Here is a concise summary of the provided text:
**Title:** Personal 10-Step Process for Shooting Pool
**Overview:**
An experienced pool player shares their step-by-step approach to taking shots in pool, divided into three categories: **Thinking** (4 steps), **Preparing** (3 steps), and **Executing** (3 steps).
**The 10 Steps:**
1. **Thinking**
* Check the angle to understand cue ball possibilities
* Identify the next two balls on the table
* Pick a point on the table for cue ball placement
* Determine the best path to reach that point
2. **Preparing**
* Step behind the aiming line (baseline)
* Visualize and feel the shot (including cue ball path and speed)
* Perform pre-strokes while standing to ensure alignment
3. **Executing**
* Step into the shot, maintaining alignment
* Lock in and briefly pause to confirm setup
* Perform controlled backswing and shoot
**Key Takeaways:**
* Time spent on each step varies with shot difficulty and player skill level
* Experience will help players complete these steps more efficiently
* The process is adaptable to simple or complex shots, with the goal of consistent accuracy.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
**Pool Fundamentals**
1. The text discusses the fundamentals of playing pool, focusing on a 10-step process for taking shots.
2. The 10 steps are divided into three categories: Thinking, Preparing, and Executing.
**Thinking (Steps 1-4)**
3. **Step 1: Check the angle** to determine what is possible with the cue ball.
4. **Step 2: Check the next two balls** on the table to plan the next shot.
5. **Step 3: Pick a point on the table** considering the position of the next two balls.
6. **Step 4: Look for the best path** to reach the chosen point, using the tangent line.
**Preparing (Steps 5-7)**
7. **Step 5: Figure out where to hit the cue ball** to achieve the desired path.
8. **Step 6: Step behind the aiming line (baseline)** to align the body and cue.
9. **Step 7: Visualize and feel the shot**, including the cue ball's path and speed.
**Executing (Steps 8-10)**
10. **Step 8: Step into the shot**, keeping the body aligned with the baseline.
11. **Step 9: Lock in and do pre-strokes** to ensure a straight shot and check alignment.
12. **Step 10: Shoot with a smooth, controlled backswing**, pausing before striking the cue ball.
**General**
13. The time spent on each step varies depending on the shot's difficulty and the player's skill level.
14. Beginners may need more time for each step, but speed will increase with experience.
15. Adding a small amount of outside English (spin) on shots is a habit for some players, including the author, for comfort and to compensate for cut and throw.