Technique
Screw-Back Ladder Drill
A reliable screw shot opens up the table: it gets you back from the pink to the reds and away from the black when you are too straight. The ladder builds the skill step by step, pushing the cue ball further from the red so you need a cleaner, more confident delivery.
Setup
- Place a red so it has a straight pot into the top-right corner pocket (see the diagram).
- Place the cue ball in a straight line behind the red, about 55 cm away.
Rules
- Pot the red with screw: the cue ball must come back at least as far as its starting position.
- After each success, reset the red and move the cue ball about 15 cm further back along the same line.
- After a failure, reset at the same distance.
- Play 10 shots. Your score is the number of successful screw shots.
Targets by level
- Beginner
- 2–4 out of 10
- Club player
- 5–7 out of 10
- Advanced
- 9–10 out of 10
Tips
- Strike well below centre with a level cue and a long, smooth follow-through.
- Chalk before every shot. A miscue is the most common failure.
- Let the cue do the work. Timing matters more than power.
Common mistakes
- Slowing down into the shot, which kills the backspin.
- Raising the butt of the cue, which makes the cue ball jump or swerve.
- Snatching at the cue ball instead of accelerating through it.