Pool Drill: Nick Varner 9-Ball Drill

[@ronthepoolstudent]

To anyone reading this comment: I have been working to take my game to that next level and have found videos such as this to be extremely helpful. Lil’ Chris, you provide us with excellent/relevant content to help our games. You do an excellent job in articulating so viewers can easily understand as we follow along…excellent video and thank you for all you do…👍🏻💪🏻😊

[@rosemarydunn5361]

Took me twenty-thirty minutes to finally run the whole drill, and had to finish with a bank on the 9, but this was a perfect drill for my cue ball control in 9 ball to work on.

[@Adrenaline416]

He makes this look easy, but for a beginner like myself, it took me nearly 3 hours to get through this drill one time. I either made the shot and missed the cue ball placement or missed both; but to both make the shot and place the cue ball where I wanted it mostly resulted in me using many four letter words.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Lil’ Chris for sharing this drill, I was under the impression someone else came up with it. Now I know the true creator…👍🏻 Btw, I have been running this drill for the last month and it has helped my game tremendously., thanks Nick Varner and Lil’ Chris! 👍🏻😊

[@RoccoBoxer101]

Great drill - like the different filming positions

[@Deeter1974]

That was awesome, I think that has the right amount of difficulty for your slightly more advanced player. It is very gratifying to accomplish it the first time but definatly a great confidence booster if you can do it 2 times in a row. Thanks Chris, your video quality is crisp as well. Thanks.

[@patriotfirst8922]

I like the overhead camera Chris

[@BrianWedekind]

great video! i like the different angles. especially the ariel view. gonna try the drill today

[@ComfortTechNJ]

Good video and nice presentation. Thanks Chris.

[@alamazin77]

Thanks Chris for more run practice and cue control.

[@josevasquez8238]

Love the new camera angles also great lighting, thanks for the drills.

[@mtcougar]

Wow! That top down view is great addition! Use it in future videos.

[@allgood6760]

Nice work Chris👍🎱🇳🇿

[@johnholmstrom4212]

Just noticed the shirt. I love it haha

[@kernal82]

I like this drill looks simple but I can see the effectiveness of the drill. Thanks Chris.

[@georgedennis2112]

Once again an excellent video to practice. I also liked the overhead look. Shows a different perspective on cueing and ball travel and control. Stay well QA

[@johnoleson]

Other drills??? Thanks ... it was great!

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

More to come!

[@BangTimePool]

Great drill and demo Chris!!

[@bobbycuesroadhouse2204]

Good drill I will def use

[@jace5790]

been waiting for this camera angle to be used!

[@bobhenson1433]

Two straight run outs on Varner’s drill is damn good. Not as easy as it looks. Master this and one will have a competitive 9 ball game. The only 9 ball skills missing are a draw and break.

[@billbrower4499]

As always, Chris, really impressive. Well done, sir.

[@philliptaylor2843]

Thanks Chris. I'm going to try this now. I've been struggling with my speed control lately. Maybe this will help.

[@daveleininger4490]

Cool vid

[@eyupemreerdem9539]

You make it look so easy man...

[@thomasdruhland]

Great demo! Something I will add to my “tool box”.

[@billybobjr2951]

Nick Varner is a awesome guy

[@ATrainGames]

Nicely done, Chris. Terrific presentation with the multiple camera angles. Oh, and nice shirt, too! :D

[@litohedaria7403]

I like it. I’ll practice it.

[@johnhester4024]

I saw something similar in Phil's book or another one can't remember I am getting old

[@marcsmorsels7788]

I'm going to set it up right now!

[@VinayPai]

Nice runs! I always find myself anxious of scratching in the side pocket on shots like you have on the 5 at 3:25 , and tend to overdo the side spin or just dog the shot entirely. That seems like a very good shot to practice to the point where I can feel confident enough to execute without worrying about the scratch.

[@jimsandberg2000]

Well done Chris. I like this drill, I like how you shot it from both angles too. I think the 2,3,4,5 are more like a ball from the rail though not 1", (oh you know someone had to say it.) seriously, Keep the great videos coming bud!

[@ThrottleLockTV]

Some guys be convincing that's 6"

[@wuxy4169]

Nice drill, and I love the new camera angle :D

[@beercanbrian1880]

This drill demonstrates one of the main differences between 9-ball and 8-ball or even straight pool. 9-ball requires "long distance" positional play where a player has to be able to move the cue ball all over the table for position on the next shot. 8 and straight are generally more tippity-tap kind of positional play.

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

For the most part, your statement is true. However, there are occasions in 8-Ball and Straight Pool where you'll have to move the cue ball from one side to the other or one end to the other. I agree this does happen more in 9-Ball & 10-Ball, but it does come up in almost every game. All the more reason why I shared this drill.

[@joncue0304]

I like the drill, but going from the 6 to the 7 (and the next couple shots) I would just play center outside. That way when the cue ball hits the third rail it's dead on angle to the next ball. Leaves more room for error, less chance to leave the cue ball on the rail and with center, the cue ball crosses dead center of the table and it's impossible to scratch (when going from any point on one rail and through the center of the table, you can't go to a pocket).

[@Zowkander]

Nice camera angles, better than the profesional matches on tv xD. Love the drill will practice bc the balls close to the rail are a pain for me i miss almost every one xD

[@waynegoins9033]

AWESOME VIDEO!

[@John-dn3vh]

Love to see you putting up drills let’s me first say I’m a big fan. And here’s the but.....lol But when I clicked on this video I was laughing so hard I peed my pants. Let’s just break this down go pro head bad beige microphone and to top it off you have a PIMP Shirt on. Homg thank you for the laugh. Hopefully this posts make you chuckle great drill great outfit you crack me thank you. One of your biggest fans! First time commenting I just could not resist. Homg

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Well the GoPro is obviously for the PoV. I use to use a lavaliere microphone clipped to my shirt, but found instances where my cue would hit the microphone, and the beige one I'm wearing now was the better alternative. If there was a black one out there, I would use that. I can't just use the microphone on my camcorder cause it's too echoey in my garage. The Pool Is My Passion (PIMP) shirt, is just my way of giving that apparel line free advertising. I don't have any sponsors, not even for the SharkMarks. A buddy of mine is the creator of those and I'm just helping getting them out there. I can say that I do chuckle at myself having all this gear in a video! Now I know what Earl Strickland feels like! 😋

[@PersistentWolfBilliards]

Awesome drill and explanation. I really like that above table view, was I the inspiration for the one lol?I might grab some shark marks, definitely look easy to set up. Awesome video man. By the way how did you get your Fargo Calculated?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Your Fargo Rating is calculate by playing in BCA Leagues & Events, and anything that reports to Fargo. It's basically calculated off of how many games of yours are reported along with who you beat and who you beats you.

[@DoubleEShow]

Hey Chris, I once heard a pro say that when they are shooting the money ball, they still pick a spot on the table for position after the shot and that that helps them have something more to focus on other than the pressure of making the winning shot. Since hearing that, I do in fact miss less money balls because I'm not thinking about it being the money ball, rather I am thinking of putting the cue in a certain spot after the shot. Is there something you do when it's the money ball to settle your mind? Or is it just "Another" ball? Cheers!

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I have two things that I may think about when on the money ball: 1. Is like what you described, but that’s when I have a medium to thin cut shot on the money ball. 2. My cue ball will hardly move after hitting the money ball, but on thicker hit shots. Primarily knowing that I’m not going to scratch.

[@reneeswaim7280]

Nice drill. Better than the 15 ball drill at my skill level

[@marthalavigne1651]

How do you learn the appropriate English to put on the qball? That looks like a good drill. I have alot to learn when it comes to pool. Love your videos!!

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Trial and error with lots of practice.

[@eschaef71]

I bounce these shots out of the pocket on my home table. With the low right needed to leave the cue, I must be getting squirt or throw or both. With the low right, where do you aim? Great drill thanks!!!

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I use Back Hand English (BHE) so I don’t have to compensate for squirt. This allows me to aim directly at the Ghost Ball.

[@antmaffia]

great drill. Above angle very useful. Question: I see a lot of markers used (as you said reinforcement circles and such). Is there any downside to adhesive residue on the table?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Not with the SharkMark labels.

[@legendsmagnificenttroopers3401]

niceeeeee

[@DavidWolfensperger]

Good drill

[@edsonofilieo]

Being trying this drill and pretty hard but slowly getting to the 4 ball easier

[@mythought1763]

Great stuff, always like your demeanor. What camera are you using for the overhead?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

It’s my GoPro. I have a clamp accessory for it that I clamp to a bigger clamp that’s around my garage door opener motor. There’s a picture on my community wall with an older GoPro.

[@mythought1763]

Thank you, much appreciated!!

[@stratossmg]

Thumbs up !!! I LIKE IT

[@Tools4Investors]

Chris, great drill, I will give it a run today. Can you explain the overhead camera, I want to do that, but have not figured how to do it. And I like the shirt :)

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

The overhead camera is just my GoPro with a clamp accessory that I clamp to a bigger clamp that goes around my garage door opener motor. There’s a picture of it on my community wall, but it’s with an older GoPro. The GoPro that I’m using now is the Hero 8.

[@jamesspann44]

Great drill Chris! However, I had problems getting the cue ball to come back near the center of the table after hitting the object balls near the long rail. How can I get the cue ball to come back nearer to the center of the table (I did place right and left side spin on the cue ball before shooting it).

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

You probably need a combination of a little more side spin and/or bottom spin on your cue ball.

[@23mikefranc]

Hey Chris, good video. What are you using to record your overhead view.

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

A GoPro. It has a clamp accessory that I have clamped to a bigger clamp that’s around my garage door opener motor.

[@hiramgarcia8977]

Awesome drill took me a week to get it down, it's still a tough drill, but practice makes perfect. Also a question for 9 ball, what's the difference with spotting 9 vs 1? Thanks for your great videos.

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I'm not sure what you mean by spotting 9 vs 1 for 9-ball?

[@hiramgarcia8977]

@@LilChrisPoolPlayer What I meant to say when racking, I've notice racking the 9 ball on the spot. I normally play with racking the 1 ball on the spot. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

It was meant to change the predictability of the break, but the pros were able to figure out how to break with the 9-Ball on the spot too. Here's an article that explains breaking when the 1-Ball is on the spot and when the 9-Ball is on the spot: billiards.colostate.edu/faq/break/9-ball/

[@johnhester4024]

In the book it was called Mississippi 9 ball

[@bolko140]

Lil' Chris could you explain the aiming method of Ron Vitello 90/90

[@ThrottleLockTV]

Thinking about investing in the ICA system. Have you seen it? Any thoughts/opinions? Practicing a lot of different drills just seems tedious to setup the shark marks all the time, especially when practicing different drills back to back. Just wanted to hear what you think?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I've also thought about getting the ICA system or the Projection Pro Billiards Training System and making some videos with it, but that's a rather large investment vs the SharkMarks or even just plain reinforcement labels. The primary use case for SharkMarks is break a rack of balls (8, 9, or 10-Ball), place the marks down under where the balls lay, and try to run out. If you're unable to, then you now have an easy reference to set the layout back up and try again. Even if you are successful, you can set the layout back up and move the cue ball to a different starting point and try again from there.

[@johnbeliles5738]

I have the ICA and love it... great investment!

[@joerogers9666]

Have you ever used any of his cues? We have a local dealer who sells them.

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I was not aware Nick Varner has is own line of cues.

[@brandonsthaman]

Would I make adjustments to this drill as a lower skill level player (APA 3), or just go as far as I can?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

For this drill, I would suggest going as far as you can because that's how you can measure your progress.

[@prestonpotter1867]

Does it matter the size of table? All videos I see they are on 9' table all iIhave is 7' coin op

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Angles are angles no matter the size of the table. The only caveat to larger tables is how more accurate you have to be when shooting longer distances mainly with regards to compensating for throw (cut induced or spin induced).

[@prestonpotter1867]

Thank you for the replay much appreciated!

[@722DL]

Well executed Nick , nice job , you make it look simple, you still look goofy with that head set , but again it made for a better recording and video, but you still look goofy

[@tristanplays7377]

When are you doing a 3 racks of ten ball thing

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

I have a bunch of coaching videos to catch up on, before I play the ghost in 10-ball.

[@AlsAllMetalDetecting]

Good drill Chris. Have you ever seen the Projection Pro Billiards Training System? Check it out here on YT. Way better than stickers on the table. Be well, Al-Fu

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Way better than stickers on a table, sure, but also way more expensive too! I've thought about purchasing the Project Pro Billiards Training System and making some videos with it.

[@AlsAllMetalDetecting]

@@LilChrisPoolPlayer I already have a projector and I was thinking about drawing my own drills on the computer and then just projecting them onto the pool table. "Poor man's" version!

[@melfreedom2755]

what camera do you use on the overhead angle

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

GoPro Hero 8 amzn.to/3dhCI5V

[@fordjrwilliam]

Great just need the cue ball and English for over head so we know what your doing and using

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Every shot, except the first one, was done with some amount of outside spin. Meaning that if I was cutting a ball to the right, then left spin was put on the cue ball. If I was cutting a ball to the left, then right spin was put on the cue ball. When I hit balls 2 - 5, I also put some amount of bottom spin. While with balls 6 - 9, it was more center or top spin with a little bit of outside spin as well.

[@fordjrwilliam]

Lil' Chris I listen to the podcast you were on with Rollie and you said you looked to the comments for reference on things you missed or didn’t explain well. I was just trying to point out to avoid comments adding the ball and the English you typically do on the not over head view. Just trying to add to that complete finish your looking for. Maybe I could have explained that better originally

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

The only reason why I left off the cue ball diagram on the overhead view was because when I mounted my GoPro above my table, the view is perfectly fitted. I would have to get higher up, which I can't, so you'd be able to see around the table. Since the table took up the entire view, I didn't want to clutter it up more with the cue ball diagram or even another headcam PoV.

[@fordjrwilliam]

Lil' Chris sounds like how you got the lil Chris name too short to move the camera up😂🤣 jk ok but great stuff love the headset it’s so I got this special I am trying to sell and for a limited time we throw in shipping and handling in 😂🤣 keep doing this your bringing people who hadn’t had a chance to see how the games really played a chance to see it being social distancing you might help grow the sport we love so to you thanks

[@Herkfixer1]

Do you have another link for those labels, I just get a 404 error?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Which link? It should be updated in the description with 1pkt.com/

[@Herkfixer1]

@@LilChrisPoolPlayer no, the link for the labels for the table to be able to quickly setup drills.

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

Does the link I put in my previous reply work?

[@Herkfixer1]

Oh, I'm sorry. The first time I went there I was getting an error code but now it works. It must have been an issue on my end. It works now. Thank you. I wanted to buy them but wanted to make sure you get credit for the referral.

[@albertoperez161]

Hey Chris whats the width of ur shaft?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

12.9mm Predator Revo

[@albertoperez161]

@@LilChrisPoolPlayer thanks! I bought a JF several weeks ago and i have always used 12.5 but thinking about going a bit wider, just dont know yet! 🥴

[@Corner4Billiards]

What cameras are those?

[@LilChrisPoolPlayer]

During the 1st attempt, the main camcorder is www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D56B759/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And the headcam is a GoPro Hero 8 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084HP4YNP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The GoPro was also used for the overhead view.

[@Corner4Billiards]

Lil' Chris thx buddy

[@thomaswalchesky8961]

This is not the correct layout for Nick Varner’s 9 ball drill. It’s kind of like it but not the same.