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Sep 13, 2004 :: The Science Of Tough Shots
The Science Of Tough Shots
When you are faced with a tough shot, you should not be concerned with making the ball.
When you do the twelve-ball exercise in “The Lesson” you will know what a tough shot is. If we focus our mind on the ball going in the pocket, we may not be able to deliver the committed stroke this shot calls for.
It’s like hitting a home run. If you swing for the fences, you pop the ball up to the infield. When you line up for the winning shot, you need to be concerned with the quality of hit.
The cue tip going through the cue ball is the only place where anything happens. The rest of the action is a result. Be one with the cue tip going through the cue ball.
You must place your feet in the proper stance so you can deliver a quality hit on the cue ball. You must be in proper alignment if you are to stroke the cue through the cue ball. You must follow your pre-shot routine and do not deviate.
If your only concern is the quality of your stroke you will increase your chances of success. If you are concerned with the score, you will forget about what it takes to score.
To often we get preoccupied with results. We look at the final elements of the shot. We see the pocket and forget the stroke. We see the fences and “swing and a miss”.
Let’s say it all together now.
“See the shot
Know the stroke
Shoot the shot”.
If we can keep it this simple we will have greater success. It is a simple as that.
