Ranking of Pool Fundamentals

[td873]

A BCA instructor was asked about ranking of some pool fundamentals and some pool interests. Here is how she ranked them. 10 being most important.
1. Grip tension....9
2. Stance.....2
3. Grip position...6
4. Tip close to cue ball...5
5. Stable Bridge..9
6. Chalking... 7
7. Breathing...10
8. Level cue... 8
9. Elbow drop... 4
10. Still body.. 9
11. Shooting with opposite hand...1
12.Vision Center...8
13. Able to twirl cue around...0
14. Behind the back shot. 1

Surely this thread is click bait?

How is stance rated a 2 in importance when "behind the back"/"opposite hand" are a 1? Saying stance and shooting behind the back are almost the same low value is laughable. "elbow drop" = 4? (is this saying whether someone drops their elbow or not is twice as important as stance? Wow) Shouldn't grip tension and grip position just be "grip"? And how is grip position 3X more important than stance? Did I miss the actual stroke rating somewhere?

-td

 

[gregcantrall]

It was for these reasons and others that I started telling my students that maintaining composure is essential to playing pool well, and that yogic or other deep breathing exercises that can be done from the chair or even at the table would help with that when they feel themselves tensing up.

I've been watching a lot of matches on TV and online lately and have seen Fedor and other pros taking the breath. I've also seen their reactions after missing easy shots that indicate bafflement and exasperation. IME that happens when the player shifts primary focus from the shot to the expected outcome, getting ahead of one's self.

[edit] in case it wasn't obvious, I was referring to mental focus, not visual focus.

This does bring flashback moments for me. It's been a long time since I performed to the level I achieved then. The pursing of the lips to blow on exhale was a Tell. Done as I centered my elf er uh little self.(I guess ). It worked then. Don't know about now.