A Great Speed Drill

Today I want to look at a great speed exercise that will frustrate you, and at the same time, bring up your level of speed control! Set up this shot:

Now what I want you to do is pick a speed in your mind and arm and a tip height that you think will get the cue ball to the square, and then try it. Where did you end up?

Hit 4 more with that predetermined speed and tip height. How did you do?

Did your 5 shots cluster in one area? This means that your speed and tip height are consistent.

Did your cluster fall in the square? This means that your visualized shot and executed shot are in sync. That's a good thing.

Now what if you aren't able to imagine the shot and then do it? Let's work on that.

This next shot is harder because you will not be rolling the cue ball. Imagining the correct speed and tip height and then executing it is a lot tougher than just rolling the cue ball. Here is the shot:

Again imagine the tip position on the cue ball and speed you need to pocket the 1 and get the cue ball to the square. Now shoot the shot 5 times and evaluate.

First, do all your shots cluster in one place? Next is that cluster near the square target?

If you are not clustering the cue balls with your preselected speed and tip position, you need to work on some basic speed drills. If you have a good cluster, but not reaching the square, work on adjusting your speed/tip height so that you now can get the cue ball into the target zone. This is a tough exercise, but I think you will like the results. Soon you will be able to imagine a shot and make it happen! Now that is pool at a high level!

By: Mark Powell, PBIA Master Instructor.