Pool Practice Tips

• Practice means different things to different people, but doing it can improve your game. multi-coloured spheres image by terex from Fotolia.com

  The key to improving your pool-playing skills is to practice often. However, it's important to break your bad habits to see your game actually improve. Simply put, if you do things incorrectly, it's not going to do much to improve your game. Anything from chalking up your stick to slightly adjusting your form can result in vast improvement over time.

Don't Take the Chalk for Granted

• Don't take the chalk for granted. Chalking the pool cue's tip helps your shot, because it prevents the tip from sliding off the ball too quickly and puts more spin on the ball. Doing so improves your chances of making your shot.

Keep Low

• Bend over to take aim and remain low after you make your shot. Some people straighten up as soon as they take their shots and get into the habit of popping up before their shot is even finished. Popping up too soon puts you at risk of moving the stick before you hit the cue ball, thus changing the course of your aim.

Stay Still

• Believe it or not, the slightest head movement could negatively affect aim. Therefore, you should avoid chewing gum or chatting while making your shot, especially if you are practicing. Every part of you except for your stroking arm should be as still as possible.

Mind Your Stroke

• When you are preparing to make your shot, take as many as five practice stokes as a way of warming up and double checking your aim. Your arm should move back and forth in a fluid fashion. Follow through once the movement feels natural.

Make the Shot in Your Head

• Before you even bend over to make the shot, know how hard or soft you want to hit the cue ball. Obviously if you hit the ball hard, it will have greater speed than if you stroke it softly. This depends on the play you are trying to make.