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WHEN NOT TO BE ON THE LEVEL
You
have been taught, and correctly so, to keep your cue as level as
possible during the execution of most shots. However, there are times
when you cannot do so, such as jacking up over a ball or when you are
shooting away from a rail that the cue ball has snuggled up to. There
are also times when you elect to elevate the butt of your cue, i.e.,
jump shots, masse shots, etc. One
other instance when you might not want to have your cue level isduring
a power break, such as in 8-Ball or 9-Ball.During a power break you
want to pocket object balls and control the cue ball. A forced stop
shotis quite effective on controlling the cue ball, causing it to
bounce off the head ball, jump up slightlyand settle (squat) near the
center of the table. If your cue is too level during a power break, it
becomes verydifficult to apply a forced stop shot. Instead the cue ball
tends to run around the table gettingknocked about. Too elevated a cue
butt results in the cue ball jumping toward the rack andbouncing off
the head ball in any direction.
Experiment
to find a happy medium for your cue, somewhere between level and a
little elevated, keep your muscles loose, and you will find immediate
improvement in your power break shot.
ALL THE BASICS WORK TOGETHER
Q:
The legendary Milwaukee player, Willie Munson, was once asked by a fan,
"Which of the basics, such as Stance, Bridge, Grip, Stroke and so on,
is the most important?"
A:
Munson told the fan that, "They all have to be used together. A steady
bridge with a bad stance is worthless. When playing pool, we get to use
all God's gifts; eyes, hands, legs and mind. You have to use all the
basics together. You would put yourself at a disadvantage to do otherwise."
RETURN TO TODAY'S TIP OF THE DAY
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