Mini Gauntlet: 3-Ball Flow Test
Objective:
Build confidence in cue ball control and shot planning by running a simple 3-ball pattern — no resets, just reps.
Setup:
- Place 3 balls in a triangle:
- 1-ball near the bottom left pocket
- 2-ball near the top center
- 3-ball near the bottom right
- Cue ball starts in the kitchen.
Rules:
1. Pocket balls in order: 1 → 2 → 3.
2. Cue ball must stay on the table (no scratches).
3. After each run, reset and try again — aim for 5 clean runs in a row.
Coaching Cues:
- Focus on soft, controlled strokes.
- Visualize where the cue ball will stop after each shot.
- Use minimal English — prioritize center-ball hits and speed control.
Gamified Twist:
- Time yourself: can you complete 5 clean runs in under 3 minutes?
- Level up: Add a 4th ball once you’ve mastered the triangle.
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📱 Advanced Drill The Gauntlet: 5-Ball Pattern Survival
Objective:
Run a 5-ball pattern with precise cue ball control — but each miss resets the entire sequence.
Setup:
- Place 5 object balls in a zig-zag pattern across the table (e.g., 1-ball near bottom left, 2-ball near top right, 3-ball near center, 4-ball near top left, 5-ball near bottom right).
- Cue ball starts in the kitchen (behind the headstring).
Rules:
1. Pocket the balls in numerical order.
2. No ball-in-hand after the break — cue ball must be played from where it stops.
3. If you miss or scratch, reset all 5 balls and start over.
4. Complete the full run 3 times in a row to beat the drill.
Coaching Cues:
- Plan 3 shots ahead — don’t just focus on the next ball.
- Prioritize cue ball speed and angle control over power.
- Visualize your cue ball path before every shot.
Gamified Twist (Optional):
- Add a timer: must complete each 5-ball run in under 90 seconds.
- Post your best time or cleanest run to the PoolSkool community for bragging rights.