How it works
A routine puts Lessons 1 to 8 together into one habit. You do all the thinking while you stand. Once you are down on the shot, you only do what you decided.
A routine also helps when you are nervous. Nerves make you speed up. Steps you know well keep your rhythm the same as in practice.
A good routine has a beat. Each step takes the same number of beats on every shot. Some players count it quietly: 1-2-3-4. How fast the beat goes can change from day to day. Play at the speed that feels easy that day, and don’t force it faster or slower.
Your routine can be your own. What matters is that the steps, their order and the beat stay the same, on easy shots too.
Step by step
- 1
Stand behind the shot. Choose the object ball, the pocket, and where the cue ball should go next.
- 2
Decide the speed and where to hit the cue ball: centre, stop, follow or draw.
- 3
Chalk your cue.
- 4
Find the aim line from behind the cue ball (Lesson 5). Walk into your stance along that line, the same way every time (Lesson 1).
- 5
Put your bridge down and take a moment to settle. Small changes to your feet, bridge or tip are fine. Then take your warm-up strokes and check the aim and the tip position. Pick a number of warm-up strokes, 2 to 4, and use it every time.
- 6
On the last warm-up stroke, pause at the back and look at the object ball. Play the shot and keep your eyes on the object ball until it is on its way to the pocket (Lesson 4).
- 7
Stay down until the balls stop. If the cue ball comes back, move your cue out of the way. Then take one look back: what happened, and why?
If anything feels wrong once you are down (the aim, your stance, a noise), stand up and start again from step 1. In practice it costs nothing. In a match it costs only a few seconds.
Common mistakes
Deciding while down
If you are still choosing the shot in your stance, stand up.
Walking in from the side
If you step into the shot from a different side each time, your stance changes too. Come in from behind, along the aim line.
Stopping before the last stroke
You stop to check something one more time, and your beat breaks. Do your checks during the warm-up strokes.
Changing your plan during the stroke
The cue goes off line. Finish the routine, or start again.
Rushing after a miss or a great shot
The next shot gets your hurry instead of your routine.
Skipping steps on easy shots
This is how easy shots get missed.
Too many warm-up strokes
You start to freeze. Use the same number every time.
Practice this
Exercise · Level 1
Count the beat
For 10 minutes, play one easy centre-ball shot again and again. Count your beat quietly, 1-2-3-4. Your only goal is to stay on the beat.
Exercise · Level 1
Stand-up drill
Once per rack, stand up on purpose and start the routine again, so it feels normal.
Exercise · Level 1
Film it
Film 10 shots. Time each one from the moment you step into your stance to the moment you hit the cue ball.
Check yourself: 10 shots in a row where you did every step in the same order. On the video, all your times are within about 2 seconds of each other. Then you’re ready for Level 2.