Pattern Breakdown
Plan the runout. Then work through it one shot at a time.
Good position for the next shot is what keeps a runout alive. Pattern Breakdown lets you study a complete layout, then focus on the shot and cue-ball leave in front of you.
Why it matters
A runout asks for several shots in a row, each one leaving the cue ball in a fairly small area so the next shot is still on. Looking at the whole table at once, it can be hard to see which leave each shot needs.
Pattern Breakdown shows the whole pattern first, then strips it back to the shot you are about to play and the place the cue ball should land. You can step forward and back through the runout as often as you like.
How it works
Load a Pattern Breakdown drill and step through it with the arrow keys. The table display changes at each step:
The full pattern
The complete pattern, with every shot and leave shown. Every object ball, Pattern Ball, and track line is shown, giving you an overview of the whole runout.
Object balls only
The bare layout, for working out the runout yourself. Only the object balls remain, so you can work out your own plan before seeing the drill author's guidance.
Shot 1
Only what you need for Shot 1 and position on Shot 2. The Pattern Ball and track lines for the first ball, the next Pattern Ball as the target for your leave, and the balls still to come.
Shot 2
Shot 2, with Shot 1 cleared from the table. The ball pocketed on Shot 1 is gone. The display now shows the second shot and the leave for the third.
Further shots
A later shot in the sequence. Each step shows the current shot, the next Pattern Ball as your leave target, and any balls not yet pocketed.
The final shot
The final shot of the runout. Only the last Pattern Ball and object ball remain. Make it without scratching and the runout is complete. One more step returns to the full pattern.
Explore the details
The Pattern Ball
A Pattern Ball shows the speed, the tip position, and the shot number. A Pattern Ball combines the suggested tip position and stroke speed with a landing zone for the cue ball. It is four balls in size, which gives each leave a realistic target. The cueing shown is a guide; if your cue ball lands on the Pattern Ball but not in the center, you may need to adjust the next shot slightly.
Build your own runouts
Any drill that contains numbered Pattern Balls can be played as a Pattern Breakdown, so you can create runout drills of your own.
What's included
Pattern Breakdown functionality is included with ICATS. You can create your own runout drills.
Professionally designed Pattern Breakdown drill modules are sold separately.