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"Helping CUE-SPORTS' Players WIN WorldWide!™"

· Set Your Sights TO WIN with POOL TARGET

· 2011 © by GLADIATORS-usa.com _TM

· “Helping Cue-Sports’ Players WIN Worldwide” _TM

· > 1 NOV 2011 - Publish to website and provide “Hyperlinks” to all “bold with underline” items for supporting illustrations, explanations and products.

· INTRODUCTION:

o POOL TARGET is a visual aid and guide-booklet used to help pool players learn to shoot their shoots more accurately and consistently. POOL TARGET is a practical measuring tool; it is a thin plastic screen printed template which displays the three critical target variables which are important to shooting every pool shot. These target variables must be accurately judged on every shot in order to get the precise results desired. Errors of judgment on any of these target variables will result in either missed shots or poor cue ball position on the next shot.

o POOL TARGET accurately displays cue ball target location, cue ball target angle, and cue ball target size for pool shots. Every shot involves these three target variables. Using POOL TARGET on practice shots trains players to observe and carefully judge these target variables on all their shots. More consistent and accurate shooting soon follows as players consistently apply what they have learned while using POOL TARGET.

o POOL TARGET helps players to make better targeting estimates and to more routinely hit their shots. POOL TARGET can easily be taken wherever pool is being played in its handy protective pocket folder. Use POOL TARGET to help you find and hit the target on your practice shots; also use it to help your less experienced pool playing friends with their shots. Everyone can play better pool and have more fun with the help of POOL TARGET.

· INSTRUCTIONS:

o POOL TARGET POSITIONING:

§ Select an object ball to shoot and a next shot cue ball position. Utilize “Shot Target Navigation” to help determine how to strike the cue ball in order to direct both the object ball path and the cue ball path for desired results on each shot effort. The base of the object ball and its target position form the object ball target line. The object ball target position varies slightly depending upon “Object Ball THROW” due to friction acting between the cue ball and object ball during the impact process. For a pure-rolling cue ball, “Object Ball THROW ANGLE” varies from zero for a straight shot, to “about” 6 degrees for a maximal cut shot. “About” is due to a combination of factors which include ball diametric tolerance (‘early to late hit’), and ball to ball friction (‘clean smooth to dirty rough’ balls). Highly experienced players will quickly adapt to playing conditions as they more quickly can get accustomed to different play environments. For a pure-rolling (no “Masse” or forward axis spin, and no “English” or vertical axis spin) cue ball, the “Object Ball THROW ANGLE” is proportional to “PERCENT CUT” (the un-eclipsed portion of the object ball). Example: 50 “Percent Cut” ~ 0.5 x 6 degrees or 3 degrees “Throw Angle”.

§ Place the v-notch of POOL TARGET under the object ball. Aim the POOL TARGET arrow and target line down the object ball target line. The expected object ball path varies from the object ball target line by the amount of the “THROW ANGLE”. Slide the POOL TARGET up under the object ball until the shaded circle is directly under the object ball. POOL TARGET is now in correct position for the practice shot.

o CUE BALL TARGET LOCATION:

§ When the cue ball and the object ball are touching, their bottoms are one ball diameter apart. The cue ball target location is on the object ball target line one ball diameter away from the bottom of the object ball. This is the desired position of the cue ball’s bottom when it hits the object ball. The precise path the object ball and cue ball take after impact depends upon the precise location of the cue ball’s bottom when impact occurs, and also on many other factors: cue ball speed before impact, impact angle, spin of the cue ball about each of its three axis (forward, side, and vertical), ball weight or mass, ball diametric tolerance, ball to ball friction, ball to cloth friction, ball to cloth rolling resistance, Earth motion, and other influencing ballistic details.

§ Select a bridge position best for the intended shot; balanced between a “short bridge distance” for accuracy and a “long bridge distance” for smooth low force stroke acceleration of the cue into impact with the cue ball. Hold the cue at the center-of-percussion which corresponds to the bridge (pivot point) position selected for the intended shot. The hold will suspend the cue butt in a “spring grip” between the crotch of the thumb and the middle finger; with the index, ring and little fingers just touching the cue butt like antennas for “feel”. The stroke engine is the muscles in the forearm which act to “snap” the middle finger against the palm of the hold hand. Step up to the stance position with the pressure point of the ‘rear foot’ in the plane of the cue ball target line, the ‘side foot’ providing balancing and the bridge at the selected distance from the cue ball strike window. Carefully take a strong stable tripod type stance with the cue centerline, stroke forearm / elbow / shoulder, aiming eye and the cue tip in the after shot follow thru position all directly over and centered in the vertical plane of the cue ball target line. Bend down into the stance position while keeping the dominant eye (aiming eye) directly above the cue’s shaft in preparation for the stroke. Bend until you can see the target lines of both the cue ball and the object ball as well as the shaft of the cue stick in front of the bridge. You want to always keep your aiming eye directly above the cue while shooting. Run your eyes up and down the object ball target line, the cue ball target line, and the cue’s shaft. Do this several times to be sure you are accurately aimed. Just before you start stroking, lock your eyes on the cue ball target location. Any eye movement while stroking may move your body out of position and spoil the results of your shot. You want to keep your eyes locked on the cue ball target location until long after the shot takes place.

§ When you are accurately aimed, slowly backstroke a few times to get the feel of the required stroke movement, while at the same time holding the required cue alignment or aim. Be sure to keep your stance balanced and absolutely still; stance position, strength and stability are necessary to assure nothing moves but the cue and the stroking forearm during the stroke action. The light reflections on the cue’s upper cylindrical shaft will hold position when you are stroking straight. When you are sure you are ready; backstroke slowly, and then shoot the cue and follow-through by squeezing the large “snap” finger of your holding hand to pull the cue forward smoothly and sharply. The speed of the cue tip at impact will be set by how quickly the large “snap” finger of the holding hand is closed about the cue’s butt. The cue will stop on its own when the top of the butt comes into contact with the palm of your hand. Only the stroking forearm and hand move during the stroke action.

§ After your stroke, hold your body and eye position until the shot takes place. Observe the results of your efforts with your peripheral vision as streaks of light dancing on your brain; while you continue to hold your eye position on the cue ball target location. Make a strong visual impression of the results of every shot effort. Try to associate the results produced with the sights and feelings that went into the production of the shot effort. On every effort, focus on what you did that helped to produce desired results, and add to this base of knowledge every chance you get. Build on your strengths, and push through your weaknesses. Your game will grow as your knowledge and skills develop.

· SUMMARY:

o Repeat the above shot procedure on every shot; eventually, it will become automatic, a habit of thought and action which will be there to produce consistent desired results on all your shot efforts. Carefully observe the results of your thoughts and efforts; remember and fully apply what “TO DO” to get the results you desire. Always practice positive thinking and imaging in terms of “what to do”, knowing clearly every detail and trusting in your knowledge. Avoid negative thinking of what “NOT TO DO” or what might “go wrong”; such negative thinking produces mental imaging which miss-directs both thoughts and actions. You can’t “do a don’t”; only try and always “do everything that is known to help”. Practice what works and work to learn more of what helps. Build your game by trying to become the very best player you can be in the time you have available.

o Have every confidence in yourself because you are trying, not due to any results, and know that trying will get you all the desirable results that anyone can ever come to enjoy. When you are really trying you are always winning because you are either getting desired results or learning something. You only really loose when you fail to try to do your best.