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Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball

This is an extremely difficult drill to master control of the cue ball while moving it up and down the table to get into position for the next shot.

Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball

This cue ball control drill is sometimes called the 1 - 10 drill, and is very difficult to master. Many pros have trouble with this one and if you can do 8 of the 10 balls, consider yourself a very highly skilled pool player.

Billiard 1 to 10 Drill Setup

Using balls 1 through 10 (or any balls, it doesn't matter), set up the 5 balls on each side of the table as shown in the billiard cue ball control drill diagram below.

On the first side, line up the odd-numbered balls 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 up with the first sight to the adjacent to the side pocket. On the other side of the table, line up the remaining 5 even-numbered balls with the sight on the other side of the side pocket.

Start with the cue ball at position "A" in the diagram below. Position "A" can really be anywhere you want as long as it is behind the first line of odd-numbered balls.

Billiard cue ball control drill set up diagram

Executing the Cue Ball Control Drill

With the cue ball in position, shoot the first ball (the 1-ball) into the corner pocket up at the opposite end of the table as shown in the diagram. You must land the cue ball behind the opposite row of even-numbered object balls. E.G. to position "B" or somewhere near. If you fail to do so, you must start over.

Next, from position "B", shoot at the the 2-ball in the even-numbered row, pocketing it in the opposite corner pocket. Again, you must land the cue ball behind the opposite row of odd-numbered object balls, similar to somewhere around position "A". As long as you end up behind the row of object balls, you are good to continue.

Continue this until all balls are pocketed in the designated corner pockets.

Here is a video of someone coming very close.

Also, pro Darren Appleton tried this drill for hours and still didn't clear the table, though he too came close.

Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball

  • Title: Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 5/25/2008 2:16:00 AM
  • Last Updated: 3/10/2017 11:25:14 AM
  • Last Updated By: billiardsforum
  • Source: Archives

Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball

The Drill for Close Control of the Cue Ball article belongs to the Speed and Billiard Ball Control category. Billiard tips for controlling the speed or velocity of the cue ball when making shots.

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