Step 1. Rock solid fundamentals. ROCK solid, to the point that a nuclear bomb could be going off behind you, and without even thinking about it, you have assumed the perfect stance and bridge, and execute a perfect stroke, every single time.
The key words being: without even thinking about it.
During play you don't want to be thinking about your feet, elbows or fingers. You want to have full confidence that you are automatically doing that part correctly.
Step 2. Focus on the strategies of play = how to win that particular game.
This is where a wager can make a difference for some people. For others it's not necessary. Wager or not, the " win" is the goal, so ask yourself why the win matters, and there you will find whatever motivates you.
My earlier quote about going to war was from a well respected billiard instructor of yesteryear. He was making a point about training while in an actual competition. Is it better to train against your foe, or train to meet your foe. If you force yourself to work on step #2 before you master step #1 you have done yourself a disservice.
The key words being: without even thinking about it.
During play you don't want to be thinking about your feet, elbows or fingers. You want to have full confidence that you are automatically doing that part correctly.
Step 2. Focus on the strategies of play = how to win that particular game.
This is where a wager can make a difference for some people. For others it's not necessary. Wager or not, the " win" is the goal, so ask yourself why the win matters, and there you will find whatever motivates you.
My earlier quote about going to war was from a well respected billiard instructor of yesteryear. He was making a point about training while in an actual competition. Is it better to train against your foe, or train to meet your foe. If you force yourself to work on step #2 before you master step #1 you have done yourself a disservice.
