SPM Magazine Issue 30

Banking Drills YouCan Take To TheBank…Ching! Ching!

By Dominic Esposito a.k.a. “The Drill Instructor”

This month’s fine entry from The Drill Instructor features two shots and two ways to shoot them for four power drills that can send you to the winner’s circle. Shots 1 & 3 are direct to the corner pocket, while shots 2 & 4 will come in handy if your opponents’ ball is blocking the corner pocket.

Drill This Cross Bank One Diamond**

A One Diamond Bank Drill

A one diamond bank drill gets you home to the side or corner pocket.

Drill No.1: Cross Bank One Diamond to the Corner Pocket or Side Pocket For your first time through this drill, place the object ball frozen to the cushion as shown. On subsequent shots, place the object ball once inch away from the cushion, then two inches off the cushion. Work on these three plays until you can score the object ball at least 7 out of 10 times.

Later, you may also reverse this important bank shot by moving the ball up two diamonds and shooting for the side pocket instead.

How to score the ball:

1) Aim for a half-ball hit on the object ball2) Aim for center ball--no English is required for this stroke3) Shoot using a 4 to 6 Speed Shot Stroke.Next: Three cushion side pocket bank played round the table.

An Impressive Side Pocket Bank Shot

This is an impressive side pocket bank shot.

Drill No. 2: Two Cushion Reverse Bank to the Side Pocket

Again, for your first attempt, place the object ball frozen on the cushion. Then shoot with the object ball an inch and two inches from the rail. Keep doing this sequence, frozen-one inch-two inches, and soon you will be 7 of 10 tries for this stunning bank around half the table into the side. You’ll be surprised at how often this bank presents itself.

1) Aim for a quarter-ball hit on the 8-ball this time. If you’re unsure of what a quarter-ball cut shot is, it’s half of the Half Ball it from the first shot.

2) A 5 to 7 Speed Shot Stroke will work for this Three Cushion shot.3) Go center ball again with your aim

A Quarter Ball Bank Shot

Take it up a notch with the same quarter-ball hit and make it a Two Diamond bank shot.

Drill No. 3: Cross Bank to the Corner or Side Pocket

You can imagine the drill, right? As in the previous illustrations, for your first attempts, place the object ball frozen on the cushion. Next time place the object ball 1” off the cushion, then 2” off the cushion. Work on these until you can make the object ball at least 7 out of 10 times.

Reverse this bank shot and shoot it into the side pocket. Be sure to practice this from both sides of the table as well.

1) Our one diamond bank was a half-ball hit--this one is quarter ball hit going twice the distance with one-half the fraction of the object ball

2) Shoot using a 4 to 6 Speed Shot Stroke.3) Center ball only does it!

A common two-cushion play, made simple

A Third Ball Bank Shot

Drill No. 4: Two Cushion Reverse Bank to Corner Pocket

Same as before with a subtle difference. Object ball snugly to the cushion for your first stroke. Next time place the object ball 1” off the cushion, then 2” off the cushion. Master this bank until you are confident you can make it 7 out of 10 times. Reverse this bank shot for the side pocket and practice the cut on the other side of the object ball from both sides of the table.

1) This time a one-third hit on the object ball is needed, and you can review ball fractions if you need

2) A medium to hard stroke is needed A one-third ball bank makes this cinch play.

3) This time, topspin will help cinch the angle on this two rail bank shot Want to learn hundreds more drills and shots like these, go to The Drill Instructor Facebook page and sign-up for DITV.