The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-20

must necessarily differ. A player
should therefore hit the ball with
lust the amount of force that he feels
lis necessary to send 1t to the proper
distance.
a large, muscular man will ncces-
sarily have to tone down his stroke,
while q player of less strength will
use more force. But In all cases the
player will graduate his stroke to suit
the play, and imitation OF anotier's
stroke will surely compiicate the
style and retard the progress of the
beginner.
Another essential to successful play
is the selection of a proper cue. Some
players find out what size and weight
of cue Is used by leading player and
select one like 1t. This is a mistake.
Only on the basis of two players being
equal In physical respects could they
use the same weight cue or the same
size tip. Aplayer must pick out cue
| that seems to him to be the proper
/ weight and size. No one but the
player himself can decide. the point.
He knows instinctiyely whether tho
| cue is too heavy or too light, and
whether the butt has the proper han
die. a player should keep expert
menting till he gets a cue that COM
plctely fills all his requirements, and
| then stick to 1t.
Constant changing OF cues is an in
dica,ion that the player is out OF
form If a player constantly papers his
tip and looks searchingly at the cue
every time he misses, depend upon It
there is something the matter with his
stroke and style. rather than with the
cue. Ii man has a correct method
of play and other qialifica lions, de-
pend on it he Will not have much
trouble In selecting a cue to do tho
work with.
Attitude at the table is a point that
must be taken into consideration by.
proficient in the great game. Every
player cannot pe graceful while play
ing, but anyone can avoid the error
of stiff or rigid positions while in
the act of shooting. Naturally, while
bending over the table to reach the
cue ball in difficult position, play
er Is at disadvantages, for 1t puts q
strain on certain muscles. tending 70
render the attitude unsteady.
But In the majority of shots. where
the cue ball is within easy reach, there
is no good reason why the player
should not assume an easy graceful
position, calculated to give him the
free use of all his arm and back mus
clcs, and enable him to hit the ball
with the requisite force and precision.
Men like vignaux. Schaefer and Ives
were noted for the easy grace OF their
attitudes at THE tables and the free
dom, accuracy and delicate precision
OF their strokes 1t Is impossible for
a player to become proficient who has
strained, rigid and uncomfortable
position at the table. Such an attt-
tude will assuredly interfere with the
accuracy OF the stroke, result in mis-
| cues and generally demoralize a play
/ er. The Importance, Therefore. of the
4 correct position at the table can read
i ily be appreciated.
No player should use TOO long a
hr;dge. for that puts an additicr.
strain on the eye and7is apt to result
a. ;naccuracy of aim. The bridge
sbonld be measured according to the
! vision OF the player. and any one,
should be able to judge just how far
from the cue ball to make the bridre.
! n Is lust as big a mistake to make
too short bridge, for in that case
the stroke is restricted and the proper
4 force cannot he impaired to the ball.
| The stroke should be clean and so
straight through, and this applies to
any kind ofa shot, draw or follow.