Since relocating to Florida and having more time on my hands, I’ve started to play seriously again. And with the rise in real pro tour events in the U.S., I’m preparing like I haven’t in many years. And I told myself, if I say I’m going to go and play on the Predator Pro Tour, I’m either going all out or not at all.

I will admit that bank shots and kick shots have always been weak spots in my game. I know I have to learn how to bank better and kick better. So, recently, for the first time in 42 years of playing pool, I went to the local poolroom and practiced bank shots for four hours. I have to say, the changes have been stunning and I’m embarrassed that it’s taken this long to improve in these areas.

One of the things I realized is that for years I was too busy trying to use reference systems for banks shots instead of just shooting the shot over and over, and experimenting with left English, right English, center balls, etc., to watch the ball’s trajectory off the rail. I simply shoot the shot straight into the rail and manipulate its exit angle with spin.

For starters, the table I practice on plays short. So, if you draw a line from one of the corner pockets to the middle diamond and then to the opposite side rail, a ball hit along that line will come up short. I was actually coming in a ball or ball and a half short, and the ball would double bank into the opposite pocket. When I use the same line, however, and add left English, the ball goes right into the pocket. There is no aiming adjustment. I’m still aiming for the same spot on the rail.

Then I started experimenting with the speed of the shot. When I hit the shot really hard, it came in short by a good distance. I adjusted the aim to a spot just beyond the diamond and made it 10 times in a row. I also started using draw and follow to make the shot.

The best way to practice when learning banks is to draw the line to the diamond and mark where the cue ball and object ball position. (Note: Make sure to keep the object ball a few ball widths off the rail. Balls that are too close to the rail won’t give you the proper feedback. They need time to pick up forward roll.) Then start experimenting. Use moderate speed at the start to find where the natural angle takes the object ball.

Now you can start experimenting with speed and spin and noting what impact those have on the object ball’s path off the rail.

Change the aiming point slightly when you want to overcut the ball and hit it harder. This trial and error will be a great help. It’s so important to make sure that you understand the equipment you’re playing on.