| CHAPTER
1 - Position Play |
|
The Principles of Position Play
#1 - Fine Tune Your Speed Control *
#2 - Right Side/Wrong Side *
#3 - Plan for Three Balls at a Time *
#4 - Play to the Long Side Whenever Possible
#5 - The Correct Angle and Distance Equals Position
*
#6 - Know the Boundaries of a Position Zone
#7 - Enter the Wide Part of a Position Zone
#8 - Playing Down the Line of a Position Zone when
Possible
#9 - Survey the Table Before Shooting *
#10 - Ball in Hand Shape
#11 - Play Natural Shape as Often as Possible
#12 - Use Rail Targets
#13 - Plan Your Route and Avoid Obstructions
#14 - When to Play Area Shape
#15 - Margin for Error*
#16 - Play the High Percentage Sequence
#17 – Avoid Scratching
#18 - Pay Attention to Details
#19 - Keep the Cue Ball Away from the Rails and
Other Balls
#20 - Play Your Game
#21 - Use Your Imagination
#22- Know the Exceptions to the First 21 Principles
Playing Position in Straight Pool
Cueing
Stop shots, and Adjusting Them*
Soft Outside Draw *
Inside English
Draw Speed Control *
Stun Shots *
Draw/Stun Shot
Follow/Stun Shot
Pounding Balls with Speed and Accuracy
Holding Up the Cue Ball
Drawing Across the Table and Out
Floating Follow at Higher Speeds of Stroke
Bending the Cue Ball with Follow for Position
Pounding with Follow
Bending with Draw
Floating the Cue Ball for Precise Shape
Concepts and Fine Points of Position Play
Complementary Angles
Using the Rail Increases Your Options *
Balls Near the Rail – Ideal Angles
Balls in the Open – Ideal Angles *
How Pocketing Affects Position *
Nine-Ball Shape to a Straight Pool Position Zone
Short Range Position – the Essence of 14.1
Using Your Knowledge of the Balls to Play Position
Elevating Your Position Play when Necessary
Playing Position off a Combo
Side by Side Position
Side by Side Position Zones
Using the Cue Ball as a Target
The 2 ¼ Inch Rule
Minimize Cue Ball Movement *
Bumping Balls – Basics *
Playing Position on the Bumped Ball
Bumping Balls with Spin
Precision Ball Bumping
Avoiding a Double Kiss
Using Balls to Stop the Cue Ball *
Glancing off Balls for Shape
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| CHAPTER
2 - Pattern Play |
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Principles of Pattern Play - A List
Planning
Process of Elimination Planning
Play the Table – Don’t Force the
Issue
Labeling the Balls Correctly *
Don’t Play Position When You Already Have Position
Let the Shot Determine the Pattern
First Things First
Simplify the Table
Managing Risk
Pocket Choice
Testing Top Professionals
Side Pocket Shotmaking *
Using the Side Pockets to Their Full Advantage
*
Shooting to the Far Corner Pockets From the Break End
Learn to Think Diagonally
Connecting Balls
Multiple Possibilities
Resorting to a Plan B *
Have a Plan B Ready
Two Way Shots
Accidental Two Way Shape
Clearing Obstructions
Clearing a Pocket and then Some *
Opening Up Room for the Cue Ball
Clearing the Way for a Secondary Break Shot
Clearing a Pocket of a Row Blocker
Common Patterns
Circling the Table Picking off Balls
Circling Behind the Rack and Back Out
Useless Balls
Balls High Up in the Triangle
Linking Balls
One Shot– Two Big Results
Working on an Area *
When a Cluster is Not Really a Cluster
Working the End Rail with Inside English
Multiple Objectives in Congestion
Back and Forth Across the Table
Shooting Easy Combos Preserves Patterns
Picking off Balls on the Far End of the Table
One Rail Twice or Two Rails Twice
Keep An Open Mind
Grinding it Out
Playing for Luck
Conflicting Agendas
Saving Two Break Shot on the Same Side
Saving Two Break Shots on Opposite Sides
Using Balls on the Side Rail
Taking Balls off the Rail *
Short Side for Balls Along the Side Rail
Saving a Neutral Ball(s) When Possible
Dealing with Trouble and Avoiding Problems
Clearing the End Rail
Access Balls to a Danger Zone *
Access Balls to Trouble Balls
Avoid Tying Up Balls that Are Already Broken
Don’t Overplay a Shot
Avoiding the Domino Effect
A Hall of Fame Members Mistake
When the Obvious is Not So Obviously Wrong
Two Rails to Avoid Trouble
Beware of the Middle
Stuck in the Middle
Long Shots In the Middle of the Table
Balls Frozen To the Rail Next To the Side Pocket
When to Shoot a Break Shot Away
Balls At the Far End of the Table
Manufacturing Break Shots
Manufacturing a Break Shot *
Make a Break Shot and Play Shape on It
Two Rails to Create a Break Shot
Skillful Ball Bumping to Create a Break Shot
Manufacturing a Break Ball Using English
Advanced Break Ball Manufacturing
Manufacturing an Insurance Break Ball
Manufacturing Break Balls From All Angles
Playing Position on the Break Ball
Characteristics of the Ideal Key Ball *
The Can’t Go Wrong Key Ball
An Excellent Second Choice Key Ball
Stop Shot Key Balls
When to Shoot a Key Ball Prematurely
Key Ball in the Rack *
Side Pocket Key Balls
Side Pocket Key Balls (2)
A Key Ball Shot With Many Possibilities
Position Concepts At the End of the Rack
Down the Line Shape on the Key Ball *
A Difficult Across the Line Position Play
Maintaining a Constant and Shallow Cut Angle
Using a Shallow but Variable Angle to the Key Ball
When to Take the Second Best Break Shot
Risky Versus Conservative
Manufacturing a Key Ball
Risk is Well Worth the Reward
Covering a Mistake With Ball In Hand
End of Rack Patterns
The Key Ball to the Key Ball (KB2KB)
*
The Three Ball End of the Rack Pattern *
A Perfect End of Rack Pattern
The Magic 20-Degree Cut Shot
It’s So Easy to Go Wrong
A Classic Stop Shot Pattern
A Creative End of Rack Pattern
Work With What You’ve Got
Common Rack Ending Pattern
Leaving Balls in the Area of the Rack
Which Way Is Better?
A Very Typical End of Rack Pattern
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| CHAPTER
3 - Secondary Break Shots |
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Key Concepts for Playing Secondary Break Shots
*
Your Next Shot After a Secondary Break Shot
*
Know When to Stop Breaking the Balls
*
Three Ball Patterns to Secondary Break Shots
Precision Secondary Break Shots *
Insurance Balls *
The Pinball Effect
Secondary Break Shots to an Open Table
Partially Breaking a Cluster
Off the Rail Secondary Break Shots
Breaking Clusters on the Good Side
A Kiss to Watch Out For
The Overdrive Follow Break Shot
Explosion Balls
Breaking Without Insurance
Driving a Second Ball Into the Stack
Beware of Drawbacks on Break Shots
A Very Dangerous Break Shot
Breaking Into Jagged Edges
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| CHAPTER
4 - Cluster Management |
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Rules for Breaking Clusters *
Using the Tangent Line *
How the Cut Angle Determines the Path Into a Cluster
The Ideal Cluster Busting Scenario
The Perfect Cluster Break
Busting a Cluster When the Timing is All Wrong
The Cluster Busting Double Kiss of Death
Playing a Not So Obvious Cluster Break
Long Distance Cluster Busting
Precision Routing Can Save a Break Shot
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| CHAPTER
5 - Break Shots |
All About Break Shots
Pocket Openings On Break Shots
Break Shot Variables
Attacking the Rack
The Contact Point on a Ball
Speed of Stroke on Break Shots
How Cueing Affects the Cue Balls Path
Why the Cue Ball Sticks to the Rack
Scratching off the Side of the Rack
Dangers in the Break Shot
Side of the Rack Break Shots
The Classic Break Shot *
A Control Break Shot *
Back Cut Rack Blaster
Close To the Rail Break Shots
Shallow Cut Angles (P)
The Distance Principle On Break Shots *
The Ideal Draw Back Distance
Break Shot Stretch Distances *
Above the Rack
Follow Back Out Off the Low Balls
Shallow Angle Follow Shot
Ball in Hand Break Shots (P)
Low Break Shots
Side Rail Break Shots
A Basic Side Rail Break Shot *
Measuring the Cut Angle
More Side Rail Break Shots
Below the Rack Rail Break Shots
Break Shots With the Ball Off the Cushion
The Umbrella Break Shot
Behind the Rack Break Shots
Inside Follow Three Rails *
Behind the Rack Back Cut Break Shots *
Behind the Rack Draw Break Shot
Down the End Rail Break Shots
Down the Rail with Inside English
Down the Rail Cut Angles
Straight Out to the Corner Ball
Other Useful Break Shots
When the Break Shot is Very Close to the Rack
Pocket Hanger Break Shots
Head Spot Two Rail Break Shot
A Tough Two Railer
To Play or Not to Play
Side Pocket Break Shots
A Cut Shot From Center Table *
A Cut Shot from off Center
Side Pocket Hanger #1
Side Pocket Hanger #2
Backcut Near the Foot Spot
Two Rails to the Back of the Rack
Offbeat Break Shots
Two Rails Using Follow With Inside English
Twice Across the Table
Two Draw Shots Into the Rack
Jump Into the Rack Break Shot
Jump Into the Lower Balls
Run Saving Odd Ball Break Shots
Corner Ball Cross Side
Top Ball Cross Side
Long Rail Corner Ball Bank Shot
Carom off the Rack
Two Rails After a Side Pocket Bank
The Opening Break Shot *
Determining Who Breaks *
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| CHAPTER
6 - How to Run a Rack |
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The Three Phases of a Rack
Phase 1 - The Beginning
Phase 2 - The Middle
Phase 3 - The End
A Blueprint for Running a Rack
The Three Most Important Shots in Straight Pool *
The Stoplight Analogy *
Common Problems that Appear Regularly *
Run Out #1
Run Out #2
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| CHAPTER
7 - Safety Play |
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Key Elements
Goals *
Strategy
The Chess Game
Skill Shots
Skimming Balls *
A Masse Skim Safety
Skimming >From Long Range
End Rail Safety Zones *
Hitting the Safety Zone
Snuggling Up Against a Ball in the Open
Controlling the Roll of the Object Ball
Choosing Directions on End Rail Safety Play
Safety Maneuvers
Freezing To the Back of the Rack
Its Not Over Till Its Over
Pocket the Ball And Call a Safety *
Put Your Opponent in Jail
Creativity + Execution = A Winner
Off the Rail and Into the Stack
End of Rack Safety
Go to the Far End Rail and Back Out
Hitting Into the Side of the Rack and Sticking *
Hitting Into the Back of the Rack
Cover Two Sides at Once
Into the Top of a New Rack
Far End Rail Into the Back of the Rack *
Two Rails Into the Back of the Rack
Freeze the Cue Ball at a Pocket
Pass on A Long Shot that Leads Nowhere
Frozen to the Rack
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| CHAPTER
8 - Strategy |
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Early Game Strategies
Middle of the Game Strategies
End of the Game Strategies
Establishing Your Game Plan
Never Let Up *
Shot Selection
Playing Your Game *
Never Leave the Table on a Miss
Your Opponent
Your Opponent’s Play
While in Your Chair
Preparing for Competition
Maximizing Your Performance During Competition
Your Pace of Play *
Running Balls and Playing Safe
Strategies
Leaving a Shot that Leads Nowhere
Baiting Your Opponent with Table Length Break Shots
When the Game Is On the Line
Remember Your Opponent’s Fouls *
The Last Rack
To Shoot or Try To Outmove?
Intentional Fouls *
Some Common Scenarios for Intentional Fouls
When To Take Three Fouls In a Row
When Your Opponent is on the First Foul
End Game Score Reduction
Use a Foul to Set Up a Safety *
Playing an Intentional Foul After a Scratch
Adapting to the Playing Conditions *
Matching Your Stroke to the Table Speed
The Pockets
How the Balls are Breaking Apart
Cleaning the Cloth
The Balls
Lighting
The Not So Little things
Handicapping Straight Pool *
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| CHAPTER
9 - Shotmaking |
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Fundamentals *
Developing a Straight Pool Rhythm
Shot Selection *
Basic Shotmaking *
Shooting Softly *
Shooting Over a Ball *
Shooting Opposite Handed
The Mechanical Bridge *
Behind the Back
Long Shots *
Use a Short Stroke
The Wrist Stroke
The Dreaded Skid Shot
Viewing Obstructions Accurately
Cut Shots *
Frozen Cue Ball Table Length *
Combinations *
Frozen Combos *
The Critical 1/8th Inch *
Bank Shots *
Carom Shots *
Dead Carom Shots *
Billiards *
Near Dead Billiards
Miscellaneous Shotmaking
Rail First
Combining Shots
Curve Shots
Curve the Object Ball
Rack Shots
A Dead Rack Shot
Jump Shots
Choke Up Shot
Stretch Zones *
Leaning Out Over the Table
Kick Shots
When a Frozen Cluster Can Be Made
A Shot to Avoid *
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| CHAPTER
10 - Learning to Play Straight Pool |
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Introduction
*
Practicing Straight Pool *
Running Balls by Yourself *
Dissect Your Game *
Let Go *
Emphasize a Skill *
Practicing with a Friend *
Keep a Journal *
Making Your Own Diagrams *
Learning the Game *
Developing Your Skills *
The Donuts - a Reminder *
Position Play
Speed Control (1) *
Speed Control (2) *
Speed Control (3) *
Hitting the Big X *
Position Plays to Practice from Ch. 1
One Rail Directional Control *
Side Pocket Circle Drill *
One Corner Pocket Drill
Practicing Pattern Play *
Things to Practice from Chapter 2
Breaking Clusters *
Shots to Practice from Chapter 3
A Shot to Practice from Chapter 4
Break Shots
The 9/16" Solution
Break Shots Part Two
Practicing Long Distance Break Shots
How a Rack Breaks Apart
Break Shot Practice Tips
Break Shots to Practice from Chapter 5
The Opening Break Shot
Shotmaking Practice
Safety Play
Skimming Drills
Ball Control Drills
Safeties to Practice from Chapter 7
Strategy
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| CHAPTER
11- All About High Runs |
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How to Prepare for High Runs *
When You Are Playing
Analyzing Your High Runs
Why Runs Usually End
Significant Milestones *
Runs by the Numbers
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| Appendices |
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A Rules of the Game
B Keeping Score
C Glossary
D Great Straight Pool Players
E Learning from Videos
F Master Keys to Straight Pool
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Table
of Contents for
