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FIrst off, you have to be in shape. People don’t realize how far you walk in a pool match and how many miles you put on. A guy who sits around and then wants to play five hours of pool is really going to feel it. (Some of the best European players make a point of staying in shape, like Niels Feijen in Figure 1.)

• Establish a consistent rhythm for your stroke, such as “1, 2, 3, stroke” — i.e., three practice strokes and the final stroke. Use it for every shot, and you’ll groove your pace and approach. Your correct mechanics will become second nature, and you’ll be more comfortable in high-pressure situations. A nice medium speed will allow you to consistently hit the cue ball dead-center — which is the real key.

• When practicing, don’t just “knock them around.” The only way to get better is with consistent, methodical practice that addresses your weaknesses. Even better, have a buddy occasionally watch you when you practice to detect flaws you can’t sense yourself.

• If you find that your stroke is veering to the left or right, take a close look at your back foot (the right foot, if you’re shooting right-handed; see model Tony Robles in Figure 2). You can straighten your stroke by adjusting the position of the foot. For example, if you start putting your right foot more to the right, you’ll see how that changes how your cue comes through. Some instructors say that the foot should be directly in line with the cue, although different body types often mandate different stances. I think the key is to figure out where it’s comfortable for you, where you can swing with a good pendulum stroke going back and forth freely.