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Dec 06, 2004 :: Try The Monk's Shot of the Week
The SHOW (Shot of the Week)
Here is another fine opportunity to demonstrate the value of a punch stroke. We will be shooting the eight ball into the corner pocket and allowing the cue ball to travel three or four rails around the table for position on the nine ball. With a draw stroke the cue ball will lose speed. With a follow stroke you will scratch in the side pocket. Since the punch stroke does not alter the natural dynamics of the shot, you will be able to control your speed.
To master the punch stroke is to master the game.
The punch stroke gives you natural track lines. In other words, the cue ball goes where it wants to go. This is why Willie Mosconi used the punch stroke over seventy percent of the time. This is another reason to choose the punch stroke. It gives you natural speed. With the punch stroke you do not alter the natural track lines, and you do not alter the natural speed. Line up for Lesson Five and deliver a nice crisp punch stroke. Listen for the wonderful sound of a committed stroke. You do not have to slam the ball. And watch the cue ball travel around the table for perfect position on the winning nine ball.
If you travel three rails, and scratch in the corner pocket, give yourself added bonus points. You have just delivered a perfect punch stroke. This is a good lesson for working on your trust skills. You are close to the object ball. You have a cut shot. It looks like you will scratch in the side pocket. It looks like a hard shot to make. Yet you are required to trust yourself and deliver a punch stroke. The stroke does all the work. I talk about trust skills in my book I Came to Win. If you can trust yourself to do the right thing, you will experience better results. Too often we hold back, when a full commitment is required for success.
