Back to plans

Advanced Training

Advanced

Experienced player comfortable with basic passing and catching, ready for advanced techniques and strategy.

Mission

Add advanced techniques like shatzing and loop passes to your arsenal while developing strategic game awareness.

17 drills
Start sprint
Skill: Ball Control Basics

Dead Bounce

Keep your dead bounce sharp — it's used constantly at higher levels.

High-Speed Dead Bounce

Medium

Practice dead bouncing very fast balls from the slingshots. Keep the flipper completely relaxed.

Goal: Dead bounce 7 out of 10 fast slingshot balls
Skill: Flipper Techniques

Extending the Flippers Reach

Hit precise angles for specific shots and combos.

Combo Shot Timing

Medium

Practice hitting specific combo shots by varying your flip timing. Early flip for far targets, late for near.

Goal: Complete a 3-shot combo using varied timing
Skill: Basic Passing

Post Pass

A reliable post pass is essential for shot setup at every level.

Consistent Post Pass

Medium

Post pass from both sides with high reliability. Focus on consistent strength into the post.

Goal: 8 out of 10 successful post passes from each side
Skill: Basic Passing

Ski Pass

The ski pass complements post passing for smooth ball transfers.

Controlled Ski Pass

Medium

Let the ball roll down the flipper and across. Ensure you cradle on the receiving side.

Goal: 5 out of 6 ski passes ending in a cradle
Skill: Basic Passing

Tap Pass

Quick tap passes keep the ball moving efficiently.

Rapid Tap Pass

Medium

Practice the lightest possible tap to pass through the inlane. Speed and subtlety matter.

Goal: 5 out of 6 tap passes landing on the other flipper
Skill: Catching Techniques

Drop Catch

Drop catches let you tame fast balls from any angle.

Advanced Drop Catch

High

Drop catch balls coming from orbits and ramps — they come faster and at steeper angles.

Goal: Drop catch 5 out of 7 orbit/ramp returns
Skill: Catching Techniques

Live Catch

The live catch is critical for shatzing — master it here first.

Live Catch Consistency

High

Raise the flipper to meet fast incoming balls at the exact right moment. Practice until it feels natural.

Goal: Live catch 4 out of 6 fast balls consistently
Skill: Catching Techniques

Post Catch & Rolling Post Pass

Post catches and rolling post passes add versatility to your ball control.

Post Catch

Medium

When a ball bounces off the slingshot post, catch it on the nearby flipper instead of letting it bounce away.

Goal: Catch 3 out of 5 post bounces

Rolling Post Pass

Medium

From a cradle, gently roll the ball into the post to pass it to the other flipper.

Goal: 3 out of 5 rolling post passes successful
Skill: Save Techniques

Slap Save

Every saved ball matters more at advanced play.

Instinct Slap Save

Medium

Practice until the slap save is pure reflex — no thinking, just reacting to center drains.

Goal: Save 4 out of 5 center drains on reflex
Skill: Nudging

Nudging

Advanced nudging saves seemingly lost balls and redirects shots.

Directional Nudge

Medium

Practice nudging in specific directions: forward nudge to slow a fast drain, side nudge to redirect.

Goal: Nudge in 3 different directions without tilting
Skill: Advanced Techniques

Shatzing

Shatzing combines shooting and live catching — the hallmark of an advanced player.

Shoot and Catch

High

Shoot with one flipper, then immediately catch the returning ball with the OTHER flipper using a live catch.

Goal: Complete 2 out of 5 shatzing attempts

Orbit Shatzing

High

Shoot an orbit with one flipper and live catch the ball as it returns to the other flipper.

Goal: Complete 2 orbit shatz shots in a game
Skill: Advanced Techniques

Loop Pass

The loop pass sends the ball around an orbit to reach the opposite flipper.

Orbit Loop Pass

High

Shoot the ball into an orbit/loop so it travels around and arrives at the other flipper. Trap on arrival.

Goal: 3 out of 5 loop passes ending in a cradle
Skill: Game Strategy

Multiball

Advanced multiball management maximizes scoring potential.

Trap and Shoot

Medium

In multiball: trap one ball, shoot the other at jackpots. Only release the trapped ball when needed.

Goal: Score at least 2 jackpots per multiball
Skill: Game Strategy

General Gameplay Tips

Strategic thinking separates good players from great ones.

Rule Reading

Medium

Before playing, read the instruction card. Identify the most valuable shots and modes.

Goal: Identify the top 3 scoring shots before starting

Safe vs. Risky

Medium

Practice choosing safe shots when ahead, risky shots when behind. Adapt your strategy to the situation.

Goal: Make strategic shot choices for an entire game