Practicing Basic Shots & Shotmaking

Since my biggest issue in pool is shot making consistency, I came up with this drill for me. I figured since there are 15 balls in a rack, it should take no more than 15 shots to clear the table. One shot, one ball in a pocket,sometimes more depending on the shot.

We now have probably read a lot of topics or drills about draw and that many of us have acquired the knowledge on how to execute this shot properly (applying factors such as proper stroke, precise low CB hit, loose grip, levelled cue etc...). But how straight is your draw? Have you ever find yourself in a situation where you needed to have a straight draw in order to have a good position for the next ball but ended up having an angled-draw & gone out of shape?

This is draw control practice (you can also apply this drill for follow). See diagram below.

Here is a good way to get the draw shot down pat or to get better at it. Just remember to stroke straight through the bottom of the cue ball, and only one tip or so under the center. Always keep the stick straight. OK here's the drill. See if you can do A then B then C.

In the diagram below, place 9 balls along the side-pockets then place the cue ball in the lower or upper right side of the table at level A or line A for a straight in shot at the first ball.

This drill will introduce to what is known as Contact Throw. As stated in the lesson More about Throw, Contact Throw happens when the cue ball collides with the object ball. Note that Contact Throw is different from Spin or English Throw.

This simple drill will help you get familiarized in pocketing this kind of shot whether the object ball is near the cue ball or farther down the middle of the table. Here, you'll notice that you have to adjust the aiming point (or contact point) on the CB when you switch pocketing the OB from the left corner-pocket to the right corner pocket (or vice versa). Exercise this shot at varying speeds (soft, medium, hard) but never use any side-spin. This type of drill is only meant to build your confidence & enhance your pocketing skills.