The Best Pool Drill??

Gregg said:
First off, listen to Bob Jewett before a nitwit like me.

Second, the drill that I feel kept my focus and improved my game over the past few years is a drill found on Burt Kinister's "The Short Game".

Try to runout in rotation, comming off the back rail first;
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I will thrown in my agreement for "The Short Game." Keep in mind that the diagram Gregg provided is the simplest form of the drill. There is a lot more to it. Kinister's tapes have caught some flack for not having enough material on them. In some cases this is true. In this case, I think "The short game" is well worth the price. The drill and the harder forms could be covered in about 15 minutes, but the advice Bert gives while the student is working on the drill in the tape is very good. The gist of the drills is learning to use the rails to control shape by getting on the correct side of the ball each time. If you just have the layout and simply try to "get out" each time, you are really missing the point of the drill. As he says on the tape, he is not interested in you making recovery shots with these drills.

In addition, get "The Middle Game" and "The Long Game". Very good series. The last tape in the series "Putting It All Together", can be passed on.
 
Neil said:
I assume that line was directed at me. Thanks for the respect in your reply.
Now I will explain why I said that. It seems like you are looking for that "magic" drill that will jump your game up a few notches. I'll let you in on a little secret. They all will, and none of them will. Confused yet? No matter what the drill is, you will only get out of it what you put into it. In other words, the fastest road to improvement is to pay attention. And I mean REALLY pay attention to every shot. Right after the shot you should be able in your minds-eye to picture EXACTLY where you hit that cue-ball and object ball. NOT where you THINK you hit it, but precisely where you did. And then you will know that hit like this, the cue-ball goes here. ect. ect. Do you realy understand what I am saying? This gives your mind the feedback it MUST have to repeat that same shot again and again. If you don't KNOW what you are doing, every shot basically becomes a first time shot. Many use drills, but don't pay attention. Then say drills don't help. Whatever drill shots you use,( and I recommend areas you are weak in), don't just shoot the shot until you make it 50%-60% of the time. Shoot it until you don't miss it. I tend to believe drills are best for position learning and mastering a shot you feel you should make, but have trouble with. There is only one shot that is the same every time you shoot it( and because of that, I feel it should never be missed), and that is a straight-in shot. Every other shot has variables to it. You want what I think is the best drill? It's a two parter from Bert Kinnister. Straight in shot, stop the cueball DEAD. NO movement whatsoever. Second, set the cueball and object ball in a straight line between the opposite far corner pockets and draw the cueball back into the corner pocket. It is impossible without a pure hit. This shot will show you how good your fundamentals really are. Play close attention and it will give you a great stroke.
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I am sorry about any confusion on my last post I mean No disrespect I was just hoping that this thread would be a collection of everyone's favorite drills and tools that have increased there game and overall confidence to the highest level of play. Rather than people giving helpful advice to me although I do appreciate it greatly. I have used many drills in my time and I was hopping to offer some expertise in this area to beginners and in the process pick up some of the tricks from the great players in the forum.
Once again sorry for the confusion...
And thank you for the advice I will definatly put that drill to work and see just how sound my shot is.
 
I'm not sure how accurate this is (someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong):

Right goes left and left goes right. If you hit the cue ball with right english, it will 'throw' the object ball to the left. By cheating the pocket and using running english, you can often 'create' an angle for straight in shots. It takes practice to get it right but once you get the whole 'opposite' concept, it will help you out a lot.

CueTable Help

 
The things which have helped me the most...

When there is a shot and I think "I hate these shots". Well that is the shot to set up and practice over and over! It is difficult and frustrating. But with tons of practice, I get better at these shots. After several months, I am able to make them* and it begins to be fun to shoot them.

*I also learn that some shots like combos with a long distance between the object balls are very low percentage and are best to be avoided. So practicing difficult shots can also teach you which shots to avoid.

Then I take paper and pencil to tournaments. When I miss a shot which costs me a match, I diagram it on the paper while it is still fresh in my memory. Then I go home and practice that shot.

Other than that, "progressive drills" are very good. Move the cue ball further and further back. Or move the object ball further and further back. You learn that this REALLY can change things like with draw shots.
 
MichaelKendall said:
Does anyone have some advise or rules mabey tricks if you will for shooting right and left english shots?
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Yea, don't use english!* You can do a lot with follow, stop (stun), and draw.

*Until you understand cue ball deflection (squirt), where the "pivot point" is on your cue, backhand english, low deflection cues, swerve, and throw.
 
I have a simple practice drill that I use when I lose the ability to cut frozen balls or my CB gets wild. This really heightens my senses for the edges of the balls and helps me refine my CB speed.

I start with a setup like page 1 and try to run out (you may shoot any ball at any time). Once I can clear that :) , I move on to the setup on page 2 :) . If I clear that, I try page 3...which I have never cleared :mad: .

http://CueTable.com/P/?@4AayV4BbFo1...HbEy3IbNB3JbOe3KHQk4LHQk4MbIK1NbIO3ObIT2PAID@

I also love the shot below (I stole the wei table from above). This shot will immediately reveal any alignment issues. It helps me to remember to relax my shooting arm & wrist too...too rigid and the ball will consistently miss to one side or another. When I'm in good stroke, I will make this shot about 10-12 times out of 15. My bests are 14 of 15 on triple-shims and 15 of 15 on a moderate table. I'm shooting a similar shot in the second vid in my sig.

CueTable Help

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