Build a Clearance

Objective: Learn to choose colours in order, identify problem and key balls, plan the black, and decide when to attack versus contain.

Why it matters: Clearing a frame under control, not just potting whatever's easiest, is what separates a player who occasionally runs a frame from one who does it reliably.

Watch: [Video placeholder] Demonstration of a full clearance, showing colour choice, problem-ball handling and black-ball planning.

Learn: A short guide covering choosing colours, identifying problem balls and key balls, planning the black from the start, deciding when to attack and when to contain, and finishing a frame under control.

See it: [Image placeholder] Diagram showing a table layout with the problem ball, key ball and planned route to the black marked.

Practise: From a set layout of six or more balls, plan and attempt a full clearance, identifying the problem ball and key ball before playing your first shot.

Test yourself: 1) What is a problem ball, and how should you deal with it? 2) Why should you plan the black ball early rather than leaving it until last? 3) What's the difference between attacking and containing?

Challenge: Attempt three full clearances from different layouts, tracking how often your pre-shot plan matched what actually happened.

Common mistakes: Potting balls in whatever order looks easiest, without a plan for the problem ball or the black.

Coaching cue: Before you start clearing, ask: which ball is my problem, and where does the black need to be?

Completion criteria: Successfully clear a full layout at least once, correctly identifying the problem ball and key ball beforehand.