HOW TO PRACTICE YOUR POOL / BILLIARDS GAME IN ONLY 15 MINUTES: 90% OF SHOTS COVERED

[@callidieglio5836]

This is perfect for me to do when I show up 15 minutes early to play. Wow! Thanks! Love this idea. 🎉

[@basementbilliards]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that!

[@adamfellner848]

10/10. So many drills that can be done in 15 minutes.. can’t wait to try this and then try to run a full rack like you did.

[@callidieglio5836]

Agree!

[@basementbilliards]

Thank you so much!

[@JoshuaHathaway]

This tutorial was one of the better ones I have watched. Thank you for the time and effort you put into it😃.

[@basementbilliards]

@@JoshuaHathaway thanks buddy! That means a lot to me. Really appreciate that and glad you liked it!

[@PoolCueDude08]

This is awesome! Going to try this before I play next time. Love the rail drill

[@callidieglio5836]

Agree!

[@basementbilliards]

Thank you sir! Appreciate that!

[@NineBallPool]

Good to see how other Players practice - Thanks 🎱🎱☘☘

[@basementbilliards]

@@NineBallPool Thank you! Appreciate your comment. Thanks for watching

[@gregsaiter3768]

Very nice. Exactly what I am looking for, except I will extend it to 2-3 hours. Thanks

[@basementbilliards]

@@gregsaiter3768 thanks Greg, really appreciate that! Yeah extend it to as much time as you have! Hope these drills help you

[@wiscoboxboy]

Thought my cats were going crazy w the meows for a second 🤣 paused the video a good 3 times b4 I realized it was actually your cat & not mine !

[@basementbilliards]

@@wiscoboxboy hahaha, I’ve been waiting for someone to comment on my cat. He sits at the top of the stairs and meows constantly when I am playing haha. But no cats on the cloth lol.

[@RobertLeo-b7h]

Ever since surgery I was having difficulty with my shooting. Keeping steady, but your videos have helped a great deal. Keeping coming.

[@basementbilliards]

@@RobertLeo-b7h hey Robert. That means a lot! Thank you very much for your comment. Glad to hear that you are shooting still! Will do

[@katiewinchenbach6708]

Very good information. I struggle in 3 places - keeping my eye on the cue ball, lifting my stick after hitting the ball instead of following through keeping the tip on the table, and lifting my head after making my shot. This practice video will help me a lot !!!

[@basementbilliards]

@@katiewinchenbach6708 really glad to hear that you think this will help! All of the areas that you mentioned are common for a lot of players. Going through these every time before playing should help you focus on those areas more. Thanks for the comment!

[@procrastinator6902]

If you are lifting your cue after the shot then you are most likely dropping your elbow during the stroke and/or tightening your grip. Make sure that you are stroking by bending the elbow only and not trying to use your shoulder or whole arm. If you find yourself lifting your head up, I found that straightening my back leg completely while I'm down on the shot makes it uncomfortable and nearly impossible to lift your head so maybe give that a try and see if it helps

[@basementbilliards]

@ very very good advice! Thanks for sharing. I haven’t heard of the back leg trick, but I’ll give that a try!

[@BeefT-Sq]

Your eye should travel from the cue ball to the object ball before the shot. You should be looking at the object ball when you stroke.

[@kevinadams3585]

Wow! Definitely trying this out before my next match. Love the rail drill!

[@basementbilliards]

@@kevinadams3585 thanks Kevin! Appreciate that buddy

[@jamesmcdevitt5327]

This is brilliant as I’m very lazy practasing on my own I find it very boring . Probably why I’m shite at times . Thanks for motivating me and probably others 👍

[@basementbilliards]

@@jamesmcdevitt5327 thanks man! I really appreciate that!!

[@amaalalsharkawi5890]

I like this a lot. Much appreciated and will give it a whirl! Thanks for sharing!

[@basementbilliards]

@@amaalalsharkawi5890 glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting

[@adamfellner848]

Did you end up trying this? It really helped me

[@basementbilliards]

@ also curious!

[@amaalalsharkawi5890]

Yes I did. It takes me a bit longer to run through it all. Ill get better the more I practice @basmentbilliards ​@adamfellner848

[@RvPGaming29]

another solid content!

[@basementbilliards]

Thanks buddy! Did you get your table yet?

[@RvPGaming29]

@@basementbilliards not yet sir. I think 1st week or 2nd week of december. Delayed due to typhoon here in the philippines

[@basementbilliards]

@ well I hope you and your family are doing ok with the storm. That is exciting!

[@RvPGaming29]

@@basementbilliards thank you. also, i have another suggestion to add to your upcoming content "on how to fix unwanted side spin or any spin" I tried to practice your drills for straight shot but still so hard to pot it. its like 2 out 10 I can only pot straight in shot. After I hit the cue ball I observed the cue ball rolled like having a spin. pre aim I aim center but i think my last stroke I hit the cue ball with unwanted spin or side spin, how can I fix this?

[@basementbilliards]

@ if you go back to the how to make long and straight shots video that I made, check out the bottle drill. Try grabbing a bottle and seeing if your stroke is straight. Also try to hit the cue ball back and forth against the end rails to see if it’s coming straight back to the cue stick, or not.

[@adamfellner848]

Ended up trying this and then was able to run out much better than usual. Awesome man!

[@basementbilliards]

@@adamfellner848 that is great to hear! Thanks for sharing!

[@thomasskehan9980]

This is so awesome and helpful for league night. Thank you so much!

[@basementbilliards]

@@thomasskehan9980 thanks man! I do it before league almost every time. Glad you liked it!

[@gordonhilditch701]

Brilliant drill thanks 😊

[@basementbilliards]

@@gordonhilditch701 glad you liked it!! Thanks for the comment

[@karenbennight8692]

I'm a 2 but this really helped me I enjoyed watching and learning about what I'm doing wrong 😊

[@basementbilliards]

@@karenbennight8692 glad to hear that you feel that way! Thank you. Can’t wait to hear when you get to a 3/4

[@garybkatz]

Good sampling of shots which commonly arise in competition. I knew you can't include everything in 15 minutes, but I like to throw in a few shooting-over-another-ball shots, which are a pain in the neck, but do come up all the time.

[@basementbilliards]

@@garybkatz that is a great shot to include in the 15 minute session. No set up required, only takes a minute or so to do. Great shot to practice! That’s for your feedback.

[@Arzidaz]

This is very helpful! Thanks

[@basementbilliards]

@@Arzidaz glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for the comment.!

[@chromasonictv6369]

I will try it out

[@basementbilliards]

@@chromasonictv6369 I’m telling you, best 15 minute routine out there! Thanks bud!

[@fadliramadhana1342]

Thank you for sharing.

[@basementbilliards]

@@fadliramadhana1342 Your very welcome! Thanks for watching and the comment. Happy Thanksgiving bud!

[@darksinthe]

good video. I used to struggle with back cuts. its because of throw. you can cheat back cuts and just give outside english to them and it negates the throw, but of course its imperative to learn the natural angle with a sliding cue ball. Once you understand throw, they become easy either way. this is why i dont agree with the 'hit it right where the 4 is' unless its a very small backwards cut

[@basementbilliards]

@@darksinthe great insight here! I tend to throw mine almost every time, especially when using backspin. Maybe I’ll make a video solely on back cuts and the impact throw has, where to aim with / without throw, etc.

[@hadoomasta2238]

Great. I just noticed that pool is fun by myself 😂

[@basementbilliards]

@@hadoomasta2238 have to mix it up with drills and stuff forsure haha. Challenge yourself!

[@BobLaVeck]

How come on the break you hit a little above center and the cue ball comes back? When you explained that on the break, I was confused, I thought the ball would go forward..But on the smooth strokes section - hitting a little above center the cue goes forward. Thanks!

[@basementbilliards]

@@BobLaVeck so since there are 15 balls (a lot heavier than just a single one) if you don’t use any spin at all the cue ball will almost “bounce” off and come straight back. So this is why I put about half of a tip of topspin on my breaks to control the cue in the center. Good question! Thanks for asking

[@EmperorFreed]

Nice video m8

[@basementbilliards]

@@EmperorFreed thanks buddy! Appreciate that

[@flaron352]

Very good lesson. I like your stick too. What are you hitting

[@basementbilliards]

@@flaron352 thank you!! It’s a Fury EV-04. Limited Edition butt, and then I use a Predator Revo for my shaft.

[@richardclingempeel6111]

I try to never get straight in on a rail shot unless it's my last shot. I always leave an angle on rails, especially the head rail, so it's easier to maneuver the cue ball to the next position.

[@basementbilliards]

@@richardclingempeel6111 Yeah this is a really solid comment. 100% that angles are critical to help with positioning. Especially if you are playing 9 ball, you really never want to be straight in. Thanks for the comment!

[@ianirvine414]

Banks shots come up frequently and you should practice them untill you are confident of making them. It's often the difference between winning or losing.

[@basementbilliards]

@@ianirvine414 Yes, I agree that they do come up frequently. However, if you practice your cue control, spin, and drills like this, ideally you won’t need to shoot banks as much because you’ll start getting better shape or be able to break it out sooner.

[@M0J0HAND]

Nice break. How big id your table and how heavy is your break cue? Is this the same size table you play league on?

[@basementbilliards]

@@M0J0HAND Yep! Same size as league. It’s a 7 foot bar box Diamond table. My break cue is heavy. 22oz I’m thinking.

[@gourmetexchange]

Good video.

[@basementbilliards]

@@gourmetexchange thanks a lot. I appreciate that!

[@gourmetexchange]

YW. I’m going to practice tomorrow and I’m going to incorporate your routine. Thankfully I’ll have more than 15 minutes.

[@basementbilliards]

@ wonderful to hear that! Comment back and let me know how it goes. After you run through all these drills then try running a straight pool rack to see the difference!

[@FREMONTSTREET-LV]

Are you using a GoPro head strap? Great video by the way 👍🏼

[@basementbilliards]

@@FREMONTSTREET-LV I am! Thank you very much!

[@zack3533]

And what's why it's important to practice bank shots in every session 😂. Very nice session though😊

[@katiewinchenbach6708]

I have a lot of trouble with: keeping my eye on the cue ball and keeping my head down after I shoot. Any drills for this ???

[@basementbilliards]

@@katiewinchenbach6708 i would say to try and force the habit of staying down until the object ball goes into the pocket! Hit 50 straight in balls into the corner pocket keeping your head down until they each go in. That will train your muscle memory to keep it down! Hope this helps.

[@BeefT-Sq]

Your eye should be on the object ball as you shoot.

[@sabtainliaqat6573]

Thanks for the video. Why do i feel like back cuts are harder than front cut shots 😪

[@basementbilliards]

@@sabtainliaqat6573 your welcome! Glad you liked it. I agree that I think they are harder as well. I think it’s because you can’t really see the angle as well as front cuts

[@shader26]

Very Nice routine! I had been experimenting with a warm up routine, and I really like yours so I’m going to put them together…a little more than 15 min. I’ve been doing one that has helped me a lot, similar to the rail shot but with only four balls each two diamonds away from the corner pockets, but not on the rail, instead about a ball off the rail. Start with ball in hand, try to keep going and returning the cue ball to the center for next shot. Helps a lot with outside draw shots. Also like to do spot drill. Object ball on the spot, cue ball behind the kitchen line. Just keep replacing the spot ball and try to get cue ball back behind kitchen line. Of course there are countless good drills, but I think I’ll start with your drill as is. And try it every time I play. Then for variety later mix in those two I mention. Thanks so much for sharing. I’m sure this is a good way to warm up!

[@basementbilliards]

@@shader26 really appreciate the detailed comment here! Hope that this helps you out when you give it a try! Be sure to come back and share your feedback. So many variations of drills out there, but I find that these 5-6 are quick and really help me feel confident when running a rack after.

[@adamfellner848]

Did you end up trying this? It has really gotten me more confident after running through it 4-5 times now before playing.

[@basementbilliards]

@ also curious!

[@shader26]

@@adamfellner848 hey, yes I have been. It’s helped a lot. I don’t typically do #1, but start at two. Om not disciplined enough and most often end up using a good deal more than the allotted time because I get into it and want to keep working on those. Actually, I have found that before a tournament it’s best for me to set up side pocket to side pocket stop shots, draw shots and concentrate on my stroke, because I find I need positive feedback most of all. So I end up doing your exercises as a normal warm up before practice. When I get to a point where I’m consistent and more solid (struggle a little with draw shot straight in, getting enough draw and still making the shot) I will try it again pre tournament. The reverse cut shot is great! Have improved a lot on that shot. Also love the one where you follow to different points. That comes up somewhere almost every game and I feel way more confident on those than before. But also I use your ideas here as a start point. Last tournament I found that I had problems with long, say a balls width or so from the rail, down to the corner shots. Was always over cutting. So that replaced the break (1st) part of the routine. But yes, I need to stick to the allotted time. Since I’m using this as a warm up to practice I ought to do it as intended and then I can work on long straight draw shots, etc. Thanks again, as I say, it’s helping.

[@ncsEsper]

Yes. This is a system. It helps with efficiency and can translate DIRECTLY into our next game. We need systems, not drills.

[@basementbilliards]

@@ncsEsper thanks for your feedback! And I totally agree. Getting a system down that you can repeat quickly and translates directly to your game is much better than a drill.

[@sanelempofana5103]

I would practice every day , i just don't have a pool table

[@basementbilliards]

@@sanelempofana5103 does anywhere near you have one that you can practice on?

[@paulncott4587]

Long time amateur pool player from England here; is the camera causing some odd perspectives, or are they comedy pockets? They look more like buckets from here.

[@basementbilliards]

@paulncott4587 it’s a standard Diamond bar box. Pro cut pockets for US tables. Much tighter than a valley table for instance.

[@Bart_Depestele]

6:01 isnt a better shape on the 1 :)

[@basementbilliards]

@@Bart_Depestele Haha, yeah bad example there, but was just showing as an example. If I hit it a tad softer it would have been perfect!

[@smellslikeproductions]

I usually play left-handed vs right handed but will give this a shot

[@basementbilliards]

@@smellslikeproductions yeah give it a shot! Which handed you are shouldn’t matter for these

[@joerandom1175]

tuck your thumb when shooting rail shots

[@basementbilliards]

@@joerandom1175 thanks for the feedback! Appreciate the comment.

[@shader26]

When? Always? I’m assuming you mean bridge hand 🙂but this is new to me. I was taught for open bridges to have the thumb snug up to the forefinger base, but tucked? I’m not sure I understand.

[@joerandom1175]

@@shader26 Yeah, bridge hand. and always, something similar to this picture: images.app.goo.gl/G6kkQ5dWNCpEyqAN6

[@joerandom1175]

@@basementbilliards images.app.goo.gl/G6kkQ5dWNCpEyqAN6

[@joerandom1175]

@@shader26 creating a "teepee" tent with your hand and resting the cue in between your fingers doesn't help stabilize the cue. having your thumb resting next to the cue like detailed in the picture would produce a straighter stroke and more accurate shot

[@belmicah]

It's funny, at 4:05 you're aiming actually about a half tip or more of low LEFT, then you strike it perfectly low CENTER somehow

[@basementbilliards]

@@belmicah I think it has something to do with where the camera is on my head. Some shots look like I’m hitting left, but then when the cue ball connects there is no spin.

[@tralfazy]

@@basementbilliards At first I thought it might be the camera too, however, if you watch the butt of the cue over the rail when you are shooting, it swerves to the left, making the tip swerve to the right just before impact with the ball. After watching one of your other videos I am convinced that you have developed a compensation that is working for you. You aim left and swerve your cue tip right during the shot. Some of the shots where the cue is directly over something on the rail like a diamond make it more obvious that there is a swerve. Many good shooters have a 'quirk' that they have developed a compensation for. I hope you won't get mad at me for this observation because I love your videos.

[@basementbilliards]

@ never would get mad, but now I’m going to be thinking about it while I am shooting, so thank you very much for the observation. I have never noticed that, but it’s good to know in case I start missing I can focus on that.

[@paultodaro7105]

​@ 13:05 tralfazy

[@williamhelphinstine5019]

might be the angle but looks like your center ball is actually alittle left of center. Not judging but food for thought or i could be seeing it wrong. idk

[@basementbilliards]

@@williamhelphinstine5019 I rewatched and I think it’s something to do with where the camera is on my head when I’m down on shots. I will keep this in mind next time I’m shooting though and make sure I’m truly center cue ball. Thanks for the advice!

[@thegreatmantis9885]

absolutely love the video and drills, but i am sorry this is at least an hour of practice including the set ups. great vid tho !!

[@basementbilliards]

@@thegreatmantis9885 thank you!! Once you get used to them and have them memorized it goes quite a bit faster. Give it a shot!

[@cosmicninja9918]

I like the video, so practical. Thanks. But the cat in the background is so annoying, please listen to your own videos sound.

[@basementbilliards]

@@cosmicninja9918 sorry about that. I really only noticed it in one part of the video, but made sure they he isn’t near the door in all videos since then. Thanks for your feedback!

[@malakingdude]

Getting distracted will cause you to loose games. Maybe consider getting past that. Ask your friends to fartvas you're stroking. It's a great distraction avoidance drill

[@basementbilliards]

@ hahaha, this is incredible. Thanks for the comment bud!

[@Hassan-tg3yn]

15:25 you cheated there you moved the stripe ball

[@basementbilliards]

My camera shorted out, that was why it cut off in the middle of me speaking. Just set it back up and shot it once charged up. Wouldn’t say I cheated lol

[@Hassan-tg3yn]

@ okay boss appreciate the response

[@basementbilliards]

@ thanks for the feedback. I was so pissed when it shut off lol

[@400fps]

i was out when i heard "spin" and "inside english" for rail shot

[@basementbilliards]

Why do you say that? Feedback is much appreciated.

[@400fps]

@@basementbilliards i'll open with that comment was not meant to be mean. That being said, it's just become a pet peeve of mine. I'm kind big on how some things are said, one of those being "put spin on the ball to make a rail shot" a particular spin. Timing is what makes the ball and your perception, top position depends on where i need to be next. Just the other day (tuesday) i was doing some lite work with someone and they said the same thing "don't you have to hit that with X" and i was like "what? there's no such thing, you hit it with what you need". so that's all, once i hear that with no follow up comment for context or clarity i start my exit, again it's just a peeve.

[@basementbilliards]

@ yeah I fully understand where you are coming from and yes the player should use whatever spin to make the shot and set up for the next shot no doubt. I just find it good to practice using inside and outside English on rail shots because you can get a lot more action on the cue without having the blast it in. I also find using inside English just makes the rail shots easier for me. Thanks for your feedback and shoot well bud!

[@400fps]

@ no problem at all bud, appreciate your interaction. I perfectly agree, personally I cut all rail shot with center, I also teach center because spin is super skill sensitive, so now I have no idea if they aimed right or timed it wrong.

[@basementbilliards]

@ very very good point man! Especially for someone just starting out I wouldn’t even mention spin for the first few months lol. Thanks for watching though!

[@quinnbaker1935]

Bro the inside spin will not throw rail shots in 😂

[@basementbilliards]

@@quinnbaker1935 hey Quinn, I beg to differ, but appreciate your feedback.

[@durster27]

They absolutely do, using inside English on rail shots actually makes them much easier. That is as long as you’re comfortable adjusting the aim for the English.

[@basementbilliards]

@@durster27 glad I’m not the only one! Haha, thanks for the back up bud!

[@basementbilliards]

@@quinnbaker1935 going to have to pin this to get others feedback

[@durster27]

@@basementbilliards for sure, facts are facts regardless what someone thinks haha