Anybody know of some good drills for 14.1 preparation? Besides break-ball shots over and over, I'm looking for cue control drills that perfect the needed skills for 14.1 runs.
Thanks everyone.
Thomas
Thanks everyone.
Thomas
14.1 preparation drills
- Thread starter Thomas McKane
- Start date
Our game requires many skills of the player, none more important than pattern identiification. A simple but effective drill is to place a ball in classic break position and randomly toss out four or more balls in addition. Quickly study the balls, indentify a workable pattern to your break ball, take ball in hand, and execute your sequence. This drill will develop focus, creativity, and good execution skills.
_Rick
_Rick
Spread the 15 balls out with none closer than an inch from a rail and with cue ball in hand for the first shot, try to pocket every ball without the cue ball going to a rail. Your shot selection can destroy your efforts in a heartbeat and your cue ball control will have to be flawless.
Do this 10 times and see what you can average.
Do this 10 times and see what you can average.
Thanks!
Thanks Rick and Paul. I do the no-rail 15 ball drill quite often, it's a great one. I'm definitely having trouble getting on the key and break ball so that drills sounds perfect.
Thanks Rick and Paul. I do the no-rail 15 ball drill quite often, it's a great one. I'm definitely having trouble getting on the key and break ball so that drills sounds perfect.
Hey Rik, i couldnt have said it better myself ! Much Rep To You..................
I Do this all the time just to get into stroke, i find it really doesnt matter on your skill level to shoot this drill. it really helps you get used to the speed of the table. i usually throw out 7 plus the break ball.
I Find 7 to be a good number, plenty of room for movement. plus enough balls to work out a good sequence towards the break.
Steve
I Do this all the time just to get into stroke, i find it really doesnt matter on your skill level to shoot this drill. it really helps you get used to the speed of the table. i usually throw out 7 plus the break ball.
I Find 7 to be a good number, plenty of room for movement. plus enough balls to work out a good sequence towards the break.
Steve
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It is also a good idea to start out with 3 or 4 balls. Once you get on the break ball, just add another ball. (scroll through below diagram)
Here is a drill that I like to do to warm up.
When you find which shot patterns are the most comfortable for you to deal with, start finding them early in the rack and work towards getting on the proper set up balls. Below is a diagram of a table layout after the break shot.
The first thing to do is to see what I have and what I don't have.
I have identified a set up ball, a key ball, and a break ball.
I have some balls clustered in the rack area.
I have some balls blocking the paths for other balls
Most everything in this layout is wide open, I just need to make sure that I fall right on the 12 and the 5 to complete the end pattern. Everything won't be this simple, but if you keep playing and looking for patterns, they will start to jump out at you.
Here is a drill that I like to do to warm up.
When you find which shot patterns are the most comfortable for you to deal with, start finding them early in the rack and work towards getting on the proper set up balls. Below is a diagram of a table layout after the break shot.
The first thing to do is to see what I have and what I don't have.
I have identified a set up ball, a key ball, and a break ball.
I have some balls clustered in the rack area.
I have some balls blocking the paths for other balls
Most everything in this layout is wide open, I just need to make sure that I fall right on the 12 and the 5 to complete the end pattern. Everything won't be this simple, but if you keep playing and looking for patterns, they will start to jump out at you.
I have this problem doing some of these drills, maybe you guys can help... it feels like any time I do a set drill with few balls, it's not really similar to my actual 14.1 experience because often when I have 4-7 balls left they aren't wide open and lying nice for a good
stop-stop-stop pattern... there's usually balls on the rail, a less than ideal key ball (like something on the short rail), at least one ball that needs weird tight position or even two tied up ball :/ So I can do these drills (maybe.. lol I don't even get out when they're open and I start with ball in hand >_<) but I can't seem to go through an actual rack as nicely.
I know I should be attacking problems like those rail balls and balls that don't go except in one pocket... and I try to... but often I have to burn 2 "nice" open balls for every problem ball I clear up. So by the time I'm down to 7 balls, problems remain.
stop-stop-stop pattern... there's usually balls on the rail, a less than ideal key ball (like something on the short rail), at least one ball that needs weird tight position or even two tied up ball :/ So I can do these drills (maybe.. lol I don't even get out when they're open and I start with ball in hand >_<) but I can't seem to go through an actual rack as nicely.
I know I should be attacking problems like those rail balls and balls that don't go except in one pocket... and I try to... but often I have to burn 2 "nice" open balls for every problem ball I clear up. So by the time I'm down to 7 balls, problems remain.
I know I should be attacking problems like those rail balls and balls that don't go except in one pocket... and I try to... but often I have to burn 2 "nice" open balls for every problem ball I clear up. So by the time I'm down to 7 balls, problems remain.
Cree-Do
Cree-Do,
A lot could be said relating to your post but allow me comment relative to the topic: drills.
>Some "trouble balls" can become part of a well considerd pattern. For instance, balls along a rail can be good lead balls to the key ball or even break ball in some instances. IMHO, the drill in question is more about identifying patterns rather than execution. Look for ways to include would-be trouble balls.
>While moving through a rack and even before a pattern is identified, always be alert to the possiblity of moving "trouble" balls while executing shots. My long ago mentor, Tom Kollins, always stressed this part of the game. He refered to the skill as "ball to ball billiards". He often would create an entire end-rack pattern as he moved through the balls. Watch the videos of top players like our Steve Lipsky and notice how balls are moved into better positions. Trouble balls can become friendly given the right persuasion.
>Review BlackJack's post above.
>practice ball to ball billiards (as drills). Play carom billiards; it's a great skill to improve 14.1.
_Rick
Cree-Do
Cree-Do,
A lot could be said relating to your post but allow me comment relative to the topic: drills.
>Some "trouble balls" can become part of a well considerd pattern. For instance, balls along a rail can be good lead balls to the key ball or even break ball in some instances. IMHO, the drill in question is more about identifying patterns rather than execution. Look for ways to include would-be trouble balls.
>While moving through a rack and even before a pattern is identified, always be alert to the possiblity of moving "trouble" balls while executing shots. My long ago mentor, Tom Kollins, always stressed this part of the game. He refered to the skill as "ball to ball billiards". He often would create an entire end-rack pattern as he moved through the balls. Watch the videos of top players like our Steve Lipsky and notice how balls are moved into better positions. Trouble balls can become friendly given the right persuasion.
>Review BlackJack's post above.
>practice ball to ball billiards (as drills). Play carom billiards; it's a great skill to improve 14.1.
_Rick
Reference the post I made a few days ago, here is a video of one of the drills - 3 rows of 3 balls. You start with ball in hand and try to get on a break ball, and then into the next rack.
14.1 End Pattern Drill
I may do a few more of these and walk through different patterns - as well as finding those patterns early.
14.1 End Pattern Drill
I may do a few more of these and walk through different patterns - as well as finding those patterns early.
Thanks!
Awesome information everyone, thanks!!!
I've been doing the 5-6 ball drill working to get on the break ball....it's damn tough! I thought I would do better at this....but it's way harder than one would think.
I'm going to work on BlackJack's grid drill next time, that looks great also.
Awesome information everyone, thanks!!!
I've been doing the 5-6 ball drill working to get on the break ball....it's damn tough! I thought I would do better at this....but it's way harder than one would think.
I'm going to work on BlackJack's grid drill next time, that looks great also.
wow, I was just about to asl how to play that drill. Thanks, Blackjack! Unfortunately I haven't yet spread enough rep to give you some greenies again.
That could be great! Yes please do that. More videos on end-game pattern play.
How's your book by the way? Last time I read some about it was you picking proper graphics, meaning it was almost ready to print?
Thanks. As you can tell from the video, I was having trouble with the speed of that table, and ended up fighting it all day. I will try to put more of these together as time permits.
I am working on the 14.1 book exclusively - every day now. It shouldn't be too much longer. I have had a lot of problems with various aspects of putting it together - combined with other responsibilities as well as life issues, but it should be completed before June 15 - at least that is the current deadline.
I'm glad someone asked about your book because that was my next question here. How does one get on a list to order this? I definitely want one.....signed by the author too.
MULLY
I was going to give you some green rep for this because it's one of the best questions/statements I've seen. It seems as if I repped you recently for something and it says I need to spread it around first.
Anyway, I agree 110% with what you posted here. What I would like to add is that someone, possibly BlackJack, posted a, sort of, list of things to take care of in a specific order once the rack is open. I'm guilty of not putting it all into memory but if I recall correctly it was clear the pockets for other balls, get the rail balls off, break open little clusters, work your pattern to your break ball. If anyone has this in the correct order *please* feel free post it up and correct my mistakes.
Reading that list makes it sound so simple but again, like you said in your post above, the balls don't always lay out that way for you.
MULLY
Capelle addresses these issues in his book. I also think doing some film study of some of the runs that have been commentated will also help. I think these drills are helpful. I do not find 14.1 to be an exact science when it comes to sequencing balls. It encourages creativity. Thats why I like it so much.
Mully
All of my books will be available at the following link:
Storefront at Lulu.com
I have become pretty much hands off with selling books, which is one of the reasons I have been distributing them thru Lulu - but if you want a signed copy, I'll be glad to get one out to you when they are ready.
Marcus - I haven't forgot about the information on the grip, in fact I was working on some of that this morning. I will try to call you tomorrow evening to discuss that further.
Here is another video of some drills that you can use to set up for end patterns. It's not the best shooting, but there are some learning points tossed in there as I hack my way through the balls.
14.1 Drills
14.1 Drills