FINISH STRONG - Viking Cues Tip of the Week with Mike Roque author of Build Your Game.

FINISH STRONG

“…when it gets down to the last few balls, you have to have character and heart.”

-Reed Pierce

THE RUNOUT is a piece of cake. Four easy shots and you’re in the finals. Then bang! You miss a ball you could make with your eyes shut.

Some players focus well early in the rack. They concentrate on solving problems, breaking open ball clusters, and clearing blocked pockets. Once the table opens up with all the balls available, the emphasis shifts to making the remaining, relatively easy shots.

As soon as the runout pattern looks easy, however, there is a tendency to let up a little, and take those easy shots for granted. Don’t do it! Bear down and finish strong.

Other players see an easy runout and think, “Don’t mess this up.” They may become tentative in order to avoid making a mistake. They let up on their stroke and wind up three feet short for shape. Don’t do it!

Give each shot your full attention and put a good stroke on every one of them. If you run out every time you have an easy out, you put your opponent under a lot of pressure. Do it!

Don’t waste any of the golden opportunities that are presented to you by easy out patterns. Lock up every easy out and finish strong. Do it!

Seal the deal and run out when you’re supposed to.

Love our Tip of the Week with Mike Roque, you can purchase your own copy of his book "Build Your Game" at the BEBOB Publishing Website at http://bebobpublishing.com/