mr3cushion
Verified Member
From my book, my thoughts on position play.
My Theory on Position Play
I‘d like to say firstly, that, “scoring the point is paramount”, how you score that point is what this book is all about. No two players approach the same position with exactly the same solution, but, the end result will be similar in concept. One player may decide to create a 3 cushion position and another player a 5 cushion position shot.
When I decided to go from being a shot maker and I was a pretty good at that to a position oriented thinker, it was because I got tired of always trying to make something from nothing. This can ruin your confidence. It’s like a nine ball player who always has to make tough shots because they got out of line on every shot.
When playing position in billiards you must first know the conditions of the table, is it long, short? The player needs to play to the natural conditions of the table; don’t fight the table’s characteristics. If the table plays short, look for position shots that will be helped by those conditions. If a table plays long, play shots that compliment that tendency. Then 4 and 5 cushion position shots can offer many opportunities for series of billiards. Personally, I prefer a short table because an opponent’s safety play is less effective.
The types of position shots a player decides to choose will reflect their ability and knowledge of the game. Knowing how to control all three balls makes billiards a far easier game. When I approach a shot attempting to play position, I look at the shot backwards. Can I position the 1st object ball in a High Percentage Zone or Lane, what kind of hit, English and stroke technique is required to score and achieve position for the next shot? This is my thought process for the start of playing position.
It’s just common sense. You can’t play position on every shot, believe me, I’ve tried. But, what you can do is take advantage of certain positions when they arise. Playing position is an individual theory and practice for most advanced players. They all have to share the same fundamental aspects that they apply to achieve the end result, making a difficult game much more manageable.
My Theory on Position Play
I‘d like to say firstly, that, “scoring the point is paramount”, how you score that point is what this book is all about. No two players approach the same position with exactly the same solution, but, the end result will be similar in concept. One player may decide to create a 3 cushion position and another player a 5 cushion position shot.
When I decided to go from being a shot maker and I was a pretty good at that to a position oriented thinker, it was because I got tired of always trying to make something from nothing. This can ruin your confidence. It’s like a nine ball player who always has to make tough shots because they got out of line on every shot.
When playing position in billiards you must first know the conditions of the table, is it long, short? The player needs to play to the natural conditions of the table; don’t fight the table’s characteristics. If the table plays short, look for position shots that will be helped by those conditions. If a table plays long, play shots that compliment that tendency. Then 4 and 5 cushion position shots can offer many opportunities for series of billiards. Personally, I prefer a short table because an opponent’s safety play is less effective.
The types of position shots a player decides to choose will reflect their ability and knowledge of the game. Knowing how to control all three balls makes billiards a far easier game. When I approach a shot attempting to play position, I look at the shot backwards. Can I position the 1st object ball in a High Percentage Zone or Lane, what kind of hit, English and stroke technique is required to score and achieve position for the next shot? This is my thought process for the start of playing position.
It’s just common sense. You can’t play position on every shot, believe me, I’ve tried. But, what you can do is take advantage of certain positions when they arise. Playing position is an individual theory and practice for most advanced players. They all have to share the same fundamental aspects that they apply to achieve the end result, making a difficult game much more manageable.
