Here’s a great drill that will force you to use your full game.

Recently I saw this drill from top lady pro Margaret Fefilova Styer. It’s a perfect 9-ball drill for all levels and forces you to utilize all aspects of your game, from punch shots to draw shots and follow shots, some with English some without. And you’ll need to use the whole table.

Most importantly, if forces you to play the correct patterns. If you don’t, you will immediately recognize what you did wrong. In that respect, it’s a great drill for getting a better understanding of patterns.

The rules are easy enough: Start with ball in hand and run the object balls in rotation. Bumping balls is not allowed.

In this drill, the position of the shot on the 1 ball is important (Diagram One). A lot of players might put the cue ball straight and draw back. You could easily leave a fun shot on the 2 or 3. I’ve also seen players leave a slight angle, play with follow and use the short rail. That’s a lot of travel, though, and might end up with a funny angle. And with the 9 in the middle of the table, it could make going from the 2 ball to the 3 a little tricky.

I play this with a slight angle and a good tip below center and some right English. That will cut out all the traffic and guarantee the angle on the 2 ball you want to get to the 3.

Properly played, you can use the same shot from the 2 ball to the 3 ball, cutting out the traffic in the middle of the table. This makes it easier to keep on the right side of the balls, always thinking three balls ahead.



From the 3 ball, use a simple little draw with just a touch of right English. You don’t want to leave too much angle on the 4 ball.

The shot on the 4 is key. With the angle shown here, use high cue ball and a half tip of right. Put a good stroke on it and stay on the right side of the 5 ball.

You’d like to leave yourself a nice angle on the 5 (Diagram Two) and how you get to the optimal spot on the 6 is a matter of personal preference. A lot of players will struggle with this shot. You have to be careful not to snooker yourself behind the 9. I shoot this with low cue ball and a touch of left. Play it safe and play to land almost straight on the 6 ball. This way you can manufacture a little angle to avoid hitting the 7.

From this position, just draw straight back. Let your stroke out and use that short rail to come back out for a nice angle on the 7. Speed control could get tricky with a punch or draw, and the side pocket could come into play. Instead, I play this with high follow and a good tip of left English. Again, let your stroke out and use three rails for position on the 8.

The hard part is done. A simple follow with a touch of right and the cue ball should land in great position for the 9 in the side.