Center Ball Training - The Quickest Way to Improve Cue Ball Control

In this video Tor explains center ball training and how it can transform your game.
www.zerox-billiards.com/
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[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, unfortunately, there is a distortion from the overhead camera which makes it look like I'm aiming sidespin even when aiming center on some shots. I used a measle cue ball so you see the cue ball reaction after being struck which is the best indicator of how I struck the cue ball.

[@medallion39]

Has this happened on other videos as well? I’ve thought I noticed it.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

@@medallion39 Hi, yes.

[@jlammert74]

@@ZeroXBilliards It's because of Parallax.

[@blkmoon33]

Just like centering a scope on a rifle.

[@blackbullitt849]

What’s a measle cue?

[@kennethstavig7033]

Hands down you have the very best of tutorials....your videos have improved my game immensely..went from a solid 4 to 6 on the apa.....thank you bud

[@jamesdavis8731]

This type of training is EXACTLY why Tor Lowry is probably the best instructor in the world. Nothing super fancy, just really really good teaching of the basics and then refining them. I have become a much better player by watching (and buying) Tor's videos. Just fantastic. I will work on every single one of these runouts over the next few weeks and beyond. What is also GREAT about this training is that all of these runouts require different types of shots using center ball. If you cannot master center ball runouts you are going to have a lot of problems using side spin.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks James! I appreciate that

[@Valid.4l]

This is what I’ve been looking for probably the best training video I have seen

[@kunalgahlawat9899]

This is the type of training I KNOW I need to give myself before doing anything fancy until my fundamentals are there. Good to see it in a video.

[@lesterweinheimer665]

I have Tor Lowery's 3 DVD video and even though I've played 55 years I learned a lot. Got my level up from maybe a five to a six within about 20 hours of serious training. Going for a seven now. Buy the videos! they're a great deal and you can watch them for the rest of your life. Every time I watch them I find something I've been doing wrong (mental or physical) it's very easy to get into bad habits playing alone. Excellent product and worth 10 times the money ! If you're truly serious about improving your game a lot and will do the work required. Thank you so so much Troy. I feel like I owe you a lot more than the price of the videos. Trying to send customers your way. You make it look easy , Which it really is when you do it right. Highly recommend you go out and buy these today if you don't want to be stuck on the same Plateau you're on. You will not regret it. I watch the video and then try to learn the shot that's on it. Fun way to practice and actually get better not just knock balls around. Can't thank you enough Troy. And I really really mean that. If I ever find some extra cash I want to take one on one lessons with you ,if possible.

[@RobertKarlBerta]

Thanks Tor! Long time rookie player at 73 years old. I found that just practicing my stroke over and over and over by hitting cue ball from one spot to end of table and back so it went over the same spot made a huge difference. I figure if I couldn't do that consistently the rest was wasting my time. Once I was able to do that I worked on next stages so was a slow process....but getting there. Figure in about 30 years I will have it figured out ;-) I have always done well at getting position despite my other faults ;-)

[@don-tay3963]

lol

[@ski666ski]

😂 heck yea!💪

[@Deep_Divers]

Tor has some of the very best training videos. It has been a year since I purchased his first two collections and am still working through them. The pattern play videos really helped with identifying how to get position on the next ball and run out the table. They are a great way to get a lifetime of experience from such a high level player.

[@TheHippiWitch]

Thank you for all your lessons. You have no idea how much you have improved my game.

[@stevieboi61]

thankyou Tor! 👍

[@mrfrano100]

To me you are the best coach on KZbin. Because I actually improve. Hope you keep it up and make lots of money too. Well deserved!!!

[@chriswallace9702]

4 ⁵

[@davebowman7470]

First class instruction! I've written down these drills on graph paper to take to the pool table. The cue ball diagrams show the aim points on the cue ball for each shot, and the cue ball tracks to the target areas with impressive accuracy, and you show how to practice. I've bookmarked a ton of your videos, and I haven't even been to a pool table yet in years. I started playing in the 1970s when my Spanish teacher was a past Morelos State billiards champion, 21-3! He taught me Carambolas Rancheros, which is like 9-ball, and he was amazing with spin. I got to where I ran a rack of 15 in rotation and stopped before my parents disowned me. But for the love of the game, I've always wanted to learn how to play for real, and your videos show a whole lot of smarts. I now know many shots just from watching you do them. Timeless.

[@waynelaw283]

Great job on the video and its purpose is spot on. This was one of the first things I focused on while training to play. We used to refer to this as "Cue ball control" and playing position. This is a well-done video and training.

[@zzzbyyy]

this is exactly what i looked for ... i totally agree what people wrote below ... you are BRILLIANT TEACHER because you have knowledge and skill.

[@bangaverage3243]

I'm going to take my game right back to basics this year and try to massively improve. This video gives me a perfect idea of how to start. Much appreciated

[@Yezir760]

Thats a great idea it really is.

[@Duffyyy94]

so any updates??

[@johnm.runyon3682]

Man, I wish I had access to this material back when I was younger and learning to play pool. This is the best instruction material out there.

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

Me too. Now it's beginning to be or even to find a table!

[@sunriseeternity300]

I do too, but, there is something special about old days, searching for ways to learn and learning in action.

[@francker5510]

Just bought some pool log books to really focus on being my own coach. Love your material, taking it back to basics this year and really am confident on the progress following your tutorials.

[@dougwhite4886]

Mr. Lowry, very much enjoyed your video. I am 74 years old and shoot a pretty fair stick w/o formal training. I play alot of Straight Pool and some 9 Ball with neighbors. Your Center Ball training w/Stun Shots has been extremely informative and helpful. I found a number of areas where I can now examine and fix many of my short comings. I know the video is 2 years old but I wanted to offer some positive input in the chance you may see it. Best

[@blkmoon33]

Thanks for this video help. I haven't shot any pool since my wife got sick in 2010. I lost her in 2020 after 31 years together. You've helped me remember the fundamentals.

[@frankhernandez133]

Controlling the rock is the name of the game! This video withholds some of the most effective & progressive knowledge for any billiards student/player. Starting from "Pool's Biggest Secrets Revealed II", then spending further time from money well-spent on videos Zero-X Billiards supplied, I have been a continuous innovative student of the game. Appreciative towards your methods of learning how to self-teach the physics of the game, Tor, remain proud of the achievements of so many others which you have become responsible for, as well as, standing as a reliable person who others return to!

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks Frank! I appreciate the kind words.

[@patrickweber7452]

The most effective video I’ve seen. Ton of info. Thanks.

[@brett6314]

Totally agree. Im at a very good spot in my game to focus time doing exactly this. I often know about where cue ball will go but "wrong" because I hit too hard or with unintended follow.

[@djamo1969]

Tor, I love your videos. You explain things better than anyone for me. I'm upping my game every day, just from this gem. You have made me realize that I, even after hearing it from everyone I've ever played, do indeed, hit the balls too hard. LOL. I know it's a little off subject, and I don't know your background, but I bet you could easily be a world class one pocket player. A lot of these principles apply to one pocket as well.

[@blackswan8407]

Wow! This video ranks among the best for any kind of pool training-top five certainly. The center overhead camera shot of the entire table is more effective than ‘behind the cue ball’ for this type of training. This video can serve as the reference for cue ball control and position play. Tor does an excellent job describing each and every shot, and what is required to get to the next ball. Also, the video insert of where to hit on the cue ball is fine, as this training is for center ball shots only. The overlain graphics is also top-notch, as much care was taken to accurately mark the cue ball path. I’m guessing that the production time for this video was at least 100 hours! Fantastic video project, Tor!

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks! I appreciate that Black Swan.

[@waheedafolabi6929]

I sent you an email about the digital products...could you please 🙏 respond?

[@roshanmuhsin9748]

Love your channel, simple but very useful information

[@johnnyg1914]

Wow! Just found this channel. Reiterating what most people have said. This is really great instruction! Thank you for taking the time. Boy, do I sure wish I had seen this when I was 10!

[@TheNuggzt3r]

This is what I needed. I'm a beginner and sidespin is on another level right now. It's fun but I only do it when trying to get out of a "snooker" or when the object ball is Impossible to miss. But it's mostly for fun. Get the fundamentals right, pot 1000s of balls and learn to work with speed and follow/draw. Still a lot to learn but not as overwhelming as also focusing on sidespin, deflection, throw and all those things that come with it.

[@manuelmartinez7988]

Thank you so much for these lessons. I'm gonna start practicing them. I've already done them when playing matches, but without knowledge, just my own " feel ".

[@anhtuankhuong3523]

Amazing video... Many thanks

[@lgndnhswnmnd]

Thanks for this post! Grateful for KZbin!

[@joeygonzo]

No gimmicks , no convoluted aiming "system", no hype. Just real proven lessons and drills from Tor.

[@MrSegopa]

Thanks for the tutorials and fundamentals as control of white ball is more important to make a game much easier. 🙏 Master for these tutorials...

[@captainkip4624]

I have been looking for a effective way to train our children to improve their game. This is perfect. Thank you

[@johnmesamore5263]

Awesome information

[@leighpxx8054]

I watched this video and THAT NIGHT my game improved! When I have time I will do a deep dive and practice shot by shot, but just by thinking about the pocket lines and which side to be on was a massive improvement. I can't thank you enough.

[@vinnyv5717]

Great demos

[@Corner4Billiards]

I love it. Thx for sharing.

[@kellyplumb7024]

Excellent thanks

[@gaville901]

Incredible video

[@phil6815]

This has to be the best ever teaching guide to the game we love,thank you so much

[@tristanhull9388]

As a guy that used to just ply when out drinking I used to be pretty good. Run a few racks off break on a good night level. I stopped playing when Covid happened since I wasn’t going out. Recently I’ve decided to get back into it but seriously playing. I’m less than a month back and videos with little tips like this has made it that much easier

[@jamesharris9242]

Thanks for the video,l just started playing again after 34years, this video will help my game tremendously , thank you so much.

[@michaelkintanar5439]

Great video tutorials as always sir...

[@davidarchuleta8446]

Excellent Tutorial ,Super Great 👍

[@kimsoriano9369]

great video..help me alot

[@timquain5341]

Wow! 🤯 This is so good. I really need to go find a table now!

[@larbibel3810]

Great video tor

[@hank1475]

Your 💯 center ball training gets you to that next level.

[@douglaswilson3978]

Thx ,great information..🥰😎

[@gman5051]

Great Tor ! This is exactly what I need to practice ! Thanks again !

[@danielcross600]

Great video!!!

[@christielawrence445]

OMG MING!!!!! I’ve seen her around for years. She was an icon in South Florida. Her story of how she got to be a pro is nothing short of inspiring. A beautiful warrior 💕

[@Blessed.2.Teach.4God]

Thanks for sharing. Would you care to share a short-ish version of her story or direct me to where I can find out? Thank you.

[@markmaruna980]

Hi Tor. Love all your videos….have been super helpful. However, I can’t seem to find one of the drills I watched and wanted to implement into my next practice. It started with 2 balls and long position to the end rail. After 2 completions a second third was added. This continued in the same way up to 7 balls. Can you recall and send me the link. Thx

[@mvp7600]

I remember my 14 day and this was my most difficult part as we assume we are hitting center when we're truly not. I still use center most of the time. I won 2 of the last 3 tournaments I entered i hit the level I wanted to when I asked for Tor's help.

[@Eldooodarino]

I saw a video on hitting center. It said to practice by shooting the cue into the rail while leaving the cue stick in place. You try to get the cue ball (CB) to bounce off the rail and come back and hit the cue stick. I was also doing draws shooting the Object Ball into one side and drawing the CB into the other side pocket. I also tried to get the CB to follow the OB into the side pocket. Are these good exercises for hitting center?

[@djamo1969]

@@Eldooodarino Liked your comment because of your name. I’m not into the whole brevity thing, man. Lol.

[@stevenrennie2612]

Love pool and this content helps me progress to be better

[@heldermblourenco]

Awesome video. Contratulations.

[@TheTimothyChannel]

you have helped me improve my skills and i started watching your videos yesterday great teacher thank you!

[@billenright2788]

This info is soooooooooooooo strong.

[@elh3fe88]

This is going to be a great video. I previewed it and now I can't wait to watch it and try out some of these techniques. Thank you for always putting out amazing content for pool players. You are definitely a credit to the Billiards community. Thanks Tor.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks! Hope the video helps your game.

[@robertdowell3433]

Great video!! btw I loved you as Kip in Napoleon Dynamite

[@stevev7760]

I already have your video on pattern play as well as the pattern play book. They have helped immensely. My table is covered in little paper rings. Any chance this will become a purchasable video series?

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, yes. The complete 14 Days Experiment Training program should be out later this year.

[@m600cannondale]

Great video I'd like to meet him in person for some lessons

[@normantan4988]

Nice video... may I know those small round stickers on the table. Is there a name for it? Is it specially design for pool/snooker table? Any suggestion where can I find this online?

[@aluink]

Love your video! Super helpful drills. Question: i've seen those white stickers for ball placements. I've searched on Amazon and can't seem to find anything like them. What am I looking for specifically? What should I search for? I don't have a pool store nearby to go look either, sadly.

[@brianlee8384]

They are called reinforcement labels any office supply store has them

[@aluink]

@@brianlee8384 thanks so much!

[@vanessamcfadden8335]

Thanks for your coaching , I am a new pool player . These drills are great . I would love to master them . Practice, practice….

[@hermanballij7514]

Halo, I am a beginner in libre billiards. This is also very educational for me, very good to see how the lines run. Thank you 👌👍

[@hermanballij7514]

Btw I am Dutch 😉

[@alexandergoodson2504]

Can you explain the stroke drill?

[@abrehamhaile7722]

You are so creative tor. What can i say (your different )

[@NoSh1tSherlock]

Tor, is there a way to sign up for full center ball training like the women in this video? I am coming back to pool at 36 and haven’t played since 21. I’d really love to dedicate myself to improve significantly. I have just recently invested in a new 8ft table for my home and new cue etc.

[@Eldooodarino]

How do you decide which pocket each ball will go into?

[@GameboyZoneRocks]

Hello author, Do you have all principles summarized as a list somewhere? Or can you list it here?

[@jayvenable4279]

Tor, my game has improved significantly since applying center ball control. However, When aligning to a shot I want to be sure to hit the CB correctly while looking at the OB. Are we supposed to look at the OB ?

[@ficheye00]

This is a great video. It taught me a lot, but sometimes you refer to the 4 ball, but it seems to be the same color as the 2 ball. The 4 ball is often pink or magenta, but it often looks dark blue, just like the 2. At minute 1:07:03 you are shooting in a dark blue ball but referring to it as the 4 ball. What am I missing?

[@crunchydragontreats6692]

When I was in college playing a lot of pool, I was introduced to two games that each required a fair degree of object and cue ball control. The first was called Nappy Billiards. The second had the unfortunate, but appropriate, name of B!tch. The latter starts with a nine ball rack in the center of the table. The remaining striped balls were each put on the edge of a pocket. The object was to make all of the balls in the fewest shots. The catch is that you must make all of the pocket balls in their assigned pocked before touching the nine ball rack. The table is reset after each player finished their attempt. The winner of each round is the one who makes all of the balls in the fewest shots or the one that pocketed the most balls in 15 shots. Under the strictest rules, the nine ball rack would be made in order, but few of us were good enough then to manage that. So, fewest shots to clear the table was our rule.

[@virimaimutsatsa311]

More educative,, l love this Game

[@FrozenVodka1]

KZbin is full of this gold

[@danielmurzellotheunknownma7481]

Thanks for sharing👌👌👌 this helpful video🎥 Very important information👍 that all players have to know and learn. Do keep posting👌👌👌 Warm regards and best wishes The UnknownManCub 👍😎👨‍🏭

[@jeremy9970]

Tor.....do I just draw a line on a bag to practice the six inch line up shot? for set up?

[@BenTheBarGuy]

Hey Tor, question, I could swear as your lining shots up you are aiming slightly off center to the left or right (usually whatever is outside spin), but then when you strike the ball it clearly is dead center. Is this an optical camera illusion, or are you doing this on purpose?

[@martinappa6685]

I've noticed that too. but I would actually say that he hits where he lines it up. It kind of grinds my gear because when you actually do stun shots you have to change your line of aiming because of the throw and that changes the tangent line by a bit. By using english he's compensating for the throw so the cue ball actually goes at the intended tangent line.

[@IAmKoach]

wow. and this lesson is for free?!? thanks much!

[@manusdei5148]

Where do you get the spot dots at?

[@nicksawmiller6723]

I recently got back into shooting pool after about 25 years of not shooting. I feel my game hasn't changed that much. I either can play offense, defense, or can't shoot at all. Never consistent from game to game. My fiends laugh at me when I play pool. Not in a bad way. The reason for this. I actually don't shoot a bad game if I am on. I am Legally Blind though. I am lucky to see the end of my cue. Due you think with my condition that i could ever be a consistent shooter?

[@commandernoodles2367]

Do you also compete professionally? It will be nice to watch you play.

[@wiliam5442]

Can I use this training to snooker too??

[@skylar9thomas]

Something that sometimes get over looked is the amount of object ball that is being hit on the object ball matters for how hard or fast you want the cueball to move.

[@mackomacky4098]

Tor we hope you also share your aiming technique and make tutorial for most effective aiming system

[@francker5510]

I thought he advocated the ghost ball aiming? He has more tips on aiming!? I would love to see that video!!

[@williamsheppard8738]

I know the secret would you like to know what it is secret would you like to know what it is there is a 90 on the cue ball

[@zawoo4041]

good

[@williamsheppard8738]

So one thing you did not mention in this entire video and it's a fact the fact that when you hit the ball with center or a little below center or any kind of top spin that the throw or the grab as I like to call it is a lot more at an angle it usually starts happening around approximately 28° if it is less than that then it doesn't really have an effect but once you start using the bottom of the cue ball then something very unusual happens you no longer have that throw or grab as a matter of fact it's almost eliminated completely so with that being said you need to adjust your aim accordingly that's why the ghost Ball method cannot work when you are using center ball with top and bottom by just aiming at the proverbial contact point with an angle more than 28° I don't know if you kept it out of the video on purpose but you know it's true and so do every professional in the world but great video besides that fact you cannot aim a bottom English shot and a top English shot the same way at an angle and consistently pocket the ball this is the exact reason why that professionals use outside English or inside English to take away the grab completely at an angle when you use English and your almost looking at the face of the ball going to the pocket then it is entirely different and you know all of this is true but like I said great video

[@allgood6760]

Nice! 👍

[@merlinlewis6361]

Was the 2000 stroke drill all in 1 day I only could do about 50 before I had to stop

[@patriciajrs46]

What, exactly, do you consider 'the fundamentals'?

[@johnpalermo2247]

Where can I go to get this training?

[@jaroslavcech225]

I have a question, Tom. Around 12:30, aren't you striking the CB low right? Or is it just an optical illusion? It really looks like a lot of right, but the CB doesn't really react like it has right spin on it so I am not sure, maybe it's just the camera angle.. Thanks for a great video buddy!))

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, I noticed that on other shots - I'm guessing it's an optical illusion since when I struck the cue ball there didn't appear to be any sidespin.

[@davidmanlio444]

I know Ming Ng . She is from my hometown js .

[@jaugustovaldez9083]

hola como lo busco en español porque no entiendo el ingle gracias

[@hectoririzarry6516]

On the 2000 stroke exercise we're do you hit the cue ball - high follow or center or draw video says you have to hit above center, just checking

[@ZeroXBilliards]

I would strike the cue ball above center, center and below center. And you should also shoot the stroke drill at different speeds.

[@hectoririzarry6516]

@TorLowry Can't thank you enough for what you do for the Billard world and players like me, you're videos and knowledge are true asset to the game

[@JamieLeighMartin10]

​@TorLowry I'm currently trying this and want to try and teach my son to start playing. I make 1-4 runouts of 8 ball every 20 Racks I play. I know I need to work on Center Ball Training more and a smoother stroke as I sometimes stab at shots when I feel they're a little tricky. Long story short, I was wondering what cloth you were using to do the stroke drills as I don't want my son to ruin the club cloth and any advice or drills I can use to finetune my game? Any help would be much appreciated!

[@jairogonzalez7696]

buenas tardes cuánto me gustaría escuchar todos sus videos en audio español cuando está su titulado por leer se pierde ver la práctica debería ver la forma escucharlo en español la misma aplicación

[@timmanton340]

How does one get this type of in person training?

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, you can contact us directly at [e-mail] regarding lessons.

[@Jasfras1]

In cenner ball training, is hitting cenner on the cue ball creating side ? Are you always hitting on vertical cenner line ? At 13:48 you don't seem to hit on cenner line. I can't replicate the swerve when hitting cenner.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

There is a distortion with the camera which makes it appear the tip is off center. You can watch the cue ball's reaction to determine where it was struck.

[@trungnghiatran2771]

Thanhs you

[@ibelieveinself]

How Is That Considered Center Ball If The Cue Ball Is Drawing Under The 8Ball??