Awareness - Zen Pool
I generally like to take the summer off from pool post Vegas. Sometimes, I’ll go for weeks without hitting a ball. Since my recent lackluster interest for competing, I would assume do the same this summer. However, there is always the subject of straight pool.
Ahhhh… my two most favorite words put together in pool, “straight and pool.” No matter how hard I try, I just can’t stay away from the game. But, why would you want to?
Recently, I noticed I was getting out of line with two to three balls left. Therefore, I wouldn’t have the proper angle for my break ball. All it would take was getting bad position once, forcing me to choose a different pattern, then sometimes I might have to shoot off my key ball, and then I’d be toast. It’s not that you can’t get a good break shot without a key ball, but it definitely makes a huge difference when you have a plan.
This was getting ridiculous! I rarely miss the break shot. If only I could get on it better and for consistently, then I could string some racks together. There’s no excuse for all this carelessness!
It was then that 14.1 and 5 came to me.
As long as this game has been around, I’m sure my fun little drill is not an original one. There’s no way I’m the first person to think of this, but here it goes:
14.1 and 5
Before, I would always start with ball-in-hand and the break shot. Now, instead of starting on the break ball, I place the break ball where I would like to shoot it from, roll another ball to the approximate key ball area, and then randomly roll out 4 more balls.
If I have a decent shot from where the cue ball happens to be sitting, then I’ll shoot from there. If not, I’ll start with ball in hand. The point is that I have a 6 ball plan wherein I finish that rack and break open the new rack.
With only 6 balls on the table, I’m not likely to get overwhelmed. I’m focused on my pattern and on how to finish with a good break shot.
So far, I’ve found this to be a pretty effective way to get out of the rack and into the new one. No big numbers yet to report but I’ll keep at it.
Good thinking, Samm!