TL;DR: A bricole is any shot where the cue ball hits a cushion before any object ball. Four sub-types matter most: long-rail, short-rail, reverse, diagonal.
Why bricoles matter
They solve 'blocked' positions where direct contact is impossible or impractical. Also foundational to defensive play — leaving the table hard for opponent.
1. Long-rail bricole
Cue ball hits long rail first. Best for object balls on opposite long rail. Running english (~1 tip) keeps angle natural.
2. Short-rail bricole
Cue ball hits short rail first. Use for corner-stuck object balls. Firm pace required (short rails absorb more energy).
3. Reverse bricole
Long-rail bricole geometry + reverse english. Tightens post-cushion angle. Advanced.
4. Diagonal bricole
45° corner attack. Cue ball 'splits' the corner intersection. Visually spectacular.
Setup checklist (universal)
- Strike point: just below center for follow, slightly below for stun
- English: ½–1 tip in direction you want bounce to 'pull'
- Pace: medium-firm; soft strokes lose energy in cushion
- Aim point: 1 diamond toward desired post-cushion direction
Common mistakes
- Too soft pace → cue ball stalls in cushion
- Wrong english → unpredictable bounce angle
- Aim too tight → bricole misses cushion-first requirement
Master 4 bricoles in 3ball
Position library has all 4 bricole sub-types. Practice each 30 reps.
Open Position Library →