(About the author)

(This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

This is a small series of exercises to help you learn to precisely position the cue ball up against a cushion. There are three setups:

• Roll the cue ball up to the first rail.
• Roll the cue ball off 1 rail and up to the second rail.
• Roll the cue ball off two rails and up to the third rail.

Two variations are:

• Thin hit on the object ball that follows the tangent line.
• Fuller hit (with follow) to roll the cue ball towards the intended target.

One cushion, example 1

Set these up with donuts. Select a specific place to die along the cushion. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.

One cushion, example 2

Practice sending the cue ball to the other end of the table and lay up against the rail. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.

Two cushion, example 1

Lay down a Post-It sheet for your target. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.

Two cushion, example 2

To send the cue ball further away, add right side spin. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.

Three cushion, example 1

Learn to own the ability to send the cue ball three rails and die on the third rail. It’s a very useful talent. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.

Three cushion, example 2

This is an unexpected way to move the cue ball to a planned location. It is not as difficult as you might think. Use a thin and full hit on the object ball.