SPM Billiards Magazine Issue 33

The 5 C's of Pool

BY RICK “WHITE WOLF” PRINCE

Hello Pool Fans,

Allow Me to introduce myself. My name is Rick “White Wolf” Prince. I’m from Augusta, Georgia, and I’ve been playing pool since 1971. I’ve Won the L.A. Classic 8 Ball Tournament 29 times in the last three years, which is held here in my hometown. I was a Road Player for over 35 years, and I have played from Louisiana to Colorado and back several times before my recent retirement from the road.

I would like to thank Ms. Kathryn Brown Day and Mr. Patrick Sampey for inviting me to write a little something for you that may help you along on your quest to master pocket billiards from an Old Hustler.

I gave it some thought about what I would like to touch on, and since this is my first article, I assumed it to be wise to discuss what helped me to up my game. To Be Successful on My Journey on the road and to reach a 9-10 skill level in A.C.S. League Pool. Let’s jump right into the 5 Cs of Pool!

1. COURAGE It takes courage to play your game and your style of pool. We practice, research, watch videos, and read everything we can get our hands on regarding “The Game.” Some of us even retain the services of a coach.

This is great for learning “Sound Fundamentals” and not developing bad habits in the basics, such as grip, stance, stroke, etc.

But where do we learn “The Courage” it takes to apply all we’ve learned to our game when we’re in a serious money match or competing in a major tournament and front of countless “Railbirds” judging your every shot? After we are confident that we are doing everything we can to up and maintain a high skill level, we then have to find enough Faith in Ourselves and our ability to perform. That, my friends, only comes from H.A.M.B. Hitting A Million Balls!

You need a constant and rigorous practice routine. Don’t just practice until you can make a shot; practice until you make that shot consistently and without hesitation.

2. CONFIDENCE Your courage will define your confidence level, where we want to exclude confidence. We never want to come across as too cocky, for this will usually cause confrontation, which could lead to a forfeit, loss of a game, or physical violence, in which no one ever wins!

We all have an “Inner Warrior.” We never want to talk down or degrade ourselves because it lessons “the warrior within us,” Trust me, we need that warrior always to remain vigilant. If you have a sound foundation and good skills in pocketing balls, and you dare to get the job done consistently. Then how do we improve our confidence?

Here’s what I have done. I started recording my practice sessions and even some of my money matches (after getting it agreed with my opponent), and I’d watch myself in action. I was focusing on the balls I made, and I consistently pocketed more balls than I missed. I was even fortunate enough to catch myself making some incredible, great safety shots and good returns on safeties. I’d watch these videos before my money matches or tourneys. It served me well in boosting my Confidence level, and I’m confident this will help you as well. Now that you have acquired a measure of courage and confidence.

3. CONCENTRATION Concentration is the ability to focus on a primary objective without deviation. Whether it’s the loud music, or people walking around, or just the sounds of people conversing in the bar or pool hall, there will always be distractions to deviate you from your primary purpose, which in pool is to concentrate on the shot at hand!!

We don’t have the liberty to think about that lousy shot we made or the last match we lost; we only have the luxury of “Studying one Shot at a time,” and that’s the shot at hand. Nothing Else should exist at the time you’re shooting it. You should approach every shot with the same cautious enthusiasm you would a 5-rail kick shot! I don’t care if it’s a 6-inch shot straight in the corner pocket, Take the same amount of time and practice Good Fundamentals with each consecutive shot you take. I like to practice in the noisiest surroundings I can find before a money match or tournament. This forces me to concentrate. With excellent concentration skills, you will be so focused; that you won’t even notice the local sharks swimming through the room trying to take you down.

4. COMPOSURE We have courage, are confident, and can concentrate on the business at hand. Now we must remember never to exude overconfidence, not to act cocky, never be too excited over a win, and never be shaken by a loss.

Never let them see you sweat; no matter what, it’s good sportsmanship first! This essentially means we always show our opponent the proper respect, win, lose or draw. “Hustle in Silence and Let Your Success Do the Shouting!”

Good sportsmanship means that when you walk out of the pool room, no one should be able to tell if you won or lost. Sometimes in a hustling’ situation, you never walk outside to leave with a cocky boastful attitude; it could be your last match if you’re not cautious. We are Now at The Final “C,” and it’s a Biggie!! As well as a must for a pool player, and without this one, the others were all learned in vain.

5. CONSISTENCY There’s nothing more exhilarating than winning a big-money match or a big tournament. We play for money and trophies and sometimes just play for egos or fun, but we never play to lose. (Unless it’s necessary for a larger Reward at the end of it) Being consistent in our pre-shot routine on both our offensive shots as well as our defensive shots is a must. Pool is a repetition of shots over and over. How you approach the shot over and over the same way makes us consistent. I never have a practice session when I don’t start by practicing my pre-shot routine. It’s a must to do it precisely the same every time. This will keep you consistent in many more areas of your game! There You Have My 5 Cs of Pool!

By the way, there are actually 6 Cs of Pool. Number 6 is CASH! But That’s a Whole Article in itself! Lol Thanks For Reading. I hope I helped a Little!

Happy Shootin’!“The White Wolf”

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