COACH MARTIN’S LEARNING LAB
Coach Martin’s Learning Lab
Guidance • Resources • Community
Explore Martin Shapiro’s finished court-shuffleboard articles on technique, strategy, decision-making, practice, game math, court conditions, and the mental side of competitive play.
How to use the Learning Lab
If you are new to the game, begin with New to Shuffleboard. If you already know the basics, start with the foundation articles below, then move into the topics that match what you are working on at the court.
About the guidance in these articles
The Learning Lab presents Martin’s coaching approach and experience, not a claim that one method or strategy is universal. Rules, tournament formats, hammer sequences, equipment, player skill, court speed and drift, and local practices can change the best choice. Each article includes a scope note where that context is especially important.
Start with the Foundations
From Core to Score: Shuffleboard Strategy for the Win!
A broad strategy framework for thinking about the game, adjusting to changing conditions, and choosing tactics that support the win.
Techniques of Shooting
A practical look at grip, stance, aim, steps, swing, follow-through, and building a repeatable shooting motion.
Do the Math
Use scores, hammers, game format, and percentages to understand what the game situation really requires.
Know Who Is Ahead — and What to Do About It
Counting Hammers
A quicker way to determine the mathematical advantage in frame games and points games without recalculating everything from scratch.
Which Color Is Ahead?
Work through hammer sequence and score situations to decide which color actually holds the advantage.
Make the Right Choice
A compact challenge to separate useful tactics by game condition and choose shots according to what is needed to win.
A Goal for Every Frame
Set a specific objective before a frame begins, then make each shot serve the result you actually need.
Tactical Principles
Don’t Go on the Board
When you are ahead, unnecessary discs on the board can create risk. This article explores when staying off the board supports the win.
The Importance of Kitchening
A strategy discussion about when the risk of a kitchen attempt is necessary, when it is not, and why the game situation matters.
Practice, Drift & Court Conditions
Ten Practice Discs
A structured way to use limited tournament practice shots to learn speed, drift, scoring lanes, guards, and kitchen speed.
Wrong Color?
Tactical ideas for adapting when strong court drift appears to favor the opponent's color or side of the court.
More to come
Additional Learning Lab articles will be added as they are revised and ready for publication. For ready-to-use beginner, intermediate, and advanced teaching series, visit Program Guides & Lessons.