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1. The cue will have a lightly figured BEM forearm and butt
2. Handle will be Maple or Purpleheart, wrapped or wrapless
3. Cue builder to decide to core or not to core
4. cue builders personal taper on shaft
5. Cue builder to use Molavia Medium tips provided by Duc Lam
6. Builder's to use black phenolic collars, buttcap
7. Cuemakers choice on ferrule, pin
8. Weight will be 19oz +/- 2oz
9. No ringwork, inlays, points, signatures or trademarks
10. have integrity & build the cue as if somebody had ordered it, the same way you'd build all of your cues. A Custom Case has been offered up by JB Cases to house all of the cues |
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Written by Administrator
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 Cues will be submitted for final Judgment this coming summer of 09. 7 Cues of similar Specifications from 7 different unknown cue makers will travel across the country. The judges include cue makers, cue professionals, and players who have stepped foreword on the AzBilliards Forum. Check out the List of Judges Or See the Map of where these cues will be Rules and Further information Any Questions Shoot your mouth off on the ACBO Forum |
| Mind of Steel - Overcoming Choking! |
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“Choking” is when you know how to do something and have successfully have done it before, yet in pressure situations you fail because of a lack of focus and execution. In the game of pool choking is a common occurrence, especially during tournaments when it seems as though the table gets longer and the pockets become smaller. This month I would like to share with you why choking occurs, and what you can do to minimize choking the next time you play when the stakes are high!
Choking always begins with fear. Interestingly, for human beings fear can be real (i.e. somebody shooting a gun at you), or irrational (worrying about what somebody might think if I miss this next shot). Regardless of the source (real or irrational), our bodies respond with anxiety in the same exact way. In other words, your body doesn’t care if it hears gun shots or is afraid of your opponent standing over the pool table – the physical anxiety (i.e. increased heart rate; tense, tight muscles; and shallow breathing are examples) will be experienced the same exact way!
Once fear kicks into negative anxiety, your mind will begin to exclusively focus on the physical symptoms of nerves (the shallow breathing, increased heart rate, etc) instead of thinking about the shot you need to make on the table in front of you! From there, most players will start talking to themselves and say things like “don’t screw up,” or “don’t miss this next shot.” Guess what happens next? You got it – the shot is missed! Once your self-talk becomes negative and conservative, you are basically done (Don’t believe me? Try NOT thinking of as pink elephant and see what happens. Now go tell yourself NOT to miss the next shot and see what happens).
Once the shot is missed, the player usually experiences more negative energy, more fear, more anxiety, and in some cases the day may end up being lost completely. It’s amazing all this starts from fear – and irrational fear at that! Think about it – there is no real fear when playing pool, yet how many thousands and thousands of players allow their minds and bodies to experience fear as though they were in fear for their life?! Seriously, who cares about who you are playing or how many people are watching – they cant take the stick out of your hands and make you miss shots!
If you want to minimize choking, try the following tips:
When you start getting nervous while playing, where is the fear coming from? Are you worried what somebody will think if you miss? Are you concerned who is watching you shoot? If you are feeling any of these kinds of things STOP immediately, stand up, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself you are experiencing irrational fear!
Breathing through your stomach is the best way to immediately calm your body down. Try taking 2-3 deep belly breaths and watch how your body responds – its pretty amazing.
Self-talk (what you say to yourself) is also a great way to refocus and remain calm in tough situations. Tell yourself words like “focus” or “stay cool” and your mind and body will respond accordingly.
Once you conquer fear, confidence will take over – leading you to synchrony between your mind and body, experiencing “the zone” more frequently, and positive self-talk (and more wins, too!).
Dr. Christopher Stankovich is a nationally acclaimed expert in Sport Psychology and the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems. For more information on performance-enhancement products, including the exclusive “Mind of Steel for Pool Success” visit www.drstankovich.com
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Written by Chris Stankovich, Ph.D.
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Saturday, 04 October 2008 10:45 |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 04 October 2008 10:52 )
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My wish is that you come to terms with this great game. We are just players in a vast arena. We are part of it all and for many of us, we hold our heads up high. For we are the champions of the game. The measure of a great player is in how he handles the ups and downs of pocket billiards. How you handle the tough loss is just as important as how you handle the incredible victories. For to swagger over a win, or cry over a loss, is to lose either way. We must be the champions we strive to be. And weather we stand in the winners circle surrounded by fans, or weep in the losers corner we know in our hearts that "this to will change." We are but pilgrims on a never ending journey. It is great to be in the game.
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Written by Tim Miller
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Sunday, 05 October 2008 21:12 |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 October 2008 21:59 )
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What happens when a Match Player competes with a Gambler? Nothing. A Match Player will not compete with a Gambler. There is a distinct difference between the two players. The Match Player is seeking the ultimate game, while the Gambler seeks to destroy. The sweetest words a gambler will hear is "I am broke" while the words that sing the melody of this great game to the Match Player are, "nice game".
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Written by Tim Miller
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Sunday, 05 October 2008 21:14 |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 October 2008 21:58 )
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showdown in the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod leg yesterday at the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.
BACOLOD CITY – Pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes took Mike Takayama to school, blasting the teenage upstart, 11-5, to lead opening round winners of the First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Bacolod Leg yesterday at the the Garden Royal Function Hall of Goldenfields Commercial Complex here.
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