Mr. Miyagi
Do you remember the movie The Karate Kid? In it, a teenager named Daniel is trying to learn Karate from Mr. Miyagi. Mr. Miyagi takes an unconventional approach to training: instead of teaching Karate directly to Daniel, he breaks it down into a few critical skills, then focuses on each until it is mastered. In one scene, Mr. Miyagi hands Daniel a set of wooden sanding blocks and tells Daniel to sand his entire deck. He tells Daniel to use a circular motion: “Wax on, Wax off.” At first, Daniel thought that Mr. Miyagi was just using him to get work done around the house. In actuality, Mr. Miyagi was utilizing Daniel’s focused efforts to build Myelin and reinforce the proper techniques that would allow him to excel in competition. This approach is very similar to the approach discussed by Daniel Coyle in his book The Talent Code. Now, for the first time, I will apply the same approach to the game of pool. Over the next few days I will present to you the few critical skills of pool that, if mastered, are guaranteed to take your game to the next level.
Tomorrow I will start with part two of this series titled The Ghost Ball, in which I discuss the Ghost Ball aiming method. This is one of the simplest methods for determining the precise place to aim in order to hit an object ball into a pocket. In part 3, Calibrating Your Arm, I will describe the process you need to follow in order to develop the ability to precisely control the distance a cue ball travels after you make a shot. This is a skill that very few players practice, which is fascinating to me because it plays such a crucial role in your ability to run the table. More than any other, mastering this one simple skill will lead to huge improvements in your game. On Wednesday we will cover part 4, The Angle of Deflection. In this part I reveal to you the answer to one of pools greatest mysteries: How does a player determine the exact angle at which the cue ball will deflect after it collides with an object ball? In part 5, The Angle of Reflection, I will share with you a concept borrowed from classical physics that allows you to predict the path a cue ball will take after it hits a rail and rolls around the table. On Friday I’ll cover part 6, Speed after Collision. In this part I will show you how to apply the concepts presented in Part 3 of this series, and we will determine the exact speed you need to give the cue ball in order to move it around the table and stop it exactly where you want it to stop. Next Saturday I will present the final part of this series, Putting it together. In this part I will review all the concepts presented, and then I’ll show you how to bring it all together and take your game to the next level.
So there it is dear reader. Over the next week, I’m going to ask you to step up to the proverbial fire hydrant and open your mouth as wide as you can. Once you are in position, I’ll turn the lever and then LOOK OUT! Even if you only catch 10% of the information I’m going to share, it should be enough to take your game up a notch or two. So batten down the hatches, sit back, and prepare for one heck of a ride!
Angle of Reflection 