I hadn’t seen this video until recently. Had been trying that semi circle drill, was getting nowhere. Then a couple of things. I saw this video, and keyed in on your comment that slim area the cue ball has to hit in order to get them all. That put a new perspective on it for me. I realized it also was key to place the cue ball pretty exact for the first shot even. At this point I was able to sink the first two balls about 1 in 4 tries. Never was able to get the third. Thinking the key then is…I’m probably already doomed from the FIRST shot because even though I get position on the second, it’s not the position I need. Was getting very frustrated, and then decided to make my own drill that might help me with this drill. I put an object ball on the middle diamond short table side, then the cue ball next diamond back and try to draw so the cue ball only comes back to rest where it started. Not easy. But it’s showing me more just how softly I can hit and still get draw. Also experimenting with not hitting the cue ball as low, though I wonder if that is dumb since you stress that hitting it lower than you think you can is key. So I’ll experiment more. Both ways low on the cue and slightly higher.
Brian is great, he teaches in such a way that any skill level can usually gain some knowledge they didn't have. Unless it's a video specifically tailored toward beginners, I usually learn a little something at minimum.
The whole "Freddy" character always gets me 🤣🤣🤣🤣 "he's convinced himself he sandbagged to stay a 4" love your content man 🤟 you really have a good way of explaining things and relating to all skill levels. Just want to say thank you for what you bring to the pool community 🎱
Thanks Brian! Really appreciate your ability to clearly and concisely explain a concept. Even if I already know what you are teaching, you remind me of the _fundamentals_ I always need to work on. Keep rocking the advice!
After re-entering the pool business, now trying to learn the game properly, despite having been fairly successful on a self-taught basis years ago, I realized that the basic techniques are the most limiting factor if not executed well. Your explanations are brilliant, as you are not focussing so much on all the pro stuff as most other pool tubers. Appreciate your content! Keep up the good work!
Hi Brian, I think I’m Freddy but I’m a good guy. My level of play has improved a lot since I do some of your drills. Thanks. For the knowledge and encouragement. I am 85 years old and have my eye on this old guy’s tournament. If I get this short draw shot down, I should be competitive then you can call me Fred. Mr real name is George.
Excellent! Will include Semi-Circle Drill in today’s practice. Keep bringing up Freddie. He and I have become friends. 😂 I went back down to a 2 in APA 8-Ball & lost a skill level in my local age 55+ league. Mainly because my otherwise very nice Level 8 APA team Captain gave stroke advice that was out of rhythm & didn’t improve my accuracy. Four months in I have gotten tired of losing and hearing about “when learning something new, you’ll get worse before you get better.” Taking back my power and going back to what works for me, and filming myself with iPhone to detect errors. Plus, of course, paying closer attention to Bryan’s videos!
APA Freddie Who's a 4 and doesn't understand why he's not a 6! That had me rolling on the floor laughing my ass off. You got a new subscriber. From New Mexico. Cheers 🍻 👍🇺🇸✌️🇺🇸🤙
I think you just told me what I'm doing wrong on some shots.( Scooping, I feel like I'm hitting about a 1/2 of tip off the table, low center of the cue ball).
Brian, Howdy; Very nice video, provides an excellent example as to why folks DON'T need to hammer everything as hard as they do. A soft stroke can induce a more precise reaction from the CB and then they learn about true speed control.
Very nice information. For me right now I found that I keep my back hand loose I get more draw. But I feel like I am not changing anything and my draw went further. I am a level five in apa, but some nights I feel like a three. Doing this semi circle, I get two perfect, then the middle I seem to draw it back four feet. I am not hitting it any harder but the spin is crazy. I have been working on my extension through the ball. I think that I am extending further through the cue ball. I am not trying but it seems the easier I shoot through , the further it goes. I have definitely been working on my speed, speed kills me. So nice smooth stroke it get 2,3, then it goes further. I have been practicing every day to improve. I really like your videos and I pay attention to your cue ball, I can’t find a cue ball like what you highlight. I also realize that I don’t really know exactly where I am hitting the cue ball at times. So I have been practicing over the last two weeks on hitting cue ball exactly where I want. Thanks for the video
Most people shoot almost EVERY shot too hard. George Fels addresses this in literally the first paragraph of his book Mastering pool. I never forgot that. Great tips! Keep them coming 👍
I have a problem with draw in general. I can ONLY do short draw shots. If I get lucky I a can do a mid rage one. I will practice these going into the side pocket, drawing it back into the opposite side pocket. However the more I practice, the worse I get. I'll hit in every variation and recommendation given on long shots, and it never works. If I try a long one it turns into stop shots. Sometimes, when I think I can draw the ball it just becomes a stop shot no matter how hard I try. I can do every other type of spin and fallow. Some days I can do like 4 draw shots in a row, then randomly I can't do it. So I never depend on them in game because I'm to scared It will fk up my position, so I just rely on natural follow shots of the rail.
It sounds like you need to put in a lot more reps -the shots don’t come to you with a couple hundred shots more like a couple thousand. Let me know how you make out.
I used to practice drawing back to a cushion with a black off the spot (snooker) then gradually try and do the same shot with less and less power - I always figured that if you can get more action with less power then your accuracy must improve? I'm sure some call it "timing" but that's probably wrong, just my way of understanding. Anyhow, enough of my ramblings, great video, you're a new find for me.
You know Brian, you keep this up and I'll owe you a sixer of your favorite brew. Been having trouble with the short draw shot, any draw shot in fact but your simplifying the process clicked inside my head. Just got a 11.75 shaft and I like it because I'm able to tell more precisely where I'm hitting the cue ball. And you tell me to "go low" which you were correct I was afraid of the miscue. Went to the Legion last night (cheap tables and I'm a Vet) and practiced every shot as a short draw shot. Not only did it work better than I thought but I found myself getting better position for my next shots. Thank you Brian for emphasizing the finesse of the game it sure has helped me out. Take care. Peace✌
You should not have a problem with your cloth. I shoot jump shots masse shots and thousands of draw shots and I have never ripped a cloth in my life. In fact it’s almost impossible with a level Cue. Thanks For watching and email me if you need help developing the shot
Bwahahahaha, hopefully it won't be anywhere near as bad as you think. As long as you arent trying to draw the ball before you can hit center consistently, you should be fine.
I was still struggling with draw shots until I just recently changed up my stance a bit. I started leaning my upper body more over the direction of the stroke, with more weight on the bridge hand. It gives me a lot more follow through, draw or follow,, with a lot less force.
More I try this drill more I think there is something else that is not said. Most of the time my draw shot goes too much on the side for next shot even if I draw well.
This is not an easy drill -your position has to be perfect from the very first shot- you have to adjust your speed your distance and your angle to get around the semi circle. I learned the drill 30 years ago so I have a lot more reps than the average person- by lots I mean thousands more. The secret ingredient is practice. Thanks for watching
@@FXBilliards [your position has to be perfect from the very first shot] Hum... must be my problem, I will try beginning with less angle on the first shot and let you know.
I've been pretty wild too. Can't seem to hold the 6 to 12 inch back. I think I'm hitting it "better" and am getting like 2 feet when I think I'll get 6 inches. Looks like this will take some time.
Great tips Bryan. I've been adjusting the length of my draw shots by hitting higher or lower on the cue ball. I'm going to practice adjusting the stroke speed instead as you show. Thanks!
``Great Lesson..Really well done. Your tone and simple specific directions makes a player want to go out and practice . This doesn't make it easy or mean your not going to have to hit a lot of balls and apply yourself.What Gary does is give you the tools and he tells you how to use them/ Now you know what you need to do in order to be successful. No mystery ! Practice and you will improve . That much is simple. Well done.
Great drill and instruction! I stopped midway through and tried it. I could get 4 in constantly, but got out of shape after that. I have some more work cut out for me!
Preach it Bryan!!!! If you Play vs Practice, you'll never develop the "feel" for the shot with consistency; it's that repetition that, in time, will give you the feel. From there --- only minor adjustments will be necessary for success in "play". Love what ya do Mr --- Great points and instruction; do appreciate it. Be Safe
It’s pretty difficult to rip a pool table cloth trust me I abuse cloth more than any person I know and I have never once in my lifetime come close to ripping cloth
For me, most informative yet relative to positional play. Your circle drill is simple, attainable, yet difficult and quickly shows the progress to achieve the desired results. I also like it because you can use it, (like you said), in a number of unexpected applications. Cheers !!!
Thank you Brian, all extremely valuable information. Very informative and all very true. I use this type of drill on a regular basis. I'm always fine tuning everything thru out my practice sessions. The short draw shot really teaches you to have confidence within yourself as well as your stroke. Appreciate you....
Thanks again Brian for another great video. Could you explain the relationship between follow through and backstroke according to the shot being taken?Thx.
Thanks for watching. Trying to quantify backstroke and amount of follow through is tough but some channels will pretend they can do it. I will simply tell you, it is a personal thing that needs to be developed with reps. I hope that answers your question. Thanks again for watching Carl.
Awesome video, as always. FYI whoever is on the fence regarding lessons from Bryan, my advice is to try a lesson with him. I've been taking lessons for over a yr with him and my game just keeps getting better and better.
I have tried so hard to do that draw shot and I just can't get it. I keep scooping it and although I watch this video over and over, I just can't get it. So frustrating.
@@FXBilliards I'll try to do that. I've only been playing pool for a little over a year..never played in my life and now in a league where I'm a level 2 and coming up on 3 fast, but I can see how a draw shot would really help to improve my game. Thank you so much!!
I feel like this channel is in my head. My short draw flaws lost me a match, I start working on the semi circle drill, then 4 days later this video comes out lol.
I decided this week that I am going to take my pool playing to the next level. Brian, you're gonna see me in the comments section of every video . Thanks for the knowledge.
Good stuff brother. Recently started taking pool more serious an got involved in some taps an APA an watching your videos for the last few month has greatly improved my game. Much appreciated!
hey Bryan, luv the videos and the way you communicate everything. keep it up my friend. just a thought...have you seen the NEW Predator APEX pool table? you need to hit up your boys over at Predator...if not comped for the advertising and all your endorsements of their products....at the very least you would get it dirt cheap. it would look absolutely Bad Ass in your man cave making all your videos. that table is SICK!!!
Hi Brian, I recently bought your NWQ lesson package and am enjoying the instruction. I have a question about the short draw drill. Do you adjust slightly the amount of spin you put on the ball as you make your way around the semi circle? Or is your shot for this drill so consistent, that you don’t even think about it.
I hit every shot at the same spot on the cue ball- I adjust my cue speed slightly for whatever I need to get position. Your goal is to be able to draw the ball with as soft a hit as possible using good technique. That’s where the control comes from. Thanks very much for investing in NWQ
Hi David, I have no less than 30 videos on running racks, shot selection, patterns etc. And I put out new ones on these subjects about every couple of weeks. Here are SIX OF THEM ru-vid.com/group/PLABjYXs-mGYCi7pIQeZnKo7RUF4PpDXDk
I was needing to replace a tip on my playing cue. What brand and what kind (soft, medium or hard) would you recommend. Or what tip do you prefer. Thank you for the videos and your time they have been very helpful for me just be a beginner.
Thanks for all the great instruction. I've down in Hawaii trying to learn the draw shot. You make it look so easy! Some other instructors talk about the importance of accelerating into the ball. Do you think this is very important?
You should have a fluid stroke that hits top speed at contact (not easy to judge) I think of my draw shot not as accelerating into the ball but shooting through the ball. That way follow through is built in. If you accelerate into the ball, you subconscious mind thinks that you are done with the shot once making contact. Try it a number of ways and see what works best for you.
The Name Semicircle is used as a noun, not an adjective. Its the name of the drill. Just as our Acid Test drill involves zero acid. Thanks for watching Rob. Have a great day.
Beverly if you shoot a very short video of yourself shooting the shot and send me a link I can analyze the shot for you. Email me at fxbilliards@gmail.com. Thanks for watching.
I have a question about revo. I don't wearing a glove, but my shafts gets dirty pretty fast. Besides predator wipes (expensive), anything you can use in the pool hall that'll work? Damp cloth?
Now I pratice this semi-circle drill every time I go on a table. I wonder if you use a little bit of left or right english to get position on the next ball ? By the way, thanks to don't let me be another Freddy !!!
No English is needed to get position if you have the right angle -if you don’t have the correct angle you might need to throw an object ball a little bit just so that you can hit the angle you want.
@@FXBilliards Ok but as there is so very minor window of error we have to work hard to be consistant at the speed we hit the cue ball. By the way, as we play often snooker on a 4,5'x9' table this short distance draw shot is very useful.
@@FXBilliards sorry🙃….I wanted to know on a of scale of 1 to 100 how tightly should I be holding the cue for draw shots. I noticed that in some of your shots (in other videos) you occasionally hold the cue at the very end of the cue stick, any reason why? By the way I think you are the best instructor of all the other pool instructors I have seen here on RU-vid
