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Pool Player's Edge
Great pool players know that competing successfully in tournament competition requires more than technical shotmaking skills. You also need to be able to execute them under pressure, read the table, anticipate your opponents' shots, and maintain your focus throughout the match. This advanced insight into the game is what Pool Player's Edge is all about. First, you'll learn the high-level skills and top-shelf shots:
-Stop, stun, and drag shots -Frozen ball shots -Banks and kicks -Combinations and caroms -Jump shots and curve ballsSecond, you'll learn how to incorporate these skills and shots into your overall table strategy (mapping the table), which gives you a superior plan of attack in every game you play. Consistently setting yourself up for the next shot by thinking ahead several shots becomes much easier—and more important—as you improve. Finally, you'll learn winning tactics for 8-Ball and 9-Ball. The book's three-dimensional diagrams showing ball position, cue placement, and shot execution will help you grasp the intricacies of the two games. You'll make smarter strategic decisions, be more confident, and perform your best consistently in competition. In addition, Pool Player's Edge features advanced mental focusing techniques for developing toughness under pressure. And the troubleshooting section is a great reference for even the best players. Authors Kanov and Stauch are veteran professional players and highly regarded teachers. Take advantage of their pro-level advice and you will soon be controlling the cue ball as never before and running the table much more frequently. And your opponents will soon learn that you have the pool player's edge.
-Stop, stun, and drag shots -Frozen ball shots -Banks and kicks -Combinations and caroms -Jump shots and curve ballsSecond, you'll learn how to incorporate these skills and shots into your overall table strategy (mapping the table), which gives you a superior plan of attack in every game you play. Consistently setting yourself up for the next shot by thinking ahead several shots becomes much easier—and more important—as you improve. Finally, you'll learn winning tactics for 8-Ball and 9-Ball. The book's three-dimensional diagrams showing ball position, cue placement, and shot execution will help you grasp the intricacies of the two games. You'll make smarter strategic decisions, be more confident, and perform your best consistently in competition. In addition, Pool Player's Edge features advanced mental focusing techniques for developing toughness under pressure. And the troubleshooting section is a great reference for even the best players. Authors Kanov and Stauch are veteran professional players and highly regarded teachers. Take advantage of their pro-level advice and you will soon be controlling the cue ball as never before and running the table much more frequently. And your opponents will soon learn that you have the pool player's edge.
232 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2003
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 29, 2018
Kanov, G., & Stauch, S. (2011). Pool player's edge: Superior shot making, 8-ball and 9-ball tactics, competitive focus (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Cue on the rail to check that your stroke is straight. - p. 7
Bridge length is 8-10 inches; bend the bridge arm slightly to reduce fatigue. - p. 11
Position the mechanical bridge 1-2 inches closer than your hand bridge; shoot centre ball. - p. 12
Cradle the grip with the centre two fingers. - p. 13
Pause at the backswing before the actual shot. - p. 16
Typical backswings are 13-15cm. - p. 18
Pre-shot cheat sheet:
1. Take a deep breath.
2. Survey the table.
3. Chalk up (before each shot).
4. Decide which ball goes in which pocket, and where the cue ball ends up.
5. Visualize the entire shot.
6. Commit to your plan.
7. Replace chalk near bridge hand.
8. Step forward into your shot & bend into your stance.
9. Focus & execute warmup strokes.
10. Shoot, staying down till object ball is sunk & cue ball stops.
- p. 19-22
Fraction theory: full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, thin cut - p. 24
Stand up taller if you can't visualize your shot. - p. 29
Object balls quarter or half frozen to the side rail can be forced in the side pocket. - p. 33
Glare reflecting off the balls quickly tire your eyes, especially for those with glasses or contacts; take frequent breaks or stare at a faraway point. - p. 37
Calibrate your centre shot with a striped ball, to check for wobbles. - p. 40
The maximum follow you need is one tip. - p. 43
If the cue ball cannot 'see' the near pocket, the bank shot will result in a 'double kiss'. - p. 57
Use some inside English for kick shots of >45° to counteract rail-imparted sidespin. - p. 60
To get an object ball to follow another in a combination, use draw on the cue ball. - p. 64
Draw and follow can oppositely influence the tangent line in carom shots. - p. 64
Use inside English to throw the cue ball back toward the tangent line in a billiard shot. - p. 66
For jump shots, elevate the cue butt only 20-30° and hit below centre; take a sideways stance with your elbow pointing to your right; look at where you want the ball to land. - p. 67-70
Uncommon jump shots:
•cue ball hitting an object ball above centre, which clears interfering balls, possibly into the pocket
•cue ball jumps into cushion and clears interfering balls on the rebound
- p. 69
Massés are set up similarly to jump shots, with English. - p. 70
Avoid putting your cue ball on the rail, as you're forced to shoot high; imagine the table six inches smaller from the margins. - p. 86
If unsure, bring the cue ball to the centre of the table. - p. 86
When no clear runout presents itself, play safe. - p. 87
Rather than breaking up a cluster while fouling, form another cluster even if it means fouling, so they can't run out with ball in hand. - p. 91
Leave object balls far from the rails when playing a safety, and the cue ball far from the object ball. - p. 91
Use follow (which reverses) or draw when playing a kick safety, so the cue ball stops quickly. - p. 92
How pros practice:
•spend time on the break
•run outs
•get CB to centre
•same shot, different CB ending positions
•snooker yourself, then kick
•learn from everyone, weak and strong
•get a coach
•don't play ghost, so you can redo a missed shot
- p. 102-104
When not your turn, focus on the cue ball. - p. 106
Don't overthink:
1. Keep it simple.
2. Play the percentages.
3. Take the path of least resistance.
- p. 107
Psychological success:
1. Balance between work & fun.
2. Blame yourself.
3. Respect your opponents, not fear them.
4. Don't give your opponent a handicap.
5. You can't control everything.
- p. 108-110
Start practice durations at 20min, and slowly increase to two hours. - p. 117
Warmups:
•straight shots
•bank shots to test rails
•rail cuts to see if table is flat
- p. 135
Key ball: the ball you use take get position on the 8-ball
Insurance ball: an easily-pocketed ball in case position play doesn't work
- p. 145
With ball in hand:
1. Break up clusters/trouble balls
2. Run out
3. Force three fouls
- p. 161
In a 9-ball rack:
•place 3 and 5 near 1-ball so they stay at the foot rail
•place 2, 4, and 6 at the back so they move at the head rail
- p. 179
When aiming for a bank, miss short so you might double it. - p. 209
Cue on the rail to check that your stroke is straight. - p. 7
Bridge length is 8-10 inches; bend the bridge arm slightly to reduce fatigue. - p. 11
Position the mechanical bridge 1-2 inches closer than your hand bridge; shoot centre ball. - p. 12
Cradle the grip with the centre two fingers. - p. 13
Pause at the backswing before the actual shot. - p. 16
Typical backswings are 13-15cm. - p. 18
Pre-shot cheat sheet:
1. Take a deep breath.
2. Survey the table.
3. Chalk up (before each shot).
4. Decide which ball goes in which pocket, and where the cue ball ends up.
5. Visualize the entire shot.
6. Commit to your plan.
7. Replace chalk near bridge hand.
8. Step forward into your shot & bend into your stance.
9. Focus & execute warmup strokes.
10. Shoot, staying down till object ball is sunk & cue ball stops.
- p. 19-22
Fraction theory: full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, thin cut - p. 24
Stand up taller if you can't visualize your shot. - p. 29
Object balls quarter or half frozen to the side rail can be forced in the side pocket. - p. 33
Glare reflecting off the balls quickly tire your eyes, especially for those with glasses or contacts; take frequent breaks or stare at a faraway point. - p. 37
Calibrate your centre shot with a striped ball, to check for wobbles. - p. 40
The maximum follow you need is one tip. - p. 43
If the cue ball cannot 'see' the near pocket, the bank shot will result in a 'double kiss'. - p. 57
Use some inside English for kick shots of >45° to counteract rail-imparted sidespin. - p. 60
To get an object ball to follow another in a combination, use draw on the cue ball. - p. 64
Draw and follow can oppositely influence the tangent line in carom shots. - p. 64
Use inside English to throw the cue ball back toward the tangent line in a billiard shot. - p. 66
For jump shots, elevate the cue butt only 20-30° and hit below centre; take a sideways stance with your elbow pointing to your right; look at where you want the ball to land. - p. 67-70
Uncommon jump shots:
•cue ball hitting an object ball above centre, which clears interfering balls, possibly into the pocket
•cue ball jumps into cushion and clears interfering balls on the rebound
- p. 69
Massés are set up similarly to jump shots, with English. - p. 70
Avoid putting your cue ball on the rail, as you're forced to shoot high; imagine the table six inches smaller from the margins. - p. 86
If unsure, bring the cue ball to the centre of the table. - p. 86
When no clear runout presents itself, play safe. - p. 87
Rather than breaking up a cluster while fouling, form another cluster even if it means fouling, so they can't run out with ball in hand. - p. 91
Leave object balls far from the rails when playing a safety, and the cue ball far from the object ball. - p. 91
Use follow (which reverses) or draw when playing a kick safety, so the cue ball stops quickly. - p. 92
How pros practice:
•spend time on the break
•run outs
•get CB to centre
•same shot, different CB ending positions
•snooker yourself, then kick
•learn from everyone, weak and strong
•get a coach
•don't play ghost, so you can redo a missed shot
- p. 102-104
When not your turn, focus on the cue ball. - p. 106
Don't overthink:
1. Keep it simple.
2. Play the percentages.
3. Take the path of least resistance.
- p. 107
Psychological success:
1. Balance between work & fun.
2. Blame yourself.
3. Respect your opponents, not fear them.
4. Don't give your opponent a handicap.
5. You can't control everything.
- p. 108-110
Start practice durations at 20min, and slowly increase to two hours. - p. 117
Warmups:
•straight shots
•bank shots to test rails
•rail cuts to see if table is flat
- p. 135
Key ball: the ball you use take get position on the 8-ball
Insurance ball: an easily-pocketed ball in case position play doesn't work
- p. 145
With ball in hand:
1. Break up clusters/trouble balls
2. Run out
3. Force three fouls
- p. 161
In a 9-ball rack:
•place 3 and 5 near 1-ball so they stay at the foot rail
•place 2, 4, and 6 at the back so they move at the head rail
- p. 179
When aiming for a bank, miss short so you might double it. - p. 209
June 1, 2017
What a great read for a beginner who wants to improve their game. Good book for someone who plays regular but wants to fine tune some.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews