Page 1

In this first variation, you can’t hit the end rail and the cue ball must stay on or below the foot string.

What we’re looking for on each shot is to pocket the ball and bring the cue ball back to the other side of the table keeping the angle off the rails close to 90 degrees. Ideal position for the next shot requires giving yourself enough angle on the ball to make the shot easy while not getting so much that staying below the foot string requires undue effort. You must always be careful to stay on the correct side of the ball or you will not be able to get in position for the next shot.

This is very important and one of the things that makes this seeming easy drill give some people fits when they first work with it. Don’t let that bother you, it’s part of the learning experience. Just pay attention to where you need to be for the next shot, figure out the cueing needed to get there, and make your best stroke.

If on any of these shot you don’t pocket the ball, start over, don’t just push the ball into the pocket and go on. Use the time while resetting the balls to think about what you did wrong, and what you should have done instead. Did you have the wrong aim, the wrong english or the wrong cue ball speed? Or was the error actually on the previous shot which left you in the wrong position? If you use inside english, remember that the cue ball will slow up off the rail, so you might need to hit it a little harder. Now make the 1 Ball and go on to page 2.

Page 2

Now make the 2 Ball with a touch each of high and left. Depending on the angle you have on the cueball you’ll have to decide whether to bring the cue ball across the table and back or try to hold it to one rail. The more directly you’re shooting into the rail, the more likely it is that the best shot is going across and back.

Remember, if you do go two rails come out far enough off the second one to be on the correct side of the 3 Ball.

Page 3

Shoot in the 3 Ball just like the other two. You do not want to go past the line on the 4 or you’re toast; come up well short, or go 2 rails if that’s the better shot.

Pay close attention to how much top and how much english you use on each shot. Accurate position play is your goal, and getting the angle perfect off the rail is a huge part of that. The reason this drill requires you to keep the cue ball below the foot string is to keep the range of angles you’re working on within a narrow range so you’ll more quickly learn how to play them. The more similar your shot from ball to ball, the better you’re performing on the drill and the easier for your brain to ’get it’.

Page 4

When you shoot the 4 Ball, pick a spot for the cue ball, just like you did for every other shot. Don’t let up; shoot for specific position on every shot.

When you can run this variation of the Short Shape Colinear drill successfully 3 times out of 5, it’s time to go on to the next variation on this theme. When you can do them all that well, it’s time to make them a little harder.

Page 5

The end is clearly in sight at this point, but don’t let up. Think through where you want whitey to go, figure out the cueing to get there and make the shot. Remember the requirement to stay below the foot string.

Page 6

Finish off the last ball and keep the cue ball south of the second diamond. Congratulations on a job well done. This drill feels uncomfortable for some because of the requirement to keep the cue ball so close to the line of object balls.

The idea here isn’t to convince you that this is a better way to play it, but to take you out of your comfort zone and really learn some new things. That way when you have shots where this is the best approach you know the shot and have confidence in yourself. Also, by knowing the shots you’ll see them as options when you’re scanning the table making plans. The more options you have, the more likely you are to find an excellent route to run out.

Page 7 – Raising the Bar

If you find this variation too easy, or if you’ve gotten enough better to breeze through it, just keep the rules the same and add three more balls to the row.