The shot to nothing comes up every single frame and in amateur matches, sometimes multiple times. If you haven’t heard the term before, a shot to nothing involves playing a pot, often times a long red, with the intention of leaving no shot for the opponent if you miss. Potting the occasional shot to nothing can be useful, but leaving the white in a tough spot is the real key. This drill isolates that part of the game and practicing it will result in more good chances when your opponent leaves you in the balls.
Variations
Beginner
Really just focus on getting the cue ball back behind baulk at first. The pot is relatively unimportant. At the beginner stage mastering this shot can win you a lot of frames against similarly skilled opponents, put some time in here and get a feel for it.
Intermediate
Play the drill as shown, only count a success if you get behind the line on the diagram and don’t leave the red easily pottable.
Advanced
Only count a success if the white finishes within a balls width from the cushion. At a high amateur level, letting your opponent get their hand firmly on the table will usually result in a pot, or you being in an even worse position. You should also be making a good percentage of the pots.
Tips
Overcut the red. Obviously, try for the pot, but err to the overcut. You are much less likely to leave the red on after if you miss this way.
Pay attention to how your opponent would have to bridge from where your cue ball finished. The reason you are trying to get it behind that line is so your opponent cannot put their hand on the bed of the table, making their shot much more difficult.
Repeat on both sides. Note if you tend to miss the same way and which side you’re better at.
Snooker Drills
- Continuous Blacks
- Carom off the Black
- Shot to Nothing
- Colours
- Pot Quiz
- The Lineup
- Zipper
- Long potting
- Up the Cushions
