Skip to content
If you’ve played with an experienced pool player on the bars, you’ll see how they prepare every shot by moving the cue ball across the table.
The same techniques are used to provide you with tough shots after a miss.
While it might appear to be a masterclass at moments, cue ball control isn’t that difficult. It’s among the essential pool-related abilities every player can master.
There are three main stroke strategies to control where the cue ball travels after hitting with the ball in play: the draw, the follow and the stopping shot.
Also Read: How High To Mount a Pool Cue Stick?
As you master the basics of playing pool, try these moves every once in a while.
These skills are helpful no matter which kind of sport you participate in.
Center-Ball Stroking
“More than 85 percent of all shots are taken by stroking the cue ball in the middle. Stroke the ball in the center whenever possible.”
Before we draw, stop and follow shots, let’s go over the fundamentals of where to hit the cue ball to ensure essential Cue Ball Control.
When you play each stroke below, you’ll notice we’re talking about striking the cue ball “above” or “below” the center.
In these cases, “center” refers to the horizontal direction of cue balls.
To make this article, we’re not discussing the use of “English,” which means striking the ball either to either left or right of the vertical direction of the axis.
If you hit the ball towards the right causes the ball to spin to the left (or counter-clockwise); if you hit to the left causes the cue ball to spin to the left (clockwise).
It is an advanced method that affects the trajectory from the cueball towards the object ball and also the direction that the ball is on.
English can also alter how the ball is positioned when it has hit the rail. It’s a highly efficient cue ball control method that we will explore in future articles.
For now, we’ll stay to the basics of drawing, following, stopping and stopping.
For most users, staying within the middle of our vertical axis is ideal to the greatest extent for our shots.
Also Read: How To Straighten A Pool Cue?
The Draw Shot
The objective of the Draw Shot in Pool
The draw shot occurs where you need to control the cue ball by drawing it back once it has made contact with your object ball. It is a famous positioning shot for the pool.
The objective is to strike the cue ball, so it is low enough to allow it to move its weight in the opposite direction.
Where to Strike the Cue Ball
Aiming at a minimum of a cue tip’s length below the center of your body is recommended to perform draw shots.
Aim toward the lower part of the cue ball to get more draws and more draws. However, typically, you should not go beyond the size of a cue’s tip and one-half.
You can enhance the draw by hitting lower or with greater force. Additionally, once you have struck the cue ball, follow around 4 to 6 inches beyond your point of contact toward the ball of the object.
It is common to raise your cue when drawing shots.
For example, if your cue ball is located close to the rail, or if there is an object ball just in front of the ball that is cued, it is necessary to raise the cue to hit it.
If you want to do this properly, ensure you have created a sturdy bridge that can hold the cue comfortably and securely.
Training for the draw shot
It is easy to practice drawing by aiming at an object ball and then trying to draw the ball to various distances.
Make sure to draw it longer every time. You’ll be able to discover the level and intensity you have to work to get the drawing you desire.
You can then draw various distances. It will be apparent that drawing shots are more challenging to perform when you have longer shots. You’ll require more backspin which will require a firm strike below the center.
The Follow Shot
The objective of the Follow Shot in Pool
The next shot is reverse from the draw. In a follow shot, you’re trying to move the cue ball forward once it has made contact with your object.
It can be helpful in situations where you must bring the cue ball to the other side of the table following an attack taking. For instance, the cue ball and taking the cue ball and putting it on edge with some topspin.
You might want to do this to prepare for your next shot, or, in the case of defensive play, you want to give your opponent a more challenging shot.
Where to Strike on the Cue Ball
If you are playing a follow shot, target only a few inches higher than the center of the ball of the cue.
There’s no reason to try to aim higher. If you need more, follow. Increase the force of your stroke.
Since if you set your sights too high, you run the risk of loss of stroke velocity and possibly miscuing.
How to Practice Follow Shots
A great way to learn how to follow shots is to alter how far the cue ball travels following every shot.
You can test short follows initially and then progress to follow-ups with the help of a bank.
Once you are confident, you can try to follow shots that take the cue ball away from the rail and onto the opposite side of the table.
Try different stroke speeds to determine what effect it has on the trajectory that the ball travels.
The Stop Shot
The objective of the Stop Shot in Pool
The purpose of the stopping shot is for the ball to be stopped when it comes into contact with the ball of the object.
Okay, We didn’t keep the ball dead in the video.
But the ball’s movement to travel is limited, and that’s often the aim when preparing for the next shot in the 8-ball match. It’s not perfect, but it does the job.
Where to Strike the Cue Ball
Stop shots on the cue ball should be struck at a dead-center position to ensure maximum control.
However, some players like to strike a bit below center to make the ball slide and stop it after it has made contact with it.
It is essential to keep the shot as level as possible during the Stop shot.
Additionally, the follow-through must be around 4 to 6 inches following contact.
Also, be sure to have plenty of chalk to stop shots since they require plenty of contact between the cue and tip ball.
A Note About Aiming
If you’re beginning to play these shots, you’ll need to focus on the cue ball to ensure you strike the ball in the proper position.
Ensure you find your goal the first couple of strokes to warm up.
After pinpointing where you intend to touch the cue ball, move your focus to the object ball and your intended pocket.
Concentrate on the ball you aim for during your final couple of warm-up strokes and continue until the contact phase and follow through.
If you use this method frequently, you’ll notice it is easy to pinpoint the proper place of contact with the cue ball to focus your attention on the ball in the target without worrying about not executing correctly.
It’s not easy, but it’s a matter of practice.
Become a Positioning Pro
So now you know three methods of controlling the cue ball in the game of pool: the draw following, stop and follow.
These fundamental techniques will enable you to put the ball in a better position, and you won’t constantly try to make impossible shots or make your opponents suffer with simple shots.
How to Move the Cue Ball?
You are permitted to transfer the cue ball if your break is first to break (only within the line of break) or anyplace on the table if the opponent is guilty of committing the offense of foul (for instance, if they throw or throw the cue ball).
- If you’re playing with the mobile version, to shift the cue ball, you have to tap it, then drag it to the desired location. After locating the right spot, let it go and prepare to shoot!
- If you’re playing on a Web-based version, you need to hold the left end of your mouse and drag it to the place you’d prefer to put your cue ball once you have reached the desired spot, then release the left-hand edge of your mouse.
Also Read: What is the Standard Length of Pool Cue?
How to Hit the Cue Ball?
If you tap the Cue Ball, you’ll be able to decide which direction to strike it to give it the desired spin/direction once it has hit the rail or ball.
The number of Cue Spins depends upon what is known as the Cue Stat. With more spins, you get more angles of the ball’s deflection in a particular direction.
If it’s your turn to shoot your Cue Ball, depending on the direction in which you shoot, you’ll have a Left Hand Side and the Left Side of the Cue Ball’s perspective Sight.
- If you include the RIGHT SPIN on the Cue Ball, it moves toward its Right-Hand side from the Cue Ball’s perspective.
- If you include the LEFT SPIN to the Cue Ball, it moves toward the left-hand side. A left-Hand side from the Cue Ball’s viewpoint
- If you include a Back Spin in your Cue Ball, it will produce a backward motion and move into the opposing direction of the ball.
- If you make the top spin in the Cue Ball, it will follow the same direction as the ball.
Remember that the Force applied to the Cue Ball affects the Spin!