I've been corresponding with a pool pal for some time who now writes:
Now I got to ask, Matt, about your body slip stroke. Why would you use that shot besides the break shot? I am pretty sure I read your advice somewhere that your body should not move so much and that you only need to move the shooting arm while shooting.
I remember your advice to pound a break shot is different though, for you want lots of power, or at least as much as you can deliver without losing accuracy, so you still hit the rack where you wish (unless you are playing a soft break or safe break and want to shoot gently).
If that is called a "body slip stroke" then I do not know what to call the shots I used to do and still see many do around where I play billiards. What I am talking about are full body swings, jumps, spins, and other movements yet to be described by human language!
There used to be a day you did not want to stand anywhere close to my left side while I was shooting or you might get whacked by my cue stick while it was flowing through my shot! Many times I see light fixtures above pool tables get whacked during shots... which sucks because this can leave a nasty dent in your cues as well as shatter lights.
Maybe these shots can be called "dancing billiard shots" or a "billiard boogie"? Oh well, who am I to question the name of a shot?"
- Chris P.
Chris, and dear About.com readers, it's simple, when adding body motion to a cue that is moving straight through the stroke, you get a bit more power--heresy, I know, per the fundamentals I teach at this About.com GuideSite, but true. Yet you can also use your body for the very poorly known pro secret--body english!
Basically, you shoot straight at center ball but allow your body to give a little to generate the extra force and spin you want...
For your edification, delectation and delight, it's:
Body English, The New Billiards English
PS. Remember to make more gentle motions for body billiards english than you would for the body slip stroke as shown!
Next steps for your pool and billiards skill improvement:
