How to Create a Custom Shot in Bullseye Billiards

Use the Shot Builder in the Bullseye Billiards pool training app to design drills around the exact shots you want to practice. You can position the balls, map cue ball and object ball paths, choose shot attributes, add guidance, and save the finished layout to your Custom Shots library.

To get started, open Training, select Custom Shots, and then select Create Custom Shot.

The Shot Builder opens with a complete layout that you can reshape. The steps below follow the same order as the seven-step Shot Builder Tour in the app.

1. Position the Balls

Drag the cue ball and object ball to their starting positions on the table.

You can also drag the green target and any visible path handles to begin refining the layout. You will be able to make more precise path adjustments in a later step.

2. Add a Second Ball or Extend a Path

Tap an empty area of the table to open the available actions:

Add second ball
Add cue ball segment
Add object ball segment

The Shot Builder uses the area you tapped to place the second ball or extend the selected path. Path points automatically move to the nearest valid rail-contact position when necessary.

Having trouble opening the actions? If an item is currently selected, your first tap on empty table space clears the selection. Tap the empty area again to open the actions.

Choose the Second Ball Behavior

When you add a second ball, select its Second ball behavior:

No special behavior
Combination
Carom

To change the behavior later:

Tap the second ball to select it.
Tap it again to open its actions.
Select Change Behavior.

The same menu includes the option to Remove second ball.

3. Choose and Fine-Tune the Pocket

Tap the intended pocket to select it.

To adjust where the object ball is aimed within the pocket:

Tap the selected pocket again.
Open Pocket cheat.
Favor the left or right side of the pocket, or select Center to return to the middle.

Pocket cheat is available only for direct pocketing shots.

4. Shape the Ball Paths

Tap a path segment to view the actions available for that segment.

Cue Ball Paths

Depending on the selected segment, you can:

Use Split segment to add another editable point
Use Add curve to segment to create a curved path
Use Remove curve to straighten a curved segment
Use Delete Endpoint Segment to remove an endpoint segment when available

Object Ball Paths

Editable object ball segments support Split segment, allowing you to add another path point.

Drag path points, curve handles, and endpoints to fine-tune the diagram. To remove an eligible handle, select it and then tap it again to open its delete action.

5. Set the Shot Attributes

Use the attribute rail beside the table to configure the shot:

Shot Family
Difficulty
Aim
Tip Contact
Stroke Speed

Automatic and Manual Settings

The Shot Builder calculates Aim from the ball layout. For applicable direct-contact shots, you can use Manual Aim Adjustment to fine-tune the calculated aim.

When Shot Family is set to Automatic, it updates as you change the geometry of the shot. The suggested Difficulty also updates based on the layout and selected settings.

You can override either suggestion by selecting a specific Shot Family or Difficulty.

6. Use the Editing Toolbar

The toolbar provides quick access to:

Undo
Redo
Zoom in
Zoom out

You can also pinch the table to zoom. Press and hold Zoom out to return to the original view.

Builder Actions

Open Builder actions for additional display controls and layout changes.

Display options include:

Show tangent line
Show aim lines
Show position guides
Show grid lines
Snap to grid

You can also transform the entire diagram with:

Flip horizontally
Flip vertically
Rotate 180 degrees

Select Reset to restore the layout to the state it was in when you opened the Shot Builder.

7. Name and Save the Shot

Tap New Custom Shot at the top of the screen to open Name Custom Shot.

Enter a name and select Save.

You can also select the main Save action first. The app will ask you to name the shot before saving it.

Add Optional Shot Details

The Shot Builder includes several optional settings for adding context and defining how the shot should be practiced.

Coach Guidance

Use Coach guidance to add a short setup, speed, aiming, or cueing reminder.

The note appears with the shot's guidance when you view or practice the saved shot.

Proficiency Thresholds

Proficiency thresholds update as you edit the shot. They show the performance requirements for three player types:

Casual
League
Tournament

The thresholds include:

The minimum pocketing success rate
The maximum positioning-error radius

Pocketing and positioning proficiency are evaluated separately after at least 10 applicable attempts.

Changing the shot's Difficulty label does not change these proficiency thresholds.

Advanced Shot Parameters

Open Advanced Shot Parameters to configure:

Carom contact adjustment
Cue elevation angle
Finesse
Follow-On

Some settings require compatible shot geometry. For example, a Follow-On shot requires a second ball.

The Shot Builder is designed to communicate the intended setup and path of a shot. It does not simulate real-world billiard physics.

Before You Save

A custom shot must include all required positions and attributes before it can be saved.

Required Positions

Cue ball
Object ball
Target
Pocket

Required Attributes

Shot Family
Difficulty
Aim
Tip Contact
Stroke Speed

A Follow-On shot must also include a second ball.

When something is missing, the Shot Builder displays:

Complete all required shot settings and positions before saving.

Troubleshooting Invalid Aims

The Shot Builder displays guidance near the ghost ball when the layout cannot produce a valid aim.

Impossible Aim

Move the cue ball to the other side of the ghost ball.

Side Pocket Angle Too Shallow

Move the object ball to create a steeper angle into the side pocket.

Signing In and Custom Shots Access

If you are not signed in, the app prompts you to sign in when you save the shot.

Your first custom shot can be created without Custom Shots access. Creating additional custom shots requires access to the feature.

After saving, you can find the shot under Training → Custom Shots.

Replay the Shot Builder Tour

To review the controls inside the app, tap the help icon above the attribute rail. The icon is labeled Shot Builder Tour.

You can replay the complete seven-step tour at any time.

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