Play Points that Matter.—II

Importance of Body Position

To a right-handed player it is the position of the right leg that matters. This should be in alignment with the aim—and it should be kept straight. It is no use adjusting the line of aim with the hand, which should always be hanging easily in a fixed relation to the body, and near to it. The body (or leg) position to be assumed is ascertained during the preliminary swinging of the cue, and eventually is adopted instinctively.

Where Faults Become Essentials

The final of the Amateur Championship of the Midlands was, as stated last month, won by Mr. J. G. Taylor (Walsall), with 1,200 to the 908 scored by Mr. J. H. Smith (Olton). In this picture Mr. Smith appears to have his eye rather on the camera than 'on the ball.'

Just as many out-of-the-way individual strokes have been discovered through flukes, so many essential billiard principles have been established through what in their wrong place are glaring faults. For instance, a ball is stunned by heavy handling of the cue, and in its right place (as in potting the spotted red three - quarter ball and bringing the cue ball into position off the top cushion on the other side of the spot) nothing could be better than this stroke. Another fault is the involuntary stab, which occurs when the cue is arrested and gripped at the moment of cue contact; but this becomes a virtue when it is desired to pot the red and leave the cue ball on the spot that the red had occupied.

Where to Hold the Cue

Much that is absurd has been written as to the distance from the butt-end at which the cue should be held. No fixed rule can be laid down; the height of the player and the nature of the stroke have both to be taken into consideration. When the cue is raised or screws or close cannons are being played the hold must necessarily be shorter. In forcing strokes, where more power and freedom are required, it must be longer. For ordinary strokes the correct hold is that which, when the cue is against the ball and the body is down to the stroke, leaves the cue forearm hanging exactly vertically with the upper arm horizontal.

The Perfect Aim

When wrong ball contact is made the reason is that the aim and body position have not been accurately adjusted in the preliminary cue movements, or that in the final delivery the eye has not been kept on the point aimed at or the cue has been deflected out of the straight line. These four points are of supreme importance and, if observed, and combined with light and free cue swing, should achieve success.

Imparting Life to the Object Ball

Many players do not know that as good a run to the object ball is ensured by light cueing and a good follow through as by the use of more force unaccompanied by the other essential details. To prove this, try a middle pocket half-ball stroke from hand, bringing the object back down the centre of the table. The follow-through should be continued until the cue hand touches the bottom rail, and the result both in accuracy of contact and in the life imparted to the object ball will be found to be both gratifying and surprising.

Never mind, in practice, whether the score is made or not. The point is to get the cue well through.