SPEED DRILLS- Viking Cues Tip of the Week with Mike Roque author of Build Your Game.

Speed Drills

“The name of this game is speed control.”

-Carswell Ransome

Controlling speeds makes on play look easy. With good speed, the cue ball stops close to your intended target, and the next shot is easy.

Good speed control comes into play for shot making, as well as safety play. It can make or break a run–out and quite often determines the match.

Progressive speed drills are great for developing cue ball control. Set up a simple shot, make the object ball, and bring the cue ball to rest at a specific spot. When you have it under control, move your target spot a foot farther away. Keep the drill fresh by altering the distance between the cue ball and the object ball. These drills help to develop discipline and add structure to your routine.

Be aware that speed control relies on two critical factors; stroke speed and degree of cut. It’s possible to play a shot with perfect speed, but if the object ball is over–cut even slightly it could run a foot or more past your target! Keep in mind that thin cuts let the cue ball run further even with a soft speed.

When players are pocketing balls with perfect speed, it looks as if they have the cue ball on a string. They can make it dance; they can make it sing. It will go wherever they want.