The Basics of Pool Billiards E-Book

David Alfieri

• Herausgeber: Litho
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Seitenzahl: 258

Beschreibung

The Pool School Germany is the first exclusive Pool School in Germany where the curriculum and training procedures are based upon the same fundamentals applied at the Pool School USA. The Pool School USA is a renowned american Pool Billiard academy based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Pool School USA is administrated by one of the most experienced and successful Pool Billiard trainers worldwide, Mr. Jerry Briesath.

Leseprobe

David Alfieri & Uwe Sander

POOL SCHOOL GERMANY

Begin playing the sport of pool billiards using the teaching methods of the THE POOL SCHOOL

THE BASICS

OF POOL BILLIARDS

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© Litho-Verlag e.K., T. Lindemann, Germany

www.billiardbook.com • www.litho-verlag.de

All rights reserved

Print: Chroma Druck und Verlags GmbH

1. Edition 2005

Translation: Skip Newberry

Printed in Germany

ISBN Print: 978-3-9804706-4-3

ISBN Ebook PDF 978-3-941484-54-2

ISBN Ebook epub 978-3-946128-49-6

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

This first book is dedicated to

Jerry Briesath.

Probably the worlds best professional pool trainer.

 The Basics of Pool Billiards

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Content

1 Playing accessories........................................................17

1.1 The Cue.....................................................................................17

1.1.1 Cue length.............................................................................20

1.1.2 The cue weight......................................................................20

1.1.2.1 The balance point..............................................................23

1.1.2.2 The weight distribution.....................................................24

1.1.3 The cue tip.............................................................................25

1.1.3.1 The leather density............................................................26

1.1.3.2 Types of tips......................................................................27

1.1.4 Ferrule...................................................................................30

1.1.4.1 Composition......................................................................30

1.1.4.2 Purpose.............................................................................30

1.1.4.3 Types of ferrules................................................................31

1.1.4.4 Care and treatment I.........................................................31

1.1.5 The shaft...............................................................................31

1.1.5.1 The shaft constitution and construction............................32

1.1.5.2 Measurements...................................................................33

1.1.5.3 The taper...........................................................................33

1.1.5.4 Care and treatment II........................................................34

1.1.6 The joint................................................................................35

1.1.7 The butt.................................................................................36

1.1.8 The rubber end (Bumper)......................................................37

1.1.9 Workmanship verses quality price.........................................37

1.1.10 Protective measures...............................................................39

1.1.11 The break cue........................................................................40

1.1.12 Jump cues.............................................................................41

1.2 The table...................................................................................42

1.2.1 Measurements.......................................................................43

1.2.2 Training aid markings............................................................43

1.2.2.1 The method of marking the playing field..........................44

1.2.3 The rails.................................................................................46

1.2.4 The pockets...........................................................................48

1.2.5 The cloth...............................................................................49

1.2.6 The slate bed.........................................................................50

1.2.7 Buying a table.......................................................................51

1.3 The balls....................................................................................52

1.3.1 History and development......................................................52

1.3.2 Billiard balls of today.............................................................53

1.3.3 Maintenance and care...........................................................55

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

1.4 Accessories................................................................................56

1.4.1 Chalk.....................................................................................56

1.4.1.1 Effects of chalk..................................................................56

1.4.1.2 Method of chalking...........................................................57

1.4.2 The rack.................................................................................59

1.4.3 The mechanical bridge (crutch).............................................60

1.4.4 Talcum or baby powder.........................................................61

2 Stance and grip.............................................................63

2.1 The stance.................................................................................63

2.1.1 The ideal stance.....................................................................63

2.1.1.1 A comfortable stance........................................................64

2.1.1.2 Effective aiming technique................................................65

2.1.1.3 Freedom to stroke the cue straight....................................66

2.1.2 Feet and leg position.............................................................66

2.1.3 Where to hold the stroking arm and hand ...........................70

2.1.4 Head and torso position........................................................73

2.2 Gripping....................................................................................76

2.2.1 The bridge hand....................................................................76

2.2.1.1 The open bridge................................................................77

2.2.1.2 The closed bridge..............................................................78

2.2.1.3 The bridge length..............................................................81

2.2.2 The stroking hand.................................................................83

2.2.3 Playing from the rail..............................................................85

2.2.3.1 Cue ball is situated on or near the rail...............................85

2.2.3.2 Shooting the cue ball directly from the rail.......................86

2.2.3.3 Shooting along the rail......................................................86

2.2.4 Shooting over one or more balls...........................................86

2.2.5 Use of the mechanical bridge................................................87

3 Systematic training concepts........................................89

3.1 Building blocks for systematic play..........................................93

3.1.1 Follow through technique.....................................................93

3.1.1.1 Control..............................................................................94

3.1.1.2 The follow-through stroke...............................................100

3.1.1.3 Straight forward..............................................................101

3.1.1.4 Throwing movement – generated gradually (speed)........104

3.1.1.5 Roughly 10 cm (4 in) past.................................................105

3.1.1.6 The cue tip comes to rest................................................108

3.1.1.7 Stabilize the elbow level..................................................108

3.1.2 Aiming techniques...............................................................111

3.1.2.1 The point system.............................................................112

3.1.2.2 The ghost ball system......................................................113

 The Basics of Pool Billiards

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3.1.2.3 Chin lock – where aiming begins.....................................114

3.2 Playing system........................................................................116

3.2.1 How long should the pause be?..........................................118

3.2.2 The warm-up stroke............................................................118

3.2.3 Missing................................................................................119

3.2.4 A question of exactness.......................................................119

3.2.5 Stroke energy......................................................................122

3.2.6 The ideal system..................................................................124

4 The stop shot...............................................................125

4.1 Conditional ball consequence................................................126

4.1.1 The slipping condition.........................................................126

4.1.2 The rolling condition...........................................................127

4.1.3 The still condition................................................................128

4.2 Why the stop shot stops.........................................................128

4.2.1 The mechanics of the stop shot...........................................133

4.2.2 The stop shot using constant stroke energy........................135

4.2.3 The stop shot using a constant striking point on the cue-ball................................................................................139

4.3 The draw shot.........................................................................141

4.4 The follow shot.......................................................................144

5 Training........................................................................149

5.1 Sensible training.....................................................................149

5.2 Practising................................................................................153

5.2.1 Exercises..............................................................................154

6 Beginner mistakes.......................................................163

6.1 Faulty technique.....................................................................163

6.2 Tips for the actual beginner...................................................167

7 Glossary.......................................................................169

8 Index............................................................................181

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

Preface

When you think about it, pool is a pretty weird sport. No other sport is quite like it. During play, there is no reaction from your opponent when you hit the ball as there is in tennis or forced moves as in chess. There is no body contact like in boxing and even if one said that golf were its clos-est relative, they are in fact worlds apart. Golfers have their own personal balls and every golfer is responsible for his or her lay. In pool, my rough lay can suddenly be your problem. A golfer concentrates and reacts to his individual situations on a playing field, against all opponents at once and is always allowed to mark a scoring card. In Pool, you may loose and never have had a chance to shoot a ball.

Maybe one or more of these examples, is the reason why the pool sport has become so popular during the last 2 decades, here in Germany. Flicks like “the Hustler”, “the color of money”; “Baltimore bullet” or “kiss shot” and others have certainly helped its popularity as well. However, the youngest discipline in pool, “9-ball” has pushed aside 8-ball the more tradi-tional game here in Germany, with its colorful variety of rules. In doing so, 9-ball has created a fast and easy chance for Beginners to check out what is really happening behind the scenes. If one takes this one step further, one begins to realize the broad spectrum of participants. Men and wom-en, senior's and children, beginner and professional tournaments and/or club leagues, where all of them are trying to figure out daily, how to move the balls the best way possible on the green felt. How old one is doesn’t matter, which of course is a positive factor for its popularity. Most profes-sionals start playing at an early age, around 6 to 8 years of age. However many pro’s have started much later. The question, at what age should I re-tire, is neither answerable nor relevant. Those of you who have fun at this game will always be ready for a match. World champion 3 cushion player and pool billiard legend Willie Hoppe, (1887-1959) won his first world title when he was 18 and his last 47 years later, at the age of 65! We can assure you that even after winning his last world title he was still having fun at the game. How young or old you are and how good or lesser good your game tends to be – if your having fun at it and you want to get bet-ter, then this first book will certainly help you get where you want to go.

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Acknowledgments

The work invested on this was and is an experience, which for us, has not only been rewarding but a lot of fun as well. We’ve learned how very unique this sport is, when one has the goal to write about this sport in all of its details, and to our readers in such a way, that the beginner or free-time player as well as advanced players profit from it. Without the help from friends, club members, players and employees, this effort would have been extremely difficult. If we were to name every one of them, then it would take up too much room. So we have decided to name only the most important, to which without them the making and publishing of this book would not have been worthy.

Our biggest thanks goes toJerry Briesath, founder of the Pool School USA, who helped and supported us in the making of the Pool School Germany in Europe. He was an indirect factor for the first book (in German) and he personally edited the translated version. He is honored for having initiated the foundation, through his American teaching con-cept, the way we administrate and manage the Pool School Germany in Europe and for his wise and important tips (not only in pool) and his in-credible, to which he was always happy to give.

Because of this, we learned the two most important factors a trainer needs to know how to do before he can teach. 1. The art of being able to prove the reasoning behind a statement before making it. 2. The art of being able to relate this fifty different ways.

Thank you, Jerry.

We never got a chance to meet Jack H. Koehler. We got a hold of his book during our trip to Chicago in 1993, getting this document was a very important objective of ours. We bought it in the same Pool hall where Paul Newman and Jacky Gleason filmed “The Hustler”. It was autographed by him, was the very last copy and belonged to the owner of the estab-lishment. The owner, while watching us devour the pages with interest, began to realize what an impression this book was making on us and sold it to us immediately. Our thanks goes to Jack H. Koehler for waking in us the creativity we needed, how to relate pool in different manners and for giving us the permission to use a portion of his work. We hope, one day,

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

to meet and get to know him personally.

Writing and publishing a book requires a great amount of coopera-tion between the writers and the publishers. Getting any book into print on this subject matter, especially when it’s being translated into another language, is no less important and very difficult. We want also to thank Thomas Lindemann and the LITHO-Publishers for his patients and support. Since this is not the first book Thomas Lindemann has had published, we are certain our book is in the good hands of an experienced publisher.

There are so many more who have motivated and helped us create this first volume, to refer to them all would mean to name the better part of our students and friends. In this way, we want to thank all of you who helped and supported us along our way and be complemented by the fact that the first volume has finally been accomplished.

Frankenthal, autumn 1997, 2005

David Alfieri, Uwe Sander.

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This books goal

The goal of this book is to explain, just like in any other sport, there are two elements a player needs, to move to the next higher level of com-petition: Knowledgeand ability. Or as Jack H. Koehler through the use of two relevant questions had put it:

1. “Do I really know (knowledge), exactly where to hit the ball, to make it go into the pocket?

and

2. “Am I physically able (ability), to hit it there?

There is however, one other point to remember when using these two elements and that is through your method of approach. Knowledge alone may not be enough to raise ones ability. However, through your “method of approach” you can declare a fast, effective and sensible means for de-veloping your ability, from any knowledge obtained. Used correctly, this will always show an obvious and prompt orientation for your games success.

The better half of all beginners in pool and even some of those who have been playing the game for while, are confronted with a problem eventually, information management. Everybody wants to help you and your getting flooded with information from all sides. Are you familiar with this? Somebody relates to you a “show and tell” example on how to do a “real” draw shot and another explains it to you exactly the opposite. Whether you are trying to develop a straight delivery or a good stroke, the best stance, or find out what the deal is with the “stop-ball”. You always have friends and good players around, who “know the answer”. Whether their answer is right, wrong, or just misleading is secondary. The fact is, almost everyone will try to pass it on to you and though it was the same question, you are still lightly confused.

As a beginner, what are you supposed to do – even those who have been playing awhile? What is useful, what is not? Is there a system to this madness on how to separate the good from the bad or misleading infor-mation? What are my options?

If you take these ideas and try them all out on your own, you are go-ing to lose a lot of precious time (decades!), until you find the best ones.

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

However, what if we can show you a real system to this problem? Namely this system has been able to separate the effective from ineffective over the past two to three decades. In addition, what if, this system can also explain why something is effective and another is not?

Be this as it may, there is one thing for certain that you are doing right! Research! This is the correct manner for understanding similar prob-lems. Answers to these questions is the reason for this first volume and the reason why this book be rendered the most important book in our series. We hope that after reading this first edition, in the future you will be able to set apart the answers to your question as either effective or ineffective.

 The Basics of Pool Billiards

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

Introduction

Before you begin with the readings, we would like to introduce a few important matters and terminology.

The biggest part of this book goes on to explain the knowledge we, in the past 10 years, have obtained and to which is being delivered in our courses in the Pool School Germany. To possess knowledge and the abil-ity is one thing, but to pass this knowledge on, so that anyone can un-derstand it, requires just as much time and talent. We learned this imme-diately at a seminar in Bad Hennef, Germany, where Jerry Briesath gave a lecture in 1989. He would explain in 20 minutes subject matter and get everybody to understand, where other trainers would need hours or days. He would explain it to you in a variety of ways, through situations out of every day life or through other types of sport, until you got the message.

During the years 1991 and 1992, we traveled to Madison, Wiscon-sin and attended the American Pool billiard Academy (Pool School USA) of Jerry Briesath to qualify as licensed *BCA-trainers. Upon our completion of this course, we invited him to the opening of the Pool School Germany, in Germany, where he held courses. This in turn offered the opportunity to studying his training techniques more closely.

Uwe Sander and David Alfieri

(Licensed trainers under the Billiard Congress of America)

 The Basics of Pool Billiards

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Between 1992 and 1997 around 600 students, private and from bil-liard clubs, from Germany and around Europe, have attended courses held at the Pool School Germany and enjoyed a refreshing new way to learn a beloved subject matter. Most of these students come back for refresher or advanced courses. Some come to attend our (strenuous) instructor’s course so they can teach their own students. A greater part of our students had asked whether our teaching methods were in a book one could acquire. Therefore, after answering enough intelligent questions with stupid an-swers, we decided to write the book you are now holding.

It was of course clear to us from the beginning that after becoming certified BCA Instructors; our work would not be left to, “just instructing”. Research for the improvement of learning methods was our goal. During the past few years, we have gathered numerous books, videos, reports and learning concepts, interviews and conversations with other trainers and players. Many were tested for their sensibility or nonsense, whether they were systematic or unorganized and how the mortal needs of the student could be met. Whether it be a technical and tactical or a physical and mental aspect, we looked into it. Those books, which were important, made sense and contained a greater part of our expectations and learning concepts have been listed later in this book under “reference material”. We have organized and systemized our teaching concepts through this research and we intend to extend our goals by introducing an instructor’s handbook, so that our methods and concepts taught at the Pool School Germany can aid them, when they teach their own students.

While technique the basic learning point is in all billiard areas, we de-cided to write more volumes about this, rather than only one basic book. Such a book of course would be complete, however it would not allow us to go into detail.

In this book, we use descriptions such as Beginneror Novice, Hobby or Amusement players, League or advanced players, Pro-Am, semi or full Professional players. The Beginner is described as being an abso-lute stranger to this game/sport and has seldom held a cue in their hands, whereas the Novice is at least “wet behind the ears”. They both may have gathered a little “theoretical knowledge” along the way. However, the simi-larities in both types of player are the lack of practice. Both types of players

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The Basics of Pool Billiards 

miss easy balls regularly and have no real feel for the game.

Hobby or Amusement playershave been playing longer and even though they enjoy this sport regularly. They only play for fun and are sat-isfied with their level of play and for the moment are not really interest-ed in gathering more knowledge about technique or theories toward the betterment of their game and always seem to make the same mistakes.

We categorize League playersas Amateurs as well as Advanced, semi-Pros or even Professionals as well. The greater part of these players to which is being referred here, belong to the lower leagues and though they have much practice at their game, many of them haven’t quite grasped the connection between theory and practice, which they may have (in-complete) received through their league trainer or maybe a better player. League players (because most participate in open and league tournaments) are always interested in bettering their game.

The Advanced player(may be described also as a pro-Amateur or semi-Pro) has a good grasp for the connection between theory and practice. They invest a good part of their free time in the study and bet-terment of their game. These players continue to improve physically as well as mentally.

The Pro-Amor professionalis the last level that a player reaches. However, when you get right down to it, their level of play is similar to that of a top advanced player with of course two important differences.

1. The Pro – as a rule – plays high-level competition more often.

2. They are sponsored by companies who have trust in their ability.

The class descriptions we have listed above are, of course symbolic and should by no means be a strict classification for everybody playing this sport. Consider these classifications as flowing. They help us relate to the reader, different perspectives and relations for better understanding.

We also wish to advise the reader to work with these readings chap-ter for chapter, as they build upon each other. Further, terminology that will be explained in depth in later volumes, a fact that we can’t seem to get around always, will sometimes be touched on in this book too early and unless defined outright during the passage you can certainly find it in the glossary.

 The Basics of Pool Billiards

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Throughout this book as well as in later volumes, we attempt to de-scribe everyone who plays pool as players. As non-gender, meaning men as well as women, boys and girls, left-hander as well as right-hander. Fur-ther, with ambidextrous players the training diagrams expand for use with both hands. No need getting too one-sided during these exercises, right? As for now, enjoy yourself and let us begin with the successful develop-ment of your game.

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Playing

Accessoires

The Basics of Pool Billiards Playing accessories

Two-piece cue

Pool billiard playing accessories

Playing accessories

Just like in any other sport, pool billiards has it own array of acces-sories, of which all players who are interested in this sport, should be ac-quainted with. This chapter does not confine this to a mere listing, but goes on to explain in depth, background information, which is not only helpful but interesting as well. Much of this information is certainly strange to the beginner or hobby player, however could be of much help later for their – hopefully – upcoming successful career.

The Cue

Playing

Accessoires

Playing accessories The Basics of Pool Billiards

18

Probably the most important tool for a player is the cue. Usually it is the first piece of equipment a player acquires after becoming serious at getting better at this sport.

The player can acquire cues that can be broken down in two, three and more parts. House cues, found in establishments for the public, are usually of the “one-piece” version. Most amateur to pro cues, break down in two pieces; the upper (shaft) bridge half and lower (butt) grip half of the cue. Many cue makers produce the grip half or butt out of three piec-es (see chapter 1.1.7 production).

Because they are glued together, we refer to them as one piece.

Although so called “Break” or “Jump” cues can break down in the grip half through a “quick-out” joint even further, Jump cues are still re-ferred to as two-piece cues. Cues, which can be broken down in three or more pieces, are more compact for easier transportation. They are of course compact; however lack the handling and quality of serious cue makers to which serious players rely on. Because of this, we will concentrate our in-terest primarily on two-piece cues.

Element description of a two-piece cue.

The cue is the primary tool a player requires to move the cue ball into an object ball and serve that into a given pocket. The simple idea that it’s nothing more than a wooden stick, used to apply speed and direction to the cue ball is rather naive (gimme a broomstick for this and I’ll sweep

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Playing

Accessoires

The Basics of Pool Billiards Playing accessories

the place up after winning this tournament!) but theoretically possible... One should realize that today’s cues from their beginning, have been con-stantly refined and modernized to make play more accurate. Hardly… that a top pro would attempt to compete at a masters tournament with any old cheap house cue he may have found, and then go on to beat every-body, is hardly thinkable.

The beginner or novice should start with a price worthy, quality, brand named, cue. Shy away from cheaply made house cues which tend to warp, have cue tips that are either flat or practically nonexistent or are screwed on, have scratched or damaged ferrules or all these characteristics. If this sport should be more than just a past time, you should consider investing in your own personal cue. Not only pros, “most players” rely on their own personal cue. A sound reason behind such a decision (next to its high qual-ity) is its familiarity. You can become accustomed to it, rather than always having to adapt to different weights, tip or balance characteristics of the cues available to you in public pool halls.

Now the beginner, at this point, may be unfamiliar to the importance these characteristics have toward the rapid development of their game. They are however, of the utmost importance in regards to reliable play. This is covered thoroughly in this chapter.

The cue is the primary tool a player requires to move the cue ball into an object ball and serve that into a given pocket.

Playing

Accessoires

Playing accessories The Basics of Pool Billiards

20

Brand new, good quality cues are as low as $100. However, before buying, you should try a few out first. A rule of thumb: How does it feel in your hand? Where is its balance point (weight distribution)? Is it top heavy or butt heavy? The length and the weight of the cue are of great importance and something one always should consider before buying.

Cue length

Providing you are of normal height between sixty-six and seventy-two inches, then a cue should measure between 57.5 and 58.5 inches. Normal production length is around 58 to 58.5 inches to which smaller people can normally adapt. However, for optimized play, your cue should adapt to you and not otherwise.

Cues which need to be more than 58.5 inches can be ordered ex-tra through most manufacturers, however be careful at this point. Given a standard length of 58 inches and lengthening the shaft to 59 inches is not a problem, (if you have an extra shaft, send it in as well). If you wish to lengthen your cue anything over an inch and a half, then you should send the entire cue in to be lengthened. The lengthening should then be evenly distributed to the shaft as well as the butt portion of the cue oth-erwise the characteristics of your shaft, its elasticity as well as to the cues overall balance begins to become impaired the longer the shaft gets at this point. Alongside of that, a longer shaft that lengthens your cue to 59.5 or 60 inches may not fit in your cue case anymore.

Smaller people as well as children should play with cues depicting their height. If a cue is too long, then the weight distribution becomes impaired. The butt hand tends to grasp the cue on or around the balancing point. For example, a child using a cue of standard length with an open bridge will find it harder after a follow through stroke, to keep the cue tip from rising up off the bridge hand. Whereas, a cue tailored to their height, will keep the butt hand well behind the balance point, where it needs to be.

The cue weight

In the beginning, most players get used to a cue, which looks good, plays good and to which the weight plays, for the time being, only a sec-ondary roll. The weight of a cue however does make an impression toward

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Playing

Accessoires

The Basics of Pool Billiards Playing accessories

its handling and playing characteristics and should always be considered before making a final decision. Through the following examples, at least during shots with a soft stroke your cue should not be heavier than what you are physically able to control and be comfortable with.

The weight of a cue, in its extremes, is normally between 16 and 23 ounces (oz.). Metric system would equal 450 and 600 grams (gr.). Ama-teurs to Pros play with cues weighing between 19 and 21 oz., whereas most of them have narrowed this down between 19 and 20 oz. You can usually vary the weight by doing one or more of the following steps:

Changing the weight screw: The smaller or lighter the screw, the lighter the cue.

Lengthening: The longer the shaft of course the heavier.

Type of joint: The heavier the material, the heavier the cue.

Through inlay work: Depending on the material used a cue can be made heavier or lighter.

By doing one or more of the above, will of course not only change the weight of the cue, it will also redistribute the balance point as well, to which will be gone into further detail in a later chapter. The weight of your cue will affect the amount of dynamic rotation you apply to the cue ball as well as the distance covered when rendering identical stroke tech-niques. Try out cues weighing between 16 oz. and 21 oz., and see which weight feels better for you, keeping in mind that most professionals use a cue weighing between 18.5 and 20 ounces.

In order to create movement to the cue ball (legally), a certain kind of force is required, namely “kinetic energy”, which is initiated by spearing the point of the cue against the surface or face of the cue ball. The dis-tance a cue ball covers has a lot to do with the weight and speed gener-ated against it from the cue. Through the use of a lighter cue, one would need to spear (stroke) the cue faster through the cue ball than would be needed when using a heavier cue to reach identical kinetic reactions.

Playing

Accessoires

Playing accessories The Basics of Pool Billiards

22

Through the sum of this fact, one can better understand the follow-ing rules when deciding between the lighter or heavier cue.

The lighter the cue, the harder it is to stroke straight through, when hitting hard.

On the other hand, with the use of a lighter cue, situations where precise positioning is required and the distances are much less, one can develop a better feel for the cue balls speed.

Therefore the lighter your cue, the better your speed control, however the lesser your exactness may be when a powerful stroke is used.

The amount of spin applied to the cue ball is to a small degree due to the cue weight, especially when the stroke energy is high. Because a heavier cue will move easier through the cue ball, than a lighter cue does, its forward movement is therefore less hindered and more fluid, which al-lows the cue to keep its speed through the cue ball.

Consequently:

The heavier the cue, the more spin will be applied to the cue ball, when struck horizontally outside of its center (English).

Should you find this useful, then let us look