• How To Shoot 8 Ball Game Pigeon
• How To Be Good At 8 Ball Game Pigeon Games

Like and subscribe please. Eight Ball Break by Jim Meador. I have had a number of email questions about the best way to break in 8-ball. I don't know a specific, all inclusive answer, but there are a couple of fundamentals that you can 'play' with. First, remember that maximum cue ball energy is achieved with a 'full in the face' hit on the nose of the rack.

– Fundamentals
– Aiming
– Cue Ball Control
– Speed Control

– English (sidespin)
– Position Control
– Safety Play
– Strategy

– Break
– Jump
– Massé

See also:
Top 100 Maxims/Sayings/Quotes
Top 100 Myths

Most of the secrets of pool are revealed in the Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots (VEPS). Specifically, all of the VEPS “gems” are useful and important to know to be a good player. Here’s the complete list of shots and gems presented on VEPS. Below is a categorized summary of some of the most important “secrets” and “gems” of pool, with links to additional resources, including video demonstrations and well-illustrated instructional articles.

The biggest tip and “secret” of them all is: Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

Dr. Dave keeps this site commercial free, with no ads. If you appreciate the free resources, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to show your support:

Fundamentals

1. A session with an experienced and qualified instructor can be very helpful to players at all levels.
2. Make sure your stance is stable, provides clearance for the stroke, and is comfortable.
3. Keep your grip relaxed during the entire stroke (see grip technique advice).
4. Make sure you bridge is stable and still during your stroke (see bridge technique advice).
5. Use a bridge length appropriate for you and a particular shot (see bridge length advice).
6. Keep your cue still and eyes quiet when checking your cue alignment and aim (see reasons for pauses).
7. Don’t rush the transition between the final back stroke and forward stroke (see stroke technique advice).
8. Don’t drop your elbow during the stroke into the ball (see elbow drop).
9. Stay down on the shot … don’t move your head or body during the stroke (see stroke technique advice).
10. Don’t use more speed than is appropriate for a given shot.

Aiming

11. Use a consistent and purposeful pre-shot routine.
12. Make sure your vision center is always aligned properly.
13. Ghost-ball aiming can be a useful visualization tool.
14. The contact-point-to-contact-point or parallel-lines system can be a useful visualization tool.
15. The double-the-distance or double-the-overlap aiming system can be a useful visualization tool.
16. Your cue can be used to help you aim (see NV 3.2 and NV D.9).
17. Make sure you are sighting shots consistently and purposefully.
18. Be leery and suspicious of exaggerated claims concerning some cut-shot aiming systems. Having said this, these systems do offer benefits to some people.
19. With good technique, HAMB (“Hit a Million Balls”) is the best “system” for aiming success.

Cue Ball Control

20. The 90° rule predicts the CB heads down the tangent line for stun shots.
21. The 30° rule predicts a rolling CB heads in the natural-angle direction.
22. The Dr. Dave peace sign can be very useful in applying and making adjustments to the 30° rule.
23. The 3-times-the-angle (trisect) system predicts the angle the CB direction changes for a good-action draw shot is 3-times the cut angle.
24. For a fairly full hit, with a ball-hit-fraction greater than 3/4, the CB will deflect about 3-times the cut angle (see where the CB goes for different cases).
25. For a fairly thin hit, with a ball-hit-fraction less than 1/4, the CB will deflect about 70-75% (about 3/4) of the angle between the aiming line and the tangent line (see where the CB goes for different cases).
26. With all shots, more speed shifts the cue-ball farther down the tangent line before curving to the final direction (see CB path speed effects).

Speed Control

27. The optimal tip height for speed control is 20% of the radius above center (see optimal tip height for speed control).
28. With a full-hit rolling CB shot, the CB travels about 1/7 the distance of the OB after impact (see ball travel distances).
29. With a rolling-CB half-ball hit, the CB and OB separate at close to same speed and same angle (see speed control article).
30. With a 45° stun shot, the CB and OB separate at the same angle and distance (see speed control article).

Draw Shot

31. Make sure your tip is well chalked, keep your grip relaxed, keep your cue as level as possible, accelerate smoothly into the ball (see draw shot technique advice).
32. In general, for best draw distance control, use more spin with less speed (see physics-based draw shot advice).
33. For a stun-back shot, with a small and controlled amount of draw, a firmer hit closer to center offers better CB distance control (see physics-based draw shot advice).
34. Elevate the cue only when you need quick draw.
35. Don’t push the miscue limit so much with long power draw shots.
36. The 3-times-the-angle (trisect) system can be used to predict final CB direction with a good-action draw shot.
37. Draw is a lot easier on slicker cloth (or with a CB treated with Silicon spray) and with a lighter CB.

English (sidespin)

38. The miscue limit is half of the cue ball’s radius from the center, which is the width of the stripe on a striped ball (see “tips” of english articles).
39. A solid understanding and feel for squirt, swerve, and throw effects is critical to being able to use sidespin effectively.
40. back-hand english (BHE) and front-hand-english (FHE) can be used to compensate aim for squirt and swerve when using sidespin.
41. Outside english can be used to eliminate throw, and this can be useful in clingy conditions (see gearing outside english).
42. Running english can greatly reduce the difficulty of rail cut shots.
43. Going ball-first or cushion-first with sidespin on rail cut shots makes a big difference in CB control (see NV B.72).
44. A drag shot can be used to increase the effect of sidespin off a cushion (see maximum sidespin effect).

Position Control

45. It is important to know various useful CB-control reference lines when planning position.
46. It is much easier to control CB travel distance with natural-rolling follow shots (see follow shot accuracy).
47. Always try to leave an angle and come into the line of a shot.
48. When you leave yourself straight in, there are still options for position control (see NV B.30).
49. Pocket cheating can help create an angle.
50. Rail cut shots offer many position control options.
51. Coming off a cushion can increase your margin for error when targeting a position close to a rail.
52. The 45° rule, that predicts a ball rolling into an end cushion at close to a 45° angle heads close to the center of the table, if very useful for position play.
53. Practice positioning the CB to the center of the table. This comes in handy in many game situations.

Safety Play

54. Always play safe when it increases your chances of winning a game.
55. Use two-way shots where possible when faced with a difficult shot (e.g., a bank).
56. The 30° rule is very useful in safety play (see 30° rule examples).
57. When playing a safety in 9-ball, try to leave the OB away from a cushion (see “big ball” effect).
58. Come into the line of blockers when hooking your opponent.
59. With ball-in-hand, try to be strategic with combos, clusters, and problem balls (see 30° rule examples).

Strategy

60. Follow “best practices” concerning how and when to play safeties (see general safety advice).
61. Don’t bump into or disturb other balls on the table if it isn’t necessary.
62. Keep the CB away from the cushions to enable a wide range of tip positions without cue elevation.
63. Pocket or move balls that clear the way for other balls as early as possible.
64. Break out clusters and deal with problem balls as early as possible.
65. In 8-ball, choose stripes or solids wisely and identify key balls for the game (see 8-ball strategy).
66. In 8-ball, if you can’t run-out, play a safety early in the game.
67. In 8-ball, break out clusters when an insurance ball is available.
68. In 9-ball, break out clusters and problem balls at the right time (see 9-ball strategy).

Bank and Kick Shots

69. To bank and kick effectively, it is important to understand and have a feel for all of the bank and kick effects.
70. For rolling-ball kicks or banks, the through-diamond aiming system is very reliable.
71. Faster speed can help bank shot accuracy and consistency (see advantages of fast speed).
72. With shallow-angle kicks, the contact-point mirror system can be very effective.
73. For cross-corner bank shots, it is very important to know how to detect and avoid double kisses.
74. Sidespin can be used to alter bank shots (see spin transfer bank shots).
75. For aiming two- and three-rail kicks off a short rail, the Plus System is very useful.
76. For aiming two-, three-, and four-rail kicks off a long rail, the Corner 5 System is very useful.

Carom and Kiss Shots

77. The 90 and 30° rules are very useful for aiming carom and kiss shots (see carom and kiss shot aiming).
78. When two OBs are frozen, the combination direction can be changed quite a bit with throw (see frozen-ball throw).
79. Bob Jewett’s two-times-fuller and ten-times fuller systems are useful to aim frozen carom and kiss shots.

Throw

80. A solid understanding and feel for throw effects is important, expecially for combos and small-gap shots.
81. Maximum CIT, with no sidespin, occurs with slow speed at about a 1/2-ball hit (see maximum throw).
82. Maximum SIT occurs occurs with slow speed and about 50% sidespin (see maximum throw).
83. Maximum throw, under typical conditions, is about 1 inch per foot of OB travel, or 1/2 a ball per diamond on a 9′ table, which is about 5°.
84. When the CB is fairly close to the OB, SIT can be used for a “hold” or “kill” shot to limit cue ball drift.
85. When balls are frozen, it is very easy to achieve maximum CIT of the 2nd ball (see frozen-ball throw).
86. Gearing outside english can be used to eliminate throw, but this might not be the best approach for all people and situations (see using outside english to prevent throw and cling).
87. Transferring spin from the CB to the OB is an important effects with some shots (see spin transfer for examples).

Break Shot

88. The optimal tip height for a lag shot is 20% of the ball radius above center (see lag shot).
89. Follow the “best practices” for an accurate, consistent, and effective break (see getting a tight rack and break technique advice).
90. Knowing where different balls tend to go in a 9-ball rack can be useful to know (see pattern racking strategy).
91. In 8-ball, a 2nd-ball break from side can be used to make the 8-ball on the break.
92. If you use a break cue with a natural pivot length well matched to your bridge length, stroking errors will not affect your accuracy (see pivot-length article).

Jump Shot

93. For best results, follow all of the recommended “best practices” (see jump shot technique advice).
94. For best jump results, aim between the center of the CB and resting point on the cloth (see jump shot article).
95. To jump higher and shorter, elevate the cue; to jump longer, use more speed and less cue elevation (see jump shot article).
96. With more cue elevation, the dart stroke will be more comfortable and effective for most people (see jump shot technique advice).
97. Jump shots are often over cut due to the CB hopping in the OB (see jump shot over cut effect).

Massé Shot

98. For best results, follow all of the recommended “best practices” (see massé shot technique advice).
99. The Coriolis aiming system for massé shots can be very effective.
100. After-collision massé shots can be very useful when you need to curve the CB path after contact with the OB.

Dr. Dave keeps this site commercial free, with no ads. If you appreciate the free resources, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to show your support:

'], 'filter': { 'nextExceptions': 'img, blockquote, div', 'nextContainsExceptions': 'img, blockquote'} }'>

Yoga handles stiff hips in a variety of ways, but most directly through a family of poses that are known loosely as “hip openers.” Some hip openers increase the external, or outward, rotation of the femur bone in the hip socket. Others lengthen the psoas muscle, a primary hip flexor connecting the torso and legs that gets chronically shortened in our chair-bound society. Pigeon Pose is an extremely effective hip opener that addresses both areas, with the front leg working in external rotation and the back leg in position to stretch the psoas.

Pigeon is actually a variation of the advanced pose, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose). The two poses share similar alignment in the hips and, more important, an imperative to be approached thoughtfully and consciously. Most practitioners recognize that One-Legged King Pigeon is an advanced backbend that requires precise alignment. Yet many of us are likely to thoughtlessly fold into the forward-bend variation of Pigeon, which can put a lot of stress on the knee and sacrum. To avoid injury, I approach Pigeon by first doing variations that will open the hips gradually and safely. Once your hips are open, you’ll be able to craft a well-balanced Pigeon that benefits your hips and lower back. If you practice it consistently, you’ll notice more ease in your lower half as you sit, walk, and stand.

Pose Benefits:

• Increases external range of motion of femur in hip socket
• Lengthens hip flexors
• Prepares body for backbends
• Prepares body for seated postures such as Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

Contraindications:

• Knee injury
• Sacroiliac issues

1. Thread the Needle

One of the best ways to open the hips and prepare for Pigeon is through a supine modification called Eye of the Needle (sometimes called Dead Pigeon). I teach this pose to first timers and practice it myself on a regular basis. As you move through this and the next variation, and then toward the final pose, make sure that you alternate sides so that your body can unfold evenly and progressively.

How To Shoot 8 Ball Game Pigeon

To begin, come onto your back with your knees bent and your thighs parallel and hip-distance apart. Next, cross your left ankle over your right thigh, making sure that your anklebone clears your thigh. Actively flex your front foot by pulling your toes back. When you do this, the center of your foot will line up with your kneecap rather than curving into a sickle shape, which can stress the ligaments of the ankle and the knee.

Maintaining this alignment, pull your right knee in toward your chest, thread your left arm through the triangle between your legs and clasp your hands around the back of your right leg. If you can hold in front of your shin without lifting your shoulders off the floor or rounding the upper back, do so; otherwise, keep your hands clasped around your hamstring or use a strap. The goal is to avoid creating tension in the neck and shoulders as you open the hips, so choose a position that keeps your upper body relaxed. As you draw your right leg in toward you (making sure to aim it toward your right shoulder and not the center of your chest), simultaneously press your left knee away from you. This combination of actions should provide ample sensation, but if you don’t feel much, try releasing your pubic bone down away from your navel toward the floor. This will bring a bit more curve into your lumbar and should deepen the hip stretch.

2. Boost Your Bird

This variation moves more in the direction of the final shape but uses blankets to help maintain alignment. Come onto all fours with your hands shoulder-distance apart and about a hand span in front of your shoulders. Bring your left knee forward and place it on the floor just behind and slightly to the left of your left wrist, with your shin on a diagonal and your left heel pointing toward your right frontal hipbone. Now bring your attention to your back leg: Your right quadriceps should squarely face the floor so that your leg is in a “neutral” position—you want to avoid the common pitfall of externally rotating the back leg. Establish this neutral leg by tucking your right toes under and straightening your right leg so that the thigh and knee come off the floor. Lift your right inner thigh up toward the ceiling and move your right frontal hipbone forward so that it is parallel to your left frontal hipbone. You want to have your hipbones square toward the front of the mat. As you roll your right hipbone forward, draw your left outer hip back and in toward the midline of your body. Its natural tendency will be to swing forward and out away from you.

When the hipbones are parallel in Pigeon, the sacrum is less likely to be torqued, and you can practice the pose without straining your low back. Maintaining this hip alignment, shimmy your right toes back slightly and then point them so that your right thigh releases to the floor. Move your left foot and shin toward the front of your mat, aiming for your shin to be parallel to the front edge, and flex your foot the way you did in Eye of the Needle to protect your knee.

Now observe your left outer hip. If, after you square your hips, the area where your thigh and buttock meet doesn’t rest on the floor, you need to add a blanket or two underneath. This is crucial to practicing the pose safely. If the outer hip doesn’t have support, the body will fall to the left, making the hips uneven and distorting the sacrum. Or, if the hips stay square but your left hip is free floating, you’ll put too much weight and pressure on the front knee. Neither scenario is good!

3. Get Even

Instead, use your arms for support as you organize your lower body. Adjust so that your hipbones are parallel to the wall you’re facing and your sacrum is even (meaning one side hasn’t dipped closer to the floor than the other) and place however many blankets are necessary to maintain this alignment beneath your left outer hip.

Place your hands in front of your left shin and use your arms to keep your torso upright. For the final version, keep moving your left foot forward, working to make your left shin parallel to the front edge of your mat. Make sure that in doing so you maintain the alignment in your hips and sacrum, continuing to use blankets if necessary. The left leg will be in external rotation, the right leg in neutral—each position giving access to a different type of hip opening. The right leg will stretch the psoas and other hip flexors, and the left side will get into the group of rotators in the buttocks and outer hip.

It’s common to experience intense sensations in the left hip as the femur rotates outward in the hip socket. (For many people, this is in the fleshy part of the buttock; for others, it’s along the inner thigh.) Some feel a stretch along the front of the right hip as the psoas lengthens. You do not, however, want to feel any sensations in your left knee. If you do, this variation is not for you! Return to Eye of the Needle, where you can safely open your hips without strain.

How To Be Good At 8 Ball Game Pigeon Games

If your knee is sensation free (hooray!), extend your torso forward across your left shin, walking your arms out in front of you and releasing your forehead toward the floor. Fold forward only after you’ve spent time checking your alignment and paying attention to your body. Your left knee will be to the left of your torso (with the left thigh on a bit of a diagonal), and your flexed left foot will be just alongside the right side of your rib cage. As you fold forward, turn your attention inward. We tend to hold this version of Pigeon longer than more active postures, so see if part of your practice in this pose can be to stay mentally focused once you have settled in. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali defines practice as “effort toward steadiness.” In these extended, quieter holds, you get to explore this idea, tethering your sometimes scattered attention by following the breath as it moves in and out, finding stillness as you open and expand.

Natasha Rizopoulos lives and teaches yoga in Los Angeles and Boston.