Circle drill

M

mantis99

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just started doing the circle drill. It is certainly a frustrating one. What patterns/techniques do you guys use to finish this drill.

Circle drill= 1 ball in front of each side pocket with a ball on each side of it a few inches away. a ball a few inches further from the rail, and closer to the 1st diamond away from the side pocket. 1 more set of balls a few inches closer, but not in the middle of the table, and = to the first diamond away from the side pocket on each side. Ball in hand with CB inside the semi circle. You can not touch any other ball, and you must stay inside the circle.

I have been shooting the side pocket ball 1st, and then the balls on either side of that, trying to draw the CB to the perfect spot to shoot the next ball. I alternate the balls on the head and foot. I have been unable to be accurate enough with my draw to accomplish this for all balls. Does anyone play it any different, or have any tips to help?
 
I've been teaching the circle drill for 25 yrs., and it is something that even advanced players find a challenge. The necessity, for completion of the exercise, is a repeatable stroke, and good speed control, which combine with stop shots, short draws, throw shots with english, etc. My personal best is running 45 (circle drill x3). Until someone has a clear grasp of how to set up and deliver the cuestick, accurately and smoothly, the circle drill remains one of the toughest drills to master.:D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Could one of you guys put this on a diagram? I'm having trouble visualizing this. Not sure where all the balls go, but would like to try it. Or is this just all the balls in a big circle in the center of the table?:confused:
 
It is not just a circle, it is more of an oval. I am not sure how to use any of the mapping programs yet. Maybe someone who knows how can map it. The drill is very hard though.
 
Order does not matter. I do it with 15 balls, and the shape is more of an oval than a circle. Read my original post to see the setup. Very difficult drill overall.
 
Yes, only the way I have been doing it, the one and 8 would be closer to the pocket with the balls on the sides even with them, then the rest would go in your pattern with fairly equal distance between them.
 
Oh I missed the part where the cue ball couldn't hit a rail!! That would make it much harder I assume. I tried earlier tonight and did it on the first try, but I used the rails for position at least half a dozen times.
 
mworkman said:
Why make it an oval? Is it harder then a circle?
Click to expand...
I was surprised that the Oval someone put up was perpendicular to the length of the table, so I'd be interested in a reason too.
 
I shoot zero drills,but I'm "rededicating" myself to the game.I havn't stopped playing at all,but somewhere over the last year or two I started just hitting em.

I'll be trying this one next time out.I'm pretty good with bottom and stop,but this looks challenging,esp with a new cue.

I'd do the good rep thing,but I have no idea how that works.
Thanks though,
 
I have a video of someone shooting this drill (Pro Skill Drills).

The video only shows a portion of doing this drill, not the guy making every ball. I wonder why they did not show every ball being made?

Anyway for some of the shots, the guy had to make bank shots to get the cue ball to line up for the next shot.

So in addition to just straight in draw shots, might need a bank shot here and there to get back in position....
 
Billy_Bob said:
I have a video of someone shooting this drill (Pro Skill Drills).

The video only shows a portion of doing this drill, not the guy making every ball. I wonder why they did not show every ball being made?

Anyway for some of the shots, the guy had to make bank shots to get the cue ball to line up for the next shot.

So in addition to just straight in draw shots, might need a bank shot here and there to get back in position....
Click to expand...


Would there be any interest to have a video contest on this drill? I will be happy to host it and give a small prize to the winner. Let's hear it...
 
Having done this drill for many years, I always use a circle that is centered to the table and has a diameter of two diamonds. The rules:
>cue cannot contact another ball after object ball is pocketed
>base of the cue ball cannot go beyond the circle perimeter
>no bank shots
Skills developed and emphasized:
>good pattern recognition
>good sense of speed and direction with short draw strokes
> "key" the ability to accurately spin the balls in to either to gain or preserve an angle to the next ball
 
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