Building Foundations

Beginner

Casual player who knows the basics but wants to develop proper technique and ball control.

Mission

Develop reliable ball control and learn passing techniques to set up intentional shots from either flipper.

11 drills

Skill: Launching & Aiming

Aiming and Shooting

Skill Shot Consistency

Medium

Practice launching to hit the skill shot target. Vary your pull distance to find the sweet spot.

Goal: Hit the skill shot 6 out of 10 launches

Skill: Ball Control Basics

Cradle

Extended Cradle Hold

High

Trap the ball and hold it for 5+ seconds. Practice on both flippers.

Goal: Hold stable cradles on both sides for 5 seconds each

Cradle Aim and Shoot

High

Trap, pick a target, shoot. Alternate between left and right flipper.

Goal: Hit your chosen target 4 out of 5 times from cradle

Skill: Ball Control Basics

Shielding

Shield or Flip

Medium

For every fast incoming ball, decide whether it is shootable or whether you should shield and reset control.

Goal: Correctly shield 4 out of 5 fast balls

Skill: Ball Control Basics

Dead Bounce

Resist and Bounce

High

When a fast ball arrives, keep the flipper down and trust the rebound path. Your goal is control, not reflex flipping.

Goal: Dead bounce 5 out of 8 fast balls successfully

Bounce to Trap Combo

High

Dead bounce the ball across, then cradle it immediately on the other flipper. Build a reliable transfer-and-control sequence.

Goal: Complete bounce-to-trap 4 times in a row

Skill: Flipper Techniques

Micro Flips

Tap Control

Medium

Hold the button down, lift quickly, tap again. Observe the exact strength threshold where the flipper just barely triggers. Find the smallest reliable tap — then use it to nudge a slow ball without sending it flying.

Goal: 5 controlled micro flips in a row without over-flipping

Skill: Flipper Techniques

Extending the Flippers Reach

Early vs Late Flip

Medium

Flip earlier to send the ball farther across the playfield, or later to target closer shots. Learn how timing changes shot angle.

Goal: Hit both a near and far target by varying flip timing

Skill: Basic Passing

Post Pass

Gentle Post Shot

High

From a cradle, shoot the ball gently into the slingshot post. It should bounce across to the other flipper.

Goal: Successfully post pass to the other flipper 3 out of 5 times

Post Pass to Cradle

High

Post pass from one side, then trap on the other. This gives you control from either flipper.

Goal: Complete post-pass-to-cradle 3 times in a row

Skill: Basic Passing

Ski Pass

Roll and Release

Medium

Hold the flipper up and let the ball roll down slowly. As it reaches the tip, release the ball so it slides across to the other flipper.

Goal: Successfully ski pass 3 out of 5 attempts