Pool Training Aids That Actually Help (and Ones to Skip)
There are lots of gadgets that promise to fix your game. A few genuinely help because they give you feedback you can't get on your own. Here are the ones worth having, roughly in order of value.
1. A training cue ball
A cue ball with dots or stripes on it shows exactly where you hit it and how it spins. It is the fastest way to learn draw, follow and English. See training cue balls.
2. Your phone (and a small tripod)
Video is the best coach most players never use. A phone tripod lets you film your stroke from behind and the side. See how to film your stroke.
3. Rack templates
A thin sheet that holds the balls frozen together. Many tournaments use them, so practice your break with one. See rack templates.
4. A stroke trainer
Guides that keep the cue on a straight line can help beginners feel a straight stroke. Use one for short sessions, then practice without it so you don't depend on it. See stroke trainers.
5. Books and drill programs
A good instruction book gives you structure that random practice never will. Look for ones with drills and scoring. See pool books.
6. Position markers
Small stick-on rings or paper reinforcement rings mark ball positions so you can set up the same drill every time. Cheap and surprisingly useful. See ball markers.
Skip or wait on
- Expensive gadgets that "aim for you." They don't build the skill you need without them.
- A new cue to fix your stroke. A cue won't fix a stroke; drills will.
Put your training aids to work with the 30-day plan and the practice drills, and track your scores in the practice log. See everything we recommend in the pool gear guide.