A little exercise to test a 'straight-in' short shot with control of the CB

[mr3cushion]

The object of this drill is to pocket the 3 ball in the corner pocket, along with NOT having the cue ball touch ANY cushion in the process. The player can position the CB on the 'First shot Only.' The 3 ball is spotted after each attempt on the spot.

If a player can execute the above at least '5 times in a row' that's good, '6 in a row,' pretty good, '7 times in a row' VERY GOOD! And ANY score over that is EXCELLENT!

 

[Bob Jewett]

For most players it will be a more interesting drill if the other pockets are allowed.

I once did this drill on a 6x12 snooker table with the black ball. 103 shots. On a snooker table a groove gets worn in the cloth for the draw shot which keeps the cue ball in line.

 

[Pidge]

Which areas of your game is this drill intended to improve?

I know a handful guys who could do this all day long but they aren't guys I would consider to be great at the game.

What they are great at though is manipulating potting angles with side spin and the short 8 inch draw shots. At first glance, these are the areas I see this drill being helpful.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

A similar test is to spot the OB on the center spot (between the side pockets) and see how many times you can make it into the same side pocket. I've seen very good players struggle to get 10.

pj
chgo

 

[Bob Jewett]

A similar test is to spot the OB on the center spot (between the side pockets) and see how many times you can make it into the same side pocket. I've seen very good players struggle to get 10.

pj
chgo

It helps if you can consistently cut to the right and also get the cue ball to draw to the right. Balkline players can do this. Swerve/masse.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

It helps if you can consistently cut to the right and also get the cue ball to draw to the right. Balkline players can do this. Swerve/masse.

Teaches the meaning of the word "precision". Shocking how quickly tiny, almost invisible errors grow into disasters.

pj
chgo

 

[lfigueroa]

It helps if you can consistently cut to the right and also get the cue ball to draw to the right. Balkline players can do this. Swerve/masse.

I’m guessing balkline players can do this till the cows, sheeps, and chupacabras come home.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Tennesseejoe]

This a great test for newer players to show the finesse needed for success.

 

[mr3cushion]

I’m guessing balkline players can do this till the cows, sheeps, and chupacabras come home.

Lou Figueroa

Not really, because of the 'Spot' (the OB settles in, like a divot on the fairway) it came out funky on me a couple of times. I could of went to the other end of the table but didn't.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I’m guessing balkline players can do this till the cows, sheeps, and chupacabras come home.

Lou Figueroa

Not all of them, but every time Caudron shoots the shot, all three balls end up perfect. Here is an example of where he cuts the red ball to the right and draws to the white ball to the right. And the red returns at the perfect speed. (Go to 33:33 if the link doesn't take you there.)

There is another shot a little later where he again has to half-masse the cue ball to keep control.

 

[mr3cushion]

FC the all around GOAT of Billiards!

 

[ipoppa33]

Not all of them, but every time Caudron shoots the shot, all three balls end up perfect. Here is an example of where he cuts the red ball to the right and draws to the white ball to the right. And the red returns at the perfect speed. (Go to 33:33 if the link doesn't take you there.)

There is another shot a little later where he again has to half-masse the cue ball to keep control.

Thanks, that was impressive!

 

[td873]

Is there a particular distance that you have to draw it back? Also, is there a reason to shoot the same ball over and over (vs shooting, say, the 1-10)?

-td

 

[straightline]

This looks like a miss:

 

[mr3cushion]

Is there a particular distance that you have to draw it back? Also, is there a reason to shoot the same ball over and over (vs shooting, say, the 1-10)?

-td

It's to promote 'nuance' control of the CB.

 

[td873]

It's to promote 'nuance' control of the CB.

Ah. Well, based on your comment that "nuance" control is the goal, it appears that any draw distance is fine so long as it's some slight amount, but straight back to facilitate more attempts. For me, I found it more time efficiency to shoot from a small pile of balls (vs walking around the table between shots). And, it helped me keep track as I could keep count by shooting the balls in order.

-td

 

[Chili Palmer]

Ah. Well, based on your comment that "nuance" control is the goal, it appears that any draw distance is fine so long as it's some slight amount, but straight back to facilitate more attempts. For me, I found it more time efficiency to shoot from a small pile of balls (vs walking around the table between shots). And, it helped me keep track as I could keep count by shooting the balls in order.

-td

Unless you're shooting them in rotation you have options when you get out of line, this shot does not allow for that. Once you're out of line you're pretty much done.

 

[td873]

Unless you're shooting them in rotation you have options when you get out of line, this shot does not allow for that. Once you're out of line you're pretty much done.

Agreed! The only "in line" is straight in! I guess my fundamental question was why walk to re-spot the same ball over and over. It seems like extra steps that aren't relevant to the shot.

It's a good testing drill and IMO, 1-5 is a what beginner/novice shooters will get. 5-10 is what intermediate shooters will hit, and 15+ is what advanced shooters will target.

-td

 

[Chili Palmer]

Agreed! The only "in line" is straight in! I guess my fundamental question was why walk to re-spot the same ball over and over. It seems like extra steps that aren't relevant to the shot.

It's a good testing drill and IMO, 1-5 is a what beginner/novice shooters will get. 5-10 is what intermediate shooters will hit, and 15+ is what advanced shooters will target.

-td

Yeah, I think re-shooting the same ball over and over is not required, my guess is it's played on a table with drop pockets so you kind of need to empty the pocket. If the table has a ball return just put the whole rack right next to you and go to town.

I also think at different levels you need to focus on how FAR you draw the ball. When I'm warming up I'm playing similar shots but I'm purposely working on the how far the CB is drawn back, 2", 4", etc. But this is technically a different drill I suppose.

 

[MitchAlsup]

This drill reminds me of the drill in the Mosconi book (circa 1967-ish) where you line up 7 balls in a small arc and pot them sequentially into the side pocket.