Target Practice

Target Practice (TP) is an add-on for ICATS that turns practice into repeatable, measurable reps.

Each shot has a clear goal:

Make the object ball, and
Land the cue ball on one of the target zones (usually 1 of 9) for that shot.

This is “shot + position” training with instant clarity: you either got the leave or you didn’t.

What Target Practice includes

Target Practice is driven by a database of:

cue ball positions
object ball positions
pocket selection
target positions

This produces 1800+ base layouts (shots), which you can select using filters.

TP can also include Solution layouts: ICA-created examples showing speed/spin and intended cue-ball path.

The basic workflow

Pick a shot set using filters
Filter shots based on what you want to train (distance, cut angle, pocket, etc.).
Run reps
For each layout: pocket the object ball and land the cue ball on the displayed target.
Repeat until consistent
Stay in one filter set long enough to learn something (don’t bounce around every rep).

When to use Base vs Solution layouts

Base Layouts

Base layouts are the raw shots (cue ball, object ball, pocket, targets). Use these when you want to figure it out yourself.

Solution Layouts

Solutions add guidance (aiming ball / track line and cueing intent) and can be filtered by traits like follow/draw, english, rails, speed, difficulty, stop/stun. Use these to learn how to play the leave on purpose.

Best use cases

Accuracy + cue-ball control (the main point)
Warmups (tight filters, easy targets)
Competitive sets (same filters for everyone)
Fix a weakness (choose the cut angles / distances you miss)

Common mistakes

What trips people up

• Filtering too broadly (you get random difficulty swings)
• Changing speed/spin constantly (no learning signal)
• Treating TP like “make it or miss it” — the target leave is the real training

A good starting filter (simple, effective)

Start with an easy set to build control:

medium cue-ball to object-ball distance
medium cut angles
one pocket

Once you’re landing targets reliably, tighten the filter (harder angles or longer distance).