Safety
Pace Control Drill: Cue Ball to the Baulk Cushion
Most safety shots end with the cue ball on or near the baulk cushion, so judging the full length of the table is a core skill. This drill strips it down to pace alone: no object ball, just you and the cue ball, two lengths of the table and a target at the end.
Setup
- Take the cue ball in hand in the D (see the diagram).
Rules
- Play the cue ball up the table off the top cushion so it returns towards the baulk cushion.
- An attempt is successful if the cue ball stops within a ball's width of the baulk cushion without touching it.
- Play 10 attempts. Your score is the number of successful attempts.
Targets by level
- Beginner
- 2–4 out of 10
- Club player
- 5–7 out of 10
- Advanced
- 8–10 out of 10
Tips
- Use the same backswing length every time and vary only the follow-through.
- Notice how the cloth runs on the table you play on. Every table is different.
- After each attempt, note whether you were short or long before adjusting.
Common mistakes
- Changing several things at once after a bad attempt.
- Hitting too hard and bouncing back off the baulk cushion.
- Not following through, which makes the pace inconsistent.