The Complete Instructional Works of Tom Ross

Volume I - Mechanics, Shots, Drills

Categorized instructional columns originally published for oZone Billiards and Cue Times,
compiled by dr-dave-billiards.com for Tom Ross

Mechanics and Fundamentals
Cue Ball Control - Basics
Cue Ball Control - Draw and Follow
Basic Shot Making

English Basics
Position Control Basics
Advanced Position Control
Strategy

Safety Play
Banks and Kicks
Specialty and Advanced Shots
Mental Aspects

oZone Billiards articles in chronological order Cue Times articles in chronological order

NOTE - On the CD-ROM, each title listed below links to a PDF file
that can be viewed or printed from the CD-ROM.

The other CD-ROM in the series is: Volume II - Mental Aspects

Click here to purchase one or both of the CD-ROMs in the series

click here for information on other instructional products available from Dr. Dave Billiards

Mechanics and Fundamentals

Grip (oZone Billiards - February, 2006) - proper grip technique
Proper Alignment (oZone Billiards - November, 2005) - stance and body alignment - part I
Setting Alignment (oZone Billiards - December, 2005) - stance and body alignment - part II
The Cue Ball and Shot Making (oZone Billiards - January, 2006) - pre-shot routine
Tempo for Consistency (oZone Billiards - August, 2008) - practicing a consistent pre-shot routine with consistent tempo
Stroke (oZone Billiards - March, 2006) - proper stroke technique
Stroke Training (oZone Billiards - December, 2008) - how to practice and maintain a tension-free stroke
Follow Through (Cue Times - September, 2003) - the importance of a relaxed stroke with good follow through
The Perfect Practice Shot (oZone Billiards - January, 2009) - good drill for finding the cue ball center and hitting shots straight
Mirror Practice (Cue Times - July, 2003) - using a mirror to help improve your stroke
Common Pitfalls (Cue Times - September, 2001) - common mistakes and pitfalls, and how to avoid them

Cue Ball Control - Basics

Beginning Position Mastery (oZone Billiards - April, 2006) - mastering the stop shot
Going off on a Tangent (Cue Times - April, 1998) - the importance of the stop shot at an angle (stun shot) and the tangent line
Cutting With Stun (Cue Times - March, 2001) - using stun follow and stun draw to make small adjustments relative to tangent line
Refining the Stop Shot (oZone Billiards - May, 2006) - stop shot at an angle (stun shot), tangent line
Refining Stop-Shot Mastery (oZone Billiards - June, 2006) - adjustments relative to the stop (stun) shot - part I
The Reference Continued (oZone Billiards - July, 2006) - adjustments relative to the stop (stun) shot - part II
Clarifying the Tangent Line (oZone Billiards - April, 2010) - using stun shots for tangent-line position play
Peace Baby (oZone Billiards - October, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule for precise position control
Avoiding Scratches (oZone Billiards - November, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule to avoid scratches
30-Degree Rule for Caroms (oZone Billiards - December, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule to aim cue-ball carom (billiard) shots

Cue Ball Control - Draw and Follow

Draw (oZone Billiards - August, 2006) - mastering the draw shot
Mastering Draw (Cue Times - June, 1998) - proper technique for the draw shot
Advanced Draw (Cue Times - June, 2001) - using softer draw for position off a rail
More Advanced Draw (Cue Times - July, 2001) - the importance of speed control with draw cut shots
Refining Draw (Cue Times - September, 1998) - effects of speed and amount of spin on draw shots
Better Draw (oZone Billiards - September, 2006) - draw technique and control
Precise Draw (oZone Billiards - October, 2006) - pocket cheating and drawing for position
Follow (oZone Billiards - November, 2006) - follow shot technique and control
Mastering Follow (Cue Times - May, 1998) - importance of, and technique for, the follow shot
Manipulating Follow (Cue Times - August, 2001) - the importance of speed control with follow cut shots
Stun Follow and Stun Draw (Cue Times - January, 1999) - stunning back or rolling forward of the stun shot tangent line
Different Strokes (oZone Billiards - December, 2006) - effects of stroke type on follow
An Easy Draw Shot (oZone Billiards - January, 2007) - rail cut shot with draw and English for position
Draw Control (oZone Billiards - February, 2007) - adjusting draw relative to the tangent line for up-table position
Precise Stroke and Speed (Cue Times - March, 1999) - the effects of vertical tip position and speed on cue ball paths - part I
More on Stroke (Cue Times - April, 1999) - the effects of vertical tip position and speed on cue ball paths - part II

Basic Shot Making

Rail Shots (Cue Times - July, 2000) - how to aim and pocket rail cut shots
Fine Tuning Shot-Making Skills (Cue Times - August, 2000) - focusing on stance, alignment, and stroke for improved shot making
Shooting With Elevation (Cue Times - February, 2003) - proper technique and pitfalls when shooting with an elevated cue
Shoot the Ball into the Pocket (Cue Times - August, 2004) - focus on aiming a ball accurately and ignoring a blocker when less than a full pocket is available

English Basics

Learning English (oZone Billiards - March, 2007) - discovering cue ball deflection (squirt)
Pocketing Balls with English (oZone Billiards - April, 2007) - adjusting for English effects (squirt, swerve, and throw) for outside and inside English shots
Forgoing English (Cue Times - December, 2003) - when to use and when not use English
Position with English (oZone Billiards - May, 2007) - using English for follow-shot position control
Combining Draw and Follow with English (oZone Billiards - June, 2007) - using draw, follow, and English off the long rail for position routes through the center of the table
Inside English (oZone Billiards - July, 2007) - using inside English for position off one rail
Rail Shot with Inside English (oZone Billiards - August, 2007) - using inside (running) English for frozen-rail cut shots
The Outside English Habit (oZone Billiards - September, 2010) - using outside English for cut shots (i.e., using "helping English" to "spin balls in")

Position Control Basics

Choices (Cue Times - September, 2004) - planning for position into the line of the shot on a key ball
Looking for Trouble? (Cue Times - October, 2004) - come off the short rail when playing position away from the short rail
Precise Aiming (Cue Times - December, 2001) - cheating a pocket for precise positioning
Wishing A New Angle (Cue Times - July, 2004) - be careful to not cheat a pocket too much when trying to create an angle
Speed Control, Touch, and Position (Cue Times - January, 2002) - speed control and coming into the line of a shot - part I
Professional Speed Control (Cue Times - February, 2002) - speed control and coming into the line of a shot - part II
Running Balls (oZone Billiards - December, 2007) - leaving an angle on a shot for natural two-rail position
Deceptive Simplicity (Cue Times - July, 2006) - don't risk going past straight-in position when coming up short is acceptable
The 19th Diamond (oZone Billiards - June, 2008) - how to head up-table along a long rail off a short-rail cut shot
The Perpendicular Reference (Cue Times - March, 2005) - recognizing and using the natural angle into a rail for perpendicular motion away from the rail
A “Simple” Shot (Cue Times - September, 2007) - position track options off a 1/2-ball-hit rail cut shot
Precise Maximum Stun (Cue Times - February, 2008) - moving the cue ball off the rail with a near-straight-in shot using firm stun
Two Practice Shots (Cue Times - October, 2008) - long rail cut shot with follow/draw and English for down-table position
The Four-Ball Exercise (Cue Times - March, 2002) - drill for practicing cross-table positioning
The 12-Shot Exercise (Cue Times - March, 2004) - a good drill for practicing position around the center of the table off a short-rail cut shot
Not Trying For Position (Cue Times - October, 1999) - learning how to hit position targets more naturally
Cue Ball Tracks Drill (Cue Times - October, 2001) - practicing multiple tracks to a position
Rail Shots and Stroke (Cue Times - November, 2002) - large range of position control possible with rail cut shots
Rail Shots (oZone Billiards - September, 2008) - keeping the cue ball on perpendicular tracks off rail cut shots
Rail Shots Part 2—Adjusting the Reference (Cue Times - July, 1999) - using draw to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Rail Shots Part 3—Stroke (Cue Times - August, 1999) - using follow to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Rail Shots Part 4—English (Cue Times - September, 1999) - using English to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Hangers (oZone Billiards - October, 2008) - playing accurate position off balls hanging in the pocket
Focus on Position (Cue Times - December, 2006) - practicing and focusing on position with hangers
Two-Rail Shape (oZone Billiards - May, 2010) - coming off rails for position
The Long Way (Cue Times - April, 2006) - playing for two-rail shape for a better position route
Maximum Stun Follow (oZone Billiards - July, 2010) - firm stun follow for position off rail with a small-angle rail cut shot
Spring Forward to Move Back (oZone Billiards - August, 2010) - deciding between draw and follow for up-table position with near straight-in shots along the long rail
Combinations and Position (oZone Billiards - October, 2010) - how to plan for good position after a combination shot
Combinations and Position (Cue Times - August, 2006) - using the line-of-centers of a combination as a guide for position
Combinations and Position II (Cue Times - October, 2006) - cutting hanger combinations in the correct direction for best position

Advanced Position Control

Two Elegant Solutions (Cue Times - April, 2003) - examples of when an multiple-rail position play is better
Reach (Cue Times - May, 2003) - when, how, and why to play position to areas on the table that are more reachable
The Center of the Table (oZone Billiards - January, 2008) - creating position routes off the short rail through the center of the table
Staying Centered (oZone Billiards - January, 2010) - 45-degree rule for position tracks off a short rail to the center of the table
Short-Side Position (Cue Times - November, 2005) - position routes through the center of the table for short-side position up table
Force Follow with English (Cue Times - November, 2004) - how to use follow and English to spin out of a corner with a nearly straight-in shot
More Two-Rail Position (Cue Times - February, 2005) - using two rails to come into the desired line of the next shot
Rail Shots for Position (oZone Billiards - February, 2008) - using English for multiple-rail position off frozen-rail cut shots
Inside English and Deflection (Cue Times - July, 2005) - using inside English for multiple-rail position
Two Tough Shots with Inside (oZone Billiards - October, 2007) - using English for multiple-rail position shots
Advanced Inside (Cue Times - July, 2007) - using inside English for a long-rail-to-long-rail position route around the table
Using Obstacles (Cue Times - October, 2005) - using obstacle balls to help create desired position routes
A Rare Shot (Cue Times - August, 2007) - using draw and English for cross-table and up-table position

Strategy

Honing Straight-Pool Skills (Cue Times - March, 2000) - using finesse, shot selection, and planning to improve your straight-pool game
The Elements of Straight Pool (Cue Times - October, 2002) - skills important for a good straight-pool game
Smarter Planning (Cue Times - June, 2000) - position strategy for planning run-outs
8 Ball—The Anatomy of a Run Out (Cue Times - November, 2000) - the importance of run-out planning in 8-ball
Eight Ball—The Fine Points of a Run Out (Cue Times - January, 2001) - key shots, problem balls, tactics for winning at 8-ball
8 Ball Overview (Cue Times - November, 2001) - how 8-ball is different from other games

Safety Play

Basic Safety (oZone Billiards - April, 2008) - using speed to create separation for a simple safety shot
Now What? (oZone Billiards - May, 2008) - two-way reply to a basic separation safety
Stunning Safe (Cue Times - June, 2002) - using a stop shot or stun follow for an effective safety
The Half-Ball Hit (Cue Times - January, 2009) - using a 1/2-ball hit to create equal distance off a rail for a safety
Offensive Safety (Cue Times - September, 2000) - using a strong safety as an offensive shot
A Very Tough Safety (Cue Times - September, 2005) - straddling a ball on a rail for a very effective safety
Rail-First Safety (oZone Billiards - July, 2008) - going rail-first for a kick-and-stick safety
A Sophisticated Long Safe (Cue Times - February, 2006) - using reverse English to hold the cue ball down table when shooting a separation safety
Kicking Safe (oZone Billiards - February, 2010) - short kick-shot stop and draw safeties
Kicking Safe II (Cue Times - December, 2005) - going rail first for a kick-and-stick safety
Banking Safe (Cue Times - May, 2004) - two-way banks and bank safeties in 8-ball and 9-ball
Safety Second (Cue Times - February, 2009) - three-rail bank two-way shot
Kissing Safe (Cue Times - September, 2006) - using a double-kiss kiss-back shots for a safeties
A Clever Safety (Cue Times - December, 2008) - banking a ball four rails with follow for a separation safety

Banks and Kicks

One-Rail Kicks (oZone Billiards - February, 2009) - how to aim one-rail kick shots
Shallow Angle Rail-First Shot (Cue Times - June, 2010) - using the mirror method to aim shallow-angle kick shots
Bank Shots (oZone Billiards - June, 2009) - how to compensate for speed, cut angle, and English when aiming bank shots
Kicking With Draw (oZone Billiards - July, 2009) - using draw to curve and shorten and kick shot
Two-Rail Kick Shots (oZone Billiards - March, 2009) - how to aim two-rail kick shots using the parallel shift method
Plus Two Kicking System (oZone Billiards - April, 2009) - how to aim two-rail kick shots off a short rail with the Plus System
Spot on the Wall (Cue Times - April, 2005) - the "spot on the wall" method for aiming kick shots off one or more rails
Spot On The Wall (oZone Billiards - May, 2009) - how to aim three-rail kick shots off a long rail with the Corner-5 System and the Spot-on-the-wall system
Useful Double Kiss (oZone Billiards - September, 2009) - double kissing a ball frozen to a rail for a safety or one-pocket bank
A Unique Kick Shot (Cue Times - May, 2006) - using cue elevation and reverse English to lengthen a shallow kick rebound

Specialty and Advanced Shots

The Nine-Ball Break (Cue Times - December, 2002) - breaking technique and strategy in 9-ball
A Slight Throw (oZone Billiards - October, 2010) - using throw to create a small cut angle
The Gentle Massé (oZone Billiards - November, 2007) - technique and practice for curve (small massé) shots
A Deadly Kiss (Cue Times - January, 2006) - a natural-angle object ball kiss (carom) shot is a good option
Two Important Kiss Shots (Cue Times - September, 2010) - using the 30-degree and 90-degree rules to aim object ball kiss (carom) shots
Carom Shots (Cue Times - May, 2001) - when to play cue ball carom (billiard) shots
Frozen Combinations (oZone Billiards - March, 2008) - how to throw frozen combination shots
An Extraordinary Shot (Cue Times - November, 2007) - tangent line motion possibilities with multiple frozen balls
Combos With English (oZone Billiards - September, 2007) - using English to help pocket combination shots
Carom Variations (oZone Billiards - August, 2009) - using draw, follow, and stun for cue ball kiss (billiard) shots
Rail-First Kiss Shot (Cue Times - July, 2008) - using the mirror method to aim a rail-first object ball kiss (ticky) shot
An Elegant Kiss (oZone Billiards - June, 2010) - object-ball bank-kiss (ticky) shots
Two Good Caroms (Cue Times - January, 2010) - cue ball carom (billiard) hook shots
Double-Kiss Game Winners (Cue Times - November, 2010) - offensive double-kiss kiss-back shots with draw and follow
The Shot of the Year (Cue Times - November, 2003) - using after-collision masse for lateral cue ball movement on a straight-on shot
Jump Shots (Cue Times - July, 2010) - various types of jump shots
Jump or Kick (oZone Billiards - November, 2008) - deciding between kick and jump alternatives
Useful Mistakes (Cue Times - August, 2005) - using a slight jump to hop over obstacle balls on cut shot
Tricky Shots (Cue Times - August, 2002) - advanced cue ball hop (small jump) shots

Mental Aspects

Vision (oZone Billiards - March, 2010) - how to maintain big-picture vision and good visualization at the table
Concentration (Cue Times - May, 1999) - how to stay focused and maintain concentration
Purpose (Cue Times - June, 2003) - how to practice with focus and purpose
Play to Win (Cue Times - July, 1998) - how and why to maintain focus on winning
Etiquette (Cue Times - January, 2003) - the proper way to behave around a pool table
G-string, Football, Pool (Cue Times - August, 2003) - an interesting story involving lingerie, football, and pool
One for the Home Team(s) (Cue Times - June, 2006) - team cohesion and spirit is important to winning

oZone Billiards articles in chronological order

Proper Alignment (oZone Billiards - November, 2005) - stance and body alignment - part I
Setting Alignment (oZone Billiards - December, 2005) - stance and body alignment - part II
The Cue Ball and Shot Making (oZone Billiards - January, 2006) - pre-shot routine
Grip (oZone Billiards - February, 2006) - proper grip technique
Stroke (oZone Billiards - March, 2006) - proper stroke technique
Beginning Position Mastery (oZone Billiards - April, 2006) - mastering the stop shot
Refining the Stop Shot (oZone Billiards - May, 2006) - stop shot at an angle (stun shot), tangent line
Refining Stop-Shot Mastery (oZone Billiards - June, 2006) - adjustments relative to the stop (stun) shot - part I
The Reference Continued (oZone Billiards - July, 2006) - adjustments relative to the stop (stun) shot - part II
Draw (oZone Billiards - August, 2006) - mastering the draw shot
Better Draw (oZone Billiards - September, 2006) - draw technique and control
Precise Draw (oZone Billiards - October, 2006) - pocket cheating and drawing for position
Follow (oZone Billiards - November, 2006) - follow shot technique and control
Different Strokes (oZone Billiards - December, 2006) - effects of stroke type on follow
An Easy Draw Shot (oZone Billiards - January, 2007) - rail cut shot with draw and English for position
Draw Control (oZone Billiards - February, 2007) - adjusting draw relative to the tangent line for up-table position
Learning English (oZone Billiards - March, 2007) - discovering cue ball deflection (squirt)
Pocketing Balls with English (oZone Billiards - April, 2007) - adjusting for English effects (squirt, swerve, and throw) for outside and inside English shots
Position with English (oZone Billiards - May, 2007) - using English for follow-shot position control
Combining Draw and Follow with English (oZone Billiards - June, 2007) - using draw, follow, and English off the long rail for position routes through the center of the table
Inside English (oZone Billiards - July, 2007) - using inside English for position off one rail
Rail Shot with Inside English (oZone Billiards - August, 2007) - using inside (running) English for frozen-rail cut shots
Combos With English (oZone Billiards - September, 2007) - using English to help pocket combination shots
Two Tough Shots with Inside (oZone Billiards - October, 2007) - using English for multiple-rail position shots
The Gentle Massé (oZone Billiards - November, 2007) - technique and practice for curve (small massé) shots
Running Balls (oZone Billiards - December, 2007) - leaving an angle on a shot for natural two-rail position
The Center of the Table (oZone Billiards - January, 2008) - creating position routes off the short rail through the center of the table
Rail Shots for Position (oZone Billiards - February, 2008) - using English for multiple-rail position off frozen-rail cut shots
Frozen Combinations (oZone Billiards - March, 2008) - how to throw frozen combination shots
Basic Safety (oZone Billiards - April, 2008) - using speed to create separation for a simple safety shot
Now What? (oZone Billiards - May, 2008) - two-way reply to a basic separation safety
The 19th Diamond (oZone Billiards - June, 2008) - how to head up-table along a long rail off a short-rail cut shot
Rail-First Safety (oZone Billiards - July, 2008) - going rail-first for a kick-and-stick safety
Tempo for Consistency (oZone Billiards - August, 2008) - practicing a consistent pre-shot routine with consistent tempo
Rail Shots (oZone Billiards - September, 2008) - keeping the cue ball on perpendicular tracks off rail cut shots
Hangers (oZone Billiards - October, 2008) - playing accurate position off balls hanging in the pocket
Jump or Kick (oZone Billiards - November, 2008) - deciding between kick and jump alternatives
Stroke Training (oZone Billiards - December, 2008) - how to practice and maintain a tension-free stroke
The Perfect Practice Shot (oZone Billiards - January, 2009) - good drill for finding the cue ball center and hitting shots straight
One-Rail Kicks (oZone Billiards - February, 2009) - how to aim one-rail kick shots
Two-Rail Kick Shots (oZone Billiards - March, 2009) - how to aim two-rail kick shots using the parallel shift method
Plus Two Kicking System (oZone Billiards - April, 2009) - how to aim two-rail kick shots off a short rail with the Plus System
Spot On The Wall (oZone Billiards - May, 2009) - how to aim three-rail kick shots off a long rail with the Corner-5 System and the Spot-on-the-wall system
Bank Shots (oZone Billiards - June, 2009) - how to compensate for speed, cut angle, and English when aiming bank shots
Kicking With Draw (oZone Billiards - July, 2009) - using draw to curve and shorten and kick shot
Carom Variations (oZone Billiards - August, 2009) - using draw, follow, and stun for cue ball kiss (billiard) shots
Useful Double Kiss (oZone Billiards - September, 2009) - double kissing a ball frozen to a rail for a safety or one-pocket bank
Peace Baby (oZone Billiards - October, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule for precise position control
Avoiding Scratches (oZone Billiards - November, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule to avoid scratches
30-Degree Rule for Caroms (oZone Billiards - December, 2009) - using Dr. Dave's peace-sign 30-degree rule to aim cue-ball carom (billiard) shots
SAMPLE: Staying Centered (oZone Billiards - January, 2010) - 45-degree rule for position tracks off a short rail to the center of the table
Kicking Safe (oZone Billiards - February, 2010) - short kick-shot stop and draw safeties
Vision (oZone Billiards - March, 2010) - how to maintain big-picture vision and good visualization at the table
Clarifying the Tangent Line (oZone Billiards - April, 2010) - using stun shots for tangent-line position play
Two-Rail Shape (oZone Billiards - May, 2010) - coming off rails for position
An Elegant Kiss (oZone Billiards - June, 2010) - object-ball bank-kiss (ticky) shots
Maximum Stun Follow (oZone Billiards - July, 2010) - firm stun follow for position off rail with a small-angle rail cut shot
Spring Forward to Move Back (oZone Billiards - August, 2010) - deciding between draw and follow for up-table position with near straight-in shots along the long rail
SAMPLE: The Outside English Habit (oZone Billiards - September, 2010) - using outside English for cut shots (i.e., using "helping English" to "spin balls in")
A Slight Throw (oZone Billiards - October, 2010) - using throw to create a small cut angle
Combinations and Position (oZone Billiards - October, 2010) - how to plan for good position after a combination shot

Cue Times articles in chronological order (Note - articles duplicating those in the oZone list are not included)

Going off on a Tangent (Cue Times - April, 1998) - the importance of the stop shot at an angle (stun shot) and the tangent line
Mastering Follow (Cue Times - May, 1998) - importance of, and technique for, the follow shot
Mastering Draw (Cue Times - June, 1998) - proper technique for the draw shot
Play to Win (Cue Times - July, 1998) - how and why to maintain focus on winning
Refining Draw (Cue Times - September, 1998) - effects of speed and amount of spin on draw shots
Stun Follow and Stun Draw (Cue Times - January, 1999) - stunning back or rolling forward of the stun shot tangent line
Precise Stroke and Speed (Cue Times - March, 1999) - the effects of vertical tip position and speed on cue ball paths - part I
More on Stroke (Cue Times - April, 1999) - the effects of vertical tip position and speed on cue ball paths - part II
Concentration (Cue Times - May, 1999) - how to stay focused and maintain concentration
Rail Shots Part 2—Adjusting the Reference (Cue Times - July, 1999) - using draw to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Rail Shots Part 3—Stroke (Cue Times - August, 1999) - using follow to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Rail Shots Part 4—English (Cue Times - September, 1999) - using English to adjust relative to the perpendicular track on rail cut shots
Not Trying For Position (Cue Times - October, 1999) - learning how to hit position targets more naturally
Honing Straight-Pool Skills (Cue Times - March, 2000) - using finesse, shot selection, and planning to improve your straight-pool game
Smarter Planning (Cue Times - June, 2000) - position strategy for planning run-outs
Rail Shots (Cue Times - July, 2000) - how to aim and pocket rail cut shots
Fine Tuning Shot-Making Skills (Cue Times - August, 2000) - focusing on stance, alignment, and stroke for improved shot making
Offensive Safety (Cue Times - September, 2000) - using a strong safety as an offensive shot
8 Ball—The Anatomy of a Run Out (Cue Times - November, 2000) - the importance of run-out planning in 8-ball
Eight Ball—The Fine Points of a Run Out (Cue Times - January, 2001) - key shots, problem balls, tactics for winning at 8-ball
Cutting With Stun (Cue Times - March, 2001) - using stun follow and stun draw to make small adjustments relative to tangent line
Carom Shots (Cue Times - May, 2001) - when to play cue ball carom (billiard) shots
Advanced Draw (Cue Times - June, 2001) - using softer draw for position off a rail
More Advanced Draw (Cue Times - July, 2001) - the importance of speed control with draw cut shots
Manipulating Follow (Cue Times - August, 2001) - the importance of speed control with follow cut shots
Common Pitfalls (Cue Times - September, 2001) - common mistakes and pitfalls, and how to avoid them
Cue Ball Tracks Drill (Cue Times - October, 2001) - practicing multiple tracks to a position
8 Ball Overview (Cue Times - November, 2001) - how 8-ball is different from other games
Precise Aiming (Cue Times - December, 2001) - cheating a pocket for precise positioning
Speed Control, Touch, and Position (Cue Times - January, 2002) - speed control and coming into the line of a shot - part I
Professional Speed Control (Cue Times - February, 2002) - speed control and coming into the line of a shot - part II
The Four-Ball Exercise (Cue Times - March, 2002) - drill for practicing cross-table positioning
Stunning Safe (Cue Times - June, 2002) - using a stop shot or stun follow for an effective safety
Tricky Shots (Cue Times - August, 2002) - advanced cue ball hop (small jump) shots
The Elements of Straight Pool (Cue Times - October, 2002) - skills important for a good straight-pool game
Rail Shots and Stroke (Cue Times - November, 2002) - large range of position control possible with rail cut shots
The Nine-Ball Break (Cue Times - December, 2002) - breaking technique and strategy in 9-ball
Etiquette (Cue Times - January, 2003) - the proper way to behave around a pool table
Shooting With Elevation (Cue Times - February, 2003) - proper technique and pitfalls when shooting with an elevated cue
Two Elegant Solutions (Cue Times - April, 2003) - examples of when an multiple-rail position play is better
Reach (Cue Times - May, 2003) - when, how, and why to play position to areas on the table that are more reachable
Purpose (Cue Times - June, 2003) - how to practice with focus and purpose
Mirror Practice (Cue Times - July, 2003) - using a mirror to help improve your stroke
G-string, Football, Pool (Cue Times - August, 2003) - an interesting story involving lingerie, football, and pool
Follow Through (Cue Times - September, 2003) - the importance of a relaxed stroke with good follow through
The Shot of the Year (Cue Times - November, 2003) - using after-collision masse for lateral cue ball movement on a straight-on shot
Forgoing English (Cue Times - December, 2003) - when to use and when not use English
The 12-Shot Exercise (Cue Times - March, 2004) - a good drill for practicing position around the center of the table off a short-rail cut shot
Banking Safe (Cue Times - May, 2004) - two-way banks and bank safeties in 8-ball and 9-ball
Wishing A New Angle (Cue Times - July, 2004) - be careful to not cheat a pocket too much when trying to create an angle
Shoot the Ball into the Pocket (Cue Times - August, 2004) - focus on aiming a ball accurately and ignoring a blocker when less than a full pocket is available
Choices (Cue Times - September, 2004) - planning for position into the line of the shot on a key ball
Looking for Trouble? (Cue Times - October, 2004) - come off the short rail when playing position away from the short rail
Force Follow with English (Cue Times - November, 2004) - how to use follow and English to spin out of a corner with a nearly straight-in shot
More Two-Rail Position (Cue Times - February, 2005) - using two rails to come into the desired line of the next shot
The Perpendicular Reference (Cue Times - March, 2005) - recognizing and using the natural angle into a rail for perpendicular motion away from the rail
Spot on the Wall (Cue Times - April, 2005) - the "spot on the wall" method for aiming kick shots off one or more rails
Inside English and Deflection (Cue Times - July, 2005) - using inside English for multiple-rail position
Useful Mistakes (Cue Times - August, 2005) - using a slight jump to hop over obstacle balls on cut shot
A Very Tough Safety (Cue Times - September, 2005) - straddling a ball on a rail for a very effective safety
Using Obstacles (Cue Times - October, 2005) - using obstacle balls to help create desired position routes
Short-Side Position (Cue Times - November, 2005) - position routes through the center of the table for short-side position up table
Kicking Safe II (Cue Times - December, 2005) - going rail first for a kick-and-stick safety
A Deadly Kiss (Cue Times - January, 2006) - a natural-angle object ball kiss (carom) shot is a good option
A Sophisticated Long Safe (Cue Times - February, 2006) - using reverse English to hold the cue ball down table when shooting a separation safety
The Long Way (Cue Times - April, 2006) - playing for two-rail shape for a better position route
A Unique Kick Shot (Cue Times - May, 2006) - using cue elevation and reverse English to lengthen a shallow kick rebound
One for the Home Team(s) (Cue Times - June, 2006) - team cohesion and spirit is important to winning
Deceptive Simplicity (Cue Times - July, 2006) - don't risk going past straight-in position when coming up short is acceptable
Combinations and Position (Cue Times - August, 2006) - using the line-of-centers of a combination as a guide for position
Kissing Safe (Cue Times - September, 2006) - using a double-kiss kiss-back shots for a safeties
Combinations and Position II (Cue Times - October, 2006) - cutting hanger combinations in the correct direction for best position
Focus on Position (Cue Times - December, 2006) - practicing and focusing on position with hangers
Advanced Inside (Cue Times - July, 2007) - using inside English for a long-rail-to-long-rail position route around the table
A Rare Shot (Cue Times - August, 2007) - using draw and English for cross-table and up-table position
A “Simple” Shot (Cue Times - September, 2007) - position track options off a 1/2-ball-hit rail cut shot
An Extraordinary Shot (Cue Times - November, 2007) - tangent line motion possibilities with multiple frozen balls
Precise Maximum Stun (Cue Times - February, 2008) - moving the cue ball off the rail with a near-straight-in shot using firm stun
Rail-First Kiss Shot (Cue Times - July, 2008) - using the mirror method to aim a rail-first object ball kiss (ticky) shot
Two Practice Shots (Cue Times - October, 2008) - long rail cut shot with follow/draw and English for down-table position
A Clever Safety (Cue Times - December, 2008) - banking a ball four rails with follow for a separation safety
The Half-Ball Hit (Cue Times - January, 2009) - using a 1/2-ball hit to create equal distance off a rail for a safety
Safety Second (Cue Times - February, 2009) - three-rail bank two-way shot
Two Good Caroms (Cue Times - January, 2010) - cue ball carom (billiard) hook shots
Shallow Angle Rail-First Shot (Cue Times - June, 2010) - using the mirror method to aim shallow-angle kick shots
Jump Shots (Cue Times - July, 2010) - various types of jump shots
Two Important Kiss Shots (Cue Times - September, 2010) - using the 30-degree and 90-degree rules to aim object ball kiss (carom) shots
Double-Kiss Game Winners (Cue Times - November, 2010) - offensive double-kiss kiss-back shots with draw and follow

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