| THE PACKAGE - In the box Patented AngleBuddy all-in-one billiards, pool and snooker super-training tool with adjustable railstop. (Requires 4 x AA batteries not included) 25 minute pool and snooker skills training instructional DVD video that shows you step-by-step how to improve your playing skills and how to get the most from your AngleBuddy 16 page easy-to-read illustrated manual that explains all the simple pool and snooker skills training routines and provides easy operational instructions Handy padded carry case that holds the unit and the instruction manual HOW IT WORKS 'AngleBuddy works by visually separating aiming from cuing allowing you to concentrate on perfecting just one of these skills at a time..., rather than not knowing exactly why a shot worked or not.' Every shot played on a billiards table requires at least two skills to come together for it to work. For example, cut shots require you to firstly determine where the object ball must be struck to make the shot..., and then to be able to play the cue ball to correctly strike the object ball. AngleBuddy works by visually separating aiming from cuing allowing you to concentrate on perfecting just one of these skills at a time..., rather than not knowing exactly why a shot worked or not. AngleBuddy and the Skills training DVD (Featuring Justin Sajich: Australian 8-Ball Champion) complement each other to provide a complete and comprehensive skills training package Together, the AngleBuddy unit and the pool and snooker skills training DVD video compliment each other to teach you both the theory and the practice of learning and improving your playing skills. Theory + Practice = Dramatic improvement in you playing skills. If you're new to the sport AngleBuddy will put you on the fast track to being able to play like the pros. If you are an experienced player AngleBuddy will help you play more consistently by assisting you to identify and correct the aspects of your game that are most in need of improvement. AngleBuddy works to improve all your skills quickly and easily. Whether you're a 9-ball or 8-ball pool player or prefer snooker or billiards, AngleBuddy is guaranteed to measurably improve your game. ANGLEBUDDY WILL HELP YOU PERFECT: Your cue stroke - Learn how to put the cue ball exactly where you need it to go Cue aiming and Cue control - eliminate parallax aiming error and perfect your cue stroke to ensure the cue ball goes exactly where you intend it to go. You’ll be amazed how clearly your cuing imperfections are revealed and how quickly AngleBuddy helps you correct them. The DVD explains step-by-step how to set yourself up to take a shot and how to consistently align and run your cue along the true line of aim. Playing cut shots - AngleBuddy teaches you exactly where the object ball must be struck to make the shot Aiming and playing cut shots - quickly learn exactly where to aim to pot a ball from any angle. AngleBuddy dramatically reduces your practice time by taking the guess-work out of learning both where an object ball must be struck to make the shot, and what the shot looks like when played from anywhere on the table. The DVD backs up the practice with easy-to-understand theory behind the common aiming techniques including step-by-step demonstrations of how those methods work. Playing kick and bank shots - Learn to get out of snookers and play match winning bank shots Aiming and playing kick and bank shots - learn where to aim and how to play 'natural' kick and bank shots and exactly how different bank angles, ball speeds and amounts of cue ball spin affect each shot. Take advantage of how the cushions behave to dramatically improve your ability to overcome snookers, improve your position play and make precision bank shot pots. The two laser-accurate lines indicate where to aim and which travel paths the balls will take, and the DVD demonstrates the effects the cushions have on those shots. Cue Ball control - Dramatically improve your position play and shot percentages during a match Cue ball control - The DVD shows you step-by-step how to apply the most useful cue ball techniques such as cue ball stun, back spin and top spin, and how to use those techniques to improve your position play and shot percentages during a match. OPERATING YOUR ANGLEBUDDY COULDN'T BE EASIER 'Unlike other training aids, AngleBuddy operates from the table bank: it doesn't interfere with shot practice and does not need to be re-set between practice shots.' You can set up your AngleBuddy in next to no time and even use it during play as it doesn't contact the table surface or the playing balls. The manual and DVD outline all the simple training routines that will help you perfect your cue aiming and cue control, your cut shots, your kick and bank shots and how to apply and use cue ball control. 'The DVD and the manual show you how to set up AngleBuddy, as well as outlining all the simple training routines that will help you perfect your cue aiming and cue control, your cut shots, your kick and bank shots and your position play' PERFECT YOUR CUE AIMING AND CUE CONTROL Accurately aiming and consistent cuing, or being able to reliably strike the cue ball to cause it to go where you want it to go are arguably the most important skills needed to master the sport. They are fundamental to all shot making and the most common sources of inconsistent play. There are two main causes of inconsistent play: Parallax error, and a poor cuing action. Parallax error, or not accurately seeing where the cue is aimed causes the cue ball to consistently go left or right of where you believe you are aiming. It is caused by not having your sighting eye, or both eyes as the case may be, in line with the true line of aim that extends straight down the cue, through the center of the cue ball and on to the spot where you want the cue ball to go. Body movement, bridging hand movement, the wrong cue grip and a poor or inconsistent cuing arm action can all cause unwanted vertical and lateral movement of the cue as you play a shot. Any unwanted vertical and lateral movement of the cue will cause you to mishit the cue ball and either miss the shot or put unwanted spin onto the cue ball. Consistently positioning your eyes at the same location relative to the cue and knowing what your view looks like when you have the cue correctly aimed will help eliminate parallax error. A firm stance; the correct grip; a solid bridging hand; a smooth cue action, and follow through will all help you minimize unwanted movement of the cue. AngleBuddy helps you eliminate parralax error and to dramatically improve your cue stroke AngleBuddy helps you by projecting a target line along the true line of aim from the center of the pocket, through the center of an object ball, the center of the cue ball and on to the cue shaft. The portion of the target line seen on the cue shaft is used to visually indicate when you have the cue correctly lined up and then if you are moving the cue straight down the true line of aim as you play the stroke. After just a handful of pratice shots played either across the table into a center pocket, or diagonally into a corner pocket, using AngleBuddy as a guide, both your aiming and your cue stroke will dramatically improve. With a little more practice you will be able to master top spin, back spin and stun. LEARNING CUT SHOTS AngleBuddy helps you learn cut shots by teaching you and showing you exactly where the object ball must be struck The DVD takes you through the common methods you can use to help you aim to play a cut shot, while AngleBuddy reinfoces the methods by providing accurate target lines through the center of the object ball and on to the target pocket. By knowing the methods and using the target lines you firstly eliminate any aiming error, allowing you to concentrate on playing the cue ball to strike the target, and secondly, by practicing the shot from different cue ball and object ball locations you quickly learn where the cue ball must be struck to make the shot from any angle and any distance. LEARNING KICK AND BANK SHOTS Exactly where to aim to either kick the cue ball or bank an object ball depends on a number of factors including the construction and age of the cushions, how hard the shot is made, the angle the cue ball or object ball strikes the cushion from and the amount of spin on the cue ball. The method of construction and materials used to make the cushions greatly affects how a ball behaves when it impacts and rebounds from them. The rubber, the inner lining and the cloth all contribute to the amount they compress for a given impact and their ability to efficiently return that energy to the ball as they bounce back to shape. Surface friction also affects the amount of English (side spin) the cushion will impart or take away from the ball. AngleBuddy helps you learn kick and bank shots by providing precise 'Natural angle' ball travel paths AngleBuddy is used to project a pair of target lines that give you an aiming point on the cushion and the travel paths of the balls to play a natural kick shot or bank shot. Cue ball kick shots and object ball bank shots are perfected by firstly being able to consistently play 'natural angle' shots and then by learning how the cushions behave by varying the power of the shot and the amount of spin on the cue ball. LEARNING AND APPLYING CUE BALL CONTROL The DVD demonstrates and explains step-by-step how to apply top and back spin to dramatically improve your ability to position the cue ball for your next shot in a match. Effective control of the cue ball is essential for all shots and especially so for positioning the cue ball for your next shot in a match. There are three main variables you can use to control the cue ball: Shot power, Top and back spin, and English (side spin). Varying the shot power by either lenghtening or shortening your back swing and follow through is the easiest to learn and effective for a great deal of shots. Top spin and back spin are also commonly used to control where the cue ball will go after it has struck the object ball, and are the easiest and most reliable techniques to both learn and apply during a match. By striking the cue ball either above or below center, yet keeping your cue as horizontal as possible, you can cause the cue ball to deflect more or less off a cut shot, to run on or to drawn back toward your cue on fairly straight shots, and to vary how kick shots work. English is used to dramatically increase or decrease the cue ball deflection angle (similar to top spin and back spin played on a cut shot). Shots played with English cause the cue ball to track a curved path before it strikes the object ball and require both accurate aiming and precise power control for them to work. English is most often used on short cue ball to object ball shots where there is a high margin for cue ball aiming errors, or to curve the cue ball around an opposing object ball (either to get out of a snooker or to make a cut shot work). The DVD demonstrates and explains step-by-step how to apply top and back spin to dramatically improve your ability to position the cue ball for your next shot in a match. By trying the exercises outlined in the manual and demonstrated in the DVD you quickly learn how to play cue ball positioning shots. SHOOTING AND LEARNING TIPS The DVD clearly demonstrates how to approach and play a shot to improve your consistency... Sighting your cue By closing each eye in-turn as you line up to play a straight pot using AngleBuddy as a guide you can quickly tell which eye is your dominant sighting eye and get a better understanding of what your view should look like as you line up the cue. Generally you need to have either your left eye or your right eye, whichever is your dominant sighting eye directly above the center of the cue shaft. Most of the top players position themselves with their chin lightly rubbing on the cue as they play the shot. Doing so gives them a physical guide to consistently positioning their eye/s in line with the true line of aim. Stance, Bridge, Grip and Cue action If you are right handed you should stand with your right leg straight and positioned approximately in-line with the back of the cue ball path (or under the butt end of the cue). Bend your left leg to lower yourself into the shot making position. Reverse these if you are left handed or playing a left handed shot. Keep your bridging hand firm and steady on the cushion rail or playing surface and as close as practical to the cue ball. Use a cue rest, spider or bridge to reach a shot rather than stretching. Ideally you should grip the cue such that your arm from fist to elbow is vertical as the cue tip strikes the cue ball. Your whole cuing arm should remain vertical for the length of the cue stroke. Many players find they can consistently cue straight if the cue is lightly rubbing against their body as they warm up and are taking the shot. Ensure that you keep your head and body as still as possible before, during and after striking the cue ball. Always follow through on the shot with the cue. Like other ball sports, follow through maximizes ball contact time and helps to ensure the shot is played in the desired direction. |