Revelations in your Game/Mark Wilsons Book

Houstoer

Houstoer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So I was reading Mark Wilson's new book and another AZ member also told me that just changing his stance like Mark said in the book helped him immensely so i tried it and it worked a little for me too. So I figured I better go through this book a little at a time and really absorb everything I can with it. Low and behold I got to his part on bridges and how snug the shaft should be between your fingers and realized wow I do it exactly how he says not to do it. I didn't ever put too much thought into it; just held it so it was comfortable so I made a conscious effort to squeeze the shaft rather firmly (ok let the jokes fly I know) but wow what a difference. I started making everything in site. I would at times be a little off and just always contributed that to poor stroking or stance but since I firmed up my grip its made a world of difference not to mention I can draw the sh*t out of the cueball if I need to. I wasn't too bad in drawing it before but the firm grip of the fingers just make it very easy. It was definitely an ah ha moment for me. My shape is better, pocketing better, even break is better. Seems I'm going to have to go line by line through this book... thanks for listening...
 
I haven't read a book like this since nursing school. :), and that wasn't last month either. I can't see how anyone could not learn from this book. Johnnyt
 
Its amazing how much little things do make a difference. I shot all day yesterday and all day today and am amazed how much better my game is just by this little thing. I must congratulate Mark not only on his book but he must have superior eye sight to read the small print in his book ! My only complaint :)
 
I'm loving this book, money well spent! For me the sections covering topics of position play have really helped me. As a beginner I have intuited my way to a basic understanding of how the cue ball behaves after contact but having all the details spelled out has really clarified it for me and given me a blueprint from which to construct my approach to a shot. I played today after my first reading of this section and have already seen a dramatic increase in the quality of my position play. I'm a beginner so I still have a really long way to go, but I feel I'm on a good and efficient path with this book.
 
It's not something you can just chew thru like many of the books on the market.... I am slowly digesting it and I owe Mark a review when I finally am comfortable with my level of absorption... I keep rereading the first 6 chapters... I have always in the past just hit balls until I quit missing... As soon as I stopped putting serious time in my game fell apart rather rapidly... Looking at many of Mark's ideas I think I could see a different way to rebuild the next chance I am given to get back to the table.....
 
If I had to pick one person to sit and talk pool with, for sure Mark would be on that very short list. I'm sure this book is great as well.

However, I would love to see the players who comment / review, on any of the resource books or DVDs or systems, or any other form of instruction offer their playing level in the post at the time of their reviews in order for the rest of us to put these reviews in perspective.

Just a thought. :smile:
 
3andstop said:
If I had to pick one person to sit and talk pool with, for sure Mark would be on that very short list. I'm sure this book is great as well.

However, I would love to see the players who comment / review, on any of the resource books or DVDs or systems, or any other form of instruction offer their playing level in the post at the time of their reviews in order for the rest of us to put these reviews in perspective.

Just a thought. :smile:
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great comment. I play ok; been playing for four years. Took some lessons with CJ so I do the TOI. Lessons with him was fantastic but he's 5 hours away and I'm on limited funds right now. He's a great teacher as well. I play BCA and have about a 70% winning percent. I'm not any world beater by any chance of the imagination. I think DvDs and books are for people beginner/intermediate. For an advanced player that plays A speed or better I would think that a book or DvD isn't going to teach you much you don't already know unless its a new concept like CTE or TOI. Those type need more personalized instruction but I succumb to the fact that if I can learn one thing; even if it is little, its money well spent considering how much time I play and practice. This one little thing I picked up about the pressure on the fingers/shaft made the book worthwhile IMO. It easy made me a ball better I believe and my shape is way better. Who knows what else lies ahead. I'm the type that will try anything and figure out what works for me best. I would love to have the money to just take personal lessons all the time but can't do to work and funds. Just my opinion.
 
Houstoer said:
Low and behold I got to his part on bridges and how snug the shaft should be between your fingers and realized wow I do it exactly how he says not to do it. I didn't ever put too much thought into it; just held it so it was comfortable so I made a conscious effort to squeeze the shaft rather firmly (ok let the jokes fly I know) but wow what a difference. I started making everything in site. I would at times be a little off and just always contributed that to poor stroking or stance but since I firmed up my grip its made a world of difference
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ive noticed this with my game as well, but the main problem ive had with it, is how do you maintain that kind of pressure thru a long session? I recall someone on here recently talking about having lessons with earl strickland, and that was one of the things he came away with, firmer grip and a sore bridge hand. Is this one of those things you just have to develop, superman like finger strength?
 
scottycoyote said:
ive noticed this with my game as well, but the main problem ive had with it, is how do you maintain that kind of pressure thru a long session? I recall someone on here recently talking about having lessons with earl strickland, and that was one of the things he came away with, firmer grip and a sore bridge hand. Is this one of those things you just have to develop, superman like finger strength?
Click to expand...

I think its a matter of holding it firm enough that the shaft can't wobble when we stroked. I don't put super human strength on it but definitely a lot firmer than I used to; and when I have a hard shot I grip it even tighter. Seems to be working good and I don't have a sore hand at all. Also even noticed that when shooting off the rail I grip the rail tight and it seems easier. I think I saw this on a Jimmy Reid DvD or somewhere but had forgotten all about it.
 
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