The latest issue of SPM Billiards Magazine, Issue 48, is now out, featuring Sam Henderson, the youngest player in the World Nineball Tour!
I had the privilege of attending the Ultimate Pool USA event at Side Pockets in Blue Springs, Missouri! Ultimate Pool did a fantastic job of putting the Kansas City Open together. The event was amazing and had a little of everything for the Men, Women, and Junior players! It all began with the Shoot Out and mind you, this was all eight-ball! It was a great event and my first one in Kansas City! I got to take some photographs and met Sofia Mast, Sam Henderson and his family, and Chris Melling! I also got to know some of Ultimate Pool’s staff and the photographer! So much fun!
Besides that, the European Open Champion got underway with a new champion, Mickey Krause! It was great to see Skyler Woodward and Shane Van Boening make it to the semi-finals!
In Quincy, Illinois, a lot happened with the BEF Juniors National Championship and the second annual International Conference of Instructors (ICI) Summit, where all the PBIA Instructors worldwide attended the Wheelchair Championships and the Joy Heyball open event.
Always some excitement happening! The next big event we are all waiting for is the US Open! Who is your money on for the next champion?
Till next time!
Keep Growing the Sport we all Love!
BILLIARD NEWS
MASTERING POSITION PLAY WITH THE BRAINWASH DRILL
Perhaps the single most daunting aspect of pocket billiards is learning balance. I don’t mean like on a high wire. I’m talking about balancing the angle, speed, and spin of every shot you shoot. If balanced correctly, you can stun your cue ball to position a good deal of the time. In my estimation, there are two aspects of position play that must be mastered to play at the highest levels. The first of which is using the cushions to move the cue ball from one object ball to the next. The second method is stunning the cue ball from one area of the table to another without striking a rail.
ONE FOOT RADIUS
In this article, we are going to focus on the latter. Mike Sigel once said that the key to playing at the professional level is to master controlling your cue ball within a foot radius of where the object ball sits on the table. To play top-level position, you must develop the speed control needed to place your cue ball
precisely where you want it within that foot. If you want your cue ball to move 3 inches to the right, then you should be able to move the cue ball precisely 3 inches to the right. If you want to go forward 5 inches, then you should be able to do that with both precision and accuracy.
Obviously, the angle of the shot will dictate exactly where you can place the cue ball within that radius, but ultimately, mastering precise cue ball control should be something you focus a great deal of time on.
THE SETUP
To master this, I recommend practicing the brainwash drill. Spread 15 balls randomly and evenly onto the pool table. Make sure nothing is touching anything else. Make sure none of the balls are closer than half of a diamond’s width to a cushion. The drill will teach you to look for “stop shot” patterns. However, the term “stop shot” should be taken loosely. What I am referring to is stopping your cue ball precisely within the foot radius Sigel was referring to. To do this, you will want to play for “straight in” or “nearly straight in” shots. Most cut angles will range from zero to 22.5 degrees. Shots over 30 degrees tend to let the cue ball run too freely and will result in striking a cushion.
THE RULES
Take cue ball in hand and try to run as many balls as possible without striking a rail or letting the cue ball strike another ball. If you strike a rail or another ball, you should start the drill over. You should work on this drill exclusively for two weeks and continue with it as part of your normal practice routine after the initial two-week period is over.
GOAL SETTING
It’s not important that you run all 15 balls during the first few times you attempt the drill. What’s important is that you improve over time. After attempting the drill a few times, focus on where you are at statistically. Write down your high score and work on improving that score during future attempts. Set both short and long-term goals. Write them down and work towards meeting your goals. Before you know it, you will have mastered running all 15 balls. If that becomes too easy, just buy another ball set and throw out 21 balls. I once ran 39 balls without striking a cushion or another ball. The key is to assess where you are and focus on continuous improvement.
SUMMARY
Mastering the brainwash drill is a critical part of mastering highlevel position play and being able to visualize the correct “stop shot” patterns. Work on this drill exclusively for two weeks and the patterns will be much easier to identify. This is also a jam-up drill for 8-ball. Make this drill a normal part of your practice routine and your runout percentage will improve dramatically.
Anthony Beeler is the current Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL National Champion. He has numerous “Top 25” national finishes and is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards Instructor’s Manual. He has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competitions.
8-Ball and the 8-Ball Break
It’s one thing to figure out a pattern in a rack of 9-Ball in which the table depicts which ball you must shoot to hit. On the other hand, in 8-Ball, you’ll have many more options at shots than you wouldn’t in 9-Ball, offering you a bit more latitude in selecting a pattern with which to run out. As a result, a great deal more strategy is involved in 8-Ball. Sometimes, you may have a choice of 5 or 6 balls of your group, either solids or stripes to pocket, but there’s always the one right shot that will lead you to your most productive runout, breakout, or eventual safety attempt.
Your timing plays a huge part in your 8-ball pattern play by knowing when to run out. This is when thinking backward plays a heavy role. You’ll more readily know just when you have a pattern you can work with, or play a safety shot, break out a cluster of balls or to create trouble balls for your opponent before continuing your run.
I always begin my run by first deciding which pocket I’m going to put the 8-Ball in. Is the ball in a good spot or tied up? Is it in the center of the table or on a rail? Once decided, I immediately look for my key ball to set up on the 8-Ball.
If there are trouble balls, I clean them up as soon as I can, early in the rack, but I use caution at this time; I don’t want to hit the cluster too hard. If you use too much force, you’ll likely just cause a cluster somewhere else on the table. My plan is usually to open them up slowly, shooting one ball out of the pile at a time.
I also always try to keep a safety ball positioned near or hanging in a pocket to shoot if I get out of line. Even when you think you’ve got a great breakout plan, sometimes the unexpected can happen.
Balls often freeze up against each other, or the cue ball could get stuck between them. When you have a safety ball in or near a pocket, once you send the cue ball into the cluster, you’ll have something to shoot at if you don’t end up with a good shot after breaking up the cluster.
After breaking out the balls, I shoot my hardest shots first, such as balls on the rails. Then, I shoot the balls in the center of the table, aiming towards my key ball to set me up on the 8-ball.
Now, we often speak of controlling the cue ball, but I want to touch a minute on controlling the object ball since this often comes up in the game of 8-ball. Controlling the object ball becomes a crucial part of playing good safeties. It’s because you seldom gauge the speed of the object balls when you pocket them. It will take some practice getting to know object ball speed in relation to cue ball speed.
I practice object ball speed by throwing a rack of balls out on the table and try not to pocket them. Instead, try to lag each ball to its intended pocket without hitting it in. This will give you a feel for just how fast object balls travel on different tables, with different cloth, different hits, and so on. So, learn object ball speed, and you’ll be glad you did in the long run.
The 8-Ball break.
Once you’ve reached a certain level of competence, the break shot becomes one of the most important shots you’ll shoot. Games and matches are won and lost all the time on the break, especially in the professional arena. All too often, players treat the break like some kind of pre-game shot, failing to give it the necessary attention it deserves.
The 8-ball break also called the power break, is totally different from a 9-ball break. In 9-ball, you must hit the head ball, the one ball first.
In 8-Ball, especially when 8 on the break is a win. I hit the second ball. This gives me a much better spread on 15 balls than hitting the head ball, and it gives me a better chance at making the 8 on the break for a win.
Using the same techniques I just described, I won my 43rd win in the L.A. Classic 8-Ball Tournament last Friday night.
I hope this helps you to up your game! Remember, in the league, if you’re not out for MVP, you’re not playing your best!
Keep on grinding, and let’s keep the balls rollin’!
Until Next Time, Happy Shootin’!!
“White Wolf”
POOL SCHOOL IS OPEN
Making Sure You’re in Good Hands
The most important decision you may make in your pool journey could be who you choose to help you along the way. Selecting the right instructor, coach, or mentor will have a big impact on your development. Finding the right people to work with will give you the best opportunity to achieve your personal goals.
In order to make the right choice, it’s important to understand the difference between each of the three. The roles of instructor, coach, and mentor are different, and you may end up with different people filling these roles, or it’s possible that one person might fill two or all three roles. So, let’s look at what each of these people can do for you.
Instructors are educational guides. An instructor can share knowledge and teach you the skills you will need on your journey. They should have researched their specific subject and attained a high degree of expertise. They should be able to communicate clearly and effectively and demonstrate the skills being taught. They should also be able to explain what they are teaching and that it is accurate and important to you. Spend some time talking with a potential instructor before making a commitment. Find out how much experience they have, whether they have available references, whether they are flexible in their approach to teaching, and whether they use video or other tools in their training. These questions will be helpful in selecting the best instructor to work with.
Coaches are similar to instructors but are usually more like situational guides. A good coach will help you to apply the skills and knowledge you have in practical situations. Coaches will see things that will help you develop your ability to recognize various situations and understand what actions you can take to ensure the best outcome. Your coach will likely have practical experience, which will often be a longer-term part of your development. Again, try to learn their track record in helping others in similar endeavors. Experience counts!
A mentor may be one of the longest-term people in your journey. A mentor will be a career guide who can keep you on track and help you achieve your long-term goals. Over the course of your career, you may have one or multiple mentors, but rarely more than one at a time. Your mentor should be someone who has already reached a level of success in the field that you are seeking. They have already traveled the path you are on and will be able to help you find the best way for you to reach your goal while avoiding some of the obstacles you may encounter along the way.
I have been fortunate to have had one of the best instructors in the world as my first and primary instructor, an occasional coach, and my friend and mentor throughout my career as a professional instructor. Were it not for my relationship with Randy G, I doubt if I would have achieved the success I have achieved in this business.
It is nearly impossible to achieve a high level of success in any endeavor without some help from others. Finding the right people to help keep you moving forward in the right direction is critical. I encourage you to find the very best people you know to help you reach your goals. And when you do, remember to try to pay it back to others. Let’s keep elevating each other so we all can be successful.
Until next time
Steve Jennings
ACS/SPF/PBIA Master Instructor
NEW RADIO PROGRAM, SPECIAL
APPEARANCES AND MORE
BY STEVE OF STEVE RAU PRO BILLIARDS, MANAGER OF “KWIKFIRE” KELLY FISHER AND WEI WEI “THE WAVE” -WEI TZU CHIEN
“Before the Iron City Billiards tournament for the WPBA took place, I announced on the radio that I would not be surprised if Kristina “The Krystal” Tkach won the next WPBA tournament.”
To be honest, the title of my article could have been called a million different things this month. It has been a very busy but good July 2024. One thing I am happy to announce is my new radio program that airs every Sunday morning on 103.9 The Fox. This week, I am going into my eighth radio episode. I have not announced this new program yet because we are still working on programming and allowing me to acclimate to this radio gig. 103.9 The Fox is based out of Mid-Michigan. They are a classic rock station that has a great listening audience. There are a few different ways to listen. If you live in Michigan, their radio tower signal goes out to 10-12 counties, so you can easily tune in to 103.9 on the FM dial, or
you can go to www.classicfox.com and click on Listen Live. The third way to listen is by going to the app store and downloading the 103.9 The Fox App. You will find it when you see their logo of a yellow fox laying on the word FOX, with a guitar in his hand.
The program aims to promote the sport of women’s professional billiards worldwide. Occasionally, I will mention some news from the men’s side of the sport. I did announce and congratulate Fedor Gorst on his recent engagement to Kristina “The Krystal” Tkach.
The radio program is called Steve Rau Pro Billiards. It is a half-hour show that airs every Sunday morning
STEVE RAU
at 7 AM EST. Even though it is early for us in the Eastern Standard Time zone, it works out perfectly for the United Kingdom and other countries in the world’s eastern hemisphere. We will soon have an advertising and marketing plan to be promoted in the U.K. The start time of Steve Rau Pro Billiards will be Noon every Sunday and in Taiwan; for example, the show will air at 7 PM Taiwan Time. I can reach that part of the world because of the 103.9 The Fox App and their website, www.classicfox.com. When I met with the station manager, Bill Bailey, and their creative team about the radio program, I asked to see their listening audience numbers. I was delighted that they have a great listening audience in several countries and that many WPBA superstars are there. Austria, Bulgaria, Australia, and Canada, to name a few. I want to create new billiard fans for these ladies and attract their fanbases to one listening hub on 103.9 The Fox.
I use the show as a platform to promote the tournaments, special events, news, and announcements that involve “Kwikfire” Kelly Fisher and Wei Wei “The Wave” Wei Tzu Chien. In addition, I have been promoting the upcoming events, tournament results, and more from the WPBA events. The WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) has had some exhilarating tournaments this year; covering them for the last two tournaments on the radio program has been great.
Before the Iron City Billiards tournament for the WPBA took place, I announced on the radio that I would not be surprised if Kristina “The Krystal” Tkach won the next WPBA tournament. She has been playing at a high level for quite some time. Kristina has made it to the finals a couple of times recently, and I knew her time was coming. She defeated Margaret Fefilova Styer in the final at Iron City Billiards. Both ladies are great, and Mark White commented that these two ladies will be facing each other a lot in the finals over the
next several years. Perhaps the future glimpse? We shall see.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have had some special guests on the show. Lonnie Fox-Raymond joined me on the program. I learned some interesting facts about how she started in pool and how much she enjoys the sport. Mark White joined me on the program two weeks ago. He shared his story of how he got his start in commentary and then spoke about his love and interest in the women’s game. He told some stories of when he met Kelly Fisher. I really enjoyed it.
In last week’s program, I shared the BridgeMate product that Larry Holton invented with the listening audience. A few months ago, Larry and I signed a partnership agreement. Working with Larry has been a pleasure, and it has been great hearing all the positive feedback we have received. The BridgeMate has helped improve many players’
games. Recently, we have added a few distributors from around the country. We have representatives in several states, and the most recent was the addition of our East Coast Representatives. Their website is www.ecdbridgemates.com. They are a great group of guys who share the same enthusiasm for the BridgeMate family of products that Larry and I have.
If you tune into my radio program, you will hear me promote some of the great events happening in August at the Palmetto Billiards Club in Charleston, South Carolina. To start, on Tuesday, August 20th, from 6-9 PM, Kelly Fisher and I will host an evening of challenge matches. If you’re near the area, stop by. You can attend the meet and greet and challenge Kelly in several matches. The challenge match costs only $20, and you will receive an autographed 8x10 photo of Kelly Fisher. We already have a few people excited about it. If you can make it, we look forward to seeing you there! Later that same week, the WPBA event will take place. This will be another
LARRY HOLTON (BRIDGEMATE) WITH STEVE RAU PHOTO PROVIDED BY STEVE RAU
great event. These ladies have been battling it out all year. This is the 8th event of the year for the WPBA, with four tournaments remaining in Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. I encourage you to check out and follow the women’s game. To learn more about the Palmetto Billiards Club, you can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/palmettobilliardsacademy
I hope the rest of your summer goes well, and I look forward to seeing you at the tournaments, through my radio program, or right here at SPM Billiards Magazine. You can follow our journey at www.facebook.com/ steverauprobilliards or online at www.steverauprobilliards.com
KELLY FISHER AND STEVE RAU
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STEVE RAU
STEVE RAU WITH JEREMY FENECH OF 103.9 THE FOX PHOTO PROVIDED BY STEVE RAU
RAY REARDON –A TRIBUTE TO THE GRANDFATHER OF SNOOKER
On the 20th of July 2024, the Snooker world received the unfortunate announcement of Snooker Legend Ray Reardon’s passing. The six-time Snooker World Champion had passed away in hospital after a battle with cancer aged 91.
I was so fortunate to have met Ray around 20 years ago when he was working with Ronnie O’Sullivan, a time that I have often reflected upon and that contains memories I’ll always treasure.
At the time, Ronnie had just one world snooker Championship title and was considered somewhat underachieved, especially concerning the world championships.
Ray’s inclusion in Ronnie’s team was a suggestion
made by Ronnie’s father, with Ray recalling how he had received a phone call from Ronnie senior saying, “Hi, it’s Ronnie O’Sullivan here.” Being very sceptical of the call, Ray replied, explaining how it possibly couldn’t be him because he hadn’t recognised the voice as Ronnie O’Sullivan junior.
Thankfully, the confusion cleared, and Ray agreed that he would be more than happy to work in the O’Sullivan team and what a huge part he went on to play.
Ronnie had ended his working relationship with Snooker coach and friend Del Hill, who was a massive support and somewhat of a stable and guiding influence. He also sits firmly within my list of absolute gentlemen I have met within the sport.
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN WITH RAY REARDON PHOTO FROM MONIQUE LIMBOS
At the time, I was fortunate enough to attend many of Ronnies’ matches as a friend and guest, and when I heard the news that Ray was on board, I was excited to see what impact his influence had. Ray had quickly appeared at the 2004 world championships, and you could see how fast the relationship between him and Ronnie had become comfortable, with mutual respect being a great foundation. Ray was so friendly, and as soon as I had been introduced to him, he asked how I was and how my family was and showed a genuine interest in what I did and what my interests were. Ray’s admiration for Ronnie’s ability was plain to see right from the start, and Ray would often ask me what I thought, followed by his views of “Ronnie’s just wonderful, isn’t he? He can do things on the table that nobody else can. He’s a magician, just marvelous,” Ray would say.
As many could probably imagine, the fuss and circus around Ronnie was always huge, with people wanting interviews, to be around him, to talk, fans wanting autographs and pictures, and to be close. Ray was fantastic at managing it all and took on the role of shopkeeper to a certain extent. He would allow the conversations and fuss up to a point. Although I found him incredibly patient and obliging when it was time to be serious, you’d hear Ray calmly and firmly say, “Right, shops closed, it’s time for work,” those around would politely be told that enough is enough. It was time for Ronnie and Ray to be left alone to talk about the upcoming match or to get on with practice.
With Ray’s support, Ronnie went on to beat Graeme Dott in that year’s final and claimed his second World Snooker championship win.
Away from the table, Ray was a huge Columbo fan, and many of our conversations were about the TV show. Ray would ask if I had watched it a few days previously and would chat about what had happened, the funny things Peter Faulk had said, and how the villain had been caught.
As he and I had a history within policing, we shared views on how the world was what we thought needed and generally tried to put it right. For Ray, I agreed; it was very much about respect. “Oh, there’s no respect these days. That’s what’s missing,” Ray would exclaim, and I think this showed what he held important within his morals: respect for each other and our surroundings and communities.
Ronnie often refers to Ray as a father figure, and during the time mentioned, Ronnie’s dad was still serving time in prison. I strongly feel that my father and Ray were and have been consistent and stable guiding figures and friends to Ronnie during the times they were around. I think I completely understood how Ronnie had viewed Ray, as Ray had felt like a grandfather figure to me.
I saw in many ways Ray’s influence on Ronnie’s career. Although I know Ronnie will be forever thankful for their time together, I’m not sure if Ronnie completely understood the effect that Ray would have on his opponents during matches.
Over and over, I remember sitting in the crowd, watching Ronnie’s opponents being introduced, seeing them walk into the arena and see them physically look at Ronnie and gulp, and then see them scan the audience, see Ray sitting there and seeing them nervously gulp again. For many, it seemed that they were not just playing Ronnie O’Sullivan but also Ray Reardon, which must have filled many with dread, and I believe many showed it on their faces.
One memorable occasion for me with Ray was the infamous 2005 World Championship match between Ronnie and Peter Ebdon. Ronnie was in fine form and was undoubtedly the favourite to win the tournament. However, nobody had expected Peter to play the curve ball.
I think it still stands as the most challenging game of snooker I have sat through. Ronnie was playing well and led by 8 – 3. I sat in the balcony area of the Crucible with Ray and my father. I watched and listened as Ray completed his match commentary while making notes and drawing his sketches of the table on a scrap piece of paper to analyse and use as a reference later. Slowly, we realised that Peter was starting to grind out frames, not just frames but shot by shot, and the tactic was starting to impact Ronnie. Peter had a 37-second per shot average, which knocked Ronnie out of his rhythm, and you could see the frustration growing.
Ronnie looked up, grinning at the balcony a few times towards where we sat, to ask if you could see and believe what this guy was doing. While I sat upright, ignoring him, trying to signal, “Come on, it’s still yours to win, concentrate,” Ray started
Continued on Page 26
WHAT’S IN THE TANK: FUELLING FOR SUCCESS
If we are honest with ourselves, cue-sport players may not always have the best diets, and this isn’t made any easier by what food is often offered. Many players may have first experienced an issue with what nourishment is available while attending their local club, pool hall, or bar, where burgers, fries, chocolate bars, and other sweet confectionary played the main role in their eating habits, all washed down with a few beers, cans of cola, or perhaps these days energy drinks.
Stance, posture, and shot execution demand constant muscular use, while the mental intensity of the game can elevate our heart rate, and adequate nutrition is essential to sustain this physical exertion.
If we continue to be honest with ourselves, we often have the acknowledgment of “This isn’t great for me,” where some awareness sets in, but reality tells us that we will probably do the same tomorrow or the next time we play or practice. Even when we progress in the sport, days on the road, living in hotels, and visiting various venues will most likely encourage us to continue this unhelpful diet where we give in to the limited menus that are within arm’s reach, especially if we are between matches and feel rushed to just have something to keep us going.
However, no matter at what level or if we want to become a professional or achieve as much as we can as a professional, making some positive changes to our eating habits can have a huge difference in our performance. Contrary to popular belief, cue sports is not merely a sedentary pastime. Players expend significant energy, particularly during competitive matches.
A balanced diet provides the necessary fuel for muscle function, recovery, and endurance. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source, supplying the glucose needed for sustained focus and physical exertion. Complex carbohydrates, found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, can offer a steady and consistent release of energy, preventing energy crashes and maintaining concentration.
Proteins are the building blocks of muscles. They aid in muscle repair and growth, which is essential for players seeking to enhance their shot-making ability and reduce the risk of injuries. Lean protein sources, such as chicken, fish, beans, and lentils, are great foods to incorporate into a diet. A wellplanned and balanced diet plays a crucial role in supporting a cue sports player’s mental and physical performance, helping them maintain their well-being not just during a match but for the length of long, grueling Tournaments. Some key ingredients that can help focus, stamina, and decision-making are:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids : These are found in oily fish such as Salmon, mackerel, and kippers and other foods like walnuts and chia seeds. They have been found to improve cognitive function and concentration, which can potentially improve
focus and decision-making.
Complex Carbohydrates: Slow-releasing carbohydrates like whole grain foods, vegetables, bananas, and sweet potatoes provide a slow and constant release of energy, sustaining stamina throughout long matches.
Antioxidants : Some foods are considered good at improving blood flow to the brain, which helps with cognitive focus and function. Dark chocolate, leafy greens, and berries fit this category.
Lean Proteins: Chicken, Turkey, Tofu, and fish can all help with muscle growth and repair, which in turn can help support stamina while performing and competing.
The Importance of keeping hydrated
An area that can often be easily forgotten regarding maintaining a healthy diet is the need to stay hydrated. Although it can vary due to age and sex, our bodies are roughly around 60% water, but this can average between 45 – 75%. So, with water providing such a great percentage of our bodies, good water replenishment is essential to our overall health.
Hydration plays a significant role in Cue sports performance due to all the areas it can help, such as concentration, focus, decision-making, energy levels, joint health, temperature regulation, and reducing the symptoms of nerves. We should drink at least 2 – 3 liters of water daily, which equates to around 8 – 12 cups, to maintain proper hydration and bodily functions. For many, it can be quite surprising how little they actually drink when they first look at this suggestion.
Water should be sipped frequently during matches, with large amounts just before games avoided to prevent discomfort and bloating; this can also greatly help reduce nervousness, as many of us will experience a dry mouth when experiencing anxiety. Drinking or sipping water can help maintain saliva production, which in turn can alleviate discomfort, self-awareness and increase confidence.
Energy drinks and drinks that contain large amounts of sugar, such as fizzy drinks, should be avoided. These can provide quick bursts or short-lived energy but can also feed feelings of anxiety and nerves. Instead, drinks that support
electrolyte balance, such as sports drinks, coconut water, fruit juices, or smoothies, can be a good idea, especially after long, intense matches.
As with many things we can improve in cue sport, many look for that extra one or 2% that can make a difference against our opponents or when crossing that finish line. Our Diet is definitely one of those areas, and these days, most Elite players will be aware of its importance. Making changes can at first be difficult, and with diet, this is no exception, especially when we find ourselves eating by convenience, but with preparation and some planning, we can make this far easier to form a much healthier and helpful habit that provides us with the correct fuel necessary to gain optimal performance and to compete at the top of our ability.
Some prior preparation, such as using lunch boxes or sandwich bags or talking with hotel/restaurant staff, can greatly help ensure that healthier and more beneficial eating options are available. Hotel staff can often assist by preparing and cooking meals not listed on the menu or to cater to special requirements.
An example of an appropriate diet plan to help with Stamina, focus, and decision-making is listed below. Personalizing any diet to suit your needs is important while accounting for any allergies. A nutritionist or sports dietitian is a great way of gaining a customised plan for your own individual requirements:
Breakfast
A bowl of porridge/oatmeal topped with mixed berries and a tablespoon of honey
A glass of fresh orange juice
A cup of green tea for added mental focus. Main Alternative – Salmon with wholegrain toast and poached egg
Mid-Morning Snack:
A handful of walnuts or almonds for a healthy boost — A banana for quick energy.
Lunch:
Grilled chicken breast or oily fish such as mackerel for protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
A serving of brown rice for slow-release energy. Steamed vegetables, e.g., broccoli, spinach, or asparagus, for vitamins and minerals.
Meal 4: Afternoon Snack:
Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of chia seeds for protein and essential nutrients. Carrot and celery sticks with hummus
Pre-Competition Meal:
Grilled lean meat - chicken, turkey, or lean beef for protein. A generous serving of leafy greens and colourful vegetables for vitamins and minerals. Sweet potatoes for complex carbs. A small portion of fruit for natural sugars.
Post-Competition Recovery
A Smoothie with banana and almond milk for muscle repair and recovery. A small handful of mixed nuts for healthy fats.
Additional Tips:
Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks, as they can lead to energy crashes. These can also feed anxiety Incorporate foods high in brain-boosting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids - fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and antioxidants - blueberries, dark chocolate, and green leafy vegetables. Opt for lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats to provide a steady release of energy. Consider consuming smaller, frequent meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels and sustained energy. www.mattandrewsmentoring.org
RAY REARDON CONT. FROM PAGE 23
muttering, “Come on, Ronnie,” but the frustration was swirling around the arena. From where I was sitting, I could visibly see audience members shaking their heads, wiggling uncomfortably in their chairs, and checking their watches. At one point, Ronnie even turned around to one, gesturing to his wrist and asking what the time was.
I swear Ebdon must have thought it was the only way for him to beat Ronnie. He chalked his cue on every shot and walked around the table, seemingly checking and double-checking everything. He asked for the cue ball to be cleaned repeatedly and, after looking at the simplest of shots for what seemed an eternity, would then just get down and suddenly pot it.
Every time Ronnie did get a chance, he seemed worried about missing as he knew that it would mean sitting back in his chair for what seemed an eternity, which inevitably would help Ronnie run out of position or miss. Ebdon, at one point, scored just 12 points in over 5 minutes 30 seconds, which was slower than what Ronnie had taken to compile his record-breaking 147 in 1999.
A passionate Ray said, “The referee should be saying something here,” but the ref didn’t, and while Ronnie sat in his chair rubbing his shaved head intensely, Ebdon continued the grind to what had turned into an inevitable win. It was torture; Ronnie
had been tortured, we had been tortured as friends, and the Crucible audience had been tortured too, but for Peter, it had worked, and he was through to play eventual tournament winner Shaun Murphy in the next round.
Under Ray, Ronnie’s game had gained so much strength that a level of safety and tactical play had been added to it, which made Ronnie impregnable. After some time working together with Ray, it appeared that Ronnie had reached a point where he wanted to regain some freedom. I’m sure it had been hard work for Ronnie to keep up the composure and concentration, although it was also enriching and exciting to work with Ray. During 2005, their working relationship somewhat abruptly came to a close. Ronnie will always feel incredibly grateful for their time together, especially their friendship.
I learned a lot today from watching and listening, and I have treasured the time I spent with Ray and always will. When working with players at venues, I often think, “Right shops closed; it’s off to work.” He was a true gentleman and legend of the sport, but even better, he was an amazing human with a great and warm sense of humour.
He will be greatly missed
The Governor
“I love snooker. It was a hobby and a past time, but it’s like food, really.”
— Ray Reardon
Introduction
As the snooker family mourns the passing of one of the true greats of snooker, Ray Reardon, at the age of 91 after a private battle with cancer, let’s take a moment to celebrate the life of this Welsh icon who juggled his careers of being a miner and then a policeman with his lifelong passion of being a snooker player. Ray was in a class above the rest. His jovial character masked his ruthless desire to win. Coming from an era of snooker where you played for the love of the game and not the financial return, Cliff Wilson, his great rival in his early years, joked that Reardon came from the posh end of Tredegar. To this end, electricity flowed freely and avoided the hiss and flicker of gas lamps. Ray was an entrepreneur of the game, caked in coal dust by day and scrubbed clean by carbolic soap by night. Someone who was prepared to put in the arduous hours of flitting between working men’s clubs, holiday camps, and a handful of tournaments to lift the trophies and the small amount of cash that snooker offered at the time. This wasn’t for the faint-hearted, and Reardon was a Welsh dragon who breathed fire.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ELLIOTT WEST
A Unique Mindset
Anyone who played Ray Reardon will tell you he became a snooker tiger when the lights went on, and the atmosphere was set. His knowledge of the game was second to none. It was an era where the balls were heavy, the cloth thick, and the chalk ploomed off your tip in a dense green cloud. This player had nerves of steel and, like a dog with a bone, wasn’t prepared to throw in the towel until the scoreline won the day. Yet, Reardon could do no wrong for a large section of his career. He managed to keep the hungry Alex Higgins at bay as he attempted to storm the snooker stage.
With John Spencer as his only other rival, Reardon dominated the snooker scene in the 1970s, winning the World Championship in 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978. John Spencer took the title in 1971, Alex Higgins in 1972, Terry Griffiths in 1979 and Alex beat Ray in the final in 1982. His favourite was his 1975 win against Eddie Charlton in Australia, and his least favourite was winning against a drunk Alex Higgins in 1976, who conceded the match. A bitter-sweet win that Ray felt wasn’t a decisive win. Ranked number one in the world rankings from 1976-1981 and 1982-1983, Reardon won the Masters in 1976, beating Graham Miles and was a continual presence in Pot Black, winning in 1969, runner-up in 1970, 1972 and 1980 and winning the title for a second time in 1979. He also won a string of non-ranking titles ranging from the 1967 South African Challenge to the 1983 International Masters.
A Game Changer
Ray Reardon’s contribution to snooker was immense. With new kids on the block like Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, he helped drag the game from being a fading light to a dominant force. The staid and drab conditions of poor venues, small audiences and painfully long matches gave way to a new era that Reardon experienced more as the father of the game rather than a dominant force. Yet his dominance in the 1970s helped seal the deal, and I find it unbelievable that so many players don’t rank him in their all-time list of top players.
If it hadn’t been for Ray’s mentoring of Ronnie O’Sullivan at the 2004 World Championship, he may not have won the title that year. The two became lifelong friends, and Reardon would say that Ronnie was like a son to him. A unique and very touching relationship that was shown in the recent BBC Wales interview where the two had a heartfelt video call. The two catching up when they could in Ronnie’s busy schedule. Ray brought that necessary calm and focus to O’Sullivan’s game and tweaked his game to near perfection. Reardon had that killer instinct that few had prepared to go down to the last balls to win a match and always signed off with a wry smile to the audience. His departure from this world leaves a significant hole in the snooker ether. Still, he will be remembered for his cheerful character and as a survivor who evaded a pit collapse and dominated the snooker stage—a champion in his own right and a Welsh force who signalled change.
Elliott West has a blog titled Snooker Loopy which he created and is inspired by his love of the game spanning over 32 years. Check out his website! It is full of great articles. https://greenbaize1972.com
Leaders Leading Leaders
THE PBIA/ACS
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS SUMMIT
THROUGH
THE EYES OF A YOUNG MASTER INSTRUCTOR.
In 2023, The first International Certified Instructors (ICI) Summit came to fruition in Quincy, Illinois. Being held during the BEF Junior Nationals, 50 Instructors from all around the country flew and drove to Quincy to meet with one another to discuss teaching tactics and material in the hopes of becoming a stronger organization. Working together, the summit was a huge hit, and “Bring a friend” became the next motto for the 2nd annual summit in 2024.
Fast forward one year later. The 2024 ICI Summit returned to Quincy alongside the BEF Junior Nationals. According to statistics, the “bring a friend” motto had worked because the ICI outgrew its original room when over 70 instructors signed up to attend the event.
I was present during the 2023 event, and during that time, I had just received my PBIA/ACS Master certification. Being in the room with legendary minds like Dr. Dave (Billiards University, Fort Collins, Colorado), Randy Goettlicher (Hall of Fame Instructor, Texas), and Jerry Briesath (Hall of Fame Instructor, Arizona) was intimidating to me at first as these were people that were well known all over the world for their instruction. I stayed close to my mentor instructor, Kim Young (Dragon Billiard Instruction, Vestal New York), for the duration of the Summit as he
was the only person I knew in the room.
As the 2023 Summit continued, I became comfortable and outspoken, potentially a little more than I should have. Still, it truly was an unbelievable experience to be a part of. These instructors were accepting of my words and, although dismissive at times, were dismissive for a reason. They were dismissive, not because I was new but because I had a genuinely bad idea. At the end of the summit, we all sat around a pool table and discussed how the PBIA/ACS instructional parties could grow together and become stronger.
In 2024, when I returned to Quincy, I was met with open arms by instructors I respected so much. I became emotional as these same people that I was intimidated by the year before made sure to come up to me, shake my hand, and welcome me back. I was returning as a speaker this year, which was nerveracking. I was truly honored that they made me feel like their equal, despite my personal understanding that most of these master instructors have forgotten more about pool than I could ever learn. The first evening of the summit was amazing as I got to see many of the same instructors from the year before, but I got to meet many new instructors as well. Another emotional moment for me was when a young instructor approached me, introduced himself, and
said, “One of the reasons I came to this was to hear you speak.” ***To the reader*** You have no idea how emotional that will make an individual unless you have been in that same position.
At this time, I realized that I had inspired someone. As someone who genuinely loves teaching, to know I inspired someone is a feeling that can’t be matched by anything else in the game. Samm Diep-Vidal (Billiards University) spoke as she won the Jerry Briesath Instructor of the Year Award. Samm is the first woman to ever receive the Instructor of the Year award. We also got to hear from Shane Tyree (BCA Executive Director) and Rob Morenow (Chairman of the PBIA). Each talked about their goals for the upcoming years for their respective organizations and thanked us for being there to continue improving instruction and promoting the sport. The night ended soon after as the stage was set for our summit and would begin the next morning.
Day 2 saw a wonderful opening presentation from Dr. Cue Tom Rossman and an opening from Randy G to talk about how our Summit had improved from 2023 to 2024. Mosconi Cup Referee John Leyman came to discuss the most misunderstood rules in Pool. Mark Finkelstein (Queens, New York) and Roy Pastor (Harvard, Massachusetts) talked about his Break and Run Program (one of the best junior programs in the country, in my opinion). Ivan Lee of Simonis stopped in and spoke briefly, and Kim Young returned this year as a speaker. He gave a great presentation that taught us how to practice with purpose and taught me how to teach with purpose.
Day 3 started with Cecil Messer talking about Billiards Digests and 2024 BCA Hall of Famer Mike Panozzo and Panozzo’s contributions to helping Pool and Billiards become what it is today. Tom Riccobene (former president of the Billiard Education Foundation) talked with us about the history of the BEF and what it means to have the BEF where it is currently.
It is now 10:30 am, and I am preparing to present my presentation on the Illuminated Cueing Arts Training System (ICATS). The ICATS is a projection system that projects drills to the pool table. It can also store drills and plans an instructor can use for individual students. Interestingly enough, as I prepared for my presentation, I noticed the room filled with more people. I quickly realized that more than one person had come to see me speak, as I had not seen some people over the last two days. I was presenting the most controversial instructional topic (technology)
to great and fabulous minds there. Though I didn’t reach a lot of minds who were solely against using this type of technology, the best compliment I had was from PBIA/ACS Master Instructor Jim Baker, who had told me he wasn’t necessarily for the system before the presentation but told me he was much more open to the idea of the technology after the presentation. I was met with much applause and handshakes after my presentation. I truly felt that I had made a difference with some of my peers.
After my presentation, Dr. Cue returned and taught us some kicks and banks. “The Drill Instructor” Dominic Esposito (Mount Dora, Florida) taught us how to teach the jump shot. Steve Campana (Davenport, Iowa) was last on the day as he discussed how to properly ask questions and engage in conversations.
Friday, we were all tired but met for day four as Jerry Briesath talked about little tricks to make players better. We listened to Jim Baker (St. Robert, Missouri) discuss how to do a video analysis with students so the student can see what he or she is doing wrong. After lunch, Samm Vidal returned to talk with us about the BEF for a brief amount of time. Dr. Dave hit us with his famous pool myths and misconceptions. Finally, we had the opportunity to listen to Bob Jewett (Berkeley, California) discuss physics in pool.
Finally, we were at the summit’s end and discussing next year. With that being said, why is this story so important? It is important because some people are working hard for you (the reader), and in most situations, you don’t even know we exist. We attempt to meet every year to help each other and our students. We are all over the country and worldwide, wanting to spread our knowledge to the curious pool player who just loves the game and wants to get better. If you didn’t catch on, I have attached the location of each instructor I mentioned in this article. If you have any questions about this game, which we all love, don’t hesitate to reach out to a PBIA/ACS instructor to set up a time to meet and train.
It is okay to want to invest in your game and work hard with someone to improve it. An oftenconfirmed misconception about pool is that it is a game without instructors. There are instructors out there, and we are here for you. Thanks for reading. Next month, we will hop back on the aiming system train and discuss CTE (Center to Edge Aiming).
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF SMITH OWNER OF HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT ART
IVAN LEE
RANDY GOETTLICHER
ROY PASTOR
DOMINIC ESPOSITO THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR
SAMM DIEP-VIDAL
ERIC NARETTO
JOHN LEYMAN
KIM YOUNG
STEVE CAMPANA
JIM BAKER
TOM ROSSMAN AKA DR. CUE
MARK FINKELSTEIN
TOM RICCOBENE
JERRY BRIESATH
The Art of the Offense Game
There are 5 (Five) critical components that make up your whole pool game. They are,
1. The Mental Game, 2. The Offensive Game, 3. The Defensive Game, 4. The BOOT CAMP Game, and finally, 5. The Physically Fit Game.
More than half the players have a predominantly offensive approach to playing.
They use defense as a last resort of their pool game. They can’t find a ball to fire at, or they were told by their coach to play defense. This happens because they never considered training this as a skill set of their game plan.
Worse yet, the vast majority of players, including the pros, don’t have a Mental Game.
Just as many have never heard of a BOOT CAMP Game, you only need to ask any number of players if they equate being physically fit to how well they play pool. Good luck finding one out of a hundred that use working out as a way of playing their best pool.
If you agree that pool is a sport, then you would agree that sports are played by athletes. As far as I’ve ever known, athletes are under the direction of coaches, they do drills, and physical fitness is always part of the training process.
This month I want to focus about the Art of the Offensive Game. Seeing how most players tend to have so much of this going on, I’ll fire some quick points at you to insure you’re not running wide open without a game plan.
The idea of having an offensive game means your intention is to stay at the table until the winning ball goes down.
Shooting like you’re wearing New York horse blinders, you have some good ball pocketing skills and of course a reasonable degree of cue ball speed and position skills.
The drill I’m showing you this month works on just that, cue ball speed and position control.
It’s called: PAPER CHASER:
This is the first drill in the book titled, 52 Run Out Drills for 8, 9 & 10 Ball and is available on DITV. You can subscribe to DITV by going to, www.thedrillinstructor.us today.
To find more drills from The Drill Instructor, go to www. thedrillinstructor.us check them out today.
Sam Ryno Henderson
QUIET COURAGE — STRIVING FOR GREATNESS ONE DAY AT A TIME
“In my life, I’ve had one lesson with Anthony Beeler. Other than that, it’s basically been me watching videos of pros and seeing what they are doing and trying to put that into my game.”
SPM Billiard Magazine’s Kathryn Day sat down with rising young star Sam Henderson this month. Sam has been on a controlled rise in the pool world, and now he begins his entry into the Matchroom Universe. I have admired this young man’s play for quite some time. I’ve been most impressed with his work ethic, heart, and poise under pressure. He seems to have a great grasp on setting goals and measuring the results properly to build a solid foundation for success.
SAM HENDERSON AT THE KANSAS CITY OPEN PHOTO KATHRYN BROWN DAY
SAM HENDERSON AT KANSAS CITY OPEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN BROWN DAY
Sit back as I describe their conversation.
When Sam Henderson, a native of Iowan, was about seven years old, he began playing pool. His dad ran a junior’s league. Sam wanted to be a part of the league. He practiced hard and joined the league. Eventually, he played in the APA Junior Nationals that year, which got him started and was his first big tournament. I asked Sam if he did well in that tournament, and Henderson stated, “No, not at all
great player who taught me a lot,” stated Sam Henderson.
SPM: Who else has been an influence on you?
SH: Oh, Mike Burke, Timmy Bly, and Eric Gardner. Those three have helped me a lot. Eric Gardner is our big tournament director here, and he knows so much about the game. Mike ran our local pool hall here, and he knew a lot about the game, too. Timmy was the one with us in Kansas City.
SPM: Did you have any interest in other sports growing up, or was pool your main focus?
SH: I played baseball for, I want to say, three years. Then, when I turned eleven, I was pretty much done with baseball, and I just went full-time on pool.
SPM: What is it that attracted you to pursue pool with such dedication, and what about it appealed to you over other activities?
SH: I wasn’t much of a social person. I still am not much of a social person. I didn’t really like interacting with other kids. Pool, you don’t have to interact with very many people, but I felt like I got along better with people at the pool hall. The pool hall was just meant to be for me, I guess. It was more accepting, and I felt it was better for me than any other sport.
SPM: What else about pool appealed to you?
SH: I definitely have more friends in pool. I felt like pool was more challenging than other sports. I felt more comfortable playing pool than any other sport. Like baseball was fun, but I didn’t feel comfortable playing that game.
[laughing] - I was terrible, but I had a lot of fun!”
Sam Henderson is now 17 years old and playing pro!
Some of the early influences in Sam’s life have been a lot of local guys who would teach him small things here and there, according to Sam. Sam stated not any big names but experienced players who could teach him something, which really helped. When Sam was 11 years old, he met Benny Conway, Jr., “a
SPM: And that’s more of a seasonal thing than a year-round thing.
SH: Yeah, pool, you can play year-round, and baseball, you can’t.
SPM: How does it feel to be the youngest player signed to the WNT and, I believe, in the top 100 in the rankings?
SAM HENDERSON—APA JUNIOR NATIONALS 2015 - WHERE IT ALL BEGAN PHOTO PROVIDED BY TRACY SCANNELL KENNIS
SH: Well, I’m not positive on the rankings, but I definitely know I’m one of the youngest for sure. It’s exciting, and I feel like it’s an honor. I still feel like I have a lot to prove, but it’s been a fun ride so far. Traveling to all these events, and I show up, and people think I’m there for the junior event [laughing]. Matchroom also runs junior events along with the big events. It’s been great because I mean everyone there is twenty-five to forty years old and I’m seventeen and what’s nice is most of them know who I am. So, it’s exciting to see all of my idols at such a young age.
SPM: Take me through the conversation between you and your family and the WNT.
SH: So, a lot of the pros were getting emails from Matchroom basically saying, hey, do you want to be part of the 128? I didn’t get one of those emails. But Emily Frazier posted on Facebook and said, “If there is anyone that wants to be part of the 128. Email us, and we will review it and get back to you.” So, I sent an email to Matchroom, and they said, “Unfortunately, no, not at this time,” you know. Then, a few days later, at like three in the morning, we got an email from Matchroom saying, “Would you like to be part of the 128”. And somehow, my mom was awake at like four in the morning, and she saw it, and she came and woke me up, and we immediately signed. It was very exciting that day.
SPM: What did your mom and dad think about that?
SH: They thought it was great. They were pretty
proud of me for making the 128 at such a young age.
SPM: How emotional was the moment for you, knowing the hard work paying off in such a big way?
SH: Oh, it was great. I knew I had practiced and trained almost every day to get to where I was, and when they sent that email, I knew that the hard work was paying off.
SPM: Who has been training you?
SH: In my life, I’ve had one lesson with Anthony Beeler. Other than that, it’s basically been me watching videos of pros and seeing what they are doing and trying to put that into my game. The main pro I watch and try to mimic is Fedor Gorst. His fundamentals are absolutely perfect. So, I try to put what he does into my game. Yeah, so other than that, Anthony Beeler, that was really it.
SPM: Would you take more lessons with him if you could?
SH: Yes, definitely, he is a great instructor. But what I feel like my game needs is… I need mental training, I guess.
SPM: Speaking of hard work. You have a great work ethic. How do you stay motivated and how do you approach a practice session, and how do you approach preparing for an event?
SH: All the new events, like all the Matchroom events, motivate me. I want to be able to place well in them. So, that motivates my practice sessions. Some of what my practice sessions look like. Lately I’ve improved them, but before, I had been doing
TRACY SCANNELL KENNIS
was just throwing balls out and hitting them. I know that’s not a good way to practice. So lately, I’ve been working on the break and playing races against the ghost.
SPM: So, like for the KC Open, how did you prepare for that?
SH: For the KC Open, I don’t play 8-Ball very often. For the Kansas City Open, I was practicing 8-Ball, and I was trying to play fast because I knew there was a shot clock. I was trying to think quickly and execute quickly. I actually posted a video of me breaking and running in under a minute. And that’s basically what I was doing, just trying to get used to the 15-second shot clock. For Matchroom events, I have 4-inch pockets at my house, and that’s what Matchroom plays on. So, I work on ball pocketing and getting used to the tightness. Besides that, I’ve been working on the cut break for Matchroom events, and I just try to stay in stroke.
SPM: Do you have any set drills that you’re doing to help you?
SH: I’ve posted a lot of drills on Facebook but once I complete them, I usually don’t try them again. There are a couple of drills that I use to work on for my cue
ball control. I also like to shoot spot shots from the kitchen.
SPM: Are you doing anything different now that you are playing in the larger events?
SH: I’ve definitely been practicing more, and I have been taking my diet more seriously in the last couple of years.
SPM: Yes, I wanted to ask you about that; you said that you lost 85 pounds.
SH: At the beginning of 2022, I was 253, and I now I’m 165. It’s been a long process, but when Matchroom sent the email, you know hard work pays off.
SPM: Yes, it does.
SH: As far as different preparation goes, I’ve been trying to eat better, and I started practicing more. It’s basically the same routine but just more of it. But other than that, I really haven’t changed too much.
SPM: After this weekend, did you see things that will help you at the European Open?
SH: I’m happy with how I played at the Kansas City Open. The only thing I didn’t like about my game
SAM HENDERSON AT THE KANSAS CITY OPEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN BROWN DAY
was my break. I had no idea they were racking the 8-Ball on the spot. On the side tables, I don’t think I made a ball on the break one time. I was only able to make a ball on the break on the stream table. So, it’s definitely a difference going from a 7-footer to a 9-footer or from a 9-footer to a 7-footer. They are two different games, 8-Ball and 9-Ball the break I feel confident in my 9-Ball break, but that 8-Ball break I wish I could have broke better. I feel I could have gone further.
SPM: What events do you have coming up in the second half of the schedule?
SH: Well, on Friday, I’ll be leaving for Germany for the European Open. Then, once I get back from Germany, I’ll be playing the Raxx MVP Tournament in New York City. Then, from New York City, we’ll drive to Atlantic City, where I’ll be playing in the US Open. I believe the next event after that will be Hanoi in Vietnam, and then from there, it will be... Oh, between the US Open and Hanoi, there are a couple of smaller-ranking events.
SPM: So, you will be in Hanoi?
SH: Yes. But in between, there are two smaller ranking events in the US. I will be traveling to Seattle, and then after Seattle, I will be going to Virginia. Then, after Hanoi, things kind of slowed down. I have the International in November. Then that is kind of it for the Matchroom schedule. I’m hoping there is an Ultimate Pool tournament about a week before the International. They were talking about it in Kansas City, but they weren’t sure yet. I think in Tampa, but they weren’t sure yet.
SPM: I heard you talking; you were somewhere else out of the country.
SH: Let’s see, we’ve been to Austria, the UK, and Saudi Arabia.
SPM: What did you think of that?
SH: Oh, Saudi was amazing. Everybody there was super friendly. Not a lot of them spoke English, but they were friendly. I felt like the stuff to buy there was pretty cheap, and it was really hot. They said that you weren’t supposed to wear shorts there because they don’t like that, but I saw many people wearing shorts. So, when I wasn’t playing, I was wearing shorts. It was too hot to be wearing pants [laughing]. We didn’t see too many sights, and we weren’t tourists. We went to a couple of American restaurants, which had Texas Roadhouse, Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s…etc.
SPM: As someone who has risen through the ranks
from the junior level to playing on the WNT at a time when the landscape of pool is changing, what do you see that has improved for junior players wanting to advance to the professional ranks?
SH: It’s possible to be a WNT player; it’s just about getting seen. Instead of playing in all junior events, you want to play in a couple of Matchroom events here and there to get recognized, and you will have a shot to get into the 128. It’s all about recognition. Like, I was lucky enough to play two streaming table matches at the US Open. I played Fedor Gorst in the first round, and I got destroyed, but I played a really good player from Hong Kong in the third round on the loser’s side, and I was able to beat him, and I felt like I got a lot of recognition from that. And that helped get me onto the 128. It’s definitely possible for a junior to make it to the 128.
SPM: How did you rank in Saudi?
SH: [Smiling] Uh, not great. I played Aleksa Pecelj, he’s a great player from Europe, I think Serbia. I was up 8-6 in a race to 9, and he beat me 9-8. Then, in the second round, I played a really great player from the Philippines, Bernie Regalario, on the stream table, and he played great. He beat me 9-3. I don’t think I missed many balls in that match, but I fouled a lot. He played great safeties. If you look back at the stats for that match, I fouled five times to his zero times.
SPM: Did you learn something from that match?
SH: Yes, I need to work on my kicking. That was my first Matchroom event, where I played on a shot clock as well. So, I was not used to it. Every shot, the loud beeps were going off. I’m not too upset with my performance.
SPM: What things still must be improved to build a path for young players?
SH: Well, in Europe, they have a lot of money, I feel, to support young players. If they know a person has potential, they really work with them over there. Here in the US, there are so many sports and different players, and pool kind of gets pushed to the side. Here, we’re focused on other sports like football. We have a good Junior Tour here with the JAS, but it’s the same players. There needs to be more recognition and maybe more coaching.
SPM: Regarding sponsors, Cuetec supplies your cues, but who helps with the traveling?
SH: We fundraise a lot, probably once a month, to be able to go to all these events. Then, if I’m able to make money in a tournament, then it just goes right into the travel account.
SPM: As a young ambassador for the sport, what would you say to young players who have a passion for the game?
SH: I would say don’t give up. There are going to be ups and downs in the game, but your game is going to click, and you’re going to be playing better. Just don’t give up. That’s what a lot of players do. They tend to give up, and they don’t give it enough time. But if you see it through, you’ll start to see results. There’s so much negativity in pool; just don’t listen to it. Stay with the positive and follow your dream.
SPM: How would you advise junior leagues to get the word out on the sport and attract more interest?
SH: You’re going to make money in pool, and many juniors like that. In the BEF, you can win a trip to New Zealand, Puerto Rico, or Austria or wherever they choose to hold it that year. That just shows how you can make it somewhere. You know I went to Austria,
and you can tell these junior players that they have a chance to represent Team USA.
SPM: There are a lot of churches, youth groups, clubs… etc. that have pool tables. How do we show them the positive aspects of the game, and how do we show them players like yourself, Shane Wolford, Fedor, and SVB as role models to the public?
SH: Many people see the bad side of pool in movies. If they could just see a live tournament like from Matchroom, they can see that pool is a great sport to play. I think a good way to promote pool is by showing Ultimate Pool. They are great for fans and get people interested. With their format and their 15-second format, they are showing people, kids, that pool is fun. It’s a very exciting format. I was talking to the Ultimate Pool guys, and it’s format built for the fans and getting people interested in the game. So, if someone told me they were interested
SAM HENDERSON AT KANSAS CITY OPEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN BROWN DAY
in pool, I would tell them to go watch some Ultimate Pool videos and look at how exciting it is.
SPM: With the travel involved, are you getting a chance to enjoy new places, foreign countries, and new cultures beyond the pool table, and what have you enjoyed about the new experiences?
SH: Last year, we went to Austria, and all of these places have different food, and it’s been exciting trying new stuff. Austria wasn’t the greatest experience for us with the food. One thing that I really like to do is bring home local snacks for my friends to try, and the snacks from Austria – no one liked them. A lot of them had a black licorice taste to them. Austria was fun, though. Nobody really spoke English, so there was a language barrier. Most of the places we’ve been to so far have had a language barrier, except for the UK. That was our next trip out of the country - the UK and the food there was
actually pretty good there in the UK. It was more like food here in the US than Austria was. There was a little bit of a language barrier because they used different words than we do that mean different things. Other than that, the UK was great except for when people were driving on the opposite side of the road [laughing]. And when we were crossing the road, I would be looking to the right, but people were actually coming from the left, so it was weird. That was really the only major difference. Saudi was the closest to America besides the language that we’ve been to, and obviously, the weather; of course, we were in a desert.
SPM: Have you been able to enjoy any of the scenery?
SH: For the UK Open, we were able to go to London and check out different sites like Tower Bridge and a boat ride down the river. The UK is the only place where we had a chance to check out the sights.
SPM: What are some of the downsides to extended travel, especially for a young player like yourself?
SH: I haven’t found too many downsides except for flying [laughing]. I don’t like to fly. That’s one of my biggest fears. I don’t like turbulence; I don’t like taking off, and I don’t like landing. So basically, the entire flight [laughing]. So, the worst is the flying, especially when it’s longer than ten hours; it’s just brutal, but you know it’s part of the trip. And I’ve been able to meet so many pros traveling that’s been exciting, and it’s been fun.
SPM: Who are some of the players that you enjoy watching play?
SH: I’d say my two all-time favorite players; well, my one all-time favorite is Shane Van Boening; you know he’s Shane. I also really like… and he’s right there with Shane - Skyler Woodward. I really like his game, and he’s got a great personality, and he’s one of the best pros to get along with. My favorite player right now is probably Fedor Gorst. He’s just so fun to watch. He’s just perfect at almost everything. His fundamentals, his break, just everything. I also really like Eklent Kaci’s game. He broke his arm and then came back and got second in the World Championships. He’s just an overall great player.
SPM: What about Ko Pin Yi?
SH: I do really like Ko Pin Yi. I don’t know who I like better, between him and his brother. I probably like Ko Pin Yi a little more just because he’s Ko Pin Yi [Laughing]. I also really like Moritz Neuhausen from Germany. He’s a great player, and he’s only like 20 years old. There are a couple of Spanish players I like, Jonas Souto Comino; he’s only 21 or 22, and he plays great for how young he is. He’s already a world-class pro, at I think he’s 21. Those are really the six or seven guys I like to watch.
SPM: Who do you like to hang out with at events, and how have you found yourself being accepted at these large events by fans and fellow competitors?
SH: When I’m out of the country, I‘ll be hanging out with basically Americans. So, in the UK and Saudi, the main guy I’ve been hanging out with is Sky Woodward. I also hang out with Shane Wolford and Nick De Leon. Those are the three main guys I’ve been hanging out with. It’s like three older brothers. I’ve met them all here in the States, so I know them pretty well, and they are easy to get along with.
SPM: What are some of your best memories playing in events?
SH: I had a great experience in Austria at the World 8-Ball Championship. I wasn’t expecting anything really going into it. It was my first World Championship, and I got beaten in my first-round match. Right after that, I beat a great player from Sweden, and then the next day, I beat Niels Feijen 8-5, which made my trip. I wasn’t expecting too much, and I came out with a win against him, which was a great experience.
Another great experience was in Boston. I was able to beat Michael Feliciano 10-3. I played one of the best sets I’ve ever played against him, and it just boosted my confidence for the rest of the tournament. I ended up playing Moritz Neuhausen in the next round, and he beat me 10-8, but I still felt great with the way I played in that match, and I was able to make the single elimination stage. I got knocked out by Jonas Souto Comino, and he played great against me. I had a lot of fun in Boston, and I felt like that was a great tournament.
I also had fun at the 2023 US Open when I played Fedor Gorst in the first round. I didn’t feel very good going into the event, knowing I was playing Fedor. But after playing him, it was great because I could see what he was doing. His pre-shot routine, the way he carried himself around the table. I had the
best seat to see what he was doing, so I tried to copy what he was doing throughout the rest of the tournament. I won my next three matches, and I was only one match away from making the final 64. So, I was pretty happy with my performance. So those are probably my memorable experiences so far.
SPM: What’s been your biggest win so far in your young career?
SH: When I was fifteen years old, I was able to beat Mika Immonen, and then I was able to beat him again when I played him a couple of months later. My biggest win was probably against Niels Feijen. I played him at the World 8-Ball in Austria, and I just played a great set against him. I was very happy with my performance, and I have to say that is probably my best win. He’s like an 820-Fargo, I think. I also beat Mohammad Soufi at the UK Open on the Matchroom stream table. He’s like an 800-Fargo, so he’s a very solid player, but I still feel like Niels might be the best player I’ve beaten. There have been a few great players I’ve beaten, like Michael Feliciano, who’s an 810-Fargo, and I beat him 10-3, but I still think Niels [laughing].
SPM: How many tournaments have you won?
SH: I’ve won quite a few tournaments, but I don’t know the exact number.
SPM: What’s your favorite win?
SH: I’ve won a lot of regional events, but I consider my best tournament so far… is I was able to make the quarterfinals at the Predator tournament in Wisconsin. I beat quite a few pros in a row to get there, and I was one game away from playing Joshua Filler in the semifinals. So, I think that may be my best tournament so far because I beat Mika Immonen in the first round and Jeremy Seaman in the second round. Then I beat Kang Lee in the third round, then a Vietnamese player in the fourth round, and then I lost to Vitaly Patsura. We ended up going to the final set. I have to say that’s my best tournament so far. To be able to make the quarterfinals out of... I don’t remember how many players, but it was a pro event, and I was only sixteen, so I was very happy with that event.
SPM: What are some of the goals you have set for yourself over the next couple of years?
SH: I want to be an 800 Fargo player, and over the next two to three years, I want to be in the Mosconi Cup. That’s probably my biggest goal right now. I also want to make a quarterfinal or a semifinal in one of these Matchroom majors. Those are my biggest goals right now.
SPM: What would you like to see happen in pool over the next five years in terms of events and the tour? Would you like to see some of the major events follow what’s happening at the US Open with having qualifiers?
SH: Yeah, I really like the qualifier system they have going. With the qualifiers, you’re bringing in the highest level of competition that you can bring in, and that’s what they want. They don’t want Shane Van Boening to be playing a 400-Fargo first-round. I understand that you’re supposed to pay and be able to play Shane Van Boening, and everybody wants to play Shane [laughing], but I really like the qualifier, and I know Matchroom really wants to build the prize pots of their majors. They got the million-dollar prize in Saudi, and I know they want to do that with all their other majors. Their goal is for first place to get to a million dollars, not just $250,000. If that happens in the next five years, that’s great!
SPM: You’ll see more players getting even more and more serious.
SH: Yeah, I know, SVB put in a lot of work for Saudi Arabia; you know, $250,000 is a big number. So, I think the level of competition will go up if the prize
pot goes up; they will be putting in so much work.
SPM: What do you think about pool developing a structure similar to snooker with a Q-School?
SH: I think it would be great. With the Q-School, I think that’s how they’re trying to build the next 128 for pros. So, you’re going to get the best 128 that you can get. You won’t get people who really don’t deserve to be there. You’re going to get the people that actually want to be there, and those are the people that will be putting in the work to be, so I think it’s a great idea.
SPM: Who are some other young players that you expect to see playing at this level?
SH: I’ll just stay with the US players. Lazaro Martinez is a great player. He has a similar Fargo to me. He could make a push to get onto the World Nine-Ball Tour. Kashton Keeton is a great player. A really good young player is Hayden Ernst. He’s only thirteen, and he’s playing at a really high level right now. At the JAS he’s winning every 14 and under tournament, and he’s very close to winning the 19 and under tournaments. I could definitely see him on
SAM HENDERSON & SOFIA MAST AT THE KANSAS CITY OPEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN BROWN DAY
the WNT in the next three years. On the girl’s side, there are obviously Sofia and Savannah. They are playing at a very high level right now. I feel like the US has the best junior girls in the world. Another very good young player for the US is Adrian Prasad. He got second at the world’s last year, and he’s playing great right now. He could be on the WNT as well. He’s playing well over 700 speed right now. There is also Payne McBride. He plays at a very high level as well. I think those are the best juniors right now in the US.
SPM: how do you feel about some of the other games like 10-Ball, One-Pocket, and 8-Ball? Do you think it enriches the sport by having multiple options, or do you think it might dilute it somewhat for casual fans and observers?
SH: I think it’s great. Right now, every promoter has
their own little thing, like Matchroom has 9-Ball, so if you want to watch 9-Ball, you watch Matchroom. If you want to watch 10-Ball, then you go watch Predator. Predator has the 10-Ball series. Now, Ultimate Pool has 8-Ball, and as I said before, I think Ultimate Pool is so exciting to watch. Matchroom and Predator have the more serious events, and obviously, Ultimate Pool is still very serious, but it’s definitely more fun. Predator still has the shootout, which is cool. With Matchroom, it’s straight races to 9, nothing too special. It’s just straight 9-Ball, but it’s still exciting to watch because you get to see the best players in the world battle it out. With Ultimate Pool, almost every other match, you get to see Chris Melling do a crazy runout. And they do their pool battles and the six-ball shootout if the clock expires and the score is tied. Then Predator has their shootout where you win one set, and your opponent wins one set; you do the spot shot shootout, which is also great for the fans. I think Ultimate Pool is built for the fans, Matchroom is built for the players, and the Predator Series is kind of in-between.
SPM: What are your thoughts on having a coach? Almost all sports have coaches that can review performance and implement adjustments. Do you think it has value having someone who can see your mechanics?
SH: I think it is important to have a coach, but I think it’s more important to have a mental coach more than a playing coach. I know many of the players had someone to help them with the mental side of the game. Like Fedor, he had Johan, and Johan was able to work on Fedor’s mechanics and everything like his fundamentals and perfect Fedor, but he has also helped Fedor with the mental side of the game as well. I think the mental side of the game is really important. I think if you’re in the right frame of mind, you can play like the best player in the world.
I was talking to Sofia Mast about the mental side of the game at BEF, and that’s kind of why she has the Rubik’s cube. I’m not positive on that, but I think when her opponent is playing, she will fidget with the Rubik’s Cube to take her mind off, say, if she missed a ball. She plays with the Rubik’s Cube to help her just forget about it. She just kind of zones
out of the game and just refocuses. I think having a mental coach is very important.
I asked Sam what he likes to do when he is away from the table, and he told me that he likes to bowl and thinks that it is fun even though he is not very good at it! He also enjoys watching football and played a football season some time ago, but otherwise, he does not do that much. His life seems to revolve around pool. Sam said that when he is not playing pool, he is watching pool, and stated his life is built around billiards. When people ask him what he does, he tells them pool and school!
Another thing that I think is really important for people to know about Sam is that he volunteers for a nonprofit organization called “Heroes For Heroes.” In his spare time, Sam volunteers to help veterans suffering from PTSD so that they can get a service dog. The person who runs the organization is a friend of Tracy Scannell Kennis, Sam’s Mom, who asked him if he would be interested in helping. Sam did it once and never looked back. Sam has now been helping “Heroes For Heroes” going into his fourth year and recently raised $1000 to help the veterans get dogs for the program. With Sam suffering from anxiety, he can empathize with the veterans.
Henderson just finished the 11th grade and will start his 12th-grade classes when school starts back up! He has been doing his high school classes online since his freshman year. Sam also stated that he has never stepped into the high school for school! He has shown up for school plays and stuff but never school.
SPM: I see with a lot of the juniors where pool gives them a place where they are accepted.
SH: Yeah, I never played in the JIC. Well, it was the JIC; now it’s the JAS, but I still thought it was a pretty cool idea because it was a place where once-a-month junior players could come together and compete and create friendships.
SPM: What would you like the fans to know most about Sam Henderson?
SH: I like people to know that I’m from Iowa. A lot of players are not from the Midwest. They’re from the East Coast or down South or the West Coast. I’ve had issues with anxiety. I played in one JIC stop, and I’m terrible at playing in junior events. Something about it with me I just don’t like playing them, and I had to play on the stream table. I panicked before I had to play on the table, and I ended up playing a terrible match. I was just scared to play. I played terribly, and I ended up losing the match. At the BEF last year, I played in the 8-ball, the 10-ball, and the 14.1. In the 8-Ball, I was scared to play. It was the first event, and I don’t like junior events, and I just played awful. I kind of got used to it after that event. I played the 10-Ball and the 14.1and I ended up winning both of them. I was more comfortable after having played the one tournament. I don’t play in junior events. Not because I feel like I will win them but just because I don’t feel comfortable.
SPM: Have you figured out ways to deal with your anxiety?
SH: Not really. I try to just be confident. I just tell myself I’m going to win the match, or I’m going to break and run this game. I played in the UK Open, and they put me on the stream table after the second round. It was the mainstreaming table, and I’ve never played on the mainstream table with commentary, and I was panicking. I looked something up about what you do when you are panicking, and it said something like, look for three things in the room and then just say them. So, I was like pool table, pool cue, and pool ball. Then it said try to identify three things you can hear to try to take your mind off what’s happening. That’s kind of how I dealt with that match, and it really did help. But other than that, I really haven’t come up with anything to help deal with my anxiety. It’s not as bad as it once was, but it’s definitely still there. When I met Sam at the Kansas City Open put on by Ultimate Pool, I overheard him saying he lost 85 lbs. I asked Sam how he went about losing his weight. Sam Henderson stated, “In 2022, I had a bad diet. I was eating a lot of junk food and drinking a lot of soda. In 2020 and 2021, I played more video games than I’ve ever played in my life. I wasn’t addicted, but I just played too many. It was during COVID, and there wasn’t much to do except play pool and video games, and I really don’t like playing pool by myself. Starting in February 2022, I decided it was time for some changes. So, I said no more pop. That’s how I started. No more soda, only water. That definitely helps. I was eating a lot of junk food like chips and pizza, and I started counting calories. I felt like it really helped and checking for added sugars. I took a lot of bread out of my diet and cheese.
We started walking every morning. Before 2022, I was never really exercising much. I was walking and running on the treadmill and then walking with my mom outside. I was trying to eat low-calorie items. I was eating a lot more vegetables than I ever did. Eating a lot of salad but without dressing. I would eat it with chicken. Mainly cutting out the stuff. I still have pizza here and there, but not a lot. It helped with pool, my game improved, I slept better, and my anxiety decreased slightly. So, it had a lot of positives.”
SPM: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
SH: I hope a world-class pro. A member of the Mosconi Cup team. Above an 800-Fargo. I just want to be a top-tier player. Traveling the world.
SPM: Tell me about your sponsors.
SH: My main sponsor is Cuetec, and they’ve been great.
SPM: I saw you play a little with Alex Pagulayan chalk.
SH: Yes, I have been testing that out.
SPM: You know that Taom makes it.
SH: Yes.
SPM: They also make Predator’s chalk
SH: Yeah, Taom is round, Predator is hexagonal, and Pagulayan is a square. I’ve been trying out different pieces of chalk just to test. I’m trying to see if I can get a new chalk sponsor. I like Navigator tips. I feel like they are the best, but their chalk is similar to Masters chalk, and I feel like there are more skids. It’s a little messy, too, leaving marks on the table. I have Good Vibes. They are a company in California, and they make apparel. They helped me a lot. They sponsored some entry fees. I also have Onboard Sportswear. They supply all of my jerseys, and they have a nice connection to Matchroom. I also have a local guy who does all of my tip work. His name is Shane Gibson of Gibson Custom Cues. He always does my stuff for free. I also have Anytime Billiards; they are out of Iowa. They helped me get my Diamond table. I got it from the US Open. I need a cloth sponsor like Simonis. Maybe Andy Cloth. I need a chalk sponsor. I have two spots available on my jersey.
SPM: One thing I forgot to ask you was how many hours a day you put into training.
SH: I’d say I’ve been practicing three hours a day. During school, I practice for about an hour and a half. Not as much during school.
SPM: You’re probably going to step that up for the European Open?
SH: Yeah, I’ve been practicing a lot lately. It’s not so much about making balls as it is the break. I’ve really been trying to work on the break.
SPM: Well, thank you. If you want to send me that resume, you talked about. SH: I have a website that should have all my accomplishments. https://rynochargeinc.com
SPM: Thank you, this was great!
MISSPENT YOUTH TO LEGITIMATE PROGRAM: CHANGING
THE NARRATIVE
ON JUNIOR POOL
Look at those kids who are trying so hard to be seen and heard. They matter! It matters! Don’t let the grind wear us down.
Pool has always been about the grind, so what’s holding us back?
“
A proficiency at billiards is a sign of a misspent youth.”
Often quoted in one form or another and just as frequently incorrectly attributed to famous sources. It was most certainly said but the original source seems lost (It was not Herbert Spence who said he was simply repeating something he heard, and it was not Mark Twain who was a billiard enthusiast), but why was it said?
I suspect the original referred to not just billiards but any sort of activity that was not considered productive. Golf, I know, had similar things said about it, and I suspect young people playing games as children were expected to see them just as games and to join the workforce when they grew up.
Prominent people like Mark Twain often played billiards and carom games. Wealthy people in business were usually the only ones who could afford a table in their homes. The rise of golf, in part, contributed to the diminished status of billiards. As pool became popular among the working class, gambling in billiard rooms became commonplace (pool refers to the pooling of money for betting). The seedy association became attached to our sport. With the decline of the big championships and the old champions like Taberski, Greenleaf, and Mosconi, poolrooms became increasingly seen as a haven for hustlers and lazy degenerates. The game was guilty by association, and no parent wanted their child to be associated with it.
What is pool, though? Pool is a game where a sphere propelled by a cue strikes other spheres and rolls across a cloth-covered slate bed, rebounding off rubber-covered cushions and hopefully falling into plastic or leather pockets. Pool has developed into a competitive sport. It’s beautiful to watch when played at a high level, and it is exciting to watch beginners, particularly young players, fall in love with the game. Now, we are seeing a resurgence in interest, particularly at the youth level. It seems to be growing hand in hand with the rise of the professional game and the increasing events and prize money. Now I understand
PHOTO BY KEITH SHANER PHOTOGRAPHY
that pool isn’t making its professionals multimillionaires, and the chances of reaching the top level are certainly not guaranteed. However, that is true of any sport at its given scale. Think of how many T-Ball and Little League organizations are nationwide. There are approximately 2.6 million Little League players compared to about 5500 minor league players and just over 1000 MLB players. There have been less than 21,000 MLB players in history, which is not much when you look at the overall numbers, so getting to the top is tough everywhere.
Pool is just as legitimate as Little League, Pop Warner, and Biddy Basketball. It’s simply the image
that people have of the game. Smokey rooms and hustlers are what they envision. But they only know what they are shown. Movies like The Hustler, The Color of Money, and Poolhall Junkies are, for the most part, the only “promotion” the game has had over the last four decades. They think the game is only about hustlers like Fast Eddie and backers like Bert Gordon.
Pool certainly has had the aspects I mentioned above, just like baseball had the Black Sox Scandal. The difference, it seems, is that baseball worked hard to correct the public perception of their sport, and Pool thought it was “cool” to embrace it. Pool thought it was rebellious, outside the rules of the
PHOTOS FROM DRUMMS FAMILY BILLIARDS IN NEWARK. THEY ARE PART OF THE JUNIOR PROGRAM. KEITH SHOT THOSE AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO HELP RAISE SPONSORSHIP FOR THE JUNIORS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH SHANER
“regulars,” and people were quick to sign up to become one of the “Lost Boys” in this new “Never Never Land.” It doesn’t have to be that way!
Pool can help many at-risk youth and provide an outlet for those without a competitive resource. It offers an outlet for those who are shy about social situations and sometimes need to retreat to an activity they can play in solitude. Pool can provide a myriad of one-on-one interactions and, through leagues and tournaments, progress to status in a larger social group.
Pool is also about skill, problem-solving, employing strategy, sportsmanship, recognizing patterns, understanding geometry, and elementary physics. It is as tough a game to become great at as any other game. It takes passion, determination, and a dedicated work ethic.
Let’s face it: lots of niche sports have a rebel image starting. Take BMX racing, for example, or skateboarding and rock climbing, to name a few. The difference is that as they grew in popularity, they adapted their image and promotions to make their sport exciting but accepting to the mainstream public. It seems Pool was content to stick their tongues out at the world and continue to stand as a defiant Peter Pan playing tricks on Captain Hook and his crew.
The good news is that more and more youth leagues are starting, and we saw the JIC tour evolve into the Junior American Series. Matchroom has been promoting more youth events in parallel with its own. It’s a great start, but… I fear that Pool’s history
of being short-sighted will pop up. I fear that as we see some positive movement, we will think there is nothing more to do. Do Not Let This Happen!
We must keep trying to increase interest. Pool organizations, particularly youth leagues, have some catching up compared to more popular sports like baseball and football. The organizations need to pound the pavement and work the phones like contacting youth groups, churches, schools… etc. To make their case for youth participation, they need to have fundraisers, like selling candy or coupon books or having golf outings. They need to follow the model that other organizations have used successfully. Hold youth tournaments and exhibitions to introduce more players to the game. Work with local businesses to help with sponsorships. Cue makers, table manufacturers, and so forth are fine, but there is a lot of untapped potential support at the local level outside of pool if you can sell it. It takes work and dedication, as well as the right sales pitch. Show them Shane Van Boening, Fedor Gorst, Ko Ping Chung, and Shane Wolford. Show them Sam Henderson and Sofia Mast. PHOTOS FROM DRUMMS FAMILY BILLIARDS IN NEWARK. THEY ARE PART OF THE JUNIOR PROGRAM. KEITH SHOT THOSE AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO HELP RAISE SPONSORSHIP FOR THE JUNIORS. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH
SHANER
You’ve got to change the public perception. You’ve got to get out there and show them that a whole other pool world is waiting for everyone to see.
One of the things that makes it challenging beyond just the image problem you are fighting is that when you ask for support, many people are just unaware of what pool has to offer. They have never played competitively like many people who grew up playing mainstream sports. Of course, the video game craze is a permanent fixture, and again, more people know about EA Sports than they do Matchroom and the WNT.
However, I believe it can improve, and I think it is worth the effort to try to make it so. I know there are no simple solutions. It will take hard work, dedication,
and a little creative thinking. But the reality is plenty of sports have gone through what pool is going through, from the early years of competitive golf to the modern UFC. The difference is they survived the grind. It didn’t wear them down. It polished them into a finished product. Look at the beauty inside this game. Look at those kids who are trying so hard to be seen and heard. They matter! It matters! Don’t let the grind wear us down. Pool has always been about the grind, so what’s holding us back?
All photos by Keith Shaner / Photos from Drumms Family Billiards in Newark. They are part of the Junior program. Keith shot those as part of a campaign to help raise sponsorship for the Juniors.
PHOTO FROM DRUMMS FAMILY BILLIARDS IN NEWARK. THEY ARE PART OF THE JUNIOR PROGRAM. KEITH SHOT THOSE AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO HELP RAISE SPONSORSHIP FOR THE JUNIORS.PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH SHANER
Photos from Drumms Family Billiards in Newark. They are part of the Junior program. Keith shot those as part of a campaign to help raise sponsorship for the Juniors. Photography by Keith Shaner
POOL SCHOOL IS OPEN QUINCY 2024
For one week in July, on the banks of the Mississippi River, the rural community of Quincy, IL, became a Mecca of pool. Four simultaneous events were held, including The BEF junior national championships, the wheelchair championships, the Joy Heyball open event, and the second annual International Conference of Instructors (ICI) summit. While I had the chance to watch some of the competition, do some commentary on the junior’s livestream, and spend some time working with some of the juniors, my main reason for being in town all week was to attend the ICI summit.
The summit brings together instructors from two professional instructor-sanctioning organizations, the ACS instructor organization and the PBIA instructor’s organization. Some of the most outstanding and renowned billiards instructors joined to share knowledge and ideas to raise everyone’s training skills. The benefit of this is that any player who seeks to improve their skills is assured that our member instructors are able to give them the best possible guidance.
Tuesday evening was an informal meet and greet for the attendees. We were welcomed by Cecil Messer,
KIM YOUNG TALKING WITH STEVE JENNINGS ICI SUMMIT 2024 PHOTO TO THE RIGHT OF THE SUMMIT PHOTO BY R. JEFF SMITH /HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT ART
ACS President, Shane Tyree, CEO of the BCA, parent organization of the PBIA, and 2024 PBIA Instructor of the Year, Samm Diep-Vidal.
Randy Goettlicher opened the summit with an update on what we have been doing in the last 12 months. John Leyman gave us insights on the challenges for professional referees. Mark Finkelstein laid out the concepts of the SAM fractional aiming method. Roy Pastor explained the importance of the Break & Run program for training our junior players. Ivan Lee, Iwan Simonis, and Aramith, past BCA president, gave an inspiring and motivating presentation about the ability of pool to teach us a wide range of life skills. The day concluded with Kim, the Dragon, and Young covering practice techniques for more effective results.
Day two began with Cecil Messer filling the slot for Mike Panozzo from Billiards Digest, who was called away at the last minute. Tom Riccobene gave a historical review of the Billiards Education Foundation. Eric Naretto conducted a workshop covering new technology in the billiards training industry. Randy G filled in for Mark Stoller (more about Mark later), who had to cancel his trip at the last moment. Tom Dr. Cue Rossman dazzled the group with a few kicking systems. Dominic Esposito, the Drill Instructor, gave quite a show while speaking about jump shots. After a day of workshops, we all went out for a BBQ dinner, where we paid tribute to the many instructors who were no longer with us. Our last day began with the godfather of professional billiard instruction, Jerry Briesath,
doing what he does best… teaching pool as only Jerry can. Jim Baker discussed doing video analysis for students. Samm Vidal gave us an update on the juniors, And Dr. Dave Alciatore shared some pool myths and misconceptions. Bob Jewett educated us all on the physics involved in the game of pool. The summit concluded with a general assembly meeting of the members,
Eddie Isreal from the National Billiard Academy conducted several raffles throughout the summit. Mark Stoller (I mentioned him earlier), the president of Stealth Cues, donated a dozen pool cues for the raffles. Through the sale of raffle tickets and other events (Thank you, Jeff Smith, for your contribution), we raised approximately $3000, which was donated to the Billiard Education Foundation. Most of the cues won will be finding new homes with deserving young players when the winners return home to resume teaching pool.
Overall, the 2024 ICI Summit was a resounding success, with participants leaving with a wealth of knowledge and many new friends. If you want an instructor to help your game, I highly recommend you find one from this dedicated group. And if you would like to discuss joining this elite group of professionals, call me at 980 253 0211 and I will get you pointed in the right direction.
Until next time
STEVE JENNINGS ACS/PBIA/SPF MASTER INSTRUCTOR
SAMM DIEP-VIDAL RECEIVES PBIA INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
In the world of Pool and Billiards instruction, BCA Hall of Famer Jerry Briesath is recognized worldwide as the best of the best. It’s no wonder why the Professional Billiards Instructors Association (PBIA) named their Instructor of the Year award after him. And now there is a new name added to the list of recipients of this prestigious award.
For 2024, the PBIA has chosen Samm Diep-Vidal as their Instructor of the Year. She now holds a firm place in the history books alongside greats such as the award’s namesake Briesath, Randy Goettlicher, Scott Lee, Dr. Dave Alciatore, and others who have made a substantial impact on their students, and the pool and billiard world.
According to Rob Moreno, Chairman of the PBIA, the purpose of the Jerry Briesath award is to encourage instructors who are active members in the PBIA to expand and develop the industry with creative ideas and movements that improve students’ execution, instructor performance and builds the billiards towards future heights.
Samm came to pool later in life than many of her usual students. After being downsized from a corporate job, she decided to pursue pool full-time and picked up the game incredibly quickly. In just about two years, she had won her first amateur national championship, and from there, her career skyrocketed. She is a four-time national champion,
and played semi-professionally in various regional ladies tours for several years.
But as phenomenal as she was as a player, teaching has always been in her DNA. As a teen, she played violin at a high level, and taught violin lessons for ten years after high school. It’s no surprise, then, that she felt drawn to pool instruction and coaching. Around 2010, she met Dr. Dave Alciatore, and quickly became one of his key instructors in the Billiards University Boot Camp program based in Colorado. “When I started the Billiard University Boot Camp ... and needed a third instructor, I knew she would be perfect for the job,” Dr. Dave told me. “She has been a great member of our team ever since. She has great interpersonal skills, and all the students love her.”
Around that same time, she met her future husband, pro pool player Marc Vidal. As her focus shifted from competitive play to starting their family, she realized that teaching would allow her to stay involved in the
game, while allowing her time with her two daughters.
Samm was hired as the Executive Director of the Billiards Education Foundation (BEF) in 2012. She worked with the organization for six years, during which time she was able to attend three World Championships in support of American players. She was integral in rejuvenating the BEF’s brand and recognition, including holding a contest to decide on a new logo, which is the one we see today. “One big goal of mine during that time was to build that brand recognition and also to build a state championship program”, which she was able to accomplish with the support of many major billiard suppliers and sponsors. During her last year with the BEF they helped support 35 State Championships across the country. She did all this while raising a toddler and a newborn, and running a 12,000 sq. ft. pool room in Denver!
Tom Riccobene, BEF President from 2002 – 2019, had this to say about Samm:
“Samm came to us at the right time, serving as BEF Executive Director from 2012 to 2017. She brought new energy and fresh ideas to fundraising, and State and National tournament management. She was pure joy with a big heart and always professional and did a great job as team leader/coach to the Worlds.”
In 2019 Samm began working with the Denver Parks and Recreation department offering pool instruction to Denver residents young and old through the Active Older Adults and My Denver Card programs. These drop-in style clinics are available at no cost to Denver residents. “It’s been a wonderful way to give access to a different audience of people that otherwise wouldn’t have access to what I do,” Samm told me.
Samm now devotes much of her time to coaching individual players, including Sofia “The Pink Dagger” Mast. Samm told me about the first time meeting with Sofia, how they set up a completely new schedule for her, putting in place time for practice, school work, and a new fitness regimen. After their first intensive week together, however, she felt as though they hadn’t quite connected, and worried that she had not gotten through to Sofia. But several months later, after a great performance at the World Championship, Samm saw a social media post from Sofia naming Samm as one of her two ‘people of the year’, saying how much Samm had helped her in
making all the needed changes. Even this year after the BEF National Championship in Quincy, IL, Sofia posted “You have no idea what she means to me. We got so close in only a few months where I travelled to Colorado every month to train with her since the beginning of this year. We kept contact daily while I was at home to check on my progress. She changed my daily routine, my fitness, and mentality. And she took me in as a bonus daughter…. I can’t thank her enough for being there for me.”
I asked Samm what it means to be put into this category of “Instructor of the Year” along with the other past winners. “I’m constantly striving to be a better instructor, because everyone is different... What works for one person is not going to work for the next person, and I love that challenge. For me as an instructor, that is what I thrive on… Also for me being the first woman Instructor of the Year, and a minority, I feel like … this whole experience has been surreal. I came home and told my husband ‘THIS WAS THE BEST TRIP EVER!’”
SHANE TYREE WIITH SAMM DIEP-VIDAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT ART BY R. JEFF SMITH
THE FUTURE OF BILLIARDS: A WEEK OF INSPIRATION & COMPETITION
From July 8th to 13th, I had the immense privilege of attending one of the most exciting billiards events I’ve ever experienced. This unique gathering combined several significant tournaments into a single, unforgettable occasion. Hosted at the Oakley-Lindsay Civic Center and The Atrium Hotel on Third in Quincy, Illinois, the event featured the BEF Junior National Championship, America’s Heyball Championship, the first North American Wheelchair 8-Ball and 9-Ball Championships in 15 years, and the International Cue Instructors Summit (ICI Summit).
As both a parent and an instructor, I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of billiards action. The days were
BRAD SWAIN
ROY PASTOR WITH BRAD SWAIN AT THE INTERNATIONAL CUE INSTRUCTORS SUMMIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEIRLOOM PORTRAIT ART BY R. JEFF SMITH
BY TONY FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
long, but I left feeling invigorated and hopeful for the game’s future. My son, Thomas Swain, who competed in the event, shared this excitement, returning home inspired and motivated. The camaraderie among players was truly remarkable, a rare and cherished aspect of the event.
The gathering also marked an unprecedented convergence of elite junior players and top instructors. On Friday evening, after the ICI Summit, over 20 of the world’s leading instructors, including Jerry Briesath, Tanner Pruess, Dr. Dave Alciatore, Pubo Huang, and Eric Naretto, offered their expertise to the next generation of American pros. It was surreal to witness such a collection of talent and passion, with four hours of teaching passing by in the blink of an eye. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to spot future stars and promising talents nationwide.
** Tournament Highlights**
The competitions were fierce, with standout performances in various categories. Here’s a recap of the tournament results:
*Junior Heyball National Championships sponsored by JOY Billiards* - *22U Men’s Heyball*: Payne McBride from Middleton, IN, took 1st place, double-dipping Ben Kleinfelter from Perrysburg, OH, who finished 2nd, and Robert Orta from Odessa, TX, secured 3rd.
THOMAS SWAIN AT BEF JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
PHOTO
- *22U Women’s Heyball*: Ava Weems from Tom Bean, TX achieved 1st place, with Tiffany Tang from Tallahassee, FL in 2nd, and Kennedy Dunn from Newport, VT in 3rd.
- *18U Boys Heyball*: Jamison Gall from Council Bluffs, IA, emerged victorious, double-dipping Adrian Prasad from Sacramento, CO, for 2nd place, and Siyu Chen from Groton, MA, secured 3rd.
- *18U Girls Heyball*: Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL, clinched 1st place, followed by Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, in 2nd, and Kennedy Dunn from Newport, VT, in 3rd.
- *14U Coed Heyball*: Hayden Ernst from Louisville, KY, double-dipped Noel Montano from Colorado Springs, CO, after losing to him on the winners’ side, with Isaac Garcia, Jr. from Denver, CO, in third.
As champions of the 18U Heyball divisions, both Jamison Gall and Sofia Mast will receive an all-expensespaid trip to the upcoming JOY’s WPA World Junior Heyball Championships (location and date are still TBD).
*Junior National 10-Ball Championships sponsored by Iwan Simonis*
- *22U Men’s 10-Ball*: Adrian Prasad from Sacramento, CA, took 1st place, Bryzen Manipula from Ontario, Canada, finished 2nd, Ben Kleinfelter from Perrysburg, OH, and Jamison Gall from Council Bluffs, IA, tied for 3rd.
- *22U Women’s 10-Ball*: Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, achieved first place, with Avah Weems from Tom Bean, TX, in second, Kennedy Dunn from Newport, VT, and Kaitlyn Giddens from Clinton, NC, tied for third.
- *18U Boys 10-Ball*: Adrian Prasad from Sacramento, CA, clinched 1st place, followed by Eddie Vonderau
JORDAN HELFERY
PHOTO BY TONY FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
from Blacksburg, VA, in 2nd, and Payne McBride from Middleton, IN, and Kaden Hillman from New London, WI, tied for 3rd.
- *18U Girls 10-Ball*: Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL, took 1st place, Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, finished 2nd, and Leigha Belieu from Waukee, IA, and Marissa Du from Sammamish, WA, tied for 3rd.
- *16U Boys 10-Ball*: Hayden Ernst from Louisville, KY emerged victorious, Robert Orta from Odessa, TX, secured 2nd place, and Reed Larson from Sioux City and Kaden Hillman from New London, WI tied for 3rd.
All three 10-Ball world qualifying champions, Adrian Prasad, Sofia Mast, and Hayden Ernst will have their airfare and accommodations covered for their trip to the 2024 WPA World Junior 10-Ball Championships this September in New Zealand.
*Junior National 8-Ball Championships sponsored by Lucasi Custom Cues*
- *22U Men’s 8-Ball*: Adrian Prasad from Sacramento, CA took 1st place, Payne McBride from Middleton, IN finished 2nd, and Landon Memberg from Saint Peters, MO secured 3rd.
- *22U Women’s 8-Ball*: Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL, achieved 1st place, double-dipping Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, who finished 2nd, and Jorden Helfrey from St. Joseph, MO, in 3rd.
- *16U Coed 8-Ball*: Hayden Ernst from Louisville, KY, clinched 1st place, followed by Kaden Hillman from New London, WI, in 2nd, and Noel Montano from Colorado Springs, CO, in 3rd.
QUINCY ILLIONOIS, BEF CHAMPIONSHIP & HEYBALL
PHOTO BY TONY FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
- *10U Coed 8-Ball*: Donovan Seymour from Raymond, CA, double-dipped Abel Kuhns from Cheyenne, WY, with Christian Montalvo from Ypsilanti, MI, in 3rd.
As the champions in the 22U men’s and women’s National 8-Ball Championship, Adrian Prasad won an invite and free entry into the 2024 WPA Men’s World 8-Ball Championship in New Zealand, and Sofia Mast won a free entry into a WPBA event for 2024.
*Junior National 9-Ball Championships sponsored by Diamond Billiard Products*
- *16U Girls 9-Ball*: Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL took 1st place, April Gonzales from DFW, TX finished 2nd, and Kennedy Dunn from Newport, VT secured 3rd.
- *14U Girls 9-Ball*: Jordan Helfrey from St. Joseph, MO achieved 1st place, with Kennedy Dunn from Newport, VT in 2nd, and Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV in 3rd.
- *14U Boys 9-Ball*: Hayden Ernst from Louisville, KY, emerged victorious, Damon Kahler from Appleton, WI, secured 2nd place, and Gavin Mathew from Frisco, TX, in 3rd.
*Junior National Straight Pool Championships sponsored by McDermott Cues*
- *22U Men’s Straight Pool*: Adrian Prasad from Sacramento, CA, took 1st place, Eddie Vonderau from Blacksburg, VA, finished 2nd, and Aidan Wagner from Sparrow Bush, NY, and Brayden Bowen from OKC, OK, tied for 3rd.
- *22U Women’s Straight Pool*: Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, achieved 1st place, with Jorden Helfrey from St. Joseph, MO in 2nd, and Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL, and Alessandra Alejandro from Elmhurst, NY, tied for 3rd.
- *16U Boys Straight Pool*: Eddie Vonderau from Blacksburg, VA, clinched 1st place, followed by Shane Petrick from Houston, TX, in 2nd, Hayden Ernst from Louisville, KY, and Landon Wiser from Norman, OK, tied for 3rd.
- *16U Girls Straight Pool*: Jorden Helfrey from St. Joseph, MO, took 1st place, Sofia Mast from Wesley Chapel, FL, finished 2nd, and Avah Weems from Tom Bean, TX, and April Gonzales from DFW, TX, tied for 3rd.
In addition to the tournament for Straight Pool, the BEF also committed to recording and providing a $1000 scholarship for the high runs throughout the tournament. This year, Eddie Vonderau from Blacksburg, VA, captured the boys’ high run with 44 balls, and Savannah Easton from Las Vegas, NV, secured the girls’ high run with 28 balls.
With the incredible talent and dedication displayed, I believe we have a bright future ahead. As the top junior players continue to hone their skills under the guidance of world-class instructors, we may see new American stars rising to challenge the dominance of Team Europe and Team Asia. Until then, happy hitting, and we hope to see you at next year’s event!
ABOVE: ALLISON FISHER, APRIL LARSON, SOFIA MAST, & KELLY FISHER TAKEN AT THE QUINCY ILLINOIS HEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP!
BELOW: KELLY FISHER AND COREY DUEL AT THE HEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS BY TONY FOX PHOTOGRAPHY
MICKEY KRAUSE IS THE 2024 EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPION
MICKEY KRAUSE WINNING THE 2024 EUROPEAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
PHOTO BY TAKAIMAGES FOR MATCHROOM MULTI SPORT
Mickey Krause has claimed the title of 2024 European Open Pool champion, defeating Johann Chua 12-8 at Hotel Esperanto in Fulda, Germany.
JACK MITCHELL
Mickey Krause 12-8 Johann Chua
The match began as a tactical battle, with Chua taking the first rack and Krause responding in kind. In the third rack, Chua led initially but faltered on a 2-7 combo, allowing Krause to seize the opportunity and take the lead.
In the fourth rack, Krause made a sharp jump shot on the 3-ball but left himself hooked on the 5-ball. Chua had a chance to level the score but missed a crucial 6-ball, allowing Krause to maintain his lead. The Danish Viking then extended his advantage by winning three consecutive racks, including a skilful long bank shot on the 6-ball in the fifth, bringing the score to 4-1.
Krause’s momentum was briefly interrupted when he scratched on an attempt to pot the 6-ball, giving Chua a chance to pull back a rack. However, Chua’s fortune turned in the following rack when he scratched on the 8-ball, enabling Krause to continue his rack-winning streak.
In the tenth rack, after a dry break from Krause, Chua attempted to narrow the gap but faltered by missing a critical 5-ball, gifting another rack to Krause, who pushed the score to 8-2.
The eleventh rack highlighted Chua’s struggle. After Krause made an error on the 4-ball, Chua tried to capitalise, even fluking the 6-ball. Yet, his hopes were dashed when he missed the 9-ball, extending Krause’s lead to 9-2.
Chua managed to secure a third rack after a dry break from Krause but quickly relinquished control with another miss in the 13th rack, allowing Krause to make it 10-3.
Despite the odds, Chua took advantage of another dry break from Krause in the 14th rack and secured the next one. In the 15th rack, Chua hooked himself on the 7-ball, seemingly setting up Krause to close out the match. However, Krause’s own error parked the 7-ball in the pocket, handing the rack to Chua, who made it 10-5.
Misfortune continued for Chua as he broke dry in the 16th rack, allowing Krause to reach the hill. Chua mounted a valiant effort with a three-rack run after another scratch from Krause, narrowing the score to 128. But in the end, a missed 8-ball from Chua sealed his fate, and Krause capitalised to claim the European crown.
Mickey Krause not only celebrated his first-ever Matchroom Major title that evening but also secured his place in the inaugural Reyes Cup later this year.
NEXT WORLD NINEBALL TOUR EVENT
Raxx MVP Open will take place at Raxx Pool Room, West Hempstead, NY, United States from August 15-18 with a prize fund of $48,400.
NEXT MATCHROOM EVENT
The next signature Matchroom multi-table open event will be the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City, NJ, United Staes. The tournament takes place from August 19-24 at Harrah’s Resort.
For more information, click here.
To Poke or Stroke
If you want to truly understand what’s happening and why that beautiful follow through may not be what you thought it was, please read this.
THE CUEBALL DOESN’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK IS HAPPENING. It only reacts to the energy and the placement of the energy exerted on it.
I had a student tell me that if he jabs at the cueball it takes a different path then if he purposely makes a follow through stroke. So of course me being me, I decide to mark the cueball as he demonstrates. Sure enough when he pokes at the cueball It goes a different direction off the object ball and then off the rail than when he did his follow through stroke.
BUT, It’s not what he thinks.
Here is the problem. When he poked at the cueball, his chalk mark was at a completely different location than when he followed through on the same shot. As he followed through, he dropped the elbow before contact and the tip rose, so he hit the cueball higher, causing a different reaction on the cueball. Had he not been notified of this, his cueball reactions would be confusing at best because he had false information. He may have became great doing the wrong thing. Who knows? When the cueball was marked, the cueball reacted within the exspected range regardless of poking, popping, jabbing, or following through!!!!
Even great players make these mistakes because the physics can seem complicated especially as they drop the elbow at different times.
Below, after the student was told to be sure to hit the cueball as high as he was when he was following through, he got identical results (green) over and over, proving that you can jab, poke, pop, follow through, stand on your head,whatever, and the cueball doesn’t care!! But those follow through strokes sure are pretty!
(Red lines are before he realized he was hitting lower on his poke strokes)
