Billiard Coach – Mike Fieldhammer

Category: Game Strategy

  • Effective 8-Ball Break Shots, Part II

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    Part II © 2008 Mike Fieldhammer, BilliardCoach.com Part I of the break shot details the most common approach to breaking by hitting the ball at the apex of the stack. This article will detail a highly effective alternative—the second ball break. As summarized in part I, a successful break shot can be defined as follows:…

  • Effective 8-Ball Break Shots, Part I

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    Fieldhammer
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    Part I © 2008 Mike Fieldhammer, BilliardCoach.com The coin flip or lag can be a significant factor in match play. How can such an arbitrary bit of luck count for so much? The right to break the initial rack and the chance to draw first blood can be a significant advantage provided you’ve fine-tuned your…

  • The art of the safety including the Intentional Foul Safety

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    Mike Fieldhammer
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    Defensive play is one of the things about pool that separates it from bowling or golf. Both bowling and golf are great games, and there is strategy involved, it is more subtle and not as satisfying. A great series of safeties in pool can directly lead to a game win, alter your opponent’s approach and…

  • Are you a fox or a hedgehog?

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    Mike Fieldhammer
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    Ancient Greek Archilochus said “The fox knows many tricks; the hedgehog one good one.” Was Archilochus a pool player? Not a chance, but could his maxim help us improve our pool game? It seems that bar table 8-ball is the game of choice for most players in the Midwest. 8-ball tournaments draw numerous players while…