Pre-Planning a Rack

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Just out of curiosity and perhaps a means of motivation for me to change my approach to improving a new aspect of my game.

How many of you plan your rack out before you shoot a ball?

Let's say that the game is 9 ball. Ordinarily I shoot from ball to ball with shape. I play the one ball to get shape to shoot the 2 ball with the most options and ordinarily my runs end because I miss shape.

I think that having an entire idea of what I want to do would help me and this has really become my goal since watching Tor Lowry's Pattern Play videos and I'd like to be able to run racks like he shows.

SO! How many of you guys actually run the racks backwards from the 9 ball down to the 1 ball and then shoot? Does it help you? Did you change to this style of play? Has it helped your pattern play and run out percentage?
 
I generally think 2 shots ahead (if there are no clusters) e.g.

when I am playing 1 I will see what shape on 2 will give me easy shot on 3.
 
I usually play eight ball (BCA rules). Assuming no ball was made on the break and it's my shot, I
* first look to see if there are any clusters that need breaking. If yes, then I'll shoot whatever shot gives me an angle into the cluster. Breaking the cluster is a priority if you want to run out the rack.
* At the same time, I'm looking to see what I can use as a "safe" ball, in case the cue ball gets stuck after the cluster is broken. The safe ball is usually a side pocket shot that allows many position options.
* Then it's just shoot, shoot, shoot until the eight ball is ready to be dropped.

If there are two or more clusters, with no good break shot angle, I'll consider potting a ball or two, then play safe. I'll try to play safe in such a way that my opponent has to shoot into a cluster, or else give me ball in hand.

I also shoot the majority of my shots with a dead stroke. By that I mean the cue ball travels very little after hitting the object ball, even on angle shots.

In most racks, I find there's an optimal layout that is dependent on getting perfect position on at least two balls. If I miss pose on those shots, I go to an alternate, and usually more difficult, run out plan.

But I'll tell ya my big secret to good shooting: Watch vids of Rodney Morris and look at how he uses one or two rails to get position on his next shot. You'll have to stroke a little harder on each shot, but it's worth the effort.

Shoot safe.

John
 
I agree with Ak147. Maybe the pros work backwards from the 9, but you can be a formidable player if you plan 2 balls ahead, instead of just making one and playing shape for the second. It matters what kind of sahae you get on the next ball, can you get an angle from there.
 
I at least have an idea of what I want to do with the entire rack before I shoot the first ball. Then I adapt as necessary as I run the balls.
 
I work two or three balls ahead. But I look for these three situations that usually require some advance planning (9- and 10-ball):

1. Clustered balls (including where a ball is blocking the OB's path to the simplest pocket).

2. OB after an OB on the rail. I think getting position after playing an OB on the rail is much more difficult than playing an OB at least a few inches from the rail. So, if the three is on a rail I look at where the four-ball is and where I need to be on the 3 to get to the 4.

3. Uptable/downtable balls. The three is close to the head-short-rail and the 4 is close to the foot-short-rail. Easy position to get if I've got enough angle, but difficult if I don't.
 
a player should be able to work at various levels without compromising your game on the micro level. one should have an idea of how the table presents itself and your strategy to winning this particular game. but after one shoots you often have to amend your plan and sometimes a safety is required and when you return to the table the process begins anew. if you make it on the win side then you can actually start thinking games or even matches, but if you didn't win the game, then the original process is your mental game. it's not rocket science but the more you play and the better you get the micro and macro of game management become instinctive.

oh yeah, planning the break ... my personal feeling is you may choose a differing break due to the game you are playing and if you are winning or losing. sometimes a player might adjust his break speed or if you want to try and win off the break shot you might adjust your aim and such. but most of us try to make a ball (8, 9, or 10 ball) on the break and leave whitey in the center of the table on every break shot so it's not like you are planning anything you are just executing a shot.

however most of us think a ball or three ahead and we have a fine time doing it too ...
 
Pros and even the guys better than the usual look at the whole rack... Step 1 is can you run it... Step 2 is where are the problems and step 3 is planning 3 balls sequences... If you don't understand why 3... you will... You just don't need to post until you do......
 
The Renfro said:
Pros and even the guys better than the usual look at the whole rack... Step 1 is can you run it... Step 2 is where are the problems and step 3 is planning 3 balls sequences... If you don't understand why 3... you will... You just don't need to post until you do......
Click to expand...


^^^^^ this covers it nicely
 
PoolBum said:
I at least have an idea of what I want to do with the entire rack before I shoot the first ball. Then I adapt as necessary as I run the balls.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Good answer. I check clusters first and then determine which pocket will accept each ball. Sometimes I visualize working backwards from the 9 in 9ball or the 8 in 8ball.
 
the chicken said:
I also shoot the majority of my shots with a dead stroke. By that I mean the cue ball travels very little after hitting the object ball, even on angle shots.

...

But I'll tell ya my big secret to good shooting: Watch vids of Rodney Morris and look at how he uses one or two rails to get position on his next shot. You'll have to stroke a little harder on each shot, but it's worth the effort.
Click to expand...


Those two statements seem contradictory to me.
 
Haven't read anything I haven't already tried or still do - my fault with this post though. One day I will have to work on getting past this feeling I get when people tell me things I already know and give me advice I already use =P

Anyway, the most common advice I see is "think in three ball patterns," or something to that affect. I see a problem with this advice no matter how you use it.

Obviously, most of us on this site are above average players and will probably look at the entire table before shooting. Seeing where clusters are, what balls are around the clusters, getting a general idea of where balls are.

Then, you decide to shoot the one ball with the three in mind. Now, when you're shooting the two ball are you thinking about the four? If you're only thinking about the three, what if you get to the three and realize you have no good way to get to the 4?

Plus, I'm trying to run racks using mostly natural angles - not having to spin into shape because I feel like that's going to hold me back from getting even better in the long run.

wHCKfxk.jpg


You step to the table and this is your lay-out. Ball in hand, what do you do to run this rack?
 
I can't understand why anyone would work backward in a rotation game.

Working backwards in 8-ball or 14.1 is helpful to a point because there is one ball that a player wants to shoot last (or leave for a breakout), but many different sequences to get there. Thus in these games working backwards will help eliminate some of the sequences and maybe highlight the easiest of the sequences.

In rotation games, there is only one ball that you will shoot before the natural moneyball. The only thing that matters is getting the correct shape on the previous ball so you can leave an easy last ball.

I don't plan racks, I look for clusters, breakouts and other trouble. Back when I was playing many hours every day I would see the whole table at a glance and would know how to play everything, including the order, shape, breakouts, etc..
 
I look at the entire table layout. I'll look for the problem balls first.. Does every ball have a clear pocket?
Do I have to travel up and down the table early in the game? Are there clusters that need to be broken?

There may be balls I'll want to leave for my opponent to deal with.... And knowing when to play a safety.
.
 
PoolBum said:
I at least have an idea of what I want to do with the entire rack before I shoot the first ball. Then I adapt as necessary as I run the balls.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing.
Step 1: plan out every move before I take my first shot
Step 2:,follow the plan as long as I can. When the plan won't work any longer, I go back to Step 1.

I don't think I play slowly, but I think "deliberate" would be a fair assessment.
 
Zphix said:
Then, you decide to shoot the one ball with the three in mind. Now, when you're shooting the two ball are you thinking about the four?
Click to expand...

^^ yes, exactly


and......

Shoot 1B into upper side pocket, slight follow to get bigger angle on 2b
Shoot 2b into upper left corner, drawing down toward lower side pocket
Shoot 3b into lower right corner, come off rail towards upper side pocket
Shoot 4b into upper right corner, try to draw back toward foot spot
Cut 5b into lower left corner, bounce off bottom rail to middle of table
Shoot 6b into lower left corner, bouncing off rail toward 8 ball
Shoot 7b into lower left corner, bouncing off bottom rail, leaving almost straight in on the 8
Shoot 8 into upper right corner, follow CB to upper rail
Shoot 9b into upper right corner


edit - OR , with BIH.....combo 1 ball into 9 ball, game over :)
 
Last edited:
Zphix said:
Haven't read anything I haven't already tried or still do - my fault with this post though. One day I will have to work on getting past this feeling I get when people tell me things I already know and give me advice I already use =P

Anyway, the most common advice I see is "think in three ball patterns," or something to that affect. I see a problem with this advice no matter how you use it.

Obviously, most of us on this site are above average players and will probably look at the entire table before shooting. Seeing where clusters are, what balls are around the clusters, getting a general idea of where balls are.

Then, you decide to shoot the one ball with the three in mind. Now, when you're shooting the two ball are you thinking about the four? If you're only thinking about the three, what if you get to the three and realize you have no good way to get to the 4?

Plus, I'm trying to run racks using mostly natural angles - not having to spin into shape because I feel like that's going to hold me back from getting even better in the long run.

You step to the table and this is your lay-out. Ball in hand, what do you do to run this rack?
Click to expand...

This is exactly why you want to look at the whole table in rotation games. You picked a nice layout to demonstrate this.

With BIH this is what I would try to do. Rarely will everything go as planned and you improvise as you go, but the key to this is getting on the 4 straight enough to get on the right side of the 5.

Here's what I would try on a tight table. On a loose table I might do it differently. Of course there are many options and many different ways to get on the balls. It's a matter of choosing the most open routes to avoid collisions and getting hooked, and using the most "doable" shots.
 

Attachments

  • Table 1 capture.JPG
    Table 1 capture.JPG
    63.1 KB · Views: 266
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top