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Safety Play Shots Part 3
The Drill Instructor
By Dominic Esposito
Safety-Play Shots You Never Think Of During The Game Part 2
You might be hard pressed to remember the last time you spent an hour practicing intentional safety play shots. Yet it comes up often, during most pocket billiard games. You need to know and execute them as easily as shooting a straight-in shot. Every sport has a defensive playing side to it, and pocket billiards is no exception to this fact. Beginners, intermediate and pro level players alike must know, understanding and execute safety play shots well.
The series of safety shots I've shared, over these past few months, are designed to get you started at building a solid defensive game. This will be the last part in this series.
Safety-Play Drill No. 1
Scenario:
1. The game is 9-Ball. However, this safety can be used in other games.
2. The 7 ball is blocking the 3 ball into the corner pocket.
3. You're not comfortable attempting to shoot the 3/7 combo.
Strategy:
A. Set opponent up to foul and force ball-in-hand for better run out potential.
B. Bank the 3 ball into the side rail and up to the head rail.
C. Roll the cue ball up tight behind the 6 and 7 ball; frozen if possible.
Comments: The 3 balls landing spot is not the most important part of this shot. However, it does need to hit the rail. The main objective is the cue ball speed needed to get in tight, behind the 6 and 7 ball.
Safety-Play Drill No. 2
Scenario:
1. The game is 9-Ball, however, this safety can be used in other games.
2. You're not comfortable with cutting the 7 ball into the side pocket.
Strategy:
A. Force a ball-in-hand situation for better run out potential.
B. Bank the 7 ball directly into the side rail.
C. Stop the cue ball cold behind the 8 ball.
Comments: Once again, the 7 balls landing spot is not the most important part of the shot. Although causing it to land near the opposite side rail works well because the 9 ball does provide a good blocker for kicking out via the bottom rail. The main skill building goal is controlling the stop shot.
