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Developing Your Straight In Stop Shot Drill

Developing Your Straight In Stop Shot Drill

So many pool players tell me they struggle with straight shots. I do take them serious even though most players would give anything to have a straight in shot from time to time. Especially on the 8 ball or 9 ball. However this shot effects you, there is only one true way to become proficient with your straight in shots. This month's drill is designed to make you flawless when your shot is dead straight. It comes from Pro Skill Drills, Volume 1.Drill Number 1, Straight In Stop Shots: This drill will perfect your long straight-in shots and your Stop-English shot from all critical points on the table.

Follow these directions closely.

1.  Line up 9 balls on Diamond Row (side pocket) "A" as shown above.

2. Start with Ball In Hand on Diamond Row "1". Line up the cue ball for a straight-in shot on each shot.

3. Make half the balls in the top left pocket and the last half in the top right pocket.

4. Successfully pocket each ball in the row before moving on.

5. Again, line up 9 balls on Diamond Row "A" as shown above.

6. Place the cue ball on Diamond Row "2". Line up the cue ball straight in to set up each shot.

7. Redo steps 1-3 above, place the cue ball on Diamond Row "3", then on Diamond Row 4.  When Row "A" has been completed from shooting rows 1, 2, 3, & 4, reset the balls on Diamond Row "B". This time set up 8 balls as shown above.

8. Follow instructions 1-7 again, making the 8 balls on Diamond Row "B".

9. When Row "B" has been completed from rows 1, 2, 3, & 4, reset the balls on Diamond Row "C". Set up 6 balls as shown above.

10. When Row "C" has been completed from lines 1, 2, 3, & 4, reset the balls on Diamond Row "D". Set up 2 balls on each side as shown above.

11. When Row "D" has been completed from lines 1, 2, 3, & 4, reset the balls on Diamond Row "E". Set up 1 ball. Stop right at that spot.

12. Do Diamond Row "4" two times. Once with the cue ball 2" off the rail; the next time with the cue ball on the rail.

You can use this drill as part of your warm up routine on a regular basis and when straight in shots come up during your match, you'll start lining them up and firing them in with confidence.