Improving positional play

[travisbickle]

a coach gave me this exercise, make a chalk mark for the white so you are in the same position each shot, and work through the line attempting to hit them and as you get better go through the gaps, and work from both sides of the black as well.
You can move the white to another spot as you get better, making a new chalk mark for that sequence.
This helped me work out how to play the white to get the position I wanted off the black and cushion

I do something similar.
Very good exercise for good CB control in & around the pack.
This also comes in handy when spliting the pack up in the right spot.

[DeanH]

I do something similar.
Very good exercise for good CB control in & around the pack.
This also comes in handy when spliting the pack up in the right spot.

yep I often make the yellow and blue the bottom outer reds of the triangle, so I use the space between to simulate the bottom row of the triangle. better than resetting the triangle of 15 reds after every shot

[travisbickle]

yep I often make the yellow and blue the bottom outer reds of the triangle, so I use the space between to simulate the bottom row of the triangle. better than resetting the triangle of 15 reds after every shot

Yep lol.
I used to use the tournament champion box the balls came in, but that soon gets annoying for other players

[DeanH]

I know of someone who used to use the triangle (wooden) itself for pack striking practise, did not take long for him to be told in no-uncertain terms where to go from others across the hall

I have used just the point reds when focussing on this shot - much quieter

[travisbickle]

I know of someone who used to use the triangle (wooden) itself for pack striking practise, did not take long for him to be told in no-uncertain terms where to go from others across the hall

I have used just the point reds when focussing on this shot - much quieter

Yep I bet lol

It's the two end reds that are the most important anyway when splitting the pack

[Huggy75]

Forgot to include it
Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvitu7adib8

Brilliant. Thanks for this.

[Csmith]

I've learned a lot by studying the cue ball paths the pros take. I think as a amatuers, many of us make very low percentage choices in our positional play and as a result breaks tend to end because we didn't leave ourselves a good opportunity to continue. Watching how the pros use the rails, nudge balls and use side allows me to improve my margin for error.

Similarly, when I try a new practice routine, I try to find an example of it being completed perfectly (or nearly perfect) on YouTube and copy their shot selection. I was completely stuck on the cross drill (reds are shaped like a X) until I saw it done.

[ace man]

My favourite is just clearing all 6 colours with ball in hand. Somehow I feel that this one forces you to use lots of types of shots, especially if you have to pot a recovery shot every once in a while...
Try it on an unfamiliar table. Then it gets really tricky.

[travisbickle]

Another one I do is put all the balls evenly spaced down the middle of the table i.e.,baulk/top cushion, then pot them in order using no cushions.
CB has to be really tight to complete this

[JimMalone]

My favourite is just clearing all 6 colours with ball in hand. Somehow I feel that this one forces you to use lots of types of shots, especially if you have to pot a recovery shot every once in a while...
Try it on an unfamiliar table. Then it gets really tricky.

I once talked with a few pros and this was one exercise they recommended me as well to improve my positional play. They also said I should add one red to it before.

[travisbickle]

My favourite is just clearing all 6 colours with ball in hand. Somehow I feel that this one forces you to use lots of types of shots, especially if you have to pot a recovery shot every once in a while...
Try it on an unfamiliar table. Then it gets really tricky.

Colours on their spots you mean?

[ace man]

Colours on their spots you mean?

Yes of course. Looks simple enough, but get one angle wrong, and then you're in trouble.

[howardlax]

Good practice

setting yourself goals is key at this stage and the lineup is a must imo, and dont stop until youve cleared it.
this black routine is also a top workout for concentration timing and getting to know the top/black cushion, and if youve not got much time its perfect. again set yourself goals of 10/20/50/100.

The only similarity between your practice and mine are 6:30 ....

[j6uk]

The only similarity between your practice and mine are 6:30 ....

22.45 i do it again on 99.. we need more practice.

[Catch 22]

I know of someone who used to use the triangle (wooden) itself for pack striking practise, did not take long for him to be told in no-uncertain terms where to go from others across the hall

I have used just the point reds when focussing on this shot - much quieter

I use the triangle, but I fill it with the reds and roll up my cue towel and place it along the back of the pack.

Silent every time