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Here are some great drills and exercises:
(Please do read the notes below before you start! It is recommended):
(Please do read the notes below before you start! It is recommended):
- CB speed/spin matrix
- Straight-in shots
- Standardized CB speed
- OB to the rail & back
- Stun the CB
- Follow the CB
- Follow to the death
- Draw
- Turn the corner
- Short stacks
- Down the line
- Double 3 ball groups
- Around the table
- Inside out
- OB on cushion banks
- Caroms
- Bad angle safety
- Distance safeties
- Hidden ball safety
- CB control
- OB control
Drills and exercises
These drills and exercises are based on the concept of progressive advancement. Start with an easy setup, prove that you can make that 4 out of 5 times, and then make it slightly more difficult. Keep on pushing the limits as far as the table edges allow.
Study this material in two steps. In the comfort of your favorite easy-chair or recliner, review each table layout and thoughtfully consider the ball positions. Could you do the shot at slow, medium and fast CB speeds?
You have to get past the “fooling around” stage of your playing career and get serious about becoming a competitive player. The secret to effective practicing is to actually concentrate on improving one thing at a time. Generally, you want to practice a missed shot that cost you a game or match. You can set up and shoot that shot 30, 40, even 50 times before your intense learning desire burns out. But the boredom gremlin eventually manages to get your attention.
These drills and exercises are based on the concept of progressive advancement. Start with an easy setup, prove that you can make that 4 out of 5 times, and then make it slightly more difficult. Keep on pushing the limits as far as the table edges allow.
Study this material in two steps. In the comfort of your favorite easy-chair or recliner, review each table layout and thoughtfully consider the ball positions. Could you do the shot at slow, medium and fast CB speeds?
You have to get past the “fooling around” stage of your playing career and get serious about becoming a competitive player. The secret to effective practicing is to actually concentrate on improving one thing at a time. Generally, you want to practice a missed shot that cost you a game or match. You can set up and shoot that shot 30, 40, even 50 times before your intense learning desire burns out. But the boredom gremlin eventually manages to get your attention.
The following table is the matrix of shots to be applied to every shot for every drill and exercise. Some of the slow draw & draw/side spin shots cannot be done because the table cloth wears away at the spin. However, every possibility is shown in this table.
Every shot setup has the following 39 shots that must be practiced and mastered before you can totally “own” that shot. For practical reasons, there are only 30 trustworthy shots that you can truly depend on.
Every shot setup has the following 39 shots that must be practiced and mastered before you can totally “own” that shot. For practical reasons, there are only 30 trustworthy shots that you can truly depend on.
Notes: * Slow speed at 6:00 (reverse spin) is only useful with the CB close to the OB. Otherwise the cloth will wear off the spin and the CB will begin rolling forward.
** At slow & medium speeds, 7:30 and 4:30 speeds are unpredictable. Not recommended.
As you gain more experience, you will develop an intuitive skill in determining the correct speed and spin for the CB. This develops from observing the results of hundreds of attempts.
Know Your Limitations
It is very important to know exactly where your shooting and positioning comfort zones are and where the edges are. This requires a level of personal truthfulness that many find painful to admit.
Without this reality-check, you could select offensive shots that you “feel” are within your comfort zone, but actually have a much greater chance of failure. If you constantly select these kinds of shots, you are going to hurt yourself by allowing billiard god luck (chaos) to enter your game. This can be a blind spot in your calculations. The more honest you are with yourself, the better your chances of winning against almost any opponent.
Self-honesty ensures you can make smarter playing and shooting decisions more often. Your choices can be rational and the results match your expectations. This self-knowledge can also be used to configure your practice sessions.
** At slow & medium speeds, 7:30 and 4:30 speeds are unpredictable. Not recommended.
As you gain more experience, you will develop an intuitive skill in determining the correct speed and spin for the CB. This develops from observing the results of hundreds of attempts.
Know Your Limitations
It is very important to know exactly where your shooting and positioning comfort zones are and where the edges are. This requires a level of personal truthfulness that many find painful to admit.
Without this reality-check, you could select offensive shots that you “feel” are within your comfort zone, but actually have a much greater chance of failure. If you constantly select these kinds of shots, you are going to hurt yourself by allowing billiard god luck (chaos) to enter your game. This can be a blind spot in your calculations. The more honest you are with yourself, the better your chances of winning against almost any opponent.
Self-honesty ensures you can make smarter playing and shooting decisions more often. Your choices can be rational and the results match your expectations. This self-knowledge can also be used to configure your practice sessions.
Expertise with these shots requires the skill to pocket the OB using 26 of the 39 CB speed/spin variations.
1. Put CB close to OB, pocket the OB.
2. Re-spot OB and move CB back 1/2 D.
3. Upon a miss, move CB 1/2 D closer to OB.
Proof of competence: Repeat 3 times without miss.
1. Put CB close to OB, pocket the OB.
2. Re-spot OB and move CB back 1/2 D.
3. Upon a miss, move CB 1/2 D closer to OB.
Proof of competence: Repeat 3 times without miss.
Straight into the pocket
Object: Pocket the OB. Start with CB close to OB, then move back on the shaded line.
Object: Pocket the OB. Start with CB close to OB, then move back on the shaded line.
OB to Side Pocket
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
OB to 1 D Pocket (1/2 D from rail)
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
OB 2 D to Pocket (2 D from rail)
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
Object: Pocket the OB into the nearest pocket with CB on the shaded line. Start easy then move the CB.
OB 4 D to Corners
Object: OB on center spot and CB on any position in shaded lines. Start easy and then move the CB.
Object: OB on center spot and CB on any position in shaded lines. Start easy and then move the CB.
It is impossible to consistently play position until you have figured out how hard or soft to hit the CB. Speed control is one of the deep secrets to playing with intelligence. Putting a pre-selected and precise amount of energy into the CB is necessary for defensive and offensive shots. With it you can perform miracles. Without it you will not achieve the personal greatness to which you aspire.
Soft 1, 2, 3 Speeds
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Medium 1, 2, 3 Speeds
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Hard 1 Speed
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Only Hard 1 is shown. Hard 2 scratches in the side pocket.
Object: Practice until you can consistently place the CB in the target location.
Only Hard 1 is shown. Hard 2 scratches in the side pocket.
Back & Forth Nips
Object: First example - Roll the CB across the top of the OB to push it to the rail with CB stopping within 1 ball width. Repeat in the other direction. Second Example - Move the CB across the top of the OB, back & forth, advancing a little as possible.
Object: First example - Roll the CB across the top of the OB to push it to the rail with CB stopping within 1 ball width. Repeat in the other direction. Second Example - Move the CB across the top of the OB, back & forth, advancing a little as possible.
Object: Shoot the CB into the OB. The OB goes to the rail and comes back to hit the CB.
Object: Pocket the OB and stop the CB dead at all speeds.
Object: Pocket the OB and follow for exactly 1/2 diamond.
Object: Start at 1 D from OB, pocket the CB & OB. Move the CB back 1 D & repeat.
Draw to death
Object: Place CB close to OB. Pocket OB and draw CB back into the corner pocket. On success, move CB away from OB and repeat.
Object: Place CB close to OB. Pocket OB and draw CB back into the corner pocket. On success, move CB away from OB and repeat.
Progressive Draw
Object: (four shots). Pocket OB and draw CB back the exact distanceshown. Start at a draw of 1/2 D, then 1 D, etc.
Object: (four shots). Pocket OB and draw CB back the exact distanceshown. Start at a draw of 1/2 D, then 1 D, etc.
Control Path of the Cue Ball (Advanced)
Object: Pocket the OB and move the CB in the path shown.
Object: Pocket the OB and move the CB in the path shown.
Cluster Clearing Triangles
Object: Pocket the OB, then use CB to break up the cluster.
Object: Pocket the OB, then use CB to break up the cluster.
Object: (3 examples) Start with CB in hand. Pocket balls in any order (in sequence, reverse sequence)
Object: (2 examples) Start with CB in hand. Pocket in any order (random, in sequence, reverse sequence).
Object: Start with CB in hand. Pocket balls in any sequence, any pocket. Also in sequence, reverse sequence, only in right side pockets, left side pockets, corner pockets.
Object: Start with CB in hand. Pocket the balls in random order, in sequence (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), reverse sequence (6, 5, 4,3, 2, 1), Alternate (1, 4, 2, 5, 3, 6).
Double Ball Setups
Object: Start with CB in hand. Pocket balls in random order, in sequence, reverse sequence, alternating corners, etc.
Object: Start with CB in hand. Pocket balls in random order, in sequence, reverse sequence, alternating corners, etc.
Circle
Object: Start with CB in hand, inside the circle. Pocket OB in random order, in sequence, reverse sequence, etc.
Object: Start with CB in hand, inside the circle. Pocket OB in random order, in sequence, reverse sequence, etc.
Object: Place OB on rail, CB on grey line. Pocket OB at different speeds (slow to fast)
Object: Place OB 1 ball width away from rail, CB on grey line. Pocket OB at different speeds (slow to fast)
Object: (3 examples) Place CB & OB as shown. Shoot CB to carom of first OB and pocket second OB.
Object: (9 Ball example) Set up CB and OB. Shoot OB to follow path and end in shown location.
Object: (9 Ball example) Set up CB and OB. Shoot OB to follow path and end in shown location.
Object: (9 Ball example) Set up CB and OB and wall of balls. Shoot OB to follow path and end in shown location.
Object: Set up CB and OB. Shoot OB and move CB to shown path and position.
Object: (9 Ball example) Set up OB and CB on grey line. Shoot OB to follow path and end in shown location.
More from Author Mr. Allan P. Sand's collection:
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