[IROCK]

Do any of you set the balls up as they are in some pro match you have on DVD and run the balls out the same way they do?
Or possibly change something that works better for you. If any of you have done this, has it been
beneficial. Are there any especially good matches that you use that you think are more helpful?

[MitchAlsup]

I have a couple of pattern games, where I preposition the balls in a patern and then BIH and run the table (we most of the time i screw up somewhere around 10-12 balls in, but the table is runable...)

a) Close order drill: Place all the balls (15) in the center of the table 1.5 to 2 ball widths away from each other, give yourself BIH and run them off. This drill teaches delicate position shots in a crowded atmosphere.

Open order drill: as above but place the balls 3 ball widths apart more openly on the table. Give yourself BIH and run them out. To increase dificulty (if this one becomes easy) shoot the drill in rotation order--even playing safeties against your alter ego.

c) 8-ball pattern drill: Place the 8-ball on center spot, place 2 solids and 2 stripes in a dimaond patern 3/4 to 1 diamond from the 8-ball. Then place 2 stripes in line with the en rail across from the solid and vice verso. Then place 2 solids another 3/4 to 1 diamond towards the end rail and vice verso, finally place the last stripe on head spot and solid on foot spot. Give yourself BIH and run the table in 8-ball fasion (stripes in order then solids in order or vice versa).

One such patter and part of one way to run this is shown in:
http://CueTable.com/P/?@2AKVI4BFQi3CLSB3DF...mBvc4mIaD4mQbk@

In all of the above drills place the balls only approximately where they belong and you get a differnt look and challenge each rack. All of these become easier as your ability to manouver the cue ball with accuracy and delicacy increases. When it gets easy, adjust the ball position to make it harder (tighter, looser, more blocked shots, clusters).

[Pin]

I believe cue table run regular cometitions where they ask people to video themselves running out a certain spread.

I love the idea - I think it's a good learning tool.


I think another good learning tool is setting up a specific situation and trying a couple of different options for how to deal with it - that might mean setting up one shot a few times, or experimenting with ways to attack a rack.