Practice Game.....

[DiamondDave]

I was messing around the other day and came up with an idea for a practice game. Its pretty simple in theory. Start by setting the table up like this.........

CueTable Help

The order doesn't matter as long as they are in the right spots. Start with Ball in Hand and run the balls out. Balls are to be pocketed in the called pocket. The goal is to make all the balls without missing or hitting another ball other than the object ball. Scoring is pretty easy too:

1 point for a miss
1 point for each non object ball hit. That includes the cueball hitting another ball, the intended ball missing and hitting another ball or the cueball again. Basically every hit after the initial shot is a point.
2 points for a scratch
2 points if object ball or another ball goes into a non called pocket.

You can only pocket 1 ball per shot.

Goal: Get as few points as possible.

I started doing this and its kind of fun and it helped me mentally get ready to play. I've found that starting in the middle and working my way out was a little easier because it opens up the middle of the table. If I'm shooting fairly well or want more of a challenge I'll start at one end and work my way to the other end.


I started playing it this way which a little easier without the 3 extra balls.

CueTable Help

It may be too easy for some but I liked it and I thought I'd share. For all I know this has been done before so I'm not trying to present it as me being the first to do it but its nothing I've seen before so it its new, GREAT! If not, I'd like to think that MY version is best! :thumbup:

Good luck to all! I'd love to hear some feedback if you try it or have already done it.

Thanks
Dave

 

[John Biddle]

This is a very good beginner's drill. It gives you lots of practice potting balls, with none that are too hard unless you get way out of line.

As you get better you can tighten up the rules somewhat to add additional skills to your routine. These are mix and match additions to your existing requirements, not replacements.

1) Don't allow the cue ball to hit a rail

2) Require the cue ball to hit 1 and only 1 rail

3) All balls must go into the closest pocket

4) Corner pockets only

5) Shoot balls into corners at one end. Declare that you're done with them & shoot into sides until done, declare and shoot remaining into only remaining corners.

Best of luck with your practice. I have lots more on my blog.

 

[CreeDo]

I think your drill isn't bad, but I think any drill with all 15 balls and they can do into any pocket feels a bit too close to just rolling 'em out and sinking balls... which I've always felt is a bad way to practice. I'll have to try it to see how hard it is to get a perfect game. I like that you have to come up with a strategy for this to make it as safe and easy as possible.

Might be better if you used only half the balls on the table and called your pattern ahead of time, then you had to execute it.