When players think about safety play, they tend to think primarily about hiding the cue ball behind another object ball. But safety play is about much more than cue ball control. Last issue, I talked about the importance of controlling cue ball speed in safety play, but this month I’m going to focus on controlling the speed of the object ball. Controlling the object ball can be every bit as effective as hiding the cue ball. Hall of Famer Buddy Hall once pointed out to me that the reason a lot of players fail on safety shots is because they think only in terms of hiding the cue ball. That’s not always the case. You don’t always have an angle that allows you to do that. Buddy said, “Always do whatever comes easiest to you.” That means if the cue ball is by the spot and the object ball is in the middle of the table, hitting the object ball right up to the bottom rail will force your opponent to shoot a tough bank shot.

When I learn something, like safety play, I like to expand on it as much as I can. So, I developed a practice drill in which the goal is to transfer all the energy from the cue ball to the object ball, and stop the object ball as close to the rail as possible.

For this drill, I place the cue ball a diamond from the top rail and place an object ball on the headstring. From a foot away, you have to hit the object ball to the end rail, making sure it doesn’t come off the rail more than 3 or 4 inches. After you master that shot, keep the cue ball in the same spot, but move the object ball a foot farther away. Practice the speed from that distance. Keep adjusting from different distances. When you are faced with a situation in which you have to drive an object ball to a rail, you will have a much better feel for how to hit the shot. Again, the object is to transfer all the energy from the cue ball to the object ball. The cue ball should stop where contact is made. This is a safety option that players don’t thing about enough. Learn to recognize these opportunities and master the execution, and your safety game will be even more effective.