Cue-Ball Control Drills

The cue-ball control drills are where you use speed and top, bottom, or side spin to send the cue-ball on different post-contact paths to hit specific target balls. It teaches you what spin and speed actually do to the cue-ball after contact. To master these drills, you must understand and apply the 30°, 90°, and trisect principles.

Line Drill

Set the cue-ball and 9-ball in the fixed positions shown. Place target balls 1 through 8 in their marked spots along the head (or foot) string. Pocket the 9-ball, then send the cue-ball to hit a called target ball using a 1-rail or 2-rail path with top, bottom, or side spin as needed.

Wagon Wheel Drill

Set one object ball one diamond away from the side pocket. Place target balls on the rail at each diamond and in front of both corner pockets on one side of the table. Starting with ball in hand on each shot, pocket the object ball, then send the cue-ball to contact a called target ball without contacting any other target balls. The cue-ball may contact the rail immediately before striking the target ball, but it may not use a rail-first kick to reach the target. For example, you may not strike the long rail first to then contact a target ball on the short rail.