Break Building

Six Reds and Colours Routine

This drill is a compact version of a frame. Six reds sit in realistic break-building positions around the pink and black, and you play red, colour, red, colour, then clear the colours. The key skill is choosing the colour that gives the best position on the next red, not just the highest value.

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 Six reds and colours drill

Setup

  1. Place all six colours on their spots.
  2. Place six reds around the pink and black as shown in the diagram.
  3. Take the cue ball in hand in the D for the first red.

Rules

  1. Pot a red, then any colour, then a red, and so on.
  2. Re-spot each colour after it is potted while reds remain.
  3. Once all six reds are gone, clear the colours in order from yellow to black.
  4. The attempt ends on a miss or a foul. Your score is the total points, a maximum of 75.

Targets by level

Beginner
15–25 points
Club player
35–55 points
Advanced
A full clearance

Tips

  • Before each red, decide which colour you will take and why.
  • Take the blue or pink when the black would leave you out of position. Points lost now are worth less than the break.
  • Plan the last red so you finish on a colour that sends you towards the yellow.

Common mistakes

  • Always taking the black, even when it takes you away from the next red.
  • Losing position on the last red and missing the start of the clearance.
  • Rushing the colours after the reds are gone.

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