The center of the table is the cue ball’s best friend.

The center Line 9-Ball drill is designed to improve pattern play while teaching a key principle of rotation games: stay in the center of the table.

Keeping away from the rails is important, but you also need to understand angles, find the correct lines and control the cue ball for your next shot. This drill develops cue ball control, positioning, speed control and feel for the table.

Advanced players should start with the cue ball in the center of the table. Beginners may take ball in hand for the first shot. No bumping balls. Play the balls in rotation.

Pocket the 1 and bring the cue ball around two rails, finishing between the center lines. Play low with half a tip of left english and use a positive stroke. Don’t steer — trust your line.

Play low with a little right english on the 2, drawing the cue ball around one rail and back toward the center. Keep the stroke smooth and controlled.

Play a tip low, with no side or a touch of right english on the 3. Use a punch draw around one rail and return toward the center. Focus on speed and angle.



On the 4, I played punch draw with a touch of left english. Use two rails to return toward the center, leaving a good angle on the 5. Play the 5 with no english. Follow from the short rail to the long rail and back toward the center, leaving a similar angle on the 6. Control your speed and trust the natural path.

Again, play the 6 high with no english. Let the cue ball travel naturally from the short rail to the long rail and back toward the center. If you have a good angle on the 7, use high with no english or a touch of left. Avoid inside english, which makes the shot harder. Use the natural two-rail route and control your speed for the eight.

Play high and find the center line on the 8. A small angle on the 9 is fine. The priority is returning the cue ball between the center lines.

If the cue ball doesn’t finish between the center lines, the drill isn’t complete.