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CUEING ACADEMY · PRACTICE SHEET

Stop-Shot Ladder

Straight-in potting · Beginner · 15 min
1P1P2P3

Object ball one diamond from the corner. Cue-ball positions P1–P3 sit on the same line, each farther back.

Cue ballObject

Objective: Pot a straight-in shot and stop the cue ball dead at contact as the distance increases.

Setup: Place an object ball about one diamond out from the bottom-right corner pocket, on the line to the pocket. Mark three cue-ball positions on that same line: one, two and three diamonds behind the object ball.

Scoring: Record the highest position completed and the total attempts used.

Success standard: Complete all three positions in 10 attempts or fewer.

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Category
Straight-in potting
Difficulty
Beginner
Duration
15 min

Stop-Shot Ladder

Builds a repeatable straight-in pot and a clean stop shot. Each rung moves the cue ball one step farther away, so small stroke errors become visible.

1P1P2P3

Object ball one diamond from the corner. Cue-ball positions P1–P3 sit on the same line, each farther back.

Cue ballObject

Setup

  1. Place an object ball about one diamond out from the bottom-right corner pocket, on the line to the pocket.
  2. Mark three cue-ball positions on that same line: one, two and three diamonds behind the object ball.

Execution

  1. Start at position 1. Shoot to pot the ball and stop the cue ball where the object ball was.
  2. If the cue ball stops within one ball-width of contact and the ball is potted, move to the next position.
  3. A miss or a cue ball that drifts more than one ball-width sends you back one position.
  4. Continue until you complete position 3 or until 15 attempts are used.

Scoring

Record the highest position completed and the total attempts used.

Common mistakes

  • Hitting below centre too hard, so the cue ball draws back instead of stopping.
  • Aiming at the pocket rather than the contact point on the object ball.
  • Decelerating into the ball on the longer positions.

Progression

Add a fourth and fifth position, then repeat the ladder into the opposite corner.

Terms this drill trains

Easier variation

Use positions one and two only, and allow a two-ball-width stop window.

Harder variation

Require a stop within half a ball-width and use a slight angle (cut of about 5 degrees).

Drill objectives describe what the exercise trains. Results depend on the player, the table and the quality of practice; no drill guarantees a specific improvement.

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