Carrom Coach Arun Deshpande

Chapter 1 — Foreword & Basics

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Arun’s foreword to the guide, the aim of carrom, and the fundamentals — force, sitting position, footwork, height, and the four grips.

Forward

I wrote my first book in Marathi and was published by Majestic Publication in January 1982. Thanks to Late Mr. Keshavrao Kothavale for giving me opening. I translated the book in English by some additions in it and was published again by Majestic Publication, this time by Mr. Ashok Kothavale who took a risk because this was his first publication in English. Thanks a million to him for giving me platform not only in the other states in India but also in many carrom loving countries. I thought there is nothing to write more on this subject as I tried to include everything in this book. My wife Anjali was after me for many years asking me to write another book. I shifted my carrom career from playing to coaching and then I learned the intricacies of the game by solving other players’ problems. I started to enjoy carrom problems of many players may it be a problem of nails of the fingers or a grip or any position on the carrom board. I thank all my students who indirectly helped me writing this book by giving me their problems. I sincerely thank Banks sports board, State Carrom Association, All India Carrom Federation and Carrom Federations of Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, UK, Maldives and SriLanka Who gave me opportunities of coaching which helped me to gather lot of material through difficulties of the players. I discussed many subjects in details with my wife Anjali on carrom and she suggested many topics which inspired me to write this book. It took many years to write this book. I hope all the players throughout the globe will like this book and their comments will definitely inspire me to write more on my beloved game.

Chapter 1 — The Mantra

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A short letter from Arun Deshpande to every reader of this book — written before the technique begins. Read this first; the rest of the book makes more sense afterwards.

A note from the coach

Dear Reader, I would like to tell you this “MANTRA” before you actually start reading the technique in this book.

The Mantra

Be sincere with carrom. Treat it as your very close family member. Do not commercialize it. Do not gamble on it. Just as your quarrel with a close family member is of a very temporary nature, treat your defeat in this game as a temporary setback. Do not be angry with the carrom board or the striker because of the defeat. Remain faithful to carrom, and you will then get the expected best results.

Chapter 2 — Physics, Geometry, Mathematics

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Why carrom is a game of physics, geometry, and mathematics — how to think about angles, force, and rebounds.

Science Behind the Game

The game of carrom is complete. Three subjects are involved in it:

Physics

All about force. Every stroke requires a different force — from a soft touch when coin, striker, and pocket line up, to a hard hit when the geometry works against you.

Geometry

The angles you must know to play the strokes. Each stroke is a theorem; know the theorems and you can handle any position on the board.

Chapter 2 — Equipment

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Every part of the carrom set — board, frames, pockets, base lines, circles, coins, striker, stand, and lamp. Know your equipment before you learn your strokes.

Carrom Board

Playing surface

Plywood, 29 inches square. Thickness generally 12–16 mm.

Frames

Four sides, 3 inches wide, 2 inches thick.

Pockets

Four corner pockets, each 4.45 cm in diameter.

Base lines

Four lines; distance between the two lines is 3.18 cm.

Base circles

Eight circles, 3.18 cm diameter, painted red.

Centre circle

Red circle, 3.18 cm in diameter.

Chapter 3 — Strokes

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The main strokes of carrom, walked through one by one with photos.

STROKES

I have discussed all basic strokes and some advanced strokes in my earlier book, “Carrom Skill And Technique " here I am giving you some more strokes.

In the diagram 9 white coin has no access in the front pocket. Many of you will try to make a defense by removing any of the black coin trying to bring it to the base frame but in this effort you will pass the turn to the opponent and you never know what move the opponent will make and perhaps you may lose the board. You can cut your white coin in to the left or right base pocket by cut as shown in the diagram.

Chapter 3 — Basic Rules

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How a game is set up and scored, the rules around the Queen, fouls, and dues — the framework every stroke in this book assumes you already know.

Setting Up and Scoring

Arrangement

Queen in the centre circle. Black and white coins placed alternately around her in a small circle, then an outer circle so whites form a letter Y.

Turn of play

As long as a player pockets his or her coins, the turn continues.

Chapter 4 — Behaviour

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Behaviour with the umpire, spectators, opponents; the role of luck and punctuality at the table.

DICIPLINE

Behaviour

Punctuality BEHAVIOR

Behavior of a player is very important.

Behavior with umpire

I have seen some players talking very rudely with umpires thereby spoiling relation with them. I really don’t understand why players misbehave with umpires? What do they gain? Sometimes players feel that they know rules in a better way than umpire and therefore they argue. I tell you, in no other game the facility of calling chief referee can be availed of by any player as is availed in this game. If you are not satisfied with umpire’s decision you can call chief referee. Even if chief referee’s decision also goes against you then you have a right to play on their protest by paying protest fees and lodging a protest in writing, quoting the incident and the rule. Such a facility is not available in any other sport if such a protection is given to you why should you argue with the umpire? On the other hand if you behave nicely with the umpire, he/she will have a respect for you. I have seen Suhas Kambli, five times national champion from Mumbai behaving with the umpire in such a way that every umpire was eager to refer his match. We had never any problem with any umpire even sometimes he was a good friend of our opponents. In tournaments held in Maharashtra I had requested many times friends of my opponents to refer matches in spite of knowing that they were well-wishers of my opponents. I never faced any problem with any one of them. If you have good intentions nothing wrong will happen to you. In olden days the organizers of the tournament used to level the boards before the match. I sat on my match in Madras (Chennai) and immediately realized that our board was not properly leveled. I asked our umpire to give me packing for leveling the board but the umpire was reluctant to give packing saying that the board was already leveled. My opponent also agreed for leveling

Chapter 4 — Grips

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Grip is the foundation of every stroke in this book. Arun describes four grips — develop a natural one first, then add the others as your game grows.

Grips

Grip is very important in the game of carrom. You should develop a natural grip.

Watch in action

Intermediate

Science behind the game, sitting posion grips, Spin

Natural Grip

Chapter 5 — Concentration, Observation, and the Board

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Concentration and observation as skills; the factors of the playing surface — board level, smoothness, frame bounce, pocket behaviour, coin properties.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR A PLAYER TO BECOME CHAMPION

I have discussed the qualities required for a player to become champion in my last book “carrom Technique and skill”.

Here I am going to discuss few more qualities and trying to give more material for the qualities already discussed.

Concentration

What is concentration? Concentration is

Chapter 5 — The Break

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The break sets the tone for every board. Arun shows two reliable methods from the left base circle — and when to try the reverse break for a slam chance.

Break from Left Base Circle

Left base break

Striker on the left base circle; aim so it passes through the first arrow of the opposite left half circle. Prefer scissor or flat grip.

This method is the best method and is used by the majority of the players. Many players take blind aim from the opposite frame for the break. If you place your striker on the left base circle then your striker should pass through the first arrow of the opposite left half circle as shown in the above figure. You can see the actual point from where your striker should pass and therefore you can play the stroke accurately. If you don’t use this method and try to take an imaginary point on the opposite frame then there is a chance of varying this imaginary point, resulting in failure of the break. This break should be made preferably by scissor grip or by any flat grip.

Chapter 6 — Offence, Defence, and Killer's Instinct

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When to play offence and when defence; knowing your strong and weak points; the killer’s instinct that closes games.

PLANNING

Perfect planning makes a player perfect. Immediately after the break you must take a look at the position of coins on the carrom board and should decide from where to start and how you should proceed. Carrom is a game of planning and not only the game of pocketing coins. There are many players who are better in pocketing coins than the champions; stil1 they can’t beat champions only because of their poor planning. You should start playing in such a way that when you lose turn of play, then you should always get a favourable position. You should always take an advantage of every coin on the carrom board to improve your position. When I had been to European countries and I played in some of the clubs, I received an appreciation from the members of those clubs. In their speeches they described me as doctor of carrom, professor of carrom, mathematician of carrom and so on. But the remark I liked most was that of one member who in his speech said that they were using one striker whereas I was using three strikers.

Chapter 6 — Strokes: Cut, Double, Press

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Shower of Strokes, Straight Cut, Cross Cut, Double, Cross Double, and the Press.

Shower of Strokes

An overview of the fundamental strokes covered in this chapter.

Watch in action

Champion

Advance strokes

Winning strokes

Exhibition strokes

Cut

Chapter 7 — Mental Fitness

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Sleep, deep breathing, chanting, and mental practice — training the mind alongside the hand.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

In any game physical fitness is absolutely essential. The game of carrom is no exception for it. When a player plays major tournaments he/she has to play four to five matches of duration of half an hour to more than three hours depending upon the opponent. Playing for such a long time gives strain to every part of his body involved in this game. I suggest following yoga exercises for the parts of the body involved in this game.

Chapter 7 — Touch, Shot, Pair, Cannon

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Touch and its variations, Shot, Pair, and Cannon — strokes that set up multiple coins at once.

Touch

Pocketing your coin by touching it to another coin.

When a player pockets his own coin by touching it to the another coin, the stroke is called touch. As shown in Fig. 7-A if the opponent’s coin is near the left frame and our coin is near it, the touch can be played. By playing a touch stroke in this position, not only will our coin go into the pocket but the opponent’s coin also comes near our base frame and becomes difficult for him. As shown in figure 7-B, if there is an obstruction for our coin and if any coin is near the opposite frame near the pocket, then our coin can be pocketed by the touch stroke. By using this stroke, the path of the coin can be changed. As shown in figure 7-C, if two coins are touching each other and they are in a cross line, then the first coin can be pocketed very easily. The striker should hit the first coin at the center point. If these two coins are away from the pocket (the pocket in which the first coin is to be pocketed) and from the striker (base lines) then these coins should be in less of a cross line. If these coins are near the pocket or the striker, the coin should be in more of a cross line. e.g. If there is a coin at the center of the opposite base line and the other coin is touching it from the opposite end then these two coins should be in a straight line perpendicular to the opposite frame. Only then can the first coin be pocketed by a touch stroke. The point where the striker should hit depends upon the position of these two coins e.g. if these two coins are at the center of opposite base lines perpendicular to the opposite frame, striker should hit slightly at right side if the coin is to be pocketed to the opposite left pocket and striker should hit slightly at the left side if the coin is to be pocketed to the opposite right pocket. A player should try many such positions only then can he will understand the exact position of these two coins and the point where the striker should hit. Most of the players think of pocketing in the front pockets and therefore even if there is a possibility of pocketing coin into base pockets, they do not think of it. e.g. As shown in figure 8-A two coins of the opponent are blocking the possibility lf our coin going to the front pockets but if you observe, our coin can be pocketed to our base pocket by a touch stroke as shown in figure 8-A. Like-wise there are many chances of touch stroke in a bunch of coins by rebound, whereas the player does not play this stroke and drags the bunch blindly Many a time there remains a bunch of four coins after the break as shown in figure 8-B. From this bunch a white coin can be pocketed by touch in the front pocket. A player who breaks from the right side should try to pocket such in the opposite left pocket and a player who breaks from the left side, should try to pocket the coin in the opposite right pocket. While playing such a stroke the striker should hit the lower portion of the black coin with medium force. As shown in Fig. 8-C if the opponent’s coin blocks the way of our coin then our coin should hit the frame in such a way that while returning from the frame it should touch the opponent’s coin and should travel towards the pocket. While playing such a stroke the striker should follow the coin up to the frame where coin strikes it.

Chapter 8 — Emotions, Diet, and Attitude

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Handling fear and anxiety, controlling emotions, decision making, diet, and the attitudes that separate winners from losers.

PSYCHOLOGY

Fear

I have read that psychology dictionaries define fear as a negative emotional state, the result of a reaction to the perception, assessment and consciousness of defeat. Sometimes players can also develop a negative attitude toward performing and themselves. The effects of fear are tension, helplessness,

Self-control.

There can also be some physical changes like rapid breathing, palpitations, turning red or pale, sweating or chills stomach aches or shaking.

Chapter 8 — Glance, Brush, Rebound, Hook

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Glance, Double Glance, Brush, Rebound, Simple Rebound, Langda Rebound, and Hook.

Glance

Pocket the second coin while the first coin hits the opposite frame and comes near the base frame.

As shown in figure 11-A, a striker is released on the first coin and the second coin is pocketed while the first comes near the base frame by hitting opposite frame. This stroke is called a glance. While playing a glance care should be taken. Many

Chapter 9 — Pockets and Turning

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Third Pocket, Cross Third Pocket, Turning, Second Pocket, and Cross Second Pocket.

Third Pocket

Pocketing to the opposite right pocket by hitting the side frame.

As shown in figure 13-A, a coin is near the left frame can be pocketed to the opposite right pocket by hitting it on the side frame by the striker. This stroke is called third pocket. The striker also hits the side frame after hitting the coin.

Chapter 10 — Slip, Striker Slip, Double Touch

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Slip, Striker Slip, and Double Touch — fine-control strokes used when coins overlap.

Slip

Pocketing a coin touching a frame by hitting its quarter point.

As shown in figure 16-A, if coin touching any frame is pocketed by hitting on its quarter point, the stroke is called a slip, punch or quarter.

As shown in figure 16-A, if a coin is 5 inches or more away from the base pocket, and then a player should try to pocket it into the opposite pocket.

Chapter 11 — Bomb and Force

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Bomb (Bum) and Force strokes — powerful shots used to break up clusters and reset the board.

Bomb (bum)

Hard stroke against the frame to disturb the board and drag coins toward you.

As shown in figure 17-A and B if our coin is on the base lines and if while pocketing it, the striker is released against the side frame or the base frame very hard, the Stroke is called the Bomb. Bum is called in hindi. By this stroke, the position of all the other coins on the board can be disturbed. Therefore this stroke should be played in such a way that the coins so disturbed should not go to the opposite frame but should come near us. As shown in figure 17-A a player should hit the striker on side frame in such a way that it will strike the opposite frame at the pocket area and will return in a circular path towards the inner circle. Thus the coin from the inner circle can be brought near us. While playing such a stroke, the direction of the coin should not be towards the pocket but it should be at the base frame at least half an inch away from the pocket depending upon the position of the coins.

Chapter 12 — Defence and Offence

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Direct and Indirect Defence, offence, and lessons from Arun’s experience in Madras.

Defence and Offence

Most people get annoyed when they hear about defence in carrom. Many of them say “Why should such a dirty game be played?” Defence and offence are part of sports, major or minor, indoor or outdoor. Most people think that defence in carrom is simply employed to disturb the opponent’s coin — but this thinking is wrong. They realise the importance of this principle when they see the champions in action.

Chapter 13 — Mental Qualities of a Player

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Concentration, observation, patience, and practice — the mental side of carrom that separates champions from talented players.

Self-Confidence

Self-confidence

The first essential quality. With confidence, difficult coins become playable; without it, even a coin at the pocket becomes a challenge.

A player of any game must possess certain qualities and a carrom player is not an exception. Nothing is difficult for any player who has self-confidence. He can then learn easily. But once he loses his confidence, the simplest task becomes difficult for him. A carrom player sitting with confidence can make his difficult coins easy and foresee a path from start to finish. One creates self-confidence by constant practice, full use of the grip, and utter devotion to the game.

Chapter 14 — Advanced Stroke Positions

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Walkthroughs of advanced board positions — figures 32 through 47 — and how Arun plays them.

Advanced Positions

Each walkthrough below matches a diagram in Arun’s original book. Study the coin layout first, then read how the striker should travel.

Figure 32

In Fig. 32 there are three white coins and opponent’s one black coin. Our two coins are difficult at rebound position. The position of these two coins is difficult for rebound and therefore some other stroke should be tried and finish the board otherwise the opponent will win the board by pocketing his only coins on the board.

Contact

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Arun Deshpande offers personal coaching sessions for players at all levels — from absolute beginners to tournament aspirants. Group workshops and coaching camps are also available for clubs and academies worldwide.

Beginner

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Champion

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Intermediate

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Intro

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Misc

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Problems & Solutions

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