Run over the Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the school holidays, the players and coaches came together at 9.00am each day. Throughout the day there was a mix of “lessons” where the students sat and took notes, and prac��cal exercises where the players were put into practise the knowledge gained, under the supervision of the coaches.
The Academy was pleased to welcome three guest speakers over the course of the four days, they were:

 The diagram shows how the table could be set. 
(You can vary this by taking 1 or 2 of the balls from above the Blue spot and putting them between the Black spot and cushion.)

  The reds can be placed as you wish, but don't place them too close together. For the first stroke you may place the cue-ball where you please, after that - then as in snooker, it is played from where it comes to rest. The objective of course is to clear the table, 15 reds, 15 colours, and yellow through to black. 

Keep a record of your best effort each day, try and beat it the following practise session.

Although less skilful players are unlikely to clear the table they should still practice this routine seriously. Breaks in the 30's, 40's and 50's will be found much easier to make than in a normal frame because the balls are all out in the open. Regular practice will improve your break building and this extra confidence will carry over to your competitive play. More experienced players can make this routine more challenging by considering it a foul (and so having to start again) when the cue-ball contacts a cushion.  
To really test your cue-ball control try to pot the reds in sequence.

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Copyright © 2010 New Zealand Confederation of Billiard Sports
Last modified: August 06, 2011