Practice Basic Position Play

Greetings! I hope that the breaking techniques I gave last time were of some benefit to you. We now move on to some short range pocketing and positioning drills. A few years back, I came across a book entitled "Shoot Pool" which I purchased during some vacation time in Singapore. It was authored by Mr. Ian Pannell, an authority on both pool and snooker in far off England. He clearly emphasized in his book, the importance of "pace control" and its proper application during practice sessions and game play. How true, whichever way it swings, be it playing for a key positional shot in running out or playing a good safety shot. Try shooting the cue ball down the length of the table a few times and see if you can get the feel of how fast the cloth may be and how strong the rails react. Always do this before playing or during practice sessions, it will give you a good warm up for what to expect during game play. I know of some Filipino pros who make it some sort of ritual before engaging in hard fought money games, so should you, if you desire to achieve victory with every encounter. Only LOSERS complain that the table was responsible for their loss. Remember, it will always be your responsibility to check the standard of playability of any pool table you wish to play on.

This drill is a good drill for position play. First set up either 9 or all 15 balls in a circle in the middle of the table. For begginers you should start with the 9 balls. Now when all the balls are set up in a circle in the middle of the table, place the cue ball in the center of the circle. Now to get started with the drill. take aim at any of the balls on the table and try to pocket it, but the cue ball may NOT hit any other balls. If the cue ball does make contact with a ballyou have to start over. Keep trying this drill until you can pocket either most of the balls or all of them. This drill is made for position play and if you can master it, you are one hell of a position player.

Set up the shot as illustrated. Practice leaving the cue ball at point A. When you can do that perfectly, practice leaving the cue ball at point B.

Set up a straight in shot to the corner pocket. Practice drawing the cue ball to point A. Once you can do that at will, draw to point B, then once you can do that draw to point C. It might help to place a piece of paper on the table in each spot.