A Proper Beer Pong Shot

Found a great how-to on throwing a proper beer pong shot. Dan DiSorbo and Ben Applebaum, authors of "The Book of Beer Pong" (Chronicle Books), break down the perfect shot into five parts, which I have copied below. For the original article, check out How-To Wiki on Wired.com.

1. The Grip: The ball grip is one of the sports most critical elements. It's what controls ball spin and speed. Find one that feels the most natural. Try the Traditional Grip: the ball is held between the thumb and forefinger, resting on the middle finger for stability.

2. The Stance: This is the foundation upon which to build your shot. Figure out your personal equilibrium so you feel the most comfortable. Bend your knees slightly and make sure you're balanced. And remember, keep your elbow behind the table!

3. The Aim: Proper aim is imperative to sinking cups. Many beginners focus on all the cups in a rack when shooting. A good player will always focus on a specific cup. This is clearly the most basic way to develop and maintain throwing accuracy. Aim is one cup at a time.

4. The Toss: The optimal shot should fall within a 30 to 70 degree angle of entry. Keep in mind physics proves it more difficult to control distance when shooting with higher arc. However, the higher the arc, the better your chances of sinking the cup.

5. The Celebration: All sports talk about the thrill of victory. But few let it be flaunted. Beer Pong sets itself apart by embracing the emotional outbursts and allowing them to become part of the game itself. Consider the full spectrum of celebration options to provide the right level of intensity.

Hope this helps you to perfect your shot. Party on, my fellow pongers.