breaking your rhythm to never miss that shot, regardless of the circumstances and playing conditions.

I have found that element (one of them, at least) to be a slight pause before you draw the cue back for the final delivery. A pause just long enough for your eyes to fix themselves on the object ball, where they will stay throughout the completion of the stroke. You will be amazed at the power of this little technique. Every time I slip out of form and find I am missing balls I should normally make, it is because I forget to pause, or get lazy and rush the stroke.

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