The Southwest Challenge offers a purse of $12,000 based on a full 128 field.  The tournament is a modified single elimination format comprised of 3-person teams with a maximum Skill Level of 15. Only one Skill Level 7, 8 or 9 is permitted per team and all Skill Level 1s are allowed. The tournament features a unique pre-established shooting rotation within each team, which is set prior to the start of the event and continues throughout. 

In addition, mini tournaments will be held around-the-clock. These tournaments feature a field of 8 or 16 players and offer 100% payback of entry fees which range from $10 to $20. All mini tournament participants must have a skill level card to compete. Skill level cards are provided to main event players at registration. Those not participating in the main event must purchase a card for $10 prior to entering the mini tournaments. Mini tournaments are open to all current APA members from participating Southwest Challenge areas.  Singles boards will also be held throughout the event.

For more information on the Southwest Challenge or to find out if APA members from your area is eligible, contact your local APA League Operator.

2 Plus 2- For You!

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 3.0

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 6 minutes per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: 4-ball on foot spot; 3-ball frozen to 4-ball and setup aim line to right edge of BR as we stand behind setup; Cue ball in straight line to 3-ball and on the straight line created by 1 diamond to left of TC and 1 diamond left of BC; 1-ball frozen to (c) aimed to left edge of TC and 2-ball frozen to (c) aimed to right edge of BC (toward BL).
DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALL(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: : Cue ball is aimed to (a) and shot straight with cue extension -- 1-ball in TC, 2-ball in BC, 3-ball in TR, and 4-ball in BR. Cue ball must not scratch and end up on foot half of table for shot to count. (Right of dash line -- foot spot to foot rail.)

APA will randomly select 5 of our MySpace friends every 2 weeks until the end of the year to receive a FREE APA t-shirt. That’s 10 winners each month—5 MORE per month than last year!  We've already given away 90 free t-shirts this year! To win, you must have APA on your “Top Friends” list, and/or display an APA logo, banner or layout on your page. If chosen as a winner, you will not only receive a free t-shirt but also be added as one of APA’s “Top Friends” until the next winners are chosen! If selected, you will receive a message asking for a mailing address to send the shirt. It’s that simple! APA staff members and League Operators are not eligible.

APA now hosts more than 8,300 friends on MySpace! Please continue to visit the APA Pool Leagues page, http://www.myspace.com/apaleagues, for exclusive content, downloadable APA banners and wallpaper, to interact with fellow APA members and much more! Be sure to keep us at the top of your “friends list” and watch out for APA bulletins. If you are yet to add APA to your “friends list,” be sure you do so today! Also, don't forget to visit us on Facebook at http://www.poolplayers.com/fb and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/apaleagues.

The popularity of APA Leagues continues to grow!  Players can now enjoy the fun and excitement of League play in new counties of Utah, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Georgia.  These areas are now forming APA teams!

If you’re interested in more information about APA Pool Leagues in these areas please contact:

·         Taylor county in Texas: Derriel Smith at 903-776-2501 or drsjr9@yahoo.com

You can also view two new APA Pool Leagues commercials featuring APA spokesperson, Jeanette Lee “The Black Widow” on the YouTube Channel.  In addition, you’ll find exclusive instructional videos from world famous trick shot artist, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman.  There are currently 36 FREE instructional videos, with content ranging from proper stance, to making the 8-ball on-the-break and cue ball control. 8-Ball and 9-Ball Scorekeeping instructional videos are also on the site. Comment on the videos and let us know how they’ve helped improve your game. 

You can also view daily video segments from the APA Championships.  If you’ve never been to the National Team Championships, you can watch a highlight video which will give you a small taste of the Vegas experience!  You will also find APA segments featured on ESPN. 

Be sure you check out all the latest APA video segments on YouTube today—new videos are added often!  APA can be found on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/apaleagues. You may also upload any of the videos to your MySpace or Facebook page and email to friends and family!

APA League Operator Andy Segal won the 2009 ESPN Trick Shot Magic Championship held Sept. 17 at ESPN Zone in the New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  Segal defeated Sebastian Giumelli in the finals 9-4, taking home the $10,000 grand prize. 

Segal earned his spot in the finals with a 7-6 victory over Nick Nikolaidis of Canada in the semifinals.  In the other semifinal action, Giumelli was up against Eric Yow, winning 7-5.

Being no stranger to ESPN Trick Shot Magic, Andy is excited to have earned his first win. “This is my seventh Trick Shot Magic competition,” Segal said. “After finishing second twice, once to Mike Massey and once to Tom Rossman, it feels great to finally win this event.”

Some of Andy’s APA players were there to support him.  Two brothers, Dan Flynn and John Flynn of Hoboken, N.J., won a trip to the ESPN Trick Shot Magic competition by placing first in an 8-Ball Doubles tournament during the summer.  Andy said they had a great time.

Projected air date for the event is Nov. 22 on ESPN. Check your local listings for exact information.

The ability for a player not shooting to be able to call a timeout is one of the reasons I like the APA over other Leagues.  Many of the lower skill levels that play on my team try to learn something from me by observing my play and getting instruction during timeouts. For these players to learn the most—and for you as a coach to learn the most about them—the following things should always happen.

One of the most important things I do is wait until I see what the player is going to do before I call a timeout.  Many times the higher skilled player sees a problem situation that the player is in and immediately calls a timeout.  When I join a new team, I tell my teammates that when I call a timeout, it may be when they are down on a ball.  It is wasteful to call a timeout before you give the player a chance to look at the layout.  Many times, they will come up with the right shot.  It may not occur as fast as you may have seen it, but they can come up with it.  It is wrong to assume that because you are a SL6 and they are a SL3, they are incapable of seeing what to shoot.

I didn’t start playing in the APA until I was a higher skill level player myself, so my experience with timeouts comes from when I used to play scotch doubles events with men that were champions.  I used to hate when they would come over to help me before I even looked at the table.  I would get so frustrated because in many cases I would have figured the shot out without help. I carried that experience with me when I starting coaching APA League members.  I will call a timeout before they are down on the ball, only if I see they are going to shoot the wrong ball.  Typically, I will wait until they are shooting at the right ball, but are cueing at the wrong axis of the ball.  I know it can be startling at first, but when they know why I call timeouts the way I do, they understand it is because I am truly trying to give them every opportunity to shoot assistance free and be their own player.

Next, whether they call the timeout, or I do, I always ask them what they were thinking and planning to do.  Do not just start saying what you want them to do!  You lose the perfect opportunity to understand your player and how they approach the game if you just start talking. Telling them something like this in the middle of a match is much more powerful than trying to set up balls later for them.  In the middle of it, while they are still thinking and seeing it, lasts longer than trying to recreate what occurred before.  You know what?  Sometimes, just sometimes, they have a better idea then I had.

When they tell me something that wouldn’t have worked, I use that coaching time to tell them shooting that ball would have resulted in a scratch, or shooting that stripe could have resulted in the cue ball knocking in the 8-ball, etc.  I then quickly show them the tangent in that case so they see it.  I then move on and tell them why I want them to shoot my shot.  I don’t just tell them what to shoot, I tell them why.  I then ask if they are comfortable with the shot I have suggested.  If they are, great!  If they aren’t, I really try to find another option for them.  The greatest suggestion of the right shot makes no difference if the player cannot execute it.  That brings me to my next point.

Do not ever, ever, coach above someone’s skill level!   I cannot tell you how many times I have heard coaches telling SL2s or SL3s, and even some SL4s, to spin this ball with left inside english, and come two rails over there.  Are you kidding me?  Invariably it is a coach who gave his timeout loudly enough (like he/she is on stage) so everyone can hear it.  This person wants others, including the player he/she is coaching, to be impressed with their knowledge of the proper shot.  The shot is only proper with a higher skill level shooting it.  It becomes the wrong shot when you tell a SL3 to shoot it.  You make the lower skilled player feel like a failure for not being able to execute your shot.  We are here to make their playing experience more successful—that’s it.  I have always found a shot during a proper timeout for a SL3 or SL4 by having them use the top, bottom or center of the cue ball.  The only time I may have one of these skill levels use a sidespin is if they are kicking at a ball, and they have to widen the angle or shorten it.  Using english this way is simple because you do not have to account for deflection in pocketing a ball.  All that happens here is that you hit the cue ball on the side and the ball goes to that side.

Coaches need to understand that this is ultimately not their match.  The suggestions we give for what shot to shoot should be in the end, just that, a suggestion.  I always tell players when I join their team that when I give a timeout, the shot I am telling them is the shot I would have them shoot.  It is still their match, and if they want to try some other reasonable shot, then that is their decision.  A timeout is about communication, and not the one-way kind.  The player getting coached should always be able to reject a timeout or voice when they are not comfortable with a suggestion. One of the only exceptions is if you know the shot they want to shoot is impossible. I will not allow someone to shoot something I know is impossible, because they do not know it is.  This person is still playing on my team, and even though the match is his own, he is playing for the collective. 

In the end, timeouts should help both skill levels.  The higher skilled player should gain an understanding of the lower skilled player at almost every timeout. And the lower skilled player should truly be helped by the suggestion given.  The shot suggested needs to be the right one for the player getting coached, not the right one for the coach. 

I love to hear your questions and comments!  Please send any you have to tina@tinapawloski.com.  I look forward to hearing from you.

3 Balls, 3 Pockets & 3 Cushions!

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 2.9

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 5 minutes, 48 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: 1-ball slightly left and 1 inch out from pocket BC; 2-ball frozen to 1-ball and aim setup line for (1) - (2) is to left center of TC; 3-ball on center edge of pocket TR; Cue ball 1 diamond segment back of 2-ball and in a straight line with 2-ball as you stand behind it. Maintain good fundamental form! DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALL(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: Shoot cue ball (c) to aim point (a) on 2-ball. 1-ball will drop in BC, 2-ball will travel to BL and drop, and cue ball will travel to (r) on #1 cushion and make 2 more cushion contacts on head and #3 before making 3-ball in pocket TR.

What is the best way to prepare yourself to play a person with a skill level (SL) much lower than your own?  I'm a SL6, and I often have to play SL3s.

Many times during League play or at Nationals, we have to play people that are not close to our skill level, whether higher or lower.  It can be frustrating on both ends of the spectrum, so I will address the higher to lower skill level matchup, as well as what the lower skilled player competing with a higher skilled player should be thinking about.  It definitely can take you out of your comfort zone when you compete in a match with someone who is not near your skill level.

Viewpoints of a higher skilled player . . . When a higher skilled player competes with another higher skilled player, there is a certain amount of familiarity to the number of safeties—especially the safeties that are intended to be played—and the overall pace of the game. It is a longer race.  If you make a mistake (like making an early 8-ball), there is a whole match of either a 5-5 race, or a 5-4 race to "battle" back and play through this error. When playing a SL2 or SL3, that luxury definitely doesn't exist. If you make an error and lose a game, the other player at the lower tier may only have to win one more game. I know this puts many higher skilled players on edge. You start pointing out all of the rolls when the lower skilled player missed a ball and got safe (again!), or when a ball rolls in front of your hole for the 8-ball and/or clusters up your balls when previously they were all out in the open. I know. I have seen it happen during many of my matches with these players— many innings in a row!  All of this is just one facet of what happens. The mental side of this matchup can also have the higher skilled player playing much more wide open, or haphazardly. After seeing a SL2 or SL3 miss the balls they do, the higher skilled player will sometimes play faster, or try to run out when there is no out, sending the cue ball into a large cluster to break out balls without paying attention to how the balls would spread, etc.  When a higher skilled player competes with another player of their caliber, he/she will play more carefully.  We pay attention to exactly how to break out that cluster.  We do not make a ball until we know we can run out fully.  We play focused and at a steady pace.

Ultimately, what needs to happen is you have to play everyone the same. You have to play that SL2 or SL3 the exact same way you would against the best SL7 (in 8-ball) or SL9 (in 9-ball), or any other pro that you respect. I, myself, visualize playing Efren Reyes. If my goal is to play the best shot, the best way I know how, why would it matter who I am playing? If I'm playing Efren, you can bet that I am doing everything that I have written in previous articles—not caring about the rolls, staying even-tempered, and focusing with quiet, determined concentration.  I realize it takes a lot of discipline to watch a SL2 shoot the way they do at times, and then regard them the same as you would Jeanette Lee. It is not exactly respect for the other player you are showing by doing this, but ultimately a respect for the game itself. No matter the opponent, you take what the table presents you—no matter who positioned the layout for you that way— and do the absolute best option your knowledge and practice affords you. Do not readily assume a SL2 or SL3 cannot run out if the balls are open. We have all seen it happen, or have heard stories of it happening to other people. Don't let this happen to you because you rushed a shot, or took a "flyer" that you had no business shooting because the shot looked fun and impressive. Taking these shots would lose the game for you against Efren; it is better to assume the same when playing a SL3.

There are only a few instances I would approve of doing some things when competing with a lower skilled player that you may not ordinarily do when you compete against another higher skilled player.  One such situation is when you have only the 8-ball left and you are safe behind a ball. If you have to kick at the 8-ball and it looks like if you hit it at the wrong speed or on the wrong side that you might scratch, give the SL2 or SL3 ball-in-hand, and don't take the kick. Now, you don't have to just pick up the ball-in-hand and give it to them. You can shoot at one of their balls to tie up another one of their balls, or move an unfavorable ball of theirs out of the way of the pocket the 8-ball is positioned toward. Ideally, the SL2 or SL3 would have many of their balls on the table, in a cluster. Again, you could make one for them if they do not have a cluster already. This way, you could play to your opponent's weakness, where I have been advocating to only notice what is on the table. The difference is to do it intelligently and thoughtfully. You are playing to their weakness because that is a better option than kicking at a dangerous ball that could give away the game in one shot. There are almost always exceptions to most rules, and this is one.

Viewpoints of a lower skilled player . . . It is almost always nervousness that gets the best of you in this matchup. You often feel like the match won't be fun for you if you think this player will run out all the time, or this kind of pressure is just overwhelming at your experience level. You have to take this as an opportunity! Normally, when a SL2 is put up against a SL7 (8-ball), it is rarely with the expectation that you will be the favorite in the matchup. You do not need to feel any pressure that you have to win exactly.  All you can do, and all anyone on your team can (or should) expect, is that you will do the best you can to make the balls that you are able to make at the given time. I would hate to see you miss balls because you believe that there is added pressure. I know we all want to win, and you can! You will come to find out, the first step to winning more often is when you quit caring about winning so much. I'm not saying don’t be competitive. You should want to do as well as you can based solely on that, wanting to do well for you. Playing this way will result in a win more times than if you are focused more on winning versus playing as well as you can. Again, do not be focused on the "win," but instead be focused on playing as well as you can.

When you find out that you have been thrown up against a higher skilled player, welcome the challenge! So many SL4s and SL5s wish they had the opportunity to play these great players more often. As the saying goes, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." It is almost always a greater victory to defeat someone who is widely respected, and I guarantee you, if you are the person to make a SL7 "fall," it will definitely make your night, and encourage you. To some, playing like that could definitely be viewed as a "risk." There you are, center stage in front of no less than 10 people, playing this highly skilled player. Again, with great risk, comes a great reward.  But what really is this risk to you? You get the opportunity to play this higher skilled player, with no true expectation (other than your own) to win. You really are in the best spot possible if you think about it. All the "glory" but really, no risk. The risk to some is their own ego; losing in front of these people. SL2s and SL3s need to be realistic here. If someone has an ego, it should be owned because someone truly has an ability worthy of having an "abundant confidence" about it. If you are a SL2 or SL3, you simply aren't there yet. It is like if I were to get upset or embarrassed trying to par a hole playing golf at Torrey Pines. I have only played golf sparingly; what business do I have getting upset or having an ego playing something I have not put that much practice into? I enjoy playing golf for the sheer fun of it, and you should feel the same way about pool.

If you come across a higher skilled player that is complaining that they have to play you, let them complain. This only makes them shoot not as well as you may have seen them play others of their caliber. There are many problems higher skilled players make for themselves while playing you; take advantage of that. Just try to play your game the best you know how. Do not get nervous because of who they are. Just try to make a ball.  Think of a way that you can move your ball in front of a pocket that would obstruct your opponent from pocketing a ball, something simple. Just push balls around if you can't make one, in a way that you feel would be the most difficult for them to run out. That's it.

In the end, it's about welcoming the challenge no matter what skill level you are. For the higher skilled player, it is accepting the challenge as presented and digging deep for the discipline to play everyone the same. You need to play "tight and right" against anyone you play. For the lower skilled player, it is about having the opportunity to really be the star that night, to stand out above all the expectations, and do what you may think is, "the impossible." How fun is that? That is why I have played pool for all of these years. I appreciate the "dare to be great" situations that I have been in, and many times, have risen above. My life has been enriched from being presented with these challenges in pool, and has helped me in many other facets of my life.

I welcome any comments or questions you may have!  Please email me at tina@tinapawloski.com.

Adjustment!

Great Falls, Montana… Rock Springs, Wyoming… Pueblo, Colorado… North Platte, Nebraska… St. Charles, Missouri… Decatur, Illinois… Indianapolis, Indiana… King’s Island, Ohio… Valley Forge, Pennsylvania… Las Vegas, Nevada… New Orleans, Louisiana… Utica, New York… Bangor, Maine… Jacksonville, Florida… Houston, Texas… Los Angeles, California… Moscow, Russia… Kiev, Ukraine… Malaysia… Singapore… Barbados… The Bahamas… and on, and on, and on! Wherever “Dr. Cue” goes or, better said, wherever “Ms. Cue” sends him, I have discovered a recurring necessity in each show, tournament, clinic, and challenge match — adjustment, adjustment, and adjustment!

Adjustments for the speed of the table… adjustments for cushion rebound angles… adjustments for clean versus not-so-clean pool balls… adjustments for different cue and tip experiences… adjustments for a headache or muscle pain… adjustments for loose and tight racks… adjustments for opponent attitudes… adjustments for the weather (which seems to affect everything) and a myriad of adjustments for hundreds of other environmental, human, and billiard physical properties!

With all these considerations, it is a wonder that we ever play well. All is not lost, however. I remind you of five key elements for game success, to help each of you overcome most problematic situations and/or conditions that sometimes appear too overpowering. Learning the following golden nuggets of an enlightened game approach will surely take you to new heights, and give you an understanding of how to handle the little and big things that cause us to stagnate and question our abilities.

Many of you have studied these principles as a positive and growing APA League player— gaining insight via the vast locations we have taught at and shows we have performed over the years, and at specific venues at the APA national events in Las Vegas. Whenever and wherever we meet, please don’t hesitate to ask me specific or general questions on these important instructional keys to game success. In addition, my RACK UP A VICTORY book and videos will help you in your journey to playing excellence. For instructional/product information and/or show/clinic tour details please visit my Web site or e-mail me: www.drcuepromotions.com; drcue@artisticpool.org

I write this post for all players who are serious about doing as well as they can at Nationals. In past events, I have watched a lot of players get a bit crazy about being in Vegas. If you truly want to win an event of this caliber, you have to forget that you are in Vegas and ignore the whole "party" atmosphere. Wait until the event is over for your team before starting to get involved in all that goes on other than pool. You are there to accomplish a goal—one that your team has been qualified to do based on the performance you have shown during the season. You have relatively the same shot at the National title as any other team that goes there. You are going to be playing the best of the best from around the country. Your team merely having the best SL4 and SL6 and a super SL7 probably won't be enough for you to just go in and win it. I guarantee you that there are at least a hundred other teams with that same formula. You can't depend on this or that player to always be the winner for you now. The thing that is going to be the big determiner is not necessarily skill or how good you are at your Skill Level, but the smaller things that aren't given as much credence as merely practicing. I am going to share those with you now.

So, how to prepare?

Everyone knows you must practice. This doesn't mean going out with a friend and playing some games. This means setting up balls for shots that you may be having trouble with, or working on your stroke or speed. This is serious practice that involves focus and at least an hour of your time every day.

Even when I am getting ready for a bar table tournament, I still hit balls on a regulation size table. I believe that loosens my arm up the best, and since the pockets are smaller and the balls don't seem to slide in as much, I am really getting the correct feedback on whether I am making the balls or not. You do not need to practice on a big table if you do not want to. Just putting in time hitting the balls is good for you. Not only do you benefit from the practice, but when you go into the event, you will know that you put in the time to succeed, and you will have confidence going into the match. You have worked on your game—you know that—and you will play better because you know that.

You do not want to be the person who says, "Wow, I missed that ball because I haven't been playing; haven't had the time." All I am proposing is one hour a day. That means if you have to miss your favorite episode of ER, this is what you need to do to get ready. You shouldn't approach a shot thinking to yourself, “I always miss this ball.  I hate this shot.” Set up those shots and shoot them over and over. I promise you if you spend just 20 minutes of focused practice on most shots, you will not think of them in that way again. This is a big tournament, and if you truly want to win, you need to do everything possible.

Once you are there . . .

When you arrive in Vegas, it is a good idea to call a team meeting. The goal of the meeting is to get everyone on the same page with the expectations you have for one another. Talk about how important it is to do well. You should tell each other that you expect everyone to get an appropriate amount of sleep, practice time, and familiarity with the equipment as much as possible—and do not drink too much! Everyone should be accountable to everyone else. If you want to drink waaay too much, and have a good time playing drunk, go to the SWC. Don't get that Vegas experience of the SWC confused with the Nationals. This is “go big or go home.”  You can drink too much and play some Mini's if you want to have a good time drunk while playing. At least the outcome only affects you, not your teammates. This is not the Southwest Challenge; this is the big show. Many teams shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears to try to get to Nationals.

When I am at a big event, I really try to spend as much time as I can on the tables I will be competing on with whatever cue ball I will be playing with. There is no way your team should be going into its first match without having spent a good amount of time getting acclimated to the tables. The cloth is newer, the balls cleaner, and the humidity is less than what you are probably used to playing on or with. Everyone should get familiar with those things, so the shot with follow on the 8-ball in the first game doesn't follow the ball in because they didn't understand that the table would play that fast. When I am at a tournament, I spend hours (and however many dollar coins that amounts to) to feel right with the equipment. You and your team should do the same.

More on the mental side of things . . .

When I know I have a match coming up at, say, 5:00 p.m., I start preparing hours before. I make sure that I have eaten something not very heavy (nothing fried for sure) at least 2 to 3 hours before; never right before a match. You do not want to be newly digesting something as you are playing. Food should never be a factor in anything while you are at the table.

While you are on your way to the tournament room . . .

When you are walking down that long hallway, imagine yourself playing your best pool. Prepare by seeing yourself make everything with that great stroke you have felt. Concentrate on exactly what it felt like to play that way. Playing great (really great) usually never involves someone just showing up, but by making oneself ready for greatness.

I never walk into the tournament room 15 minutes before my match. I want to give myself a chance to be a part of the environment, the smells, the temperature and the noises. I go early and watch a good match already in progress. I continue thinking about pool, being engrossed in only that. I get my mind ready for a high level of competition. I feel very calm and focused. I try not to talk to anyone at this point anymore. Of course, that is different when you on a team, but keep your conversations on the task at hand, not how troublesome your new dog has been at home, or how you just had some new floors put in.

While in a match . . .

There are many things you can do to keep yourself steady while in a match. This first thing is to NOT GET ANGRY. I know that you are feeling a lot of pressure, but getting angry only worsens it. Everyone knows that getting angry doesn't help them with the next shot, but people still have outbursts. I used to show emotion when I missed, but while reflecting on it I found I was doing that for everyone else, a performance within a performance you could say. Years ago I worked on sitting down and waiting for my next shot after a miss. I didn't curse or scream at anything. You need to remain on an even keel emotionally at all times. That means do not get extremely happy with the great shots, and do not grieve over the bad ones.

Between games, I smile with my teammates a little, and acknowledge a good shot on the 6‑ball or whatnot, but never in the middle of an inning or during the game. This concept might seem odd for many people. Try playing very focused and calm throughout the duration of a match, and I know you will see the difference. I have a good time at this game, not necessarily while engaged in it, but as I reflect on how good I played. Winning a match is not just making good shots, but knowing how to persevere and win through a match filled with bad ones. Staying even-tempered is one way to achieve this.

If you do miss a shot, when you go back to your chair, consider instead what happened. Do not waste your time saying some choice words to your teammates about the shot. Instead, think to yourself: “Did I stand straight up from the shot?”  “Did I change my mind during the shot (what english to use) and not get back up and readdress?” “Was I generally unsure of what to do and I shot anyway?” You do not need other people to help you to play better. If you spend your energy constructively by staying actively aware of yourself in your game instead of getting angry and cursing, you can fix most problems that happen on your own.

About the rolls . . .

When playing 9-Ball, I have heard many people complain about the "rolls." To me, there are none. Why? A long time ago, I would get upset when someone was slopping in balls or would hit a ball and got safe on me. Getting angry as explained above, would affect my game immensely. It was when I realized that the only reason that person got a roll was because I gave them the opportunity to shoot. I missed that position on the 5-ball because I rushed the shot, didn't make all the necessary decisions in my pre-shot routine, and so I missed. It makes no difference to me three balls later if they end up slopping a ball in or leaving me dead safe behind the 9-ball trying to shoot the 8-ball. I gave them the opportunity to shoot because of my mistake; therefore, my fault. End of story. Since then, I have never gotten upset at a roll, ever.

I think this post is long enough for now! Teams, just show up and be smart about why you're there. Do everything you can to make as successful a result as possible. I just wanted to share some suggestions of things that I did at pro events that helped me that you may not be aware of.

“I Think I’ll Transfer!”

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 2.4

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 4 minutes, 48 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: Place cue ball (c) on center spot of table; 2-ball on center edge of pocket TC and 1-ball 12 inches from 2-ball, and on the straight line created by the cue ball and 2-ball. Good form and perfectly square hit on 1-ball required. DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALL(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: Shoot cue ball with maximum draw to target aim (a1) and additional aim target (a2), which is where the 1-ball must contact the 2-ball to not only make it, but also be made itself. With success both 1-ball and 2-ball will drop in pocket TC.

Ball In Hand “Shortcut!”

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 2.3

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 4 minutes, 36 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: Place 8-ball on foot spot; Freeze 9-ball to (8) toward foot cushion side and straight in line with 8-ball as though you are spotting 2 balls one behind the other. With cue ball-in-hand due to a scratch or foul situation, place cue ball straight in line with 8-ball as we look at diagram and as close as possible to (8) without touching it. DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALL(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: With the elevated cue stick, shoot (snap) the cue ball (c) and use (a) as an aiming aid for the shot. (a) is exactly opposite the 9-ball as diagramed. The cue ball will hit the 8-ball causing the (9) to shift slightly, then carom (9) to TR!!!

APA Member Question to Tina Pawloski . . .

When I practice, my performance level is almost always better than my play in tournaments. Obviously, the desire to do well when it counts—for myself and my team—creates that tiny bit of tension that gets in the way of playing to my abilities. I would suspect that I'm not alone with this problem. Now we (in the APA) are just out there having fun. You have competed at the highest level, playing against the best in the world, for your livelihood. How did you deal with the pressure and what advice do you have for us?  Thanks.  Cliff — San Diego APA Chapter

Tina’s  Reply . . .
Thanks for the question, Cliff!   Getting rid of nervousness mostly is accomplished from good old fashioned seasoning, just playing a lot of matches and as many tournaments as you can.   That is why my playing on a semi-pro regional tour first, for as long as I did, really helped me. There is just no getting around good old-fashioned time spent in the heat of battle to get used to what that feels like. It was a combination of just playing a lot of matches and a few realizations I made along the way that ushered me along the path of getting to the point of pretty much not being nervous at all. I will share some of those realizations here with you today, and some general tips in the moment for dealing with nervousness.

Going to the bathroom!  
This is the good old standby most will advise you to do when they notice you being nervous. Okay, that is all fine and well, I guess, and in my earliest days I did go try to "take a breather." I would sit in the stall, trying to breathe, get my heart rate down. I'm not sure that this method helped me a good percentage of the time. It was what I learned later after the realizations I was having that allowed me to think about what I should be thinking to help me overcome my nervousness. I found that just going in there to get my heart rate down was fleeting, but once I was back at the table with the cue in my hands, it would invariably go back up again. This is a good place to start, but do not to stop just here.

Mental exercises during a match . . .
Do what you can while in a match to not get worked up. As I have said to some of my students, the way to play is to "not grieve over the missed shots, and not rejoice on the great ones." What this means, especially if you watch me during League play, is that I stay as emotionally even as I can the entire match. I do sometimes "ham it up" with my opponent during APA League play, because when I play in this arena I am simply trying to have a good time. But mostly, you will see me adhering to my old practices when I was playing in the semi-pro and professional tournaments.  When you miss [a shot], do not get mad or curse.  

Indulge me as I veer off on a tangent for a moment and give this piece of advice:  Use that opportunity while you are sitting down to go over in your head the true reason why you missed [that shot].   If you are a SL2 or SL3 and sometimes a SL4, the reason you miss most of the time is because you just aren't good at making balls yet. But any person above that rating really needs to use the time after a miss to think about why you missed it. I just had this conversation with Jason Yeagst (SL6 in 8-Ball) at the Library a week or so ago. He was telling me how he lost his match after missing a straight in ball and gave the match away.

"What made you miss the ball?" I asked him, and he replied, "Oh, I don't know, I just missed it."
And I said, “No really, what were you thinking about when you were addressing the ball?" and he replied, "I don't know." I asked, "Did you make sure you got in line and addressed the ball properly?" and he said, "Yes." So I let it go, and I started talking with someone else.  About 5 minutes later Jason turned to me and said, "You're right!"  And I said, “Yes, of course!"  “What about?"  Jason went on to say, "I was thinking about something on the straight in shot. I was thinking about how I didn't get the position I wanted to get on the next ball, so being a little angry about that, I just got down and shot it.  I mean, it was straight in!"   I smiled, "Hallelujah!"

A SL6 who missed a straight in shot. Should he have missed the straight shot? No. Let's explore why he did, and why higher skilled players will miss these balls from time to time. So the tangent part (that we are still on) is that he missed because he was thinking of something other than just pocketing the ball. When you are standing before a shot, before you get down on it, you need to make all of your decisions about what you are going to do.  What english to use or not, and visualize the path the cue ball is going to take to get to that destination. What happens is that sometimes we'll get down on shots we aren't sure of, such as you are not sure if after you hit the ball, trying to get position, if your cue ball will really hit the rail between those two balls to get position over there. You are afraid you will not draw the ball enough, or anything else that you have doubts about. Again, before you shoot the ball while you are standing, you have to have made a concrete decision before you get down. Fully commit to a plan that you are going to execute as you are standing. Do not make these decisions when you are down on the ball, because it was straight in. Indecision is what causes people to miss. Thinking of anything other than the shot at hand will make you miss. Make sure that when you are down, that shot is literally your world.

So even though I could write a couple of more thoughts about this, I will go back to the spirit of the post and off the tangent—the mental side of that shot.

Now, still on the Jason example, there is another reason he missed that shot. He was angry. He was perturbed he didn't get the perfect angle he was aiming for. He has the ability to put spin on this ball and get there another way, that isn't the problem. He could have gotten that same perfect shape on the next ball for sure! He missed this ball and the match because he was angry, and he took it for granted.

Angry much? 
Keeping "even" as I was writing above is really exemplified by my conversation with Jason. If you do not allow yourself to get angry, you do not make the mistake Jason did. You will notice if you ever watch me play that when I miss, even if it is the case 8, that I just simply go sit down and wait for my turn. While I am sitting, I ask myself why I missed that ball. Sometimes it’s because I adjusted when I was down, because I didn't think I was cutting it enough. So next time, I know that I will trust my fundamentals when I get down in line with the shot, that I am seeing it right, and not to second guess myself. I teach all my students how to address a ball properly, walk into a shot properly, and that there should only be the need to make the slightest adjustments while you are down. If you have to make more than just the slightest [adjustment], then you need to get back up and readdress [the shot]. Although I do this well, I am prone to some bad decisions myself at times. Because I take the time to constructively ask myself, “Why?” when I miss, instead of getting angry (which doesn't help you at all), I am reminded next time to get up and readdress, instead of potentially developing a bad habit.

Other questions may include, "Did I feel out of line, and shot anyway?" or "Did that waitress that walked right in front of me distract me, and I shot anyway?" or "Was I worried that I was taking the wrong shot, but did not make a concrete decision to shoot it, no matter the outcome?"

I used to be an angry player. When I missed, I made sure that whoever was watching on the rail saw the frustration.  It was like I was playing for them, that they needed to know missing that [shot] doesn't happen that often (when it did!), and they should know I was frustrated about it. Phooey!! I learned over the years what those people watching think of you is fleeting, and will change day by day. I quit playing to impress the people after that. I was inspired to change this initially by watching now pro player, Louis Ulrich, play over 12 years ago. Even when he was a teenager, when he was playing, you could never tell whether he was winning or losing.  If he was stuck 5K or up 5K, he looked the same sitting in the chair, during his match, gambling or otherwise. I recognized that is what it took to be a champion. It took me about two weeks to get out of the bad habit to wanting to make some sort of face either in anger or to the audience. I did it though, and it truly was transforming.

No rejoicing, either. What?!!
To stay even, you must also not get too happy when you make great shots. Many times people have watched me play and have seen me jump balls in during my match. It was a skill I learned out of necessity when playing in tournaments, and have been useful in a few of my APA matches. Those same people will also attest that they do not see me pumping my fist, or smiling or shouting a "woo hoo!" I shoot that shot, and then shoot the next shot. That is all. During a match, if you make a great shot, just keep shooting as if you made a ball straight in 4 inches from the pocket, and when you miss, sit down and calmly wait until your next shot, if you get one. If you lost the game because you missed a shot, own that, and go rack the balls. Remember it.  Practice it later so it will not be a reason that you lose a game again. You do not want to be in a game situation in the next week of play and that same shot that you missed (the game clincher!) comes up again. I am not saying that every time you miss it’s because of something mental; sometimes you just miss.  But if it was a truly easy shot [that you shouldn’t have missed], you need to ask yourself why. After a match is over, be really excited over a well executed shot and talk it over with your teammates—but only when the match is over!

Some realizations . . .
Nervousness, like any emotion, can be cultivated. When you realize you are nervous about something, you can either do all you know to squash it, or you can make it worse. Here are some ways to make it worse:

1. Tell yourself, "OMG, I am so nervous!"
2. Think to yourself what this match means to you or your team.
3. Treating the 9-ball or the 8-ball different than any other balls on the table, assigning them more value.
4. Seeing someone you respect watching your match and thinking, "OMG, I want to impress them!"

These are just a few of the ways that you can "cultivate" nervousness. If you sit and think to yourself how nervous you are, or talk to other people on your team while you are playing, you are not defeating it, but allowing it to take hold of you. Stop! Do not sit and think to yourself if you win this match you will win MVP, or your team will take over first, etc. This puts pressure on you to play when your whole perception of the situation should be different.

What I do is play the best I can shot after shot. If playing my best results in a win, then I win the match. I do not have the goal set in my mind that I want to "win this match." I just approach the table and each and every shot the best way I know how, and execute it to the best of my ability. I have lost matches when I really played the best I could, and that is okay!  I wholeheartedly congratulate [my opponent] on a job well done.

One of my pet peeves, when I am playing, is if someone is sitting in my line of sight as I am getting down to shoot either the 8 or 9-ball, and that person gets up and moves. Stay there!! What someone is doing is assigning value of a greater importance to those balls. To me, and to other higher level players, if I miss the 4 in the beginning of the game, I assume I have lost already. I always play—no matter who I am playing—if I miss, I lose. Moreover, when you are shooting (whatever level you are) and you say to yourself, "OMG, it's the 8; God, I better make this!" you are creating or making worse the nervousness! Don't do this! Treat shooting the 8-ball as calmly as when you shot the first stripe that started your inning.

I have had a lot of people say to me (especially my students) that I make them nervous when I watch them play. They are always wondering if they are taking the right shot, if I would approve, etc. First, I am usually not really watching you play. A lot of times I am just watching balls roll around and not judging anything. Even if I, or any other player/person you respect, were watching, you can't be nervous here either.

It's like a nightmare, isn't it . . .
I used to get nervous when players that I respected a lot watched me play/practice when I was in the poolroom. One of the realizations I made is that I knew playing nervous didn't help me. I sat there and just reasoned with myself. I knew I was missing balls that I would never miss because I was intimidated by them. I ended up just saying to myself, "This isn't helping me. I am going to play like I know how, and in the end, I will play right, how I am supposed to. No more  letting how I feel get in the way. Stop it now, and play through it."

So I did, and it worked! I remember one of the first times this thinking worked for me. Keith McCready still lived in LA at the time, and I was playing at Hardtimes, LA's premier poolroom. I was just warming up for one of their weekly tournaments, and he was sitting there talking to my friend near the table where I was shooting. I ended up breaking and running that rack before he walked away.  He said to me, "I hope I don't have to play you!"  Boy, I can tell you the feeling I had hearing that from a legend was better than letting that nervousness get the best of me!

Lastly, before this article becomes a full length novel, I leave you with this. The last kind of epiphany I have had while playing this game came about 6 months ago. It was when I fully realized that I was missing some shots because of some sort of lingering doubt I had when I went to shoot them. This doubt could be either caused from nervousness, or indecision. I declared to myself when I felt any inkling of this at all, "Remove all doubt, and shoot this ball. Remove all doubt, and do it clearly." I knew in all my years of experience how many times I missed because of these things, and I knew what they felt like even before a shot. Instead of now continuing to shoot it, I wait, take a deep breath, and shoot it as clear of mind as possible.

Please email me with your questions!  I am happy to help you with any issues you may be having with the game or general questions. 

• Do I have any problem balls?

The first thing you do when you come to the table during your inning is ask yourself if you have any problem balls.

If the answer is YES:

• The problem balls need to be addressed first. You have to see if there is a way to break these balls out. Is there a ball near the cluster that you can use to do this? If so, you must immediately play to get on that ball.
  
• Do not shoot a ball in the corner; shoot another in the side, then another in the other side to get yourself down on the foot rail for position to shoot the breakout you should have done in the first shot. You have just shot what I call your "saver" balls.
  
• When you shoot a ball to break out two balls that are tied up, you should not play position for the balls you are breaking out. One of those two balls is ideally not good to be your next ball.
  
• This is why it is good to have a "saver” ball—a ball that is up in front of a corner, or hanging the side. Something that you can shoot to get your position on something else or even one of the two balls you just broke out.
  
• I am telling you to play position for a known ball, versus an unknown (the clustered or tied up balls).
  
• To the higher skilled player, having many balls of your suit on the table are not obstacles, but options. It is very important for you to change your thinking on this. You do not simply start shooting your balls because they are there and out in the open when you have problems elsewhere.

If the answer is NO:
If you have no problem balls, and the balls are out in the open, you can proceed to the YES portion of No. 2 Can I run out?I have seen many people come to the table and start shooting various balls they have in the open and then save their problem balls for last. You cannot do this! Any ball you choose to start the inning with is to get you in position to break out that cluster.

• Can I run out?

If you have no problem balls, the answer to this should be yes for a SL5 or above.

If the answer is YES:

• Start at the 8-ball and work backwards. The game is played a bit like straight pool.
  
• First, look at where the 8-ball is, and then pick a key ball. A key ball is the easiest ball for you to shoot before the 8 that gives you the simplest shape for the 8. Ideally, you want to be able to shoot the ball straight in the side with stop, and with that, your cue ball position would be perfect for the 8.

• In the example posted below, if you have solids, the 1-ball should be used as the key ball. You would not want to choose the 4-ball or 3-ball as key balls in this situation because they are below the 8. You could under hit one of these balls trying to get above the 8, so shape would be speed dependent. The 1-ball is the choice because you could hit it in the side and stop, and you are perfect on the 8 without having to depend on speed or angle for the most part.

• So, continuing backward from the 1, the 2 looks like a good ball to get straight on the 1, the 3 looks like the ball to get on the 2, and the 4-ball would be the one to start with. So again, 4,3,2,1 then the 8.

If the answer is NO:

• The answer would be “No” if you cannot break out a cluster; there are no balls to get you there. In this instance, you would not hit one of your balls in until you knew you could run out. If you tried to break out a cluster, and failed, you must stop! Play safe here. Do not continue shooting balls if you find there is no other way to break out a cluster.

• Do not shoot 3 of your open balls in, and then play safe. You would be making it very easy for your opponent to play safe on you. Remember, these balls are options for you, and obstacles for your opponent.

The above strategy covers most of it.  I welcome your questions at tina@tinapawloski.com.

The Doctor Is In – A Secret of Sorts

As each of you approach local, regional, and national events in the APA League system, I hope you are experiencing victory in your practice and competitive play modes. In this regard, I want to provide you with a secret of sorts to improve your league and tournament performance.

!@#$%^&*()_+ — Something is definitely wrong!!
L@o$o^k*S)h+arp — Better, but still not right!!
Lo#ok^Sh(ar+p — Warmer, keep trying!!
Look%^Sharp — You’re almost there!!
Look Sharp!! — Now you’ve got it!!

The above chameleon text holds within its pattern a golden nugget of instruction—to correct specific glitches in a player’s mechanical movements, before, during, and after a shot. The foundation of this analogy is based on an in the present mode by me, as I type each line, and then review it. Making the appropriate changes as I go, from line to line, is a necessity to eventually get the last line to Look Sharp!!

In a similar light, you can enter an in the present training mode to your game components. Back in 1913, Welton Harris, the grandmaster of billiard instruction, created teaching techniques that produced some of the greatest champions and teachers our sport has ever known. Maurice Daly, Walter Lindrum, and Joe Davis became crusaders for the champion’s wisdom of Harris, using this proven method. I have been using similar techniques for years now with player-friendly results in clinic presentations; therefore, I would like to pass these elements of training success and player improvement along to you in a written rendering for your reference and application to your game.

An instructor’s analysis/diagnosis of a student has minimal value, if some method of corrective remedy is not prescribed for an existing glitch or glitches. Pre-stance, chalking efficiency, alignment, stroke, and/or the obvious errant movements of grip, bridge, head, and other body parts can all cause a player to play poorly and look dull. A less than professional image can give away percentage points of confidence to an opponent who is a student of the game himself or herself. Many of the games we lose are the direct result of not looking sharp at the table in our preparation and execution skills.

What is truly amazing about this in the present training technique is that each of you has been using it most of your life— without a pool table in front of you. The secret? A mirror! How simple! The process of prepping yourself to Look Sharp occurs each morning; if something looks dull or out of place, you correct it in the present with a trustworthy feedback deep from within the mirror’s reflection.

Imagine looking in a mirror and seeing yourself chalking the wrong end of your cue, stepping erratically into a contorted body/stance position, swinging the cue in a wild twisting hand/wrist/arm movement, pumping oil with the lower arm in relation to the upper shoulder hinge, and/or jumping mightily up from a final stroke movement with your head or upper body. What would you think if you saw these glitches destructing your game? You probably would agree it would be time for a transformation to a new you in the game you love. You can correct any glitch of muscle memory or pre-stance by talking to yourself in the mirror until the correction is made with comfort in a reinforced subconscious image implant. Tuning yourself to Look Sharp in a mirror—with each mechanical component in its proper order and movement—will allow you to take the new you in the mirror to the table. It is okay to talk to yourself in the mirror as you correct each glitch. Do not accept the you in the mirror, just settling for second best in your poolplaying image! Note: Don’t be alarmed that the image in the mirror is reversed! It still works!!

Prescription from “Dr. Cue”: One to two minutes a day in the present with a mirror for 3 to 5 days, and then every 3,000 games or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first! Chalk consistently on each approach, align body with cue under shoulder, step forward into down stance position, maintaining the cue/shoulder relationship, balance yourself with a parallel to the cue rear foot movement, start swinging the cue in a non-twisting and unrestricted motion of the hand/wrist/lower arm, with no upper shoulder/body/head movement, make a final, slow back swing, hesitate, and free flight the cue forward to the awaiting tip in the mirror.

Goal: Straight alignment and straight stroke motions…under the shoulder…with “2 tips” in a gentle unified perfection to each other.

Result: A new, improved you—Look Sharp, Be Sharp, Feel Sharp!!

Until next time, when The Doctor Is In.

“We’re very excited to work with The Black Widow.  We believe her image transcends the sport of pool, and we believe she will encourage non-poolplayers to pick up a cue and give our leagues a try,” said APA Public Relations Manager Jason Bowman.

Lee will be the official spokesperson for the APA and APA Pool Leagues and will appear in advertisements, commercials and other promotional materials encouraging people to compete in an APA Pool League..

First, a lower skilled player pockets balls less accurately and less often than a SL5. Because of this, we cannot teach someone who is under a SL5 the same strategy as a higher skilled player. Successful strategy for a SL5 and above is dependent upon the player’s shooting ability (once their suit is open) to clear the table.

This is not to say that you cannot help the SL2-4 play better 8-Ball! It is just as important that you play as defensively in 8-Ball as you would in 9-Ball when faced with a low percentage shot, or no shot at all. In 9-Ball, it is easier to decide what to do. It is easier to devise a plan when there is only one ball that you have the option of shooting versus the many options in 8-Ball. It should be standard that if you are faced with a very tough shot when playing 9-Ball and no reward for making it, (i.e., no position on the next ball) then you should play safe.

Often, I see this not being done in 8-Ball! I'll watch a player play smart 9-Ball, but then go over to 8-Ball and try to back-cut bank a ball because it is the only one they could see. Instead, they should push that ball in front of a hole controlled by the opponent's suit, or place it in a position to break out a cluster of their own balls where there was no ball previously in position. This is playing intelligent pool! If you push one of your balls squarely in front of one or more of my balls, you are almost guaranteed to get at least one more inning at the table. This applies when I am playing a SL3 or a SL7.

In reality, 8-Ball for SL2s, 3s and 4s is just a race to see who makes their balls first. When a SL3 plays another SL3, the game will be won 90 percent of the time by the person who has one ball left to make and the opponent has four or more. When I am coaching and watching lower skill levels play, I am more interested in helping them run the maximum number of balls. With a SL5 or higher, I would be more interested in them being able to run the full rack at the right time. Let me show you what I mean:

I would tell the lower skilled player to shoot the 5-ball first with a little top to drift down for the 6-ball. I would then hope after they shot the 6-ball, they could shoot the 4, and if we get a long run going, on to the 1-ball and 3-ball. I want them to make as many balls as possible, even though they have no feasible way of making the 8-ball.

I would tell the SL5 and higher to shoot the 4-ball and stop the cue ball right where it hits the 4. As explained in my strategy article for higher skill levels, you should never shoot a ball in until you know you can run out. Because the 8-ball is so obscured, with no ball in position to break it out, the higher skill level should not be shooting open balls until he can run out all the way. Shooting the 4-ball in this way puts it in position to break out the 8-ball in the next inning. Stopping the cue ball where it is leaves the opponent no good shot.

A lower skill level can incorporate a little of that into their game. Say that the SL3 can see 3 of his balls out in the open, but there is no pocket available for any of them. It is then that they should not try some back-cut bank, but instead say to themselves, "What ball can I shoot that would leave the cue ball in the worst spot for my opponent?" This is the basis for playing safe, but it doesn't mean that they have to completely hide the ball. When the SL3 is playing another SL3, sometimes it is good enough to try to get the ball to freeze against the end rail, so they would have to bridge flat on the rail. Sometimes a fair amount of distance is enough to earn another inning at the table when the other player only has one ball left. These are some things you can do as a lower skilled player without taking a time out. When you are thrown up against a higher skill level player that can make these long shots or rail shots easily, you would want to challenge yourself to come up with hiding the cue ball the best you can.

Another way of helping yourself when you have no shot is lagging your object ball in front of a hole, especially one that a ball of the opponent's suit is going toward. How much better is it for you when you have your object ball hanging in front of a pocket (and blocking one of their balls) instead of in the middle of the end rail? If you have no good pocket to shoot one of your balls in, consider banking it toward a pocket, or hitting the long rail above the pocket for you to get it closer.

Look at this example...

Webb overcame a three game deficit to defeat Kim in the final round.  The Black Widow Jeanette Lee and Gerda Hofstatter finished tied for 3rd Place in the San Diego Classic.

For more complete coverage of this event, visit www.wpba.com.

THE MOVE RULE!

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 1.2

CONFIDENCE FACTOR:
2 minutes, 24 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: 1-ball as diagrammed; Cue ball 4 inches from the 1-ball and placed so that it is aimed (a) at 1/3 of the 1-ball straight on line. The 2-ball is set straight in line with the cue ball on the TC-BC center line. The 2-ball is also 4 inches from the 1-ball. Maintain sound fundamental form and concentrate. DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALLS(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: Hitting cue ball at aim point (a) on
1-ball, the 1-ball goes left and the cue ball deflects to the right, leaving an open path for the cue stick to follow through to the 2-ball. The cue actually contacts the 2-ball for its make at TC!

ADJUSTMENT ANALYSIS: When striking the cue ball, if the contacted 1-ball hits the 2-ball, then your aim was faulty—adjust to the right slightly. If the 1-ball contacts the 2-ball again, you may not have the four inch spacing needed to be successful. Assuming all goes well with the cue ball and 1-ball getting out of the way and the 2-ball doesn’t move, extend more on follow-through. If you hit the 2-ball, but miscue off it or make a non-straight hit, then firm up that bridge! Raise your cue immediately and prepare to “move” out of town as you have just done the unthinkable. WARNING: FOR TRICK SHOT PURPOSES ONLY!

Straight follow-through cue extension causes cue tip to contact 2-ball! After contact with 2-ball immediately raise cue in air.

Not only has 23-month-old Keith Jr. picked up a cue, but he's pocketing balls left and right!  Keith Jr. was recently featured in a segment on CNN for his amazing knack at pocketing balls.

APA League play is a family affair for the O'Dells, who had their first date in a pool hall.  Keith plays both 8-Ball and 9-Ball and is rated a Skill Level 5 and 6 respectively.  Courtney plays on the 9-Ball team Keith captains and is rated a Skill Level 5.  It might not be long before Keith Jr. joins the team as well.

The National tournament was much bigger than Sprouse expected. He said his team had a great time at the event and enjoyed meeting a lot of new people. “There were a lot more people there than I expected,” Sprouse said. “There were both a lot of teams and spectators. A lot of teams from St. Louis were competing.”

The team played together in the League for about a year before advancing to Nationals. They were not expecting to win the inaugural tournament held at the Bel-Air Hilton Hotel in St. Louis January 31 - February 1, 1981. Twenty-five teams competed for $12,500 in cash and prizes, with the first place team taking home $3,500. “I was surprised to win,” Sprouse said. “Really, there were a lot better players than we were; we were just good on that day.”

According to Wayne, The Place II celebrated their win by using the prize money to have a party. The two-day tournament boasted more than 1,000 people and included trick-shot exhibitions by then Busch Pool League Commissioner Minnesota Fats and then Busch Pool Advisory Staff Pro Louis “St. Louie Louie” Roberts. For about 1-2 years after winning the National title, The Place II continued to play together.

Sprouse has been playing pool since he was in junior high; about 46 years now. He still enjoys playing for fun. Late last year, Sprouse moved from St. Louis to Louisville, Ky. where he currently works as the Chief of Prosthetics at a hospital. He has a wife, daughter and 2 grandchildren.

CUE BALL — AWAY!

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 1.1

CONFIDENCE FACTOR:
2 minutes, 12 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: Place 1-ball and 2-ball 2 inches apart and each ball 1/8-inch away from head cushion. Center near name plate or middle diamond of rail the entire setup. Cue ball over edge of two balls from above and head (eye) over cue ball aiming downward at ball edges. Body should be rock solid stance and head motionless, with hold on (c). DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALLS(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: With the thumb on one side of the cue ball and the index on the other, hold the cue ball over the two object balls below... 6-8 inches from cue ball. Sighting with eye over cue ball to balls below, drop cue ball and make (1) in TL and (2) in BL.

A "Change" In Your Game!

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 1.0

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 2 minutes per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: Cue ball as diagramed and 2-ball/3-ball on top of coin wrappers. One quarter coin wrapper standard length, while other quarter coin wrapper cut to 2 3/4" long. Note side view for placement as frozen object balls off table surface. Shoot cue ball under 2 balls on wrappers and make 1-ball placed on edge center of pocket TC. DOUBLE CHECK SETUP!

BALLS(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: With a normal fundamental form shoot cue ball under 2-ball and 3-ball. Coin wrappers will fly out and (2) and (3) will drop to surface, carom off each other and 2-ball will go in TC plus 3-ball in BC. Cue ball makes 1-ball at (a) in TC first.

The Snake Shot (15 Ball Combination)

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: 0.9

CONFIDENCE FACTOR: 1 minute, 48 seconds per day for 3 days

SETUP/POSITION: 15 balls in a snakelike setup across the table surface. Start with the 15-ball 6 inches from the corner pocket TL. Set up the 14-ball 3 inches from the 15-ball and each successive ball 3" back from the previous. Align by developing each "mini" combination so that 2 balls next to each other aim to the 3rd ball on either side of that set. DOUBLE CHECK!

BALLS(S) POCKETED/OBJECTIVE: Placing cue ball in a setup position straight in line with the first 2 ball combination, which is the (1)-(2) link, shoot and listen. The snake will sound like a clicking machine as the respective "mini" combinations make one big one (15-ball-TL).

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Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC

"Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"

1914 translation by H. Rackham

"But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?"

"But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?"

Section 1.10.33 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC

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