9 Ball position routes

M

mnShooter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I would like to generate a list of things to consider when playing position and their importance. Here is how I go about it. I know this is very generic and I could probably learn more by having specific cases.
  • Are there any problem balls that I should handle now?
  • Look two balls ahead. What position do I need to be in on the next ball to get to the ball after that? What side of the object ball do I want to be on?
  • What's the easiest way to get there?
  • What are the percentages I can get there? Should I play safe instead?
  • Is the route I am taking in line with the angle I want on the next ball (crossing my lines)? Should I play one, two, or three rails instead?
  • Generally I would prefer to have close to a half ball hit and have the cueball in the center of the table unless it doesn't work with the layout.

Did I leave anything out? Any other recommendations for position play or good instructionals on better position play?

Many times when I watch very good players they will choose different routes than I would have chosen. I'm not sure if it's a matter of personal preference or if they know something that I don't to make the runout easier. It's all about how you see the table.
 
The one thing I try to strive for is 0 or 1 rail shape whever possible....if I have to really move the CB alot I always "go with the flow" meaning use outside english instead of trying to force the CB to with inside english....I find this gives me much more control of the speed....

As far as a safety, the only time I play a safety, except when I have no shot, is if I want to achieve BIH and use that advantage to break up a cluster or pop another ball off the rail...
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I do not subscribe to the theory to limit the amount of rails. I know some people who do. Sometimes using more rails can provide a bigger 'window' to position. I think you should use the number of rails necessary for the easiest or best position.

Although knowing how the cueball will react to the rail(s) can make things more complicated. Multiple rails will change the spin on the cueball and also there is spin picked up when cutting the object ball. This can make it difficult to predict the path of the cueball.
 
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