Another Ball in Hand Scenario

In this video installment of the John Schmidt private lesson series the student is "playing the ghost." To play the ghost the player will break and then take ball in hand. The ghost never misses so if you don't run out the ghost wins...

It is usually played as a race, such as race to 7. It's an excellent way to practice.

To win you need to run out more than half the time. There can be a fair amount of pressure...

there are no second chances and no playing safe. You miss, you lose, end of story.

It's a little hard to see exactly where John is pointing as he talks about the advantages of playing the shot to draw into the tied up balls. He says that playing it this way makes the target a "big" ball. The diagram shows what he means by that. There is a larger part of the rail to hit and still come into the balls. There is also less chance to scratch off the edge of one of the balls.