The invention relates to a control method for a core drilling machine and a feed device for driving the core drilling machine along a machine holding device, the method comprising the following steps: moving the core drilling machine in a first direction, detecting the surface position of a material based on reaching a threshold value for at least one feed device parameter as first reference value; moving the core drilling machine in a second direction; operating the core drilling machine in a tapping mode; moving the core drilling machine in the first direction; detecting the surface position of a material based on reaching a threshold value for at least one corresponding drill parameter as a second reference value; activating a water supply; and activating a regulating and control device for adapting at least one drill parameter subject to at least one parameter of the feed device. The invention further relates to a feed device for driving a core drilling machine along a machine holding device for use of the method, to a core drilling machine for use of the method, and to a core drilling system comprising a core drilling machine and a feed device for driving the core drilling machine along a machine holding device for use of the method.