Fergal Obrien 10 reds routine.

[dpdubai]

Does anyone practice this routine? And if so I've got a question:
http://fergalobrien.ie/practice14.html

The example shows fergal potting the first red and finishing 3/4 ball on the black, most likely followed by a stun back off the top cushion for position on the next red in line.

I've only tried the routine a few times but this is the way I've played it, I assume this is the correct way?

I mean finishing straight to screw back off the side cushion is not really the purpose of the drill?

And coming through the center off the table to leave choice of reds may seem logical but in a frame that area would be cluttered with the pack so you wouldnt do that either?

[Terry Davidson]

The object of this exercise is pretty simple. As long as the area is not cluttered with reds the correct position on the black to get to anywhere on the table is roughly a 3/4-pot and that way you have the option of getting the cueball anywhere, including the yellow.

So where you can, even in a line-up exercise, always play for that 3/4-black off the spot

Terry

[dpdubai]

The object of this exercise is pretty simple. As long as the area is not cluttered with reds the correct position on the black to get to anywhere on the table is roughly a 3/4-pot and that way you have the option of getting the cueball anywhere, including the yellow.

So where you can, even in a line-up exercise, always play for that 3/4-black off the spot

Terry

Thanks Terry informative as always.

I've been working on the zig-zag routine you told me about for break-building.
So far my highest is 56.

But heres the thing, and I'll probably get another slap on the wrist here:

But I've saw Jimmy White do this drill on Absolute snooker and I must confess I tend to play this low on the black with stun and screw alot. Thats the way I've seen him do it and it works for my game also.

Is this technically wrong to play low on the black here?
I know you have less options than top side but it seems like a simpler shot, the cue ball travels less and generally more on the line of position.

I notice some pro's play low on the black more than others, the two that stick in my mind are Jimmy and Stephen Hendry.

Is this an area where there is a right and wrong in breakbuilding or is it just whatever your natural game is comfortable with you will do the most?

[Terry Davidson]

Nothing wrong with playing low on the black, but there are 2 problems you won't encounter if you do the 3/4-ball blacks.

First of all, you can't get to a red nearer the cushion than the black if you always play low unless yo go in and out of baulk with a power shot.

The other problem is with just a little error in positional play you might get TOO low and not be able to keep the cueball down in the black/pink area and again you have to go in and out of baulk.

These situations never arise with the 3/4-option

Terry

[dpdubai]

Nothing wrong with playing low on the black, but there are 2 problems you won't encounter if you do the 3/4-ball blacks.

First of all, you can't get to a red nearer the cushion than the black if you always play low unless yo go in and out of baulk with a power shot.

The other problem is with just a little error in positional play you might get TOO low and not be able to keep the cueball down in the black/pink area and again you have to go in and out of baulk.

These situations never arise with the 3/4-option

Terry

So you would go 3/4 high as much as possible then, right thanks Terry that clears up my question.