Here’s four basic positional shots for beginners.

Here’s a drill I use for students to get them to understand the importance of cue ball position and patterns. You need to get comfortable with finding those gaps without fear of bumping balls. This drill focuses on four shots that come up in every game. Once you understand cue ball control and position, you’ll become obsessed with all the amazing things you can do with the cue ball. Then, the game becomes all about execution.
Each shot gets a little harder, but if you work at it, you’ll really start enjoying working with the cue ball. I see too many amateurs lose the cue ball time after time because they don’t practice little things like this.
There are two versions of this drill. We’ll go over one in this issue and the other next month.
All four shots start with the 9 frozen and/or just off the rail. You’re not allowed to bump a ball. For all shots, the cue ball should be a half diamond from the short rail and one diamond from the long rail. The cue ball is not allowed to pass the center of the table.
Diagram One shows Shot 1 and Shot 2. For Shot 1, depending on the rails, a good tip of high left English. For Shot 2, high right English but just a half tip, especially on newer cloth. On old cloth you might be able to get away with no English. Experiment with this shot to understand the table.




Diagram Two shows Shot 3. Again, the cloth makes a big difference. On new/fast cloth, I play this just below center with a quarter tip of right. One worn cloth, probably a half tip. Don’t let up on your stroke but remember you can’t cross the center of the table.
Use bottom right on Shot 4 (Diagram Three). Amateurs may wonder why I suggest aiming so low. If you don’t hit low enough you won’t get the bite you need and end up bumping a ball. Aim low but don’t hit the ball too hard. And don’t give up on the shot. Practice this shot and you’ll understand what I mean.