Gospel Trick Shots
Gospel Trick Shot #7 Salvation Bracelet History of the Trick Shot: My former road partner in the 1980’s, Mike Massey, used this classic shot in his fabulous repertoire for years. He is still considered by many the greatest trick shot artist of all time. Mike called it the “Smiley Face” and later when we traveled together with Gospel Trick Shot, I used the five specific Gospel colors and renamed the shot the “Salvation Bracelet.” GTS Name and Why: The five Gospel colors in order are black for the darkness of sin, red for the blood of Jesus, white for the cleansing of sin, gold for the promise of heaven, and green for growing in grace. The Serving Hands group at the Hawthorne Gospel Church has made tens of thousands of these bracelets for Gospel Trick Shot. They have been distributed all over the world as the shot was being performed. Scripture References in NIV Translation: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:13 and Il Peter 3:18. Cue Ball Placement: Place cue ball in between the other four colored object balls – black, red, gold, and green. Use another object ball or another cue ball to perform the shot. Object Ball(s) Placement: As shown in the diagram below with the black eight ball first, then red three ball, white cue ball, gold or yellow one ball, and green six ball. Objective: Using another cue ball or object ball hit the eight-ball firm full in the face and directly in line with pocket A. All five Gospel colored balls will be pocketed as shown in diagram.
12 | Billiards Buzz • May 2020
Special Notes: If the cue ball is a different size and weight then adjust the tangent line accordingly on the red, white, and gold balls to successfully pocket all balls. Observe that the last two balls are a combination into pocket F and the green six ball will throw about two ball widths because of the directional force.
Crowd Reactions Through the Years: As the shot is being set up and explained each person in the audience receives a free bracelet from a Gospel Trick Shot helper. Similarly, the Gospel is a free gift because Jesus did it all for us as our Savior and salvation cannot be earned.
