At the amateur level, cue ball control is often an undervalued, and under-exercised tool. Players understand that they need to be able to get their cue ball to travel around the table from shot to shot, but they usually fail to give enough attention to the concept during practice – instead focusing on accuracy, or purely on improving their maximum draw, follow or spin. Here is a great technique you can use during your practice sessions to help you focus on your cue ball positioning skills. I call it Target Practice Pool.
- Simply cut some plain white paper into 4″x4″ squares or circles and take them with you the next time you go off to shoot pool.
- Set up at least 3 object balls with the intent to shoot from one to the next to the next.
- Place your white paper targets at the positions you want to reach for each shot, positions that will most easily help you travel from one shot to the next.
- Give yourself ball in hand on the first object ball and choose a particular kind of shot you’d like to practice – i.e. thin slice, straight draw, angled follow, center w/side-spin, whatever.
- Shoot! Take your shot with a focus not only on making it successfully, but also specifically on getting the cue ball to land on the paper targets (or as close as possible).
There are many, many factors that need to be studied, and practiced, when learning how to play pool. Controlling your cue ball is more important than being able to make difficult shots because if your control is very good, you will never HAVE TO make difficult shots. Giving yourself one easy shot after another is a surefire way to win your game! You do not need to know how to play pool like a pro to be successful in your amateur pool league. You just need to know how to play smart, and Target Practice Pool can help you play smarter than ever.