Position Play

Beginners aim to leave the cue ball at a point. Better players aim for a zone — an area on the table from which the next shot is available. Zones are forgiving; points aren't.

Every position shot has a natural zone. If the shape you're chasing is a 6-inch circle, either your route is wrong or the previous shot was.

Before you shoot the first ball, plan the last three. Work backward from the 8-ball: which pocket, which side of the cue ball, which rail. Then find the "key ball" — the one that lets you land in the shape zone for the 8. Then the "key to the key". This is how professionals run racks.