“ Starter Tips from : Shaun “Get Some” Wilkie “
1. Practice is essential to developing skills in many areas. With this in mind, how often do you play? I play about 1-2 hours a day usually (minus Mondays), in the process of lengthening that to about 2-4 hours. We all know I need the extra practice, especially my closest friends and fellow competitors; they remind me all the time.
2. I use many drills that I got from the book entitled " The Lesson,” by: The Monk. They help with cue ball control and usage of certain english. I highly recommend this material. Practicing Straight Pool (14.1) is my main focus of here lately though, the best practice game of billiards by far.
3. Finding that perfect weight for my cues was a huge feat for me to be completely comfortable at the table at all times. I suggest to all players, to experiment with different ounces in order to find your sweet spot for back arm control.
4. Focusing on the table in front of you is a key factor to concentration skills. Know that you "Love" this game and nothing else matters at the moment. Those nagging distractions are only limiting your potential to perform at the most high level. When I lose focus I like to remember a phrase a fellow friend of mine uses, “Stay Between the Rails."
5. Pre-Match routine involves anything that I enjoy doing, which is different for everybody of course. For me, I like to watch other matches (learning while watching), chat with fellow players, and do some breathing exercises to relax myself. Also, I like to make sure to have a balanced diet; no overeating, because that causes your body to want to go to sleep, the brain is part of the body you know.
6. I try to eat at least 2 hours before a match, giving my body time to digest. If I need energy though, I would maybe have a hot tea or something with protein or sugar to help boost me. A rice crispy treat is a choice or maybe some fruit.
7. Motivation for me comes strictly from "My Love for this Wonderful Game". Being a witness of what hard work will produce has a certain spot within me. Shane Van Boening is a clear example of what dedicated Practice can achieve. Believing that I can someday be a Champion pushes me to never give up and have faith along the way, that day will arrive when my time has surfaced.
8. I have a very supporting family, so balance between my career and them is tolerated peacefully. They know my career means a lot to me, so whatever is needed to keep up
pace with my improvement of skills, is done. I am a person who allows time to shape destiny, never forcing something to happen, leaving room for the Lord above to allow his blessings in my life.
9. Spare time for me involves watching sports / random television shows, viewing multiple billiards matches of past tournaments, and reading books. Spending time with family and friends is a given too.
10. Do the best you can to generate as much knowledge as possible. If you do not learn the tricks and trades, how can you know what to practice improving? Feel free to ask as many questions as possible to resolve your cloudiness towards any weaknesses in your game. Hard work is a main factor in persevering towards greatness. Find a friend who wants to improve just has much as you and become attached for life on conquering your goals, a supporting neighbor will help motivate anybody.