Category Archives: (S&D) Safety & Defense

Defensive strategies and tactics.

(S&D) Safety & Defense – Study Your Opponent

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.

You need to put serious effort into learning about your opponent. To start with, every person can only play so many shots at one session before his game starts to disintegrate. He has good abilities to focus, think, and select decent choices when he starts. An opponent is less effective when he is mentally and/or physically exhausted. Continue reading

(S&D) Safety & Defense – Key Factors: Your Opponent’s Comfort Zones

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

When you decide that the best shot for the circumstances is a safety, there are a wide variety of factors to be evaluated. These considerations are necessary to help fine tune your options and select the most effective shot within your skills. Continue reading

(S&D) Safety & Defense – How to Train Your Analytical Mind

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.

Being able to make choices with successful outcomes requires a lot of brain work and practice. Among top players, pool has been compared to chess. A player must consider hundreds of options and choices before selecting a single shot. A poor decision in the early-game can cause a loss. Continue reading

(FAQ) What is Gamesmanship & Sharking?

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Random House Dictionary definitions:
gamesmanship – 1. the use of methods, esp. in a sports contest, that are dubious or seemingly improper but not strictly illegal. 2. the technique or practice of manipulating people or events so as to gain an advantage or outwit one’s opponents or competitors.

shark – 1. (v) to obtain by trickery. 2. (n) a person regarded as ruthless.

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(S&D) Safety & Defense – Cue Ball Management Exercises – Draw Control

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

This can require the most work in learning cue ball control. It will provide the greatest rewards. (If you play straight pool, this dramatically increases your run average.)

Cue Ball Management - Connections to make the Cue Ball Draw (reverse spin)

Cue Ball Management – Draw (reverse spin)

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(S&D) Safety & Defense – Motivation to Focus Your Defensive Shots

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

Strength of will is not required to keep going when you continuously have thrilling successes and things always go your way. It either means you are playing your best ever (usually only that one time in a year), or you are beating up on beginners. Continue reading

(S&D) Safety & Defense – The “Over-a-ball” Safety

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.

To qualify as an over-a-ball safety type, the cue ball must be snuggled up to another object ball. It must force the shooter to bridge over the object ball in order to shoot the cue ball. It is another nasty shot that burns off brain energy. Continue reading

(S&D) Safety & Defense – Safety Mistakes

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

In most offensive circumstances, all you need for the next shot is an angle on the next object ball. (Of course, some angles are better than others – but any angle is better than no angle.) Offensive shots imply that you are playing a pattern and intend to make the current shot and continue with the next ball. Continue reading