trik bermain biiliard

The Lesson

By The Monk

Published by Samsara Publishing P.O. Box 365 Orange, MA 01364

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THE LESSON: Written by The Monk

Printed and bound in the United States of America.

THE LESSON: Copyright 2001 by The Monk. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Second Edition. First Printing. September 2001

Published by: Samsara Publishing Post Office Box 365 Orange, MA 01364.

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3Index To Pocket Billiards ExcellenceAllow the fulfillment to come to you. Resist the temptation to

chase your dreams into the world. It may take a little self-discipline,perserverance, and faith in your efforts. Be simple. Be faithful. Donot strain after the skills of the masters. It is sufficient to be quietlyalert and aware of them. The skills are here and now. Attend to yourinner health and happiness. Be still and quiet, and this material willbeckon at your feet.

The Monk 101 Program

The Monk 101 ProgramForeword ...................................................................................... 11The Ten Commandments ............................................................. 17Introduction ................................................................................. 19The Monk Clicks ......................................................................... 21The Back English System ............................................................ 29Play To Win .................................................................................. 34The Gerald Sobask Series ............................................................ 38

SECTION ONE: Basic Strokes and ShotsThe Four Strokes of Pocket Billiards ........................................... 43The Punch Stroke......................................................................... 47Have a Great Follow Stroke ......................................................... 56Stroke and English ....................................................................... 58Stroke Determines Track Line ..................................................... 60Consistent Track Line 1 ............................................................ 62Float to the Target ........................................................................ 64Rely Upon Your Stroke ................................................................ 66Gently Walk the Ball .................................................................... 67Float Down .................................................................................. 68Consistent Track Line 2 ............................................................ 69Bunt Shot ..................................................................................... 73

Have a Great Draw Stroke ........................................................... 75

The Draw ..................................................................................... 76

The Follow Through Draw ........................................................... 78

The Snap Back Draw ................................................................... 79

Follow Through Draw vs The Snap Back Draw .......................... 80

Snap Back Draw Vs Follow Through Draw ................................. 81

Rail Draw ..................................................................................... 82

Snip Draw .................................................................................... 83

The Snapper ................................................................................. 86

The Bouncer ................................................................................ 87

The Spin Stroke ........................................................................... 88

Spin for Position .......................................................................... 89

Develop Your Stroke .................................................................... 90

A Vital Series ............................................................................... 91

The Ultimate Stroke 2-7-2 Series ............................................. 94

Corrective Action ....................................................................... 115

Stun Stroke ................................................................................ 116

Stun Variation ............................................................................ 117

Slight Angle Stun Shot .............................................................. 118

Kicking Your Way to the Finals ................................................. 119

The Monks Famous 13 Ball Exercise ....................................... 122

Touch No Rails .......................................................................... 124

The Four Ball Exercise .............................................................. 126

Look Familiar? ........................................................................... 127

For Advanced Players Only ....................................................... 128

SECTION TWO: Mastering Shots

Punch Time ................................................................................ 135

Force Follow .............................................................................. 137

Enlightenment ............................................................................ 138

Be Free 1 ................................................................................. 139

Shot Ingredients ......................................................................... 140

Draw and Follow ........................................................................ 141

Different Stance for Different Shot ........................................... 142

Understanding Your Track Line ................................................. 143

The Slide Rule ........................................................................ 144

Stroke for Position ..................................................................... 146

Get The Stroke ........................................................................... 147

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Spin Your Way to the Finals ....................................................... 148

The Delicate Touch .................................................................... 149

Stun Forward .............................................................................. 150

Be Committed ............................................................................ 151

Overcut ...................................................................................... 155


Sneaky Strange .......................................................................... 157

Inside the Lines .......................................................................... 159

Take What Is Offered You .......................................................... 160

Four!!!! ...................................................................................... 161

The Power Glide ........................................................................ 162

Sight the Rail ............................................................................. 163

Jacking Up ................................................................................. 164

Skill Level .................................................................................. 165

Master Draw .............................................................................. 166

Kill Shot ..................................................................................... 167

Speed, Slide, Speed .................................................................... 168

Creative Draw ............................................................................ 169

Snappy Position ......................................................................... 170

Two Choices ............................................................................... 171

Bridgework ................................................................................ 172

Dont Fall Short ......................................................................... 173

Impossible!!! .............................................................................. 174

The Walker ................................................................................. 175

Same Stroke for Different Folks ................................................ 177

+5 Extended ............................................................................... 180

Slow Rollin With Speed ............................................................ 181

Spin Softly, Darling ................................................................... 182

Dont Cross My Path ................................................................. 183

Shock Effect .............................................................................. 184

Attack the Problem .................................................................... 185

Be Particular .............................................................................. 186

Road Kill ................................................................................... 187

Let Nature Take Its Course ....................................................... 188

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SECTION THREE: A Dynamic Workout Know When ............................................................................... 193

Two Rail Speed .......................................................................... 194

Back and Forth ........................................................................... 195

Nice Touch ................................................................................. 196

The Fearsome Foursome ............................................................ 197

Around The Horn ....................................................................... 198

Inside The Horm ........................................................................ 199

Stay Alert ................................................................................... 200

Get Past The Trouble .................................................................. 201


Embrace The Law of Least Effort ............................................. 203

Four Ball Force Follow .............................................................. 204

The Foursome ............................................................................ 205

Mid-Term Exam ........................................................................ 211

The Three Options ..................................................................... 214

Be Particular .............................................................................. 215

Play To Your Strength ................................................................ 216

A Snap Decision ........................................................................ 217

The First Shot Is The Key .......................................................... 218

I See, Therefore I Win ................................................................ 219

Be Free 2 ................................................................................. 220

A Spot Check ............................................................................. 221

Speed Control ............................................................................ 222

Having Fun With 2-7-2+1 .......................................................... 223

Knowing Your Lines .................................................................. 224

I Have Just Been Killed ............................................................. 225

Look Familiar? ........................................................................... 226

The Pattern From Hell ............................................................... 227

2-7-2+2 With Purpose ................................................................ 228

2-7-2+3 With Purpose ................................................................ 229

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SECTION FOUR: Strategy Play Smart Choice ............................................................................. 235

Straight Pool Shot ...................................................................... 236

The Grady Crunch ..................................................................... 237

Hide and Go-Seek ...................................................................... 238

Our First Safety ......................................................................... 239

Separation Stress ........................................................................ 240

One Mission At A Time ............................................................. 241

Nudge Me Gently ...................................................................... 242

A Tough Call .............................................................................. 243

Inside One Time ......................................................................... 244

The Pay Off ................................................................................ 245

Double Double = Four Rails ...................................................... 246

SECTION FIVE: Smart Play

Be Conservative ......................................................................... 251

Know When To Duck ................................................................. 252

Play The Percentage ................................................................... 253

Play Within Yourself .................................................................. 254

Dont Gamble ............................................................................ 255

Straight Pooly Safety ................................................................. 256

Safety First ................................................................................. 257

The Last Lesson ......................................................................... 258

The Law Of Giving .................................................................... 260

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This book is dedicated to my daughter Faye Kerr

In everything she does, she expresses total faith in all my work. Ever since she rode in the wheel barrel while I gathered firewood, she has been helping her daddy. She is honest and means what she says. Faye single handedly organized The Monk Billiard Academy so that this book is now offered throughout the entire world. I am very proud of this exceptional child. Faye Lynn Miller Kerr has

been running our lives for thirty years.

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As you go through this wonderful life you meet certain people who become very

important in helping you along the way. I would like to take this time to thank

the following friends who have been so generous with their support.

Toby Vaughn, who looks through this manuscript with an eagle eye.

Ted Harris, my publisher, who has faith in my work.

Faith Pace, my sister, who finds a way to pick my up when I am down.

Debbie Curtis, who laid out this manuscript with great care.

Andy Sujdak, whos help with The Monk Clicks is appreciated.

Maria Stanbury, whos continuous support has always kept me going.

Laura Luce, a loyal friend, who keeps me on the straight path.

Jeremy Kerr is a mainstay at The Monk Billiard Academy.

Penny Gelanis, my wonderful niece. I wouldnt do anything without her.

Richard Chase, whos studio does a fine job with my audio tapes.

Steffie Bennett, my cousin who is working with me on a musical project.

Audrey Dimitrive, who has helped me with the interpretation of this book in

Russia.

Lydia Nenewale, for all her help with my projects in New Zealand/

Bob Henning, who loves everything I do. His favorable reviews help sales.

Marcia Mallard, her sharp eye catches any mistakes I make.

Marylin Morin, my sister who fights me on every project, but love all that I do.

Vitilina Thetslova, a friend I met in Russia who is working on my web site.

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Foreword

At some point in your pocket billiards career you will have to deal with how you approach winning and losing. There will always come a time when you stand at the fork in the road. The Lesson will prepare you for this moment in your billiards experience. After you master each lesson, you will be skilled in all the challenges that confront you. You will automatically know what to do when you step to the table. You will see the run out as it will relate to your past experiences. No longer will you agonize over what to do when faced with a problem. And it will be this clear cut solution to your problems that will allow you to give one hundred percent to the shot. Not knowing what to do is what causes us to be tentative. And we all know the results of a tentative stroke. We all know what happens when we shoot a shot we are not totally committed to. With The Lesson you will know what to do. You w ill acquire the knowledge to see you through the tough times.

With this knowledge you will reach a point in this game where you will be faced with your real thoughts towards winning and losing. It is a great time to face these realities. A time when we offer no excuses for our losses. We will have no shot we cannot make. We will face no decision that leaves us confused. So it will be a reality check on how we view this great art called winning.

Winning brings us great joy. We are happy when we win.

Winning creates conflict. Those we beat are unhappy with us.

Winning brings great rewards. We win money. Our expectations level raises when we win a

tournament. Everyone wants to see us do it again.

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Foreword (cont.)

Winning brings controversy. Our brain does not like to be caught up in controversy. Our brain will avoid controversy at all cost. As we move through the tournament chart, our brain begins to sabotage our wonderful performance. We find ourselves doing dumb things. How many times have you missed a shot and then turned to your friend and said, I can make that shot a hundred times? Have you ever really tried to understand why you missed a shot you can make a hundred times in a row? There is a reason for this let down. It is not by chance. After all, you did miss the shot. You did miss the shot and lost your turn at the table. You did miss the shot and blow the game. There is a reason for that miss cue. A very good reason indeed. If you can understand the reason, and change that reason, you will change your destiny.

If you are the type of player who blows games, it would be safe to say that you have some concerns about winning. The high cost of winning is not your biggest desire. You have reservations about the winning experience and therefore you take subtle steps to avoid it. Face that person and change those reasons. It is not hard to do.

We have values. Some we move towards and try to acquire and others we move away from and try to avoid. A value is what drives us. If gives us energy. It gives us motivation. If you dont want to hurt someones feelings, you may not want to beat them in a match. So when it comes to beating that person, you have a conflict. A value of winning, and also, a value of not wanting to hurt the feelings of those you play. You move towards your winning values, and away from hurting others. In this experience you cannot give one hundred percent. You will always hold something back.

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Foreword (cont.)

You want to move towards something, and you want to move away from something at the same time. Many players are caught up in this controversial web. They are torn between two concepts. They are divided within their minds.

There is only one solution to this inner turmoil. You must be certain as to what you want to accomplish. For instance, the pain you feel when you hurt another players feelings will always influence you. You need to change that value. You need to see how much it costs you to worry about another players feelings and change that value. You cannot succeed if you are torn between two values.

There are players who will not gamble or play for money. It is not because the money puts added pressure on them. The money does not cause them to choke. It is simply because they do not want to destroy another human being. They will play a marvelous game when it is for the pure fun of it. But when money is on the line, it changes the nature of the game. It means that they will be taking something away from another person. And in their heart of hearts, they do not want to do that. They find no pleasure in it, therefore they will not allow themselves to win the match. They will lose. One value takes precedent over another.

Do you see how this works? Once you gain the skills to play this game, you then need to gain the skills to compete with a clear mind, a one tracked mind. You must be clear about what you want to do. You must be certain of your values. And you can do this by focusing on the only thing that really matters in this game. The shot in front of you. Shoot it with the skills you learned in The Lesson. Shoot it with the singleness of purpose

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Foreword (conclusion)

you learned from this book. Shoot this shot with the clear intention of pocketing the ball and setting up for your next shot. That is your only value. That is the only motivating energy running through your mind. You are not preoccupied with the results. You are not concerned with winning or losing . Your focus is on the shot in front of you. One shot at a time.

Name the shot. Decide on the stroke, and shoot the shot. You will then move on to the next shot, and then the next and then the next. Since your only focus is on the shot you are shooting, you will not experience the conflict between values.

If you are to become a champion in this game, you will need to work out the conflict within your values. Change the ones that hold you back or prohibit you from turning in a fine performance. Remember, you can change your destiny if you change your values.

Its time for you to shine in this great game. Its time for you to experience the victories that should be yours. It is time for you to gain the rewards you deserve. Master each lesson and I will look for you in the finals.

May all the rolls go your way.

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There is nothing like taking a lesson at TheMonk Billiard Academy. At the MBA you will getthe one on one attention you need to make a dra-matic difference in your game. You will be furtheralong in your development than your friends. Wetake personal pride in our students. The Lesson isthe material we master. The cost for the three dayprogram is $700.

If you are not able to visit The Monk BilliardAcademy you can purchase The Lesson and workyour way through this exciting material. The Les-son has taken many years to write. I have takenthe time to sit at amateur events to watch matchafter match so I could identify the problems poolplayers face in their games. It is estimated that Ihave personally watched over ten thousandmatches being played by developing players justlike you. So I understand how to strengthen yourgame and help you become the player you desireto be. My hands on experience is unmatched byany instructor today. From this experience, I havebeen able to assemble The Lesson. You can savethe seven hundred dollar tuition money and use

You Are About To Take A Lesson

You Are About To Take A Lesson

this book to improve your game and reach new levels. The Lesson is just $39.95. Once you have The Lesson in your possession, you will want to read it over and over. It will become your personal coach.

This is well researched material. Master each lesson and you will be well on your way to a new and exciting game. Look no further. All the material you need to improve your game is right here. Be patient and master each exciting Lesson. Your skills will improve and you will be able to execute more shots and win more games.

The journey towards pocket billiards excellence is our greatest reward. Harry Chapin once said, Its got to be the goin, not the gettin there thats good. Let us travel this road together. With The Lesson, The Monk points the way for you.

Get The Lesson today and begin your journey now. Dedication, hard work and a love of the game will take you to the finals. Working on your game is vital to your enjoyment. What you do with your practice habits is how you personally approach this game, and I applaud you on all your hard work. Join The Monk Billiard Academy family of fine players and play the game you always dreamed of.

After you begin your journey, feel free to email me with any concerns you have. I will help you all I can.

[email protected] www.themonk.com

May all the rolls got your way, Sincerely, The Monk

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The Monk Clicks

A Special Lesson, Very Important

As in any good sighting system, you need to practice until you can sight the cue ball automatically. Pool is a game of instinct, feel, rhythm. You must be able to sense the shot in order to make the shot. We cannot reduce this game down to an intellectual level. It is not about absolutes. But we can master The Monk Clicks sighting system so it serves us in those difficult times when the game is on the line and we need to perform. It is far better to focus on the dynamics of the shot than to agonize over the score and the results of what you are about to do. Work on The Monk Clicks system until it becomes a natural part of your shooting process. You will be glad you have a specific purpose with each shot.

We begin all shots by sighting straight in. Note the line goes straight through the cue ball and then on through the object ball. If we shoot the shot along this line, we can easily see that it will not send the object ball into the pocket. From the straight in position, we begin the sighting process.

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The Monk Clicks

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From the center of the object ball, and to the edge, there are four points. We will call them clicks.

1234

With this shot, two clicks to the right will send the object ball to the corner pocket. So we will call this a two clicks shot. We will sight two clicks to the right on the object ball.

2 1

If you draw a line from the cue ball to two clicks to the right of the object ball, you will note that you are not really lined up. You have completed half of The Monk Clicks. Since we are sighting two clicks to the right on the object ball, we must set up to sight our line from two clicks to the left of the cue ball.

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The Monk Clicks

2

Place your right leg (right handed) in this line. You will feel good about how you are set up for this shot. Be sure you feel good about your set up. If we are not set up properly, there is no system that will help us.

In order to be a fine player and make all the shots you must be set up and in line with the target. Lets look at the next shot.

3

123

Here we set up straight in. We can see that this will not pocket the object. One click will not pocket the object ball. Two clicks will not pocket the object ball. Three clicks will pocket the object ball.

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The Monk Clicks

3

123

Now we move three clicks to the left of the cue ball and observe the line from cue ball to object ball. If you have a classic stance, you will plant your right foot in this line and prepare to pocket the ball. If you are a shoot across your body player, you will line up your right shoulder with this line and prepare to pocket the ball.

The Monk Clicks system will help you when the pressure is on. You will calmly go through your sequence and focus on the dynamics of the shot, rather than allow your mind to be confused by the conditions of the game.

Lets look at another situation. When we go through The Monk Clicks sequence in this shot we find that it is two clicks to the right.

Thought for the day I work on The Monk Clicks until it becomes automatic.

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The Monk Clicks

We need to use one cue tip to the right with low draw in order to play position for the next shot. We are aware that using this stroke will cause our cue ball to be deflected to the left. In fact, based upon our past experience we find that the cue ball deflects one click when we use the draw stroke with low right cue tip position. So we adjust our sighting. Instead of a two click shot, this now becomes a three click shot. We go through The Monk clicks set up and deliver the winning shot.

As you can see you will still move two clicks to the left on the cue ball. That line does not change. Sight it up, since you are deflecting to the left one click, add one click and shoot the shot.

Thought for the day I go through the entire sequence on all shots.

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Notes

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The Monk Clicks

You can use The Monk Clicks for bank shots as well. I like to use the mirrow system. Determine if it is one, two, three or four clicks and shoot. I do use a slight outside cue tip position as it helps to reduce the throw effect. I seem to make more shots when I favor slight outside english. If it is possible, I never play position off a bank shot. Most of my bank shots are makers or the bank shot itself is the best position play. Good position, without making the ball, is deer tracks.

When I moved to the wilderness of the Upper Peninsular of Michigan I was awed by the untouched beauty of the place. The Upper Peninsulas was wild, free and untamed. On one occasion, I got excited because I saw some fresh deer tracks on the trail. When I returned to town I stopped by the tavern and told one of the locals about all the deer tracks I saw. The old lady scratched her chin and looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes. I never did find a good recipe for deer tracks.

Good position play, without making the shot is deer tracks. I have never seen anyone run out when they got good position and missed the shot.

There are so many times we miss a shot because we forget to allow for deflection. With The Monk Clicks system you will go through the entire sequence on every shot. Remember, we only have one shot. The shot before us is the total measure of our ability to win this game. Every shot is an important shot. You will hear me say There are no easy shots in the game. We should respect each and every challenge this great game offers us and we should go through our pre-shot routine on even the simplest of shots. We are professionals. We are Monk Billiard Academy graduates. We are winners. Decide on the shot. How many clicks will it take to pocket this ball? What stroke will you be using? Does the choice of stroke change the clicks? Stand in line with the shot. Lean into the shot. Sight it. Feel it. Shoot it. Collect the money. May you click you way to the finals.

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The Back English System

A Special Lesson

There is a little known secret that the masters of this game use when spinning a cue ball. If you watch some footage of the great players from days gone by, you will see that they use the Back English method to spin the cue ball. When you master this technique, you will reduce the amount of deflection you experience with center hits on the cue ball.

The Back English system is not for all shots. It is for specific shots. The system is used to pocket the object ball and play position. Try this on the Four Ball Exercise. You will be amazed at the direct line your object ball takes to the pocket. Without the Back English system, you see the object wobble into the corner pocket. With the Back English system you see the object ball race directly into the pocket. I mastered specific shots for this system and it has helped my game. You should try it on the 2-7-2+1. You will notice a difference in the way the object ball reacts. Try it with the 2-7-2+3. It is amazing that you can hit center ball and spin the cue ball around the table. Master the Back English system for your own personal shots. Find out which shots you can use it on. And then be sure to use it. You will win more games.

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You are striking center ball. When the cue tip comes forward towards the center of the cue ball, flick your wrist at the moment of contact and impart spin. If you want to spin to your right, flick your wrist to your left, the cue tip swipes across the cue ball to the right, the cue ball moves forward with dramatic right spin. There is no deflection since you have made contact at the center of the cue ball.

The cue ball is a stationary target. It is easy to deliver the Back English stroke. You can use the Back English on all four strokes. It is not hard to do. The cue ball is sitting there. We are able to put right or left spin on a tennis ball that is moving towards us at ninety miles per hour. We should be able to master spin on a stationary ball. And we can. We will master the Back English system and use it for our own personal choice of shots. It is not for all shots.

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1 2 3

Set the cue ball on the spot. Sight to the bottom rail. Send the cue ball to the bottom rail and then back to your cue tip. This is center ball at its finest.

1 2 3

Right spin

Now strike the cue ball, center, with back english to the right. Send the cue ball to the number two diamond near the spot from which you began the shot.

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1 2 3

Right spin

Try it again. Shoot center ball, with back english to the right, and bring the object ball back to the corner pocket.

1 2 3

Right spin

Try it again. Shoot center ball, with back english to the right and bring the object ball to the number three diamond. Work on this until you can deliver the Back English and bring the cue ball exactly where you want it to be. Develop your instincts with the shot. Become aware of how much spin you are putting on the cue ball. Get a feel for the shot.

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Then try the four ball exercise or the 2-7-2+1. Run off several racks using the Back English

system. This way you will discover your personal choice of shots. Sometimes I will spend an entire day running racks with the Back English system and The Monk Clicks. This sharpens my skills and serves me when in a match.

Remember, many of the four ball exercise shots are one cue tip outside english, thus the clicks are not totally true. We make adjustments for the outside english. With the Back English we do not have to make any adjustment.I have seen some golfers us the Back English system in putts of a short distance. A spinning golf ball will not be affected by a spike mark or slight defect in the green, while a rolling golf ball will be thrown off line.

We have been spinning balls and spinning our wheels since the beginning of time.

May you spin your way to the finals.

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Play To Win

A Special Lesson We spend a lot of time mastering these tech

niques here in The Lesson. This is the material we will need to reach the finals. Once we master these techniques we will then have to turn our attention on the mastery over self. Though you may master a thousand men a thousand times, the greatest warrior is one who masters self.

It is time we sort out how we are going to approach winning. As we move closer to that ultimate victory, we are bothered by interference. Shots that were easy and routine before suddenly look harder now as we run out the final rack. This interferences comes from our own confusion about winning. For some of us, we are not so certain of our goals. We want to win, but we are not sure we want the responsibility of winning. We are not sure we want to stand in the spot light. We are not sure we want to listen to the jealous rumblings from those we have defeated. We are not sure we want the added pressure winning brings. We are about to tread in unchartered waters and this brings uncertainty.

If you are to stand in the winners circle you must be certain in your choices. You can have no interference running through your mind, for if you do, you will not be able to deliver the crisp pure stroke that winning requires. It is time for you to give up that interference. It is time for you to master that greatest of warriors. It is time for you to master self.

My book I Came To Win is very clear about this. I also have recorded a dynamic tape for you to listen to over and over. It will lead you to the winners circle many times. If you master the material in The Lesson, you should order the tape I Came To Win and learn to master your winning skills. 34

Play To Win

If you do not want to order this tape, read the following. For this is what the tape is all about.

Define what you really want in this game. This gives you a value. A value you are motivated to pursue. A desire that gives you the energy to drive you on.

Define what you really want to avoid in this game. This gives you a value. With this value you have the energy to move away from it. You make a conscious effort to avoid this value. We call it a value because it drives you. Anything that motivates you has to be called a value.

You must be certain of your values for they direct your life. Not only in the this grand game of pocket billiards, but in all areas of your life. Values drive us on.

Lets take a look at values we want, and values we dont want.

I Want To Win I dont want to cause disappointment in others. If you think this is not true, how come you have a hard time playing someone who is not even close to your skill level?

I Want To Win I dont want to raise my level of expectations. How many of you complain when the director gives you a higher rating?

I Want To Win I am embarrassed to stand in the spot light. How many of you do not enjoy the attention winning brings?

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Play To Win

Do you see the pattern here? We have a conflict in our values. One value we are moving towards, the others we are moving away from. As long as we have this conflict, we will never be certain about winning. There will always be an internal struggle in our efforts to win tournaments.

Are you tired at the end of a tournament? You are exhausted from fighting this internal conflict. You are not worn out by the grinds of tournament play. Once you resolve this conflict, you can use your energy to move towards your values. You wont be wasting it on moving away from values.

So you need to change your values. Change the destructive values that are ruling your life. Change your values and you change your destiny.

Of course the hour long tape covers this subject in greater detail. It is called I Came To Win and retails for $14.95. As a Lesson graduate, you may have this tape for just ten dollars plus two dollars shipping and handling. I want you to master this material. It is very important to our game. I could write a book about it. In fact I did write a book about it. My book, I Came To Win deals with the art of self mastery. You may also order that book. It sells for $19.95 plus $3.00 S&H.

There is a companion tape available that deals with meditation. One side helps you identify with the I Came To Win principles. The other side deals with Be the Master of the game. If you mention that you are a serious student of The Lesson, I will give you that tape free because I want you to have it. Just call The Monk Billiard Academy: (978-544-7859)

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Play To Win

I have provided a series of exercises here in The Lesson so you can accumulate the skills to make the shot and see the proper patterns on the table. There are times when the game itself challenges us with conditions we need to meet head on in order to enjoy the success we seek. Once we have acquired the knowledge or intellectual cognition we must accumulate this informational foundation into our mind computer. And then move on the intuitive expression of that knowledge. Until we have mastered these Lesson techniques, we will not be able to rely upon our instincts where the real game of pocket billiards is played out. We must be able to recognize what it is we want to accomplish, If we have not acquired the knowledge we will be like a little child who knows exactly what she wants to say, but has not yet learned the words.

I wish I could say that your mastery of The Lesson would complete your training. But I would be the worst of masters if I were to teach you at the expense of your experience. For it is in the battle itself where we acquire our greatest skills. Begin to move on to the intuitive side of this great game. Learn to compete. Learn to concentrate on the shots at hand. Train yourself to be the best.

Thought for the day When you are ready to measure yourself by the moment, you are ready to meet any goals.

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The Gerald Sobask Series

Many times when I am working with a student at The Monk Billiard Academy, a series of shots will come up so we can work on a skill that will help us become the winners we desire. I was working with Gerald Sobask from Connecticut and this lesson came up. It will be great for you to demonstrate the ability to deliver three different strokes to get three different positions on one shot.

Place cue ball near the spot.

9

In the first lesson, deliver a nice smooth follow stroke and allow the cue ball to hit the long rail and then come down for position on the nine ball.

38

The Gerald Sobask Series

9

In the second lesson, punch the cue ball with some inside english and allow the cue ball to come down for position on the nine ball.

9

In the third lesson, snap draw the cue ball and go two rails for position on the nine ball. This is a good opportunity for you to see where your strength and weaknesses are. If you have trouble, work on it until you are able to succeed with each stroke. You need this ability to survive the difficult test that will be sure to come in future matches.

39

Notes

40

41

Section OneBasic Strokes and Shots

The Four Strokes of Pocket Billards

You must understand how you are hitting the cue ball before you can anticipate where the cue ball is going. The way you deliver the stroke determines the outcome of the shot. The Stroke Determines Track Line lesson proves that we need to be certain of what stroke we are using if we are to master good position play.

The fact that there are four strokes in pocket billiards should come as no surprise. In all sports there are a variety of shots we can use to win games. You can hit a high fade in golf, a low draw, a punch & run, and back spin pitch shot, a plop shot. You do not hit the golf ball the same way for each shot. You use a different swing to get the different results. In bowling, you can use various methods to shatter the pins. In tennis, there are spin shots, back hands, power forwards. In all games, we use different shots to gain the advantage. So it is with pocket billiards. Once you begin to use your stroke to control the cue ball you find that you have far better control of your position play. This is a breakthrough. Decide to dedicate your training to the mastery of each stroke and you will find yourself in the winner circle more often.

The Punch Stroke Compare this to a boxers left jab. You are flicking the stroke out to stop the cue ball dead in its tracks.

The Follow Stroke In this case, you are rolling the cue ball along the slate to follow the object ball. There is no dramatic spin like you would find in a force follow. The Follow stroke is limp, soft and smooth.

The Draw Stroke In this fabulous stroke you are snapping through the cue ball to impart dramatic spin. Actually, there are four distinct draw strokes:

The Follow Through Draw The Snap Back Draw The Snip Draw The Bounce Back Draw

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The Four Strokes of Pocket Billiards (cont.)

You will find that you need to execute one draw stroke over the other to win games. The difference between winning and losing is found in which draw stroke you use. There are Lessons in this book to help you master each one.

The Spin Stroke This is a throw back to the old days of 14.1 pocket billiards. Once again, the difference between winning and losing comes from your choice of strokes. I have seen situations where The Spin Stroke was the only way to position the cue ball for the winning shot. It is an important weapon to have in you fine arsenal.

The are some variations of the four strokes of pocket billiards. The force follow could almost be a stroke of its own. However, when you really take a look at this wonderful skill, you will find that is a draw stroke. Instead of putting back spin on the cue ball, you are putting over spin. You use the same stroke. You hit the cue ball above center instead of below center. With the draw stroke you are shooting a little down on the cue ball. With the force follow, you are dead level with your delivery. The force follow is difficult to master because many student still shoot down on the cue ball and turn their force follow into a punch stroke. The Stun could be a stroke of its own. There are many things you can do with a Stun Stroke. However, when you look closely, you will find that it is a punch stroke, delivered in a unique way. The Stun is very difficult to master. It calls for great skills. Yet it can and will be the difference between winning and losing a game. In fact, I will show you how The Stun can be developed to serve you as a very effective break shot. In my best selling book Point The Way, I called The Stun, The Creeper because the cue ball crept forward after making the object ball. Then I learned how to use it to walk the cue ball across the table, so I called it The Walker. The Stun is unique in itself, but it comes out of the Punch Stroke.

Once we master the four strokes of pocket billiards, we will find ourselves adding a little of one stroke with another. For instance, there are times when you add a little punch with your force follow, a snip draw with your punch. It is important however that you become 44

The Four Strokes of Pocket Billiards (cont.)

the master of the four strokes of pool. You must reach a point where you will not be using one when you intend to use another.

Decide right now that you will master each stroke. Put yourself into action to make that happen. Go through each lesson with complete dedication. Measure your progress on each level. You will be the master of the four strokes of pool. You will be able to define your game. You will increase your focus on each shot. You will get better results.

In this Lesson there will be times when I tell you to Know what You Want; Take Action; Measure Your Progress. Apply these elements to your mastery of this book. Be sure to work hard on each lesson. Measure your progress. Do not stop until you feel like you have mastered each and every lesson. It is just a matter of time before I meet you in the finals.

If you have trouble visualizing any of the four strokes, my Monk 101 video series will help you.

Thought for the day Once we decide to become a master, we are alreay a master.

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Notes

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The Punch Stroke

8

Lesson 1

The punch strokedont leave home without it.

Pocket the object ball in the side pocket and stop the cue ball dead in its tracks.

In order to master this game, you must master the most popular stroke in pool.

In this Lesson the punch stroke is a soft pop with a center ball hit. Learn to execute the stop shot with a soft hit. Bring the cue ball to a dead stop. Any movement to one side or the other means you have not hit center ball. Remember that center ball is actually 1/16 of a tip below center. Below center allows for the curve of the tip. Return to this shot to check your hit.

You are developing a skill here. The ability to hit the punch stroke forms your instincts. You can do this by the sound of the stroke. You can do this with your eyes closed. You can do this by the feel of the stroke. Willie Mosconi used the Punch Stroke over seventy percent of the time. It is by far the most popular stroke in pool. You will be using the Punch Stroke to gain position on your next ball.

You must be able to stop the cue ball dead in its tracks. Feel the hit, listen to the sound. Familiarize yourself with this unique delivery. There will be times when the pressure is on and you need to

47

The Punch Stroke (cont.)

deliver a crisp punch stroke. You will want to rely upon your instincts and reduce the outside pressure. Turn within and make the shot. Move on to the next one. Take away the interference. If the shot calls for a punch stroke then you deliver the goods without concern for the results.

The punch stroke is vital to the game. Be sure your cue is level, solid, and pause in your back stroke. When you face this shot, stand with feet apart. Then drop your right leg back. Make sure this leg stays in line with the shot. Move your left leg forward slightly, with your left toe pointed at the target. Lean over and be sure your chin is even with the joint of your cue. Extend your bridge hand to the table and rest the shaft between your fingers. The inner portion of your right thigh should be lined up with the target. Your target is the spot on the object ball. It is not the cue ball. Your right shoulder should be in line with the target. The left toe is in line with the target. With a stance like this, you should be able to shoot the shot with your eyes closed. If you want to work on your stance, and you should from time to time, shoot shots with your eyes closed once you get down in position. Rely upon your stance to make the ball. Your grip should be loose, about four inches from the balance point. With this set up, you are ready to deliver the stroke you desire.

Thought for the day I never shoot until I am ready.

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The Punch Stroke 2

8 99

Lesson 2 In this lesson, I want you to be able to deliver the punch stroke even though you are not straight in. You are shooting a stop shot. Focus on a nice clear crisp punch stroke. The punch stroke is the natural stroke in pool. If you can get your desired position with a punch stroke, you would do it the natural way.You reduce your chances of error when you can let the cue ball go where it naturally wants to go.

With the punch stroke, you will get a V. The cue ball will go to the rail and come out via the same angle in. Thus a V is achieved. If you do not get a V, then there is something wrong with your punch stroke. For instance, if the cue ball comes out at a wider angle, you have allowed some draw into your punch stroke. If it comes out at a tighter angle, you have allowed some follow in your stroke. This is a good way to test your punch stroke capabilities. You get a V when you deliver a good punch stroke. So your natural shot would be to deliver a punch stroke and play position for the nine ball in the same corner. In this case, you have just asked yourself to do something very natural. You have cut down the reasons for missing the shot.

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The Punch Stroke 2 (cont.)

Sometimes in a shot like this, we stand a little too far from the cue ball. As a right hander, when you face the shot, you drop your right leg back, move your left leg in line and lean over, sometimes you end up slightly too far from the cue ball. Then, you hit the cue ball with the end of your stroke, thus, the cue ball comes off as if you delivered a follow stroke. When you are not getting that nice V you may want to check to see that you are close enough to the cue ball to be able to deliver the proper stroke. When I face a shot like this, I go to a spread eagle stance. I simply spread my legs apart and I am able to maintain a proper distance from the cue ball so I can deliver a nice crisp hit and get the results I desire. In this case, I focus on lining up my right shoulder with the shot. Sometimes it is necessary to drop my grip hand back a couple of added inches to be able to deliver a nice solid hit on the cue ball. Remember you want to drive through the cue ball.

Thought for the day I see the spot on the object ball and deliver the winning stroke

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The Punch Stroke 3

8

99

Lesson 3 In this lesson we simply want to gain good position on the nine ball for the side pocket. Since we know the punch stroke will give us the V and good position, we dont need to fool around with anything unnatural. This is a center ball hit. In our case, we use one sixteenth below center to gain a pure center ball hit. Go to your spread eagle stance, pause in your back stroke, deliver a good solid nice sounding punch stroke, and get ready for an easy shot in the side pocket. If you are under pressure you can reduce it by understanding exactly what you need to do, and by listening for your great sounding punch stroke. Let the shot do the rest.

Thought for the day Today I deliver a straight, smooth, solid stroke on all winning shots.

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The Punch Stroke 4

8 99

Lesson 4 Here you are getting more distance with the cue ball. Use a punch stroke and allow the cue ball to reach the target area. Learn to do this with a nice smooth hit. Once you master this skill you will find improvement in other areas of your game.

Use a more pronounced follow-through to gain more distance with the cue ball.

Get a feel for how to control the distance with the cue ball. If you use a draw stroke, you actually kill the natural speed and come up short. To gain position with a draw stroke, you will need to use more force. Most of us would normally use low right with a draw stroke and we could get position on the nine ball. When we use low right, we need to allow for deflection on the cue ball. In other words, if we hit the cue ball on the lower right side, it will deflect the cue ball to the left. So we would have to allow for this deflection in our aiming. The amount of deflection is relative to the force of our stroke. Sometimes we are not always in control of this force, and we allow too much for deflection, or too little for deflection. When we are allowing for deflection, we are giving ourselves a reason for missing the shot. We are putting spin

52

The Punch Stroke 4 (cont.)

on the cue ball. This will throw the object ball. So we have to consider how much throw will happen when we line up the shot. Another reason to miss the shot. We are using spin on the rail to gain the desired distance for position on the nine ball. So we need to get a feel for how much spin we are going to have. Spin is relative to how much chalk is on the tip, the kind of tip we have on our cue, the type of cue we are using. Another reason for missing the shot. With the draw stroke we have given ourselves three added reasons for missing the shot, yet, in spite of all the adjustments we have to make, we are usually successful with the shot. However, if we use a nice punch stroke, slightly below center, follow through with our cue, we will get the desired position and not risk the built in variables that come from low right with a draw stroke. In a shot like this, it is important to be deliberate. Pause just before delivering your finest punch stroke and enjoy the positive results.

Thought for the day My hit always has a fine sound.

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Value of the Punch Stroke

8

99

Lesson 5 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.

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Value of the Punch Stroke (cont.)

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.

Thought for the day I deliver the finest stroke.

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Have a Great Follow Stroke A

Lesson 6 The follow stroke is the first stroke we learn. Simply allow the cue ball to roll towards the object ball and follow along behind it. Just roll the ball and follow through. Use both parts of the Have a Great Follow Stroke lesson to develop your touch. Master these exercises. Improve on your score each time you practise.

Shoot the first ball into the corner pocket using a follow stroke. The cue ball must roll forward after contact with the object ball on each shot Replace the object ball where the cue ball stopped and reset the cue ball at the starting point. Shoot again, allowing the cue ball to move forward with the follow stroke. Set up an object ball where the cue ball stopped. Begin again. The object of this exercise is to shoot the object ball and control the cue ball so it does not move very far. At some point you will run out of room. Count up your score, see how many time you can hit the cue ball before your cue ball is all the way down table. Listen to the sound of your fine follow stroke. You will know the difference between the follow stroke and the punch stroke.

Thought for the day My intention is my drive.

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Have a Great Follow Stroke B

Lesson 7 Shoot the object ball into the corner pocket. Mark with a piece of chalk where the cue ball stopped. Reset the cue ball and object ball at their original starting points. Shoot the object ball and allow the cue ball to pass the chalk. Move the chalk to where the cue ball landed. Begin again. Remember if the cue ball doesnt pass the chalk, you are finished. Shoot until you run out of room. Count up your score. Remember, the cue ball must pass the chalk on each shot.

Thought for the day My will is connnected to my desire.

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Stroke and English

Lesson 8 This is a nice time to really test your follow stroke. Shoot this ball, and allow the cue ball to follow it directly into the side pocket. You must be smooth here. I will allow you to use one quarter cue tip above center. Feel the follow through of your soft stroke. Get a good feel for your follow stroke.

Thought for the day I deliver the finest stroke.

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Stroke and English (cont.)

8

99

Lesson 9 Repeat your nice smooth follow stroke here. Use one cue tip low and one cue tip left, use a nice soft smooth follow stroke and watch the cue ball go to the rail, and walk softly and tenderly back for perfect position on the nine ball. You can get position with a punch stroke. You can get position with a draw stroke. You can get position with a follow stroke. In this case, you have more control with the smooth follow stroke. Any time you come into your target zone with the cue ball, you want to be coming in slowly, under control. This is a good chance for you to work with your stroke. Use your stroke to gain favorable position.

Thought for the day On every shot I am relaxed.

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Stroke Determines Track Line

D

C

B

A

1 2 3

6

7

8

8

Lesson 10 This exercise shows how the stroke determines the track line. To reach point A you will be using center ball with a punch stroke. Point B can be reached with one half cue tip above center with a punch stroke. To reach point C, you will need to use center ball with a follow stroke. One half cue tip above center with a follow stroke will get out to point D. This is an excellent test of your stroke control, and it demonstrates how to control the track line with the use of a stroke. Center ball can get you point A and center ball can get you to point C. The determining factor is your use of stroke.

In every shot you take you will have a personal time with that effort. Take a moment to prepare for the shot. Visualize the desired results. Experience it. And then deliver the proper stroke to win the game. You are gaining position by use of your stroke. You are making it happen with your personal skills. Listen to the sound when the cue tip makes contact with the cue ball. You will know when you have hit the shot correctly.

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Stroke Determines Track Line (cont.)

The eight ball is one chalk width out from the bottom rail. The cue ball is between the number six diamond and the number one diamond. Center ball is always one sixteen below center. We need to allow for the curve of the tip in order to create a true center ball hit.

To reach point A you will need a crisp punch stroke. Repeat lesson one. Deliver a nice pop shot, stop shot, stick shot.

To reach point B you will need to use a punch stroke again, but this time, you will be hitting the cue ball one half cue tip above center.

To reach point C I want you to use center ball, with a follow stroke. Isnt is amazing? You use a center ball hit to reach point A and a center ball hit to reach point C.

To reach point D, I want you to use one half cue tip above center. Isnt it amazing? To reach point B you use one half cue tip above center and to reach point D you use one half cue tip above center. You have moved the cue ball to two different positions on the table with the same tip location. This is an excellent test of your stroke control. And it clearly demonstrates that The Stroke Determines The Track Line. This is the material for The Masters.

Thought for the day My cue glides through the cue ball as if it were not there.

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Consistent Track Line 1

A

B

8

99

Lesson 11 I want you to use one cue tip high right and gain position for the eight ball in the pocket marked A. In this case, you will be using your finest punch stroke. It will take all of your skills. The cue ball must walk directly down the table without touching the long rail. See if you can walk the cue ball into the corner pocket. Learn to control the cue ball with your stroke. I have had students at the Academy take a long time to master this shot. It seemed inconceivable that they could use a punch stroke with high right and walk the cue ball directly to the corner pocket. With practice and time, they were able to master the shot.

Know what you want. Take action to gain it and measure your progress along the way. Do this in every lesson. Each lesson is a skill you must master to be able to put your complete game together. I know what you need to be a champion and I have included all the skills in these lessons. Each one is vital to your development.

You want to be a fine player. Follow The Lesson faithfully and measure your progress.

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B

8

Lesson 12 In this lesson you will be using the exact same cue tip location. One cue tip high right. Deliver your finest force follow stroke and play position for the eight ball in the pocket marked B. Of course this is a free stroke shot so it will be easier than the previous lesson. I want you to make contact with the long rail before settling in for an easy shot on the eight ball. Try to hit the number two diamond. Develop a feel for the shot.

Once again, you know what you want. You step up to the table to deliver the stroke, and you can measure your progress. Do these three things in all your endeavors. Along the way, you will want to make adjustments. If something is not working, you will be able to change your approach and make it happen. This is why it is important to measure your progress. This is why I have these lessons here. I want you to be able to measure your skills. Each of these shots takes a specific skill. Once you master this skill, you will be able to use it in a variety of other shots. Not only have I helped you with a specific shot, I have helped you develop skills to handle a wide range of problems.

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Float to the Target

A

B

Lesson 13 As you recall in exercise 2, 3 and 4 you are getting a V when you use a punch stroke. It will be no different in this exercise. Shoot object ball A using center ball and a punch stroke for position on object ball B. This position will be consistent with the use of this stroke. In this lesson we can uncover some serious problems. If you are consistently missing this shot, you may have a vision defect. I have had talented students fail with this exercise. They thought they were hitting center ball on the cue ball when in fact, they were ever so slightly right of center. This caused them to hit the rail just before the object ball and rattle the shot. In addition, the cue ball went straight across the table. After several misses, I instructed them to shoot ever so slightly left on the cue ball. The ever so slightly left was really center ball for them. They hit the shot perfectly with this minor adjustment. Once they became aware of their vision problems, they were able to adjust. With this new adjustment, they moved on to the next level. This is why it is important to measure your progress. If you are doing the same thing over and over, then you will need to make an adjustment.

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Float to the Target (cont.)

In Vegas I had four students fail over and over with this lesson. We worked for over an hour and I could not find their problem. Finally, I handed one of them my cue and walked around the table to watch his line up. He executed the shot perfectly. All four students were using an inferior cue. The cue I was using at the time was a Viking, which was of fine quality. I could rely upon the consistency of the hit. If you have problems with this lesson, it may be in your vision, or it may be in your cue.

You will be hitting ball first here. The cue ball hits the object ball, goes to the rail, comes out in a V.

Thought for the day My head stays down until all the balls come to a stop.

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Rely Upon Your Stroke

99

8

Lesson 14 Here is a pattern for you to work on. Use a punch stroke on the first shot. Hit the cue ball one half cue tip above center to walk the cue ball across the table for position on the eight ball. You should be set up for a nice crystal clear punch stroke that will take you out for a straight in shot on the nine ball in the side pocket.

You will find that you can be consistent with your position play if you rely upon your stroke. Do not be tentative here. Deliver a crisp punch stroke. Mean what you do. If you are even the slightest bit tentative on this shot, you will fail to pocket the object ball. Any time you shoot a ball, you must mean what you are doing. If you have my book I Came To Win, you will understand what I am saying. I Came To Win means you are not even the slightest bit tentative about what you are doing.

Thought for the day I must have a copy of The Monks book I Came To Win.

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Gently Walk the Ball

Lesson 15 Here is your opportunity to demonstrate a soft punch stroke. Note the track line when you use the punch stroke. The cue ball will gently walk to the desired area. Dont pass by this lesson.

You need to work on your soft punch stroke. Return to Lesson One and shoot some real soft punch shots by going low on the cue ball. Do not draw the ball back. Stop it dead in its tracks. Make sure the cue ball goes in a direct straight line in this lesson. If you get a slight curve here, you are allowing draw to creep into your punch stroke.

Try some long full table stop shots. Note how low you need to go on the cue ball to stop it dead in its tracks. Work on long stop shots until you can shoot them with a nice soft click. You will be surprised by how important it is for you to develop the ability to deliver the punch stroke at a variety of speeds.

Thought for the day My eyes are perfectly aligned with the shot.

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Float Down

B 8

7

A

Lesson 16 We need to play position for the seven ball on the lower rail. Since the eight ball is blocking pocket B, we need to float down for a shot in pocket A. Now is the time to deliver a nice soft punch stroke. We will be getting our V so we know where the cue ball is going. Be sure to bring the cue ball to the number one diamond and let it float into position for a shot on the seven ball. Once you master the stroke, you will be able to gain favorable position almost every single time. This will win you more games.

You know what you want. You step up to the table and take action. You measure your progress. If you need to, you make adjustments. This skill will help you in many other situations. Stay with this lesson. Fall in love with the punch stoke. Have an affair with the punch stroke. Marry the punch stroke. Dont leave home without it.

Thought for the day I know what I want, and I want it now.

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99

Lesson 17 This exercise will help you develop consistent track line control. In the first shot, you will be delivering a soft stroke to achieve the position for the object ball down into the corner.

Master this series of shots as it will enable you to handle a host of problems in your future games. (Lessons - 17, 18, 19, 20)

Thought for the day I am part of the set up.

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99

Lesson 18 This second lesson calls for a tighter line into and out of the corner to achieve the desired position. We want to pocket the nine ball in the side pocket. Naturally you will be using a nice crisp punch stroke so you control the cue ball into and out of the corner. It is in the stroke. You are the master and have complete control of the track line.

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Lesson 19 This third shot requires you to open up the line and come out to the middle of the table for position on the object ball into the side pocket. You may do this with some follow dynamics in your stroke. You will notice a difference in your stroke for each lesson, yet it is the same shot.

Thought for the day I am part of the end of the shot.

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8

99

Lesson 20 This fourth shot requires a crisp, snappy punch stroke to go four rails for position on the ball in the side pocket.

There are some days when I am not capable of hitting this shot. I simply do not have the stroke that allows me to hit the diamond number one on the long rail and then to the bottom short rail for position on the nine in the side pocket. When this happens I walk away from this lesson. But I come back from time to time so I know I will have the stroke when I need it. Make sure you include Lesson Twenty in your practice sessions. You will be glad you did.

Thought for the day I am free to shoot each shot.

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Bunt Shot

Lesson 21 Shoot the object ball softly into the side pocket. Do not allow the cue ball to contact the rail.

This is a very soft shot. We call this a bunt. There will be many times when you need to

call upon your bunt skills during a match. In The Monk 101, Volume One video, Suzanne used The Bunt several times in her thirty ball Touch No Rail exercise. The bunt is a powerful weapon.

When you want to roll across the table and freeze up against the eight ball for a safety, you will need to use a bunt. Dont pass this by. You will be glad you have this wonderful skill.

Thought for the day I do not get ahead of myself.

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Bunt Shot

Lesson 22

B

A

Shoot ball A into the side pocket. By using the bunt you can get position on ball B.

Listen to the sound of your bunt. Chop through the cue ball, one quarter tip. Allow the cue tip to stop just as you hit the cue ball. Note how far the object ball will roll when you make contact. It will roll further than you think. Set this shot up and work on it. Then try The Bunt on a long slight cut shot into the corner. The cue ball almost stops. It is amazing what you can do with The Bunt.

Thought for the day I am an integral part of the shot at hand.

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Have a Great Draw Stroke

Lesson 23

Thought for the day

This is a great exercise in controlling your draw stroke. Shoot the object ball into the side pocket and draw the cue ball back slightly. Place a chalk where the cue ball landed. Reset the cue ball and object ball where you started. Shoot the object ball and draw the cue ball back a little further than your first shot (past the chalk). Place a chalk where the cue ball landed. Reset the cue ball and object ball. Shoot the object ball and draw past the chalk. Remember you are trying to move the cue ball just beyond the chalk. The object of the exercise is to shoot as many draw strokes as you can before you run out of room. Count up your score. If the cue ball doesnt come back past the chalk, you are done. Master the controlled draw.

My actions are part of my destiny.

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The Draw

Lesson 24 The draw stroke is the most abused stroke in pocket billiards. Very few players have command of this fine skill. Sometimes, a player will use draw when he/she does not know what to do. Other times, players simply miss-use this stroke and end up with terrible position. There are so many problems surrounding the draw stroke. This is a miss cue stroke. Players jump right over the object ball when they attempt draw. Ive seen players stop the cue ball dead in its tracks when they wanted to draw the cue ball back a few feet. Someone always snickers, nice draw. If you walk into a pool room today, you will meet many players who cannot draw the cue ball. They think it is some kind of a trick shot. It is now time for you to master this weapon and use it to win more games. But first, you must understand the draw.

There are four different types of draw we can use in this game. Many times the difference between winning and losing depend upon your ability to use the right draw stroke. Each draw stroke gives us a different result.

The Follow Through Draw The Snap Back Draw The Snip Draw The Bounce Back Draw

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The Draw (cont.)

I have four lessons to teach you these fine skills. Make sure you take the time to master each one and understand when they should be used. For instance, without the Snip Draw, you could not get through the Touch No Rail exercise. You would not be able to run a rack of eight ball without the Snip Draw. And there will be time when you use a Follow Through Draw and miss position because you need to use the Snap Back Draw.

It is not enough to simply pull the cue ball back to you. You need to do this under complete control and in a variety of ways. The Draw Stroke is the ability to impart dramatic spin on the cue ball. Snap your cue through the cue ball with a quick flick of your wrist. It does not have to be a powerful blast. A nice crisp snap will do. Note the stroke you use. Note the manner in which you contact the cue ball. Now try this same stroke when you use one cue tip above center on the cue ball. You have delivered a force follow. You have imparted dramatic spin on the cue ball. It races forward just like it races backwards when you use a below center hit. Both the force follow and the draw stroke are the same. The stroke is the same, only the cue tip location is different. It is important to understand this as you will want to develop control over this stroke so you can send the cue ball exactly where you intend to. With practice, you can send the cue ball exactly where you intend to. With practice, you can use a force follow to get precise position on your next shot, or you can use below center draw to gain precise position on the next shot.

When you impart dramatic spin on the cue ball, either forward or backwards, you have used a draw stroke.

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The Follow Through Draw

Lesson 25 There are different types of draw strokes. You have a slight angle, but would like to bring the cue ball into the circle. Use a follow through draw. Follow through more and dig into the ball. It will curve first and then spin straight back into the target area.

Any time you want to move the cue ball away from your object ball and then back towards you, the follow through draw will be used.

Thought for the day There is always something to overcome. That is why I overcome.

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The Snap Back Draw

Lesson 26 A snap back draw stroke will tighten the line and whip the cue ball back towards you.

Start with a slight angle. You would like to bring the cue ball into the circle. Use a whip like motion. Snap the cue ball. If you execute correctly the cue ball will come straight back.

Thought for the day If I concentrate on each shot I wont need to throw my arms up in the air and say, I can make that shot a hundred times in a row.

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The Follow Through Draw vs The Snap Back Draw

99

A

B

Follow

throug

h

S n a p b a c k

Lesson 27 Use a follow through draw to gain position on the nine for pocket A. This calls for your finest follow through draw.

Use a snap back draw to gain position for the nine in pocket B. You will need to be crisp here. As you can see, a simple draw stroke is not enough to gain favorable position. You must be the master of the four draw strokes as the game will demand you use one over the other to gain position on the winning shot.

At The Monk Billiard Academy, we spend a lot of time with this lesson.

Thought for the day Never, never, never apologize for a fine performance.

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Snap Back Draw vs The Follow Through Draw

8 99

Lesson 28 Here is a situation where the snap back is the only draw stroke to use if you want to get a good shot on the nine ball. A snap back draw on the eight ball will pull the cue ball back without making contact with the nine ball, thus leaving you a clear shot into the same pocket. If you us a follow through draw, you will circle around the nine and make contact. You dont know where the nine will end up, and you dont know where the cue ball will land. You have no control when this happens. So a snap back stroke is demanded here. Be sure to master each one. One wins the game, the other loses the game.

Thought for the day I make a conscious effort to see what I am seeing on the table.

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Rail Draw

99

Lesson 29 Practice this shot with a draw stroke going two rails. Then go one rail with inside english.

Move the cue ball and object ball around and practice variations of this shot.

Thought for the day I have an indifference to winning. I have an indifference to losing, for I am caught up in the shot at hand.

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Snip Draw

Low Right

Low

Lef

t

Lesson 30 Give yourself a slight angle with this shot and shoot the object ball into the corner pocket without allowing the cue ball to touch any of the other object balls. The cue ball must come back ever so slightly to qualify as a draw. You will need to deliver a crisp snip to achieve these results. The snip draw is a vital skill. You will be using low right in this case, so you can throw the object ball to the left, thus allowing you to hit more of the object ball. Since you are getting throw on the object ball, your aim can be straighter. In other words, you dont have to cut the ball as much.

You will find that you pocket the ball more often when you use a good snip draw. In fact, I have missed this shot by two diamonds and the object ball still rolled into the pocket. Be sure to shoot table speed. Just enough so that the object ball rolls slowly into the pocket.

You may not understand the value of this skill at first. Be patient. When you master the snip draw you will be using it to win many games. It is a vital skill. You will never be a great player without the snip draw. Lesson Thirty is how you develop this skill.

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Snip Draw (cont.)

8 99

When you are good at The Snip Draw, place the nine ball down near diamond number two. Set it up so a ball can fit through between the rail and nine ball with about a quarter of an inch of space left over. Then return to the shot. It does not look like you can miss the nine ball and make the shot, but you can. Try it. Stay with it. A nice Snip Draw will allow you to sneak past that nine ball. You sight the shot as if the nine ball is not there. Then you add just a little more throw to the shot. This throw takes you inside the nine ball. You will develop the instincts to succeed with this shot. In fact, you will know if you missed the nine ball the instant you stroke the cue ball. You will know if you succeed or fail long before the eight ball is on the way.

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Snip Draw 2

99

Lesson 31 Not only do you throw the object ball with The Snip Draw, but you kill the cue ball as well. Shoot this shot into the corner and do not allow the cue ball to drift across the table and make contact with the rail. In other words, use The Snip Draw to kill the cue ball. It can be done, we do it all the time at The Monk Billiard Academy.

Thought for the day I develop my instincts with each shot.

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The Snapper

A B

Lesson 32 Snap the cue ball back into position for ball B. Use low left, but not too much.

I would like you to go back to the Snap Back Draw for this lesson. We see this set up in the game of nine ball. I call this shot The Snapper because you are required to deliver a nice snap to the cue ball for favorable position on the nine ball. This shot requires a little bit of snip in the stroke so you will not fly two rails. Try to get into the circle area. The Snapper is a Snap Back Snip Draw. Who says this game is easy? Wait till you need to use the Snap Back Snip Follow Through Bouncer.

Thought for the day I develop my instincts with each shot.

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The Bouncer

AB

Lesson 33 Shoot object ball A into the side for position on object ball B. This is a Bounce Back Draw stroke. Bounce the ball into position. Do not spin the ball. Your consistency will be higher using a bounce.

Get a feel for The Bouncer. You are not spinning the cue ball backwards. You are actually bouncing the cue ball into position. The Bounce Back Draw is really a Stun backwards. You will need to master The Stun in order to master the Bounce Back Draw. There are times when we need to incorporate a Bounce in our Punch Stroke. We need to Bounce off the object ball to gain more distance with the Punch Stroke. Once you master the Bounce Back Draw, you will find that you have many uses for this wonderful skill.

There are four draw strokes in this game: The Follow Through Draw. The Snap Back Draw The Snip Draw The Bounce Back Draw

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The Spin Stroke

A

B

Lesson 34 Practice this shot. It should be shot very softly. I have found myself using The Spin Stroke to

win games. There have been times when the difference between winning and losing came down to my Spin Stroke skills. This is a stroke that was used by many of the old timers. They use The Spin Stroke to gain better control of the cue ball. We use side spin and flick our wrist. You can hear a Spin Stroke. It is crisp. It imparts side spin on the cue ball and it is this spin that carries you to your desired position. Try this Lesson and see how often you get good position.

I use the back english method to perfect my Spin Stroke.

Thought for the day This too shall change. Success will change, losing will change.

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Spin for Position

A

99

Lesson 35 Many players will try to use a follow stroke with inside english to go one rail for position on the nine ball. This takes some effort. You need to hold up the cue ball. You need to allow for deflection and throw. Sometimes you can scratch in the side pocket or even make contact with the nine ball. With the one rail shot you are going against the grain. You are fighting the cue ball. You are trying to hold it up. I like the two or three rail shot. Use a crisp Spin Stroke and go where the cue ball wants to go. Follow the track line to perfect position every time. A Punch Stroke could scratch in the corner. You need the Spin Stroke to expand the track line off the first rail and this takes you to an easy shot on the nine ball.

Take the nine ball and put it in front of the side pocket. Play the same shot. Only this time, move the cue ball further to the center of the table for an easy shot in the side pocket. Get a good feel for this lesson.

This is a good lesson to try some back english. There are times when the Back English system should be used. This in one of them. Focus on your delivery.

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Develop Your Stroke

A

B

Lesson 36 This is a great lesson for developing stroke and speed. Shoot object ball A with a Spin Stroke and go three rails for position on object ball B. Reset object ball A and shoot object ball B with three rail position for object ball A. Reset B and continue back and forth. Stay with this until you master the stroke.

Thought for the day When we willfully sabotage a fine performance, there has to be a payoff somewhere. Find out what it is and you can end the self destructive behavior.

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A Vital Series

You are about to embark upon the most important material in my entire series. The 2-7-2 is vital to your own personal development in this game. It is the foundation to a championship performance, I thank you for letting me share this fine program with you. Take it to heart. Make it an important part of your game. Up to now, you are a butterfly fluttering its wings. You are ready to take

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Documents

great draw stroke

programthe monk

monk clicks

punch stroke

great follow stroke

consistent track line

strokes of pocket billiards

basic strokes