Simple Test

[BeiberLvr]

Nothing new here, but perhaps some may have never done this deceptive little drill.

Set up an object ball hanging in the side pocket. Put the cue ball in the center of the table. Make the object ball, and draw back to scratch in the opposite side pocket.

It's a great way to test your alignment/stroke, regardless of the method you aim with, and it gives instant feedback. For me, the cue ball was constantly drawing back to the right.

For a greater challenge, replace the cue ball with a striped ball to make sure you aren't putting any spin on the ball. Since it's still possible to draw in a straight line with spin.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Nothing new here, but perhaps some may have never done this deceptive little drill.

Set up an object ball hanging in the side pocket. Put the cue ball in the center of the table. Make the object ball, and draw back to scratch in the opposite side pocket.

It's a great way to test your alignment/stroke, regardless of the method you aim with, and it gives instant feedback. For me, the cue ball was constantly drawing back to the right.

For a greater challenge, replace the cue ball with a striped ball to make sure you aren't putting any spin on the ball. Since it's still possible to draw in a straight line with spin.

Here's a deceptively easy-looking version of this:

Spot an object ball in the center of the table - mark the spot so you can replace the ball there after each shot.

Take cue ball in hand and place it for a straight shot to the side pocket.

Shoot the shot and play position for another shot in either side pocket (straight follow or draw).

Leave the CB where it lies, respot the OB and shoot again (into either side pocket).

You can use the rails for position if needed.

How many shots do you think you can make before getting so far out of line you miss? Bet it's fewer than you think.

pj
chgo

 

[Neil]

Nothing new here, but perhaps some may have never done this deceptive little drill.

Set up an object ball hanging in the side pocket. Put the cue ball in the center of the table. Make the object ball, and draw back to scratch in the opposite side pocket.

It's a great way to test your alignment/stroke, regardless of the method you aim with, and it gives instant feedback. For me, the cue ball was constantly drawing back to the right.

For a greater challenge, replace the cue ball with a striped ball to make sure you aren't putting any spin on the ball. Since it's still possible to draw in a straight line with spin.

When you get that drill down pat, try this one- put the cb just in front of the rack spot. Place an ob dead center of the table. Shoot the ob with a stop shot and have the ob go to the end rail, back to hit the cb, and the cb then come back and hit the tip of your cue. ( you will have to carefully draw a line on the table that is 90 degrees from the end rail, or the ob won't return down the same path on a good hit)

That drill will keep anyone busy for quite a while. It's probably the ultimate in masochistic drills. But, it does have good benefits to it.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

When you get that drill down pat, try this one- put the cb just in front of the rack spot. Place an ob dead center of the table. Shoot the ob with a stop shot and have the ob go to the end rail, back to hit the cb, and the cb then come back and hit the tip of your cue. ( you will have to carefully draw a line on the table that is 90 degrees from the end rail, or the ob won't return down the same path on a good hit)

That drill will keep anyone busy for quite a while. It's probably the ultimate in masochistic drills. But, it does have good benefits to it.

Yeah, I've heard of that one, Neil - but I'm afraid to try it!

lol

pj
chgo

 

[(((Satori)))]

When you get that drill down pat, try this one- put the cb just in front of the rack spot. Place an ob dead center of the table. Shoot the ob with a stop shot and have the ob go to the end rail, back to hit the cb, and the cb then come back and hit the tip of your cue. ( you will have to carefully draw a line on the table that is 90 degrees from the end rail, or the ob won't return down the same path on a good hit)

That drill will keep anyone busy for quite a while. It's probably the ultimate in masochistic drills. But, it does have good benefits to it.

Thats brutal!

I read about a training principle one time that I call the 40 to 80 principle.

This is a simple formula to use for optimum practice based on an individuals skill level. To use it you simply work on something that you can do 40% of the time until you can do it 80% of the time... then you make the drill harder. For example, if you can beat the x ball ghost 40% of the time then that is the number you need to play until you can consistantly beat it 80% of the time then you add another ball.

The principle is said to put you in that perfect area of struggle to where the task is not to easy but not too difficult... just outside of your comfort zone. If your practice is too easy then you will not improve and if it is too tough you will lose confidence, get frustrated, and quit, doing more harm than good.

The principle is effective if used properly. And you can use this principle to work just about any skill or any drill... just use your imagination to make the task easier or harder as needed.

 

[Neil]

Thats brutal!

I read about a training principle one time that I call the 40 to 80 principle.

This is a simple formula to use for optimum practice based on an individuals skill level. To use it you simply work on something that you can do 40% of the time until you can do it 80% of the time... then you make the drill harder. For example, if you can beat the x ball ghost 40% of the time then that is the number you need to play until you can consistantly beat it 80% of the time then you add another ball.

The principle is said to put you in that perfect area of struggle to where the task is not to easy but not too difficult... just outside of your comfort zone. If your practice is too easy then you will not improve and if it is too tough you will lose confidence, get frustrated, and quit, doing more harm than good.

The principle is effective if used properly. And you can use this principle to work just about any skill or any drill... just use your imagination to make the task easier or harder as needed.

That's very true. You don't want to be getting frustrated doing drills. And, the one I described will do that if you aren't utilizing it properly. I'm not looking to see how many times I can do it, but I am doing it to analyze my procedure. I also look at the chalk mark on the cb afterwards to check exactly where I hit the cb. Then I can know if my stroke was off, or my aim was off. Either will cause you to fail in that drill. You have to hit it perfectly to succeed. (not going to happen very often)

Sometimes though, things just happen when they are supposed to. Last week, I was having a student try this drill. After a few attempts, they asked me to try it. I got it on the first shot!

When you start breaking things down doing that drill, you start to notice things you might have thought were unimportant. Such as, using a slow final draw back and slight pause before you let the shot go. Really makes a difference. The drill is all about accuracy, and that is also what the game is about. Tough drill, and, as stated, you can't look at it as how many you can do in a row, but for analyzing everything to get the best results. Even coming near your tip on the return roll is a pretty good stroke. Good enough for high level play.

 

[jburkm002]

Good drills. I would also add in straight in shots with english. Create longer and longer straight in shots with side spin. Straight in shots with center english might not show flaws when side spin is applied. May be your stroke, how you apply english BHE, FHE, PARALLEL or your cue.

 

[tonythetiger583]

I really like Bert Kinister's 3 drills for the: Short Game, Middle Game, and Long Game.

There's variation, so it doesn't get as boring.

Short Game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9bws47rM-A

starts at 3 minutes

So you set up the formation the same time each time, but set them up in any order and try run them out in order. It's actually fun.