Potting

The 15-Red Line-Up Routine

The line-up is the classic break-building routine used by professionals. All fifteen reds sit in a line with the colours on their spots, and you play it like a frame: red, colour, red, colour, then the colours in order. It trains shot selection and positional planning over a whole break.

Snooker table top viewTop-down view of a full-size snooker table at 1mm = 1px scale.100 mmFull-size snooker table · 3569 × 1778 mm · 1 px = 1 mm
Table layout for the 15-red line-up drill

Setup

  1. Place all fifteen reds in a line as shown in the diagram.
  2. Place the six colours on their spots.
  3. Start with the cue ball wherever you like for the first red.

Rules

  1. Pot a red, then any colour, then a red, and so on, as in a real frame.
  2. Re-spot each colour after it is potted while reds remain.
  3. Once all reds are gone, clear the colours in order: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, black.
  4. The attempt ends on a miss or a foul. Your score is the total points of the break (147 is the maximum).

Targets by level

Beginner
20–40 points
Club player
50–80 points
Advanced
100+ points, or a full clearance

Tips

  • Take the black or pink after most reds. The point is to train the scoring colours.
  • Clear reds from the ends of the line so you are not forced into awkward kisses.
  • Always know which red you want next before you play the colour.

Common mistakes

  • Getting too straight on a colour and losing position on the reds.
  • Taking a low-value colour out of habit when the black was available.
  • Splitting the line too early and ending up with reds tight on cushions.

More drills

All drills