Ok so next practice routine.......

[dpdubai]

I'm making pretty good progress with my cue action, 9 times out of ten if i concentrate and go through my routine i can either pot or at the very worst hit the jaws on long straight pots. I'm still keen to keep this as the corner stone of my practice routine but I want to improve the break building aspect of my game. I think i understand shot selection but the thing i need to improve most I think is cue ball control. Now i can screwback or follow through a shot the full length of the table so i have no problem with that technique more the finer touch shots and judgement i think.

Any good drills for improving close control of cue ball?
Line up i feel is too easy and mis-leading as a gauge for improvement

Thanks

[gettingbetter]

What type of long-potting drill you do? Is it the 15 reds across the middle of the table or is just long straight pots on the blue spot? I need to start doing that more often.

As for break-buidling, these two are tops:

http://fergalobrien.ie/practice4.html: try using three reds at first and make sure that they are covering each other. You always hear commentators say 'ooh, he's finished too straight on the black,' you'll understand why.

http://fergalobrien.ie/practice6.html

[gettingbetter]

Another one which is often overlood - blacks off the spot (and maintaining records - Eddie Charlton says that he used to do 200 in a row as a practice drill).

[dpdubai]

Thanks getting better, I've seen a variation on the 7 reds 7 blacks drill done by alan mcmanus on the absolute snooker dvd. He keeps using the cushion to play top side of all the balls which is apparently the purpose of the drill the way he plays it. The link you posted doesn't mention that?

So I'm assuming it's ok to finish low on the black and stun up for another red?
Though obviously you would have to always make sure you still finish top side of the reds for position on the black?

Also I already incorporate the "how many blacks" drill though I normally just stop when I hit 10 in a row. I should just keep going then and see where I get to thanks.

I really like the pink ball routine too, I think between these three drills I can have a good 2 hour slot of positional practice.

Oh and yes I take on 15 reds into the bottom pockets from the blue spot with the white dead straight from the baulk line. I do this for around an hour at the start of every practice session. Right now it's really the cornerstone of my entire game because it ensures straight cueing especially when you have a tough pot from the cush or a deep screw shot when you really need to bring the cue through straight.

My record is 8 out of 15 and I wobble most of the ones I miss no matter what. Try it, its excellent for overall cue action and shot preparation routine.

All the best

[gettingbetter]

Thanks for that, I might have to go see a coach about my cueing soon - finish my exams today, so now is a good a chance as any.

I never knew that about the 7 reds routine, about finishing high. I usually under hit it. Also, when stunning up, try and make sure that you don't cannon into anything, but it often works once the first red is potted.

Have fun, the pinks routine is rather tough and let me know if you favour one side, I tend to pot the reds on the green side last. Add to that, I've seen Mark Selby do a variation on that routine where he does not have the 3 reds going down the table.