The Stance - The Most Important Aspect of Excellent Pool Play

Pool is a difficult sport, one requiring mental concentration, proper form and stance and a lot of practice. Being a whiz at geometry and knowing the right angles to pot a ball are no guarantees of success. Indeed, you need to make sure you have work on your fundamentals before you play and as you play.

One of the best ways to learn to play pool better is by watching excellent players. Attend a professional tournament if you can and just view a person playing. You'll learn a lot about her concentration skills, the way she approaches each shot and the way she executes it with precision. This will give you a working basis for playing like a pro.

Another good thing to do is to practice with another person who's at least equal in skill, if not better. He can watch your stance, your stroke and your approach and give you advice and guidance. You should also, if possible, make a video of your practice session. This is what pro football, golf and baseball players do, and it's an excellent learning tool. Be careful - you might cringe when you see your sloppy mechanics. If you have a partner or video to view, you can also find out why you missed a certain shot -- was it your approach, your form, your angle? Honestly, these two approaches are excellent at helping you master the fundamentals you need to be a hustler!

Perfecting your stance is of the utmost importance. It doesn't matter where you place your head in relation to the cue. Some people, especially older ones, like to keep it one to two feet above the cue, others, like me, like to have it almost on the cue. Whatever works for you is fine. When you stand, no one should be able to knock your shoulders around; rather, they should stay square and in place. This way you will stay planted in your stance. Then find out where you like to place your legs. Pretend you have a tripod and place your feet comfortably in that area somewhere. Keep your knees bent a little and maintain relaxation in your legs.

Then play a game of pool and focus on your stance with every shot. You'll then notice little things each time you shoot, such as your legs being askew or your head uncomfortable. Ask the person which whom you play to watch you, too, and offer constructive criticism with each shot. Soon, you'll be able to stand correctly with each shot you make. And your game will improve exponentially.

I cannot stress how important your stance is. Practice, practice, practice! You'll need it!