George Fels' wonderful compendium of pool playing wisdom deserves being re-visited for the benefit of more recent AZB-ers (and for regulars' who might similarly appreciate re-reading his acutely observed and concisely expressed gems).
In the February 1991 issue of “Billiards Digest” a great 4-page feature article by one of their best writers, George Fels (himself an outstanding non-pro Straight Pool player) listed his 101 tips to improve your game:
http://tinyurl.com/m3sqfj9
Now almost 24 years later, I’ll quote 8 of them in his exact words, any one of which he justifiably promised may produce immediate or overnight improvement in your game. It’s easy to sometimes underestimate simply-stated suggestions, but I’ve found that these kinds can often be surprisingly transformative when you actually put them into practice. Enjoy (and do find the time to read all 101 tips via my above link):
a) The entire game of pool -- in any form -- can be focused upon the cue ball and nothing else, if your concentration is strong enough. You’ll improve overnight if you can just *assume* the object ball will be in the hole, and concentrate instead on the cue ball’s destination.
b) After eyesight, rhythm may well be the second prerequisite of all pool. Don’t rush; don’t dawdle. Find a comfortable pace and stay with it. Overnight improvements are possible here.
c) In *all* forms of pool, unless you need to separate a cluster, do your best *not* to touch a second object ball after sinking the one you intended. Your position play will improve immediately.
d) Tournament tennis players are taught not to slump their shoulders after losing points: it gives away a psychological edge. Apply this same instruction to your pool game. You should see beneficial results almost at once.
e) Without getting fancy, try to look as good as you can while at the table. It’s a virtually automatic game-improver. Visualize and execute “the thoroughbred look” and you’ll leave opponents in your dust.
f) Another immediate game improvement tip: The world does not come to an end when you miss a shot, miss position, lose a game or lose a session. Lighten up. You’ll enjoy yourself more and win more often. Or maybe it’s the other way around; what’s the difference?
g) A good slump breaker: Change your playing pace *radically* -- try slower if you’re playing fast, faster if you’re playing slow.
h) Train yourself to *observe* the results of your game, rather than falling into the treacherous trap of *judging* them. Excellent for achieving dead stroke, and a super lesson for life as well as pool playing. [Note by Arnaldo: This one is my personal favorite -- certainly not easy to master, but well worth the effort.]
There you have some well-expressed food for thought. Some might think of a few of these 8 as platitudes, but all my respect goes to players who actually try to incorporate their favorites among these, and many of the others within the 4-page article linked above, and in so doing, enrich their enjoyment of our wonderful sport in a number of very positive ways.
Arnaldo
In the February 1991 issue of “Billiards Digest” a great 4-page feature article by one of their best writers, George Fels (himself an outstanding non-pro Straight Pool player) listed his 101 tips to improve your game:
http://tinyurl.com/m3sqfj9
Now almost 24 years later, I’ll quote 8 of them in his exact words, any one of which he justifiably promised may produce immediate or overnight improvement in your game. It’s easy to sometimes underestimate simply-stated suggestions, but I’ve found that these kinds can often be surprisingly transformative when you actually put them into practice. Enjoy (and do find the time to read all 101 tips via my above link):
a) The entire game of pool -- in any form -- can be focused upon the cue ball and nothing else, if your concentration is strong enough. You’ll improve overnight if you can just *assume* the object ball will be in the hole, and concentrate instead on the cue ball’s destination.
b) After eyesight, rhythm may well be the second prerequisite of all pool. Don’t rush; don’t dawdle. Find a comfortable pace and stay with it. Overnight improvements are possible here.
c) In *all* forms of pool, unless you need to separate a cluster, do your best *not* to touch a second object ball after sinking the one you intended. Your position play will improve immediately.
d) Tournament tennis players are taught not to slump their shoulders after losing points: it gives away a psychological edge. Apply this same instruction to your pool game. You should see beneficial results almost at once.
e) Without getting fancy, try to look as good as you can while at the table. It’s a virtually automatic game-improver. Visualize and execute “the thoroughbred look” and you’ll leave opponents in your dust.
f) Another immediate game improvement tip: The world does not come to an end when you miss a shot, miss position, lose a game or lose a session. Lighten up. You’ll enjoy yourself more and win more often. Or maybe it’s the other way around; what’s the difference?
g) A good slump breaker: Change your playing pace *radically* -- try slower if you’re playing fast, faster if you’re playing slow.
h) Train yourself to *observe* the results of your game, rather than falling into the treacherous trap of *judging* them. Excellent for achieving dead stroke, and a super lesson for life as well as pool playing. [Note by Arnaldo: This one is my personal favorite -- certainly not easy to master, but well worth the effort.]
There you have some well-expressed food for thought. Some might think of a few of these 8 as platitudes, but all my respect goes to players who actually try to incorporate their favorites among these, and many of the others within the 4-page article linked above, and in so doing, enrich their enjoyment of our wonderful sport in a number of very positive ways.
Arnaldo
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