Position Drills

BeiberLvr

BeiberLvr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Thought maybe some folks could benefit from some drills focused on position (including myself).

Hopefully some others will post ones that they work on, and they don't have to be specific to any one game.

This first one is something I've been working on a lot recently, because I noticed that the majority of pros don't screw it up, but almost all weaker players end up frozen on the rail that the 8 is on.

Obviously the speed of the table will determine if you plan to hit the short rail or not. I think that's the importance of practicing this shot.

1J7niPy9sgT91beFIwVW.png
 
A big key to doing a drill like this, is to not look at where the next ball is, but look at where you want the cb to end up. If you look just at the 8, your subconscious will pick that up and leave you stuck straight in. Just make sure you look at where you want the cb to go.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Thought maybe some folks could benefit from some drills focused on position (including myself).

Hopefully some others will post ones that they work on, and they don't have to be specific to any one game.

This first one is something I've been working on a lot recently, because I noticed that the majority of pros don't screw it up, but almost all weaker players end up frozen on the rail that the 8 is on.

Obviously the speed of the table will determine if you plan to hit the short rail or not. I think that's the importance of practicing this shot.

1J7niPy9sgT91beFIwVW.png
Click to expand...

i was given the "tip" that on a position shot like this try to hit the rail not stop short (when you have the option)
reason is if you try to stop short and go long you may end up on the rail straight in
if you try to hit the rail and get short you are not straight in
if you hit the rail you are not straight in
of ciurse there will be times that floating down and not going to the rail is appropriate
 
The end of the cue ball path is up to about a 45 degree angle of aim on the 8-ball. On this shot, obviously if you roll long you wind up with a steep cut on the eight, so while striving to hit your exact ghost cue ball you must affirm that rolling a bit short is better than rolling long.
 
I would think that it depends on whether or not there's another ball after the 8, and if so, where it is.
 
Neil said:
You mean like the 9 in the diagram at the other end of the table??
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Oh, cut the sarcasm already, Neil. My screen cut off the end of the pool table and I didn't notice the scroll bar on the bottom.

To the OP:

On that particular shot, I would rather go softer than harder because after the cb hits the top rail, it is moving away from the shot as well as at an unfavorable angle. With a softer hit, the cb is always moving towards the shot with some margin for error. With a little practice, you can hit the shot and be confident not to get straight on the 8.
 
FranCrimi said:
Oh, cut the sarcasm already, Neil. My screen cut off the end of the pool table and I didn't notice the scroll bar on the bottom.

To the OP:

On that particular shot, I would rather go softer than harder because after the cb hits the top rail, it is moving away from the shot as well as at an unfavorable angle. With a softer hit, the cb is always moving towards the shot with some margin for error. With a little practice, you can hit the shot and be confident not to get straight on the 8.
Click to expand...

Fran, I didn't say it as sarcasm. That you always want to read it that way is on you.
 
Thanks everyone! There's another one I enjoy working on, but couldn't do a diagram for at this time.

Basically, 9 goes on the spot, with the 8 at the other end of the table. Put the 8 at different spots throughout, and the goal is to pocket the 8 in either of the two corner pockets (where you break from), and try to get shape on the 9 in the other two corners.

Try it going 0, 1, or 2 rails. So many amateurs will overshoot the 9, and then have to play a bank or an awkward cut into the side pockets.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Thanks everyone! There's another one I enjoy working on, but couldn't do a diagram for at this time.

Basically, 9 goes on the spot, with the 8 at the other end of the table. Put the 8 at different spots throughout, and the goal is to pocket the 8 in either of the two corner pockets (where you break from), and try to get shape on the 9 in the other two corners.

Try it going 0, 1, or 2 rails. So many amateurs will overshoot the 9, and then have to play a bank or an awkward cut into the side pockets.
Click to expand...

Another one that comes up a lot in 9 ball, and is similar to the one you posted. Put the 9 in the rack area. Put the 8 on the end rail. Make the 8 and play position on the 9 for one of the two near corners.

Very often, you will see someone make the 8, and come up short on the 9. Actually ending up close to even with 9 (parallel off the short rail). This is because of what I stated earlier- they look at the next ball they want to make, instead of looking at where they actually want the cb to end up. They think they came up short, but in reality they hit it perfect for what they actually looked at.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Thought maybe some folks could benefit from some drills focused on position (including myself).

Hopefully some others will post ones that they work on, and they don't have to be specific to any one game.

This first one is something I've been working on a lot recently, because I noticed that the majority of pros don't screw it up, but almost all weaker players end up frozen on the rail that the 8 is on.

Obviously the speed of the table will determine if you plan to hit the short rail or not. I think that's the importance of practicing this shot.

1J7niPy9sgT91beFIwVW.png
Click to expand...

NAIBCHM (Not An Instructor But Can't Help Myself).

I have come to the conclusion that practicing shots such as these are nearly a complete waste of time -- No offense. This particular shot does not challenge you at all when it comes to pocketing the ball. When it comes to the level of difficulty on pocketing this ball it is a 1 (out of 10). So all you are basically working on is lagging the cue ball and reinforcing your understanding of the tangent line. These are things that you (by you I mean us) are constantly working on while you are actually playing. At least this is what I have concluded.

I think (again this is just my opinion) the best drills are those that you aren't constantly doing while you are playing. Us amateur players really don't have unlimited time to practice so it seems like we should strip out all the fluff and really only work on those areas that we are struggling with and the areas that don't come up constantly in a game. Just playing 14.1 for an hour and you will inevitably practice the two items that this shot requires over and over again (tangent line and cue ball speed).

My basic point is, there are a lot of shots that you can master by just playing pool. There are many others that you have to go out of your way to drill/practice. So, why practice those that you can learn without drilling?

I know that's a different take on drills but it's what I've come up with and it's been working for me lately.
 
BasementDweller said:
NAIBCHM (Not An Instructor But Can't Help Myself).

I have come to the conclusion that practicing shots such as these are nearly a complete waste of time -- No offense. This particular shot does not challenge you at all when it comes to pocketing the ball. When it comes to the level of difficulty on pocketing this ball it is a 1 (out of 10). So all you are basically working on is lagging the cue ball and reinforcing your understanding of the tangent line. These are things that you (by you I mean us) are constantly working on while you are actually playing. At least this is what I have concluded.

I think (again this is just my opinion) the best drills are those that you aren't constantly doing while you are playing. Us amateur players really don't have unlimited time to practice so it seems like we should strip out all the fluff and really only work on those areas that we are struggling with and the areas that don't come up constantly in a game. Just playing 14.1 for an hour and you will inevitably practice the two items that this shot requires over and over again (tangent line and cue ball speed).

My basic point is, there are a lot of shots that you can master by just playing pool. There are many others that you have to go out of your way to drill/practice. So, why practice those that you can learn without drilling?

I know that's a different take on drills but it's what I've come up with and it's been working for me lately.
Click to expand...

These types of drills are really no different than shot-making drills. The purpose of these drills is (as you stated) to learn the path of the CB. However, it also teaches you the best path to take as well as the proper speed.

Try the second one I mentioned with the 9 on the spot, and the 8 up table. Set up an angle on the 8 where you have to go two rails for shape (short, long), and see how many times out of ten you end up with an easy shot on the 9 in the corner.

I don't know you're speed, so maybe you'll get 10 out of 10, but there are plenty of low level players that would be lucky to get 50%

These simple drills teach you how to play shape properly, and that's paramount to playing great pool. The reason for practicing them is simply so you know what to do during a match, and you don't have to guess.
 
I used to do a lot of position drills, drills from PAT, Joe Tucker, Blackjack, etc., designed to help work in up and down position, 1 rail across table, 2 rail, etc. Many were pretty difficult but could be adjusted up or down by changing the number of balls in a row or changing the spacing. Too many to post but if you are interested I could email you some of my material or scan some pages into a PDF and email that. I have 2 binders full... :)

I also like preset runout drills, again difficulty can be adjusted from 3 - 10 balls. If constructed properly those drills will focus on certain positions and get you to work your way through the rack. Only issue is once you figure out the pattern and obstacles it's very repeatable from that point forward. There are few in PAT, Ekkes has quite a few in his last SEE manual, and I think Lee Brett had some on his site as well.

Scott
 
BeiberLvr said:
These types of drills are really no different than shot-making drills. The purpose of these drills is (as you stated) to learn the path of the CB. However, it also teaches you the best path to take as well as the proper speed.

Try the second one I mentioned with the 9 on the spot, and the 8 up table. Set up an angle on the 8 where you have to go two rails for shape (short, long), and see how many times out of ten you end up with an easy shot on the 9 in the corner.

I don't know you're speed, so maybe you'll get 10 out of 10, but there are plenty of low level players that would be lucky to get 50%

These simple drills teach you how to play shape properly, and that's paramount to playing great pool. The reason for practicing them is simply so you know what to do during a match, and you don't have to guess.
Click to expand...

I agree. I prefer setting up actual game situations which are more easily recognizable when they come up in game play. You used your powers of observation regarding pros vs. amateurs on a certain shot in your first post. Picking up on differences like that is key in improving your game.
 
BasementDweller said:
NAIBCHM (Not An Instructor But Can't Help Myself).

I have come to the conclusion that practicing shots such as these are nearly a complete waste of time -- No offense. This particular shot does not challenge you at all when it comes to pocketing the ball. When it comes to the level of difficulty on pocketing this ball it is a 1 (out of 10). So all you are basically working on is lagging the cue ball and reinforcing your understanding of the tangent line. These are things that you (by you I mean us) are constantly working on while you are actually playing. At least this is what I have concluded.

I think (again this is just my opinion) the best drills are those that you aren't constantly doing while you are playing. Us amateur players really don't have unlimited time to practice so it seems like we should strip out all the fluff and really only work on those areas that we are struggling with and the areas that don't come up constantly in a game. Just playing 14.1 for an hour and you will inevitably practice the two items that this shot requires over and over again (tangent line and cue ball speed).

My basic point is, there are a lot of shots that you can master by just playing pool. There are many others that you have to go out of your way to drill/practice. So, why practice those that you can learn without drilling?

I know that's a different take on drills but it's what I've come up with and it's been working for me lately.
Click to expand...

You make an excellent point regarding honing weaknesses--if you struggle with banks, drill some banks, for gosh sake--but these bread and butter shots for correct shape zones when you roll long or short are SO important. A pro might drill trying to hit a spot the size of a chalk cube, but even APA 9s need to THINK "If I roll long, what is the line? Do I want to soften to roll short?" etc.
 
BeiberLvr said:
These types of drills are really no different than shot-making drills. The purpose of these drills is (as you stated) to learn the path of the CB. However, it also teaches you the best path to take as well as the proper speed.
Click to expand...
Of course they are different than shot making drills. They are exactly the opposite! The first drill you listed you could practice this shot over and over shooting one handed, or even behind your back if you wanted. In other words, this shot really does not require any attention to proper fundamentals. If it was me, I would back that cue ball all the way up to the opposite site rail, along the same line, and then you would maybe be doing something.

Try the second one I mentioned with the 9 on the spot, and the 8 up table. Set up an angle on the 8 where you have to go two rails for shape (short, long), and see how many times out of ten you end up with an easy shot on the 9 in the corner.

I don't know you're speed, so maybe you'll get 10 out of 10, but there are plenty of low level players that would be lucky to get 50%

These simple drills teach you how to play shape properly, and that's paramount to playing great pool. The reason for practicing them is simply so you know what to do during a match, and you don't have to guess.
Click to expand...

The second drill is a much better drill in my estimation.

My whole point is - I pay attention to what great players say and do. I don' t think too many great players would waste time doing drills that really don't challenge them. This is my biggest complaint with many of the drills I see posted on here. I use to spend time doing such drills and I realized I wasn't getting any better. Many of the drills that people do are just simple shots that come up time and time again on the table. And for me it turned out, these were not the shots that were actually tripping me up in competition. More often than not, it was just missing makeable balls (that were maybe just a bit outside of my comfort zone).

When SVB was asked what type of drills he likes to work on he responded with shooting long straight ins and trying to draw his cue ball back into the pocket. He also works constantly on shooting from the rail. Darren Appleton said pretty close to the same thing. He like to work shooting those straight in shots. Years ago I remember reading something Keith McKready wrote about how he gets in stroke for a tournament and he said something about just working on firing in those hard shots that gave him difficulty.

Don't get me wrong - I don't really thing there's anything wrong with shooting some easy shots or some easy drills from time to time. We all need to find a way to stay interested in practice so whatever gets that done is cool. But I've just reevaluated most of the drills that I do and I just don't spend much time on the easy ones any more.

Here's what I think is sort of the standard philosophy when it comes to practicing:
Practice the shots that come up all the time in a game and master them. This will take you a long way towards being a great player.

My philosophy is almost entirely the opposite of this now. The shots that come up all the time in a game - I don't worry about as much. Those can be mastered during the game (even while just playing a game by myself). It's only the shots that DO NOT come up all the time that I work on. These are the ones that really stretch either my shot making ability or my cue ball control (along with my fundamentals). I figure if I can't master the simple shots without specifically practicing them, what chance do I have of ever getting decent at this game? I'm not getting any younger here.
 
In my first example of course you can make the shot more difficult. In fact it's encouraged.

Don't get too caught up in what Shane and Darren do. Those guys are pros and don't need to do drills like these. That doesn't mean they never did when they were starting.
 
BeiberLvr said:
In my first example of course you can make the shot more difficult. In fact it's encouraged.

Don't get too caught up in what Shane and Darren do. Those guys are pros and don't need to do drills like these. That doesn't mean they never did when they were starting.[/QUOTE]

"Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary."

Warren Bennis
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