2007
Plan for Excellence in Pool

2007 Goals:         a. Qualify for US Amateur Championships and improve results over 2004 (65th)               Eliminated in the California preliminary rounds, Sept 22         b. Finish "in the money" in at least 5 tournaments, 8 or 9 ball               1st place, MVP & Perfect Session (undefeated) in APA 8-ball, August 9               1st place in Stagecoach 8-ball tournament, September 4               2nd place in Pacific Q & Billiards 9-ball tournament, August 29               4th place in Jim's Vista 8-ball tournament, August 30         c. Earn highest APA skill levels               Earned Skill Level Seven (highest in 8-ball) in June, 2007         d. Run 50 balls in straight pool Hi Run = 43         e. Run 3 racks in 9-ball Hi Run = 2 racks         f. Run 3 racks in 8-ball Hi Run = 2 racks               Ran 4 in practice with El Maestro, 2007         g. Straight/Rotation exercise score of 130+ Score of 139 on 3/14/2007 Long Range Goals (before 2012):         a. Run 100 balls in straight pool.         b. Run 7 racks in 9 ball.         c. Run 5 racks in 8 ball.         d. Win US Amateur Championship Plan of Action: 1. Practice - an average of at least 2 hours a day, 5 days a week         a. Focused practice on my table                 i. The Sorto String                 ii. Straight/Rotation exercise (click for details and Excel score sheet)                 iii. Various shots described in reading/video/DVD/instruction                 iv. "Wagon Wheel" draw practice, by Paul Potier         b. Practice at area pool halls 2. Education         a. Reading                i. Books - click for list                ii. Magazines - click for list                      May, 2007, Cancelled Inside Pool Mag, started with Billiard Digest.         b. Video/DVD "how to" products         c. Personal Instruction:                Tony Sorto - one on one, my table                Guest Instructors - one on one, my table 3. Competition (to get "tournament tough")         a. Various pool halls click for list         b. Pro-am challenges whenever/wherever possible (click for story)         c. Challenge matches 4. Equipment         a. upgrade equipment as new technology becomes available.                June 2007, upgraded break cue and tip.                June 2007, first use of the glove.                May 2007, upgraded playing attire to collared shirt, req'd in US Amateur championship 5. Mental         a. self-hypnosis - under the direction of Barry Jones, master hypnotist         b. visualizations         c. affirmations         d. study         e. meditation 6. Physical         a. yoga         b. exercise - beach Frisbee, weights                April 2007, started treadmill plan. 7. Other         a. pre-shot routine         b. pre-match routine         c. strategy