Over and over, we have all heard the great axioms of billiards, we’ve committed them to memory and when push comes to shove, ignored them.
At what cost?
Chalk your cue before every shot You can always tell the players who ignore this one. Its not so much because the cue goes skittering off the side of the cue ball—that’s usually bade enough, but chalking is easily included in your pre-shot routine. For instance, I know when I miss my pre-shot is suspect and since my pre-shot calls for me to chalk while lining up on the shot line that I most likely skipped it or did not commit to it.
Plan Your Next 3 Shots—While you are in your pre-shot routine, it is actually too late to be planning your next 3 shots. You need to do it before you begin. The planning aspect of your game is a function of your right brain where your artistic and imagery functions reside. The left side executes your plan. You don't want to let your right brain functions cross into left side territory where your shot making ability originates because the right side will stand in judgment of what you have accomplished.
Return To Center Table--In any TV match you watch, 9-Ball or 8-Ball, you will see players time after time bring the cue ball out to center table for position. The center of the table is a great place to be because it gives you many shot options, removes the problems associated with cueing off the rail, and is a comfortable place from which to execute a large number of shots. For beginning players, center table also offers you the shortest shots and gives you the largest number of possible options.
Have a definite plan for the cue ball, one that you 'see' with your imagination, as well as a path for the cue ball to follow to get there, will allow your brain and your arm to communicate effectively. Remember, any ball-banger can make shots, it is the players who control the cue ball who become champions.
Get Out Of Trouble ASAP--The longer you put off clearing clusters, digging out blocked pockets and pulling out balls snagged on a rail with no pocket, the sooner you will be on your way to victory. Leaving these "problems" until late in the match can destroy your game if you lose the table to your opponent and he/she only has a ball or two to win.
Take your medicine early and keep it from festering into a real dilemma
Follow Through--A good billiards stroke is dependant on both a pre-stroke routine and is completed with a follow through. Without a follow-through, the entire motion gets thrown out of whack, resulting in an absolute loss of control.
Like the back swing that starts your stroke, the follow-through should be fluid and smooth. Stroking a cue ball is basically a "throwing" motion. The cue should increase in speed until contact with the cue ball, and then come to a natural stop.
All five of these basics have the ability to make or break your game. They deserve your attention and concentration as much, if not more than a cross-corner bank shot or a table-length cut shot.