<!-- Begin  
var msg = new Array();
Stamp = new Date();
today = Stamp.getDate();

msg[1] = "<B>#1 Mental Rehearsal</B> -- 'If you mentally rehearse your entire shot before executing, it becomes easier to accomplish.'...<I>Pool & Billiard Magazine</I>";

msg[2] = "<B>#2 Stance Check</B> -- 'A good sturdy stance is important to consistency. Don't take your stance for granted. Experiment with your stance until it feels COMFORTABLE, BALANCED, and allows you to line up your aim and stroke.'...<I>Pool & Billiard Magazine</I>";

msg[3] = "<B>#3 Dominant Eye</B> -- 'To sight with your dominant eye, you have to know which eye that is. Place a coin on a table, make a circle with your thumb and index finger and hold your hand halfway between you and the coin. With both eyes open and centered between your eyes, look at the coin through the circle. Now shut one eye and then open it and shut the other. The eye that keeps the coin in view is dominant.'...<I>Pool & Billiard Magazine</I>";

msg[4] = "<B>#4 Keep Playing</B> -- 'Being a top notch player means you have to develop the ability to keep playing your best even when you are behind. This means, do not give up or mentally quit, no matter how far behind you are.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[5] = "<B>#5 On the Level</B> -- 'Keep your cue as level as possible. An unlevel cue can cause you to lose control and accuracy. Also, your follow through is minimized and slightly off center hits are magnified causing increased deflection.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[6] = "<B>#6 Control Your Cue</B> -- 'The only way to control the movement of the balls is to have control over the movement of your cue stick. Your cue will peform only as well as you make it, and then the balls will also perform.'...<I>Pool & Billiard Magazine</I>";

msg[7] = "<B>#7 Natural Tendency</B> -- 'It is a natural tendency for players to pull the cue toward their body during the backstroke and move it away from their body on the follow through. If you are doing this and are not aware of it, it could be messing up your aim.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[8] = "<B>#8 Backstroke Too Long?</B> -- 'The longer your backstroke, the greater the room for error. How straight you shoot is a result of proper alignment, stance, grip, aim and DELIVERY. You can monitor the straight motion through the ball by observing the reaction of your shots (and make adjustments accordingly).'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[9] = "<B>#9 Intentional Foul</B> -- 'When no logical shot is available, it is sometimes smarter to take an intentional foul. While rearranging the balls with your foul shot, make it tougher on your opponent by creating clusters, etc., even though they will begin will ball in hand.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[10] = "<B>#10 Relax Your Grip</B> -- 'A proper grip is a prerequisite to a proper stroke. Try maintaining a RELAXED grip with the thumb and first two fingers. This will allow good length in your follow through and should also improve your accuracy.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[11] = "<B>#11 Don't THINK Mechanics</B> -- 'The next time you go to the table, play without THINKING about the mechanics of executing and do not entertain any negative thoughts. Instead, occupy your mind with thoughts about accomplishing the shot without forcing it.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[12] = "<B>#12 TEMPO</B> -- 'You must find he correct tempo or rhythm for your own particular stroke and hit every shot with this same pace. Start by practicing your rythm with your feet close together so if you rush or use a jerky motion, you will feel yourself getting off balance. Once you are confident, resume your regular wider stance.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[13] = "<B>#13 Game Plan</B> -- 'Before taking the first shot have some kind of game plan in mind, even if it has to be changed along the way. This is not only the smart thing to do, it will build your confidence!'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[14] = "<B>#14 Objective is to Win</B> -- 'Remember, your objective is to win the game, not just make balls. Learn to judge percentages. Too often, players will fail to see the easy safety that will almost guarantee them a win.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[15] = "<B>#15 Table Conditions</B> -- 'Conditions like heat or cold weather, cleanliness, age, etc., have an extreme effect on the cloth and hence, on your game. On humid days your banks will fall short and on dry days you might have to add a little to get the same follow or draw.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[16] = "<B>#16 Safety Rule of Thumb</B> -- 'A rule of thumb to remember is: If the safety play is as hard or harder to execute than pocketing the ball, always give yourself a chance to win by shooting for the pocket.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[17] = "<B>#17 Postive Commands</B> -- 'If you find it necessary to mentally instruct yourself while playing, do it with positive commands such as 'roll forward for an easy next shot' rather than 'if I don't roll forward enough I will be hooked, and I hope that doesn't happen.' Avoid NEGATIVE commands because POSITIVE commands almost always produce better results.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[18] = "<B>#18 An Art Form</B> -- 'The cue sports are often said to be more of an art form than a science. Therefore, get away from the idea trying to play mechanically. You must allow yourself to be creative and trust your instincts.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[19] = "<B>#19 Computer Correction</B> -- 'When you miss your shot or position, don't just ignore what happened. It's very important for your hand-eye computer to know what it has done and to allow it to make the necessary changes for next time.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[20] = "<B>#20 A Safe Attitude</B> -- 'Trying to be too exact on your safety play will often tighten you up and not allow you to execute a safety at all. Take the attitude that you don't always have to completely bury your opponent and leave them with no shot on every safety and you will actually bury them much more often.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[21] = "<B>#21 Reasonable Goals</B> -- 'When experimenting with new techniques or making mechanical adjustments to your game, set reasonable goals. Do not demand too much of yourself too quickly. To perform naturally, allow yourself enough practice time to eventually execute without focusing on the change.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[22] = "<B>#22 Confidence in Basics</B> -- 'Professional players in all sports make it a habit to review their physical fundamentals every now and then. Developing a good stroke and 'staying' in stroke is a lot easier to achieve if you are confident in your basics.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[23] = "<B>#23 Observe & Learn</B> -- 'Learn from professional players for free by watching them on TV or when they compete in events in your area. You can also watch your local top players in leagues, local events or match-ups. Observe the situations and table layouts and decide how you would play the next shot and then pay attention to what the better player decided to do.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[24] = "<B>#24 Fix that Jab</B> -- 'If you are having trouble with a jerky or jab stroke, try the PAUSE! Start with a smooth backswing that flows to a natural stop and slight PAUSE before a forward stroke that accelerates through the cue ball.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[25] = "<B>#25 Relax</B> -- 'Relax and have fun while you are playing. Way too many games are lost from players 'trying too hard'. Focus and concentration does not mean you have to tighten up physically. If you are not relaxed you will only minimize your chances for success.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[26] = "<B>#26 Learning Opportunity</B> -- 'After you finish a session or a match, analyze the game or games and discuss with yourself the ways that you may have played differently in certain situations. This will prove to be one of your best learning opportunities.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[27] = "<B>#27 Control</B> -- 'Control of the cue ball (position) is what eventually separates the Good Players from the Great Players. Be sure you devote as much practice time to cue ball control as you do for shot making.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[28] = "<B>#28 REPLAY</B> -- 'Make it a habit to remember shots or position plays that you missed during a match and try to re-create them during your practice. DON'T bother with high percentage shots that you missed because a smart player would usually have found a safety option to get out of these situations.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[29] = "<B>#29 Difficult Shots</B> -- 'The problem with spending too much time on practicing shots that have a high percentage miss probability (very difficult shots) is that they can deflate your confidence and pick apart the consistency which you are trying to develop.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[30] = "<B>#30 See It and Do It</B> -- 'The next time you are in a practice session, visualize every shot before you take it. In example, picture the ball going smoothly into the pocket and the cue ball taking the exact route you want it to. Then, just do it. Remember, what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

msg[31] = "<B>#31 Break Speed</B> -- 'The way to achieve a more explosive 9-Ball break is with speed, NOT power. When you try to hit hard, your big muscles slow down your break speed. Stay relaxed and add a little wrist release for maximum speed.'...<i>Pool & Billiard Magazine</i>";

function writeTip() { 
document.write(msg[today]);
}
//  End -->