Billiard Shot Stance

Written by Matthew West, reproduced with permission.

Billiard Stances- A Comparison Of Two Styles Part Three - Billiard Shot Stance

Step 3) Stroke the Line-> Pause-> Shoot

The stroke should begin with the cue tip just behind the cue ball. At this point of contact the right elbow should be vertical, forming a 90 degree right angle between upper arm and forearm. The first motion of the stroke should be away from the cue ball, then returning to that starting point on the forward stroke. The entire body should be comfortably still as you stroke. The head, and neck and shoulders especially, should not move, only the elbow, forearm, and grip should swing the cue. This is impossible to do without a good base in the pelvis, legs, and feet. The right elbow/upper arm needs to remain in line with the head and cue.

It isn't enough to just stroke, you have to aim that stroke as well. Eyes can move up and down the line between cue, cue ball, and object ball, but at the moment of contact it is essential to be looking at the line passing through the cue ball and object ball together, so that the shot can be confirmed as it is played.

Pausing the stroke, I feel, has many merits. Firstly, if your stance is well set up, comfortable, and stable over a solid base, you should be able to pause the motion of elbow, forearm, and grip without strain. If you find it difficult chances are you're not really that stable over your base. Secondly, pausing, whether at the front of the stroke next to the cue ball, or at it's apex at the back, gives your eyes the chance to check the line of the cue in relation to the line of the shot. No matter how good you are at setting up it's still easy to miss. The subtlest of body movements can throw your aim off. This is why I recommend a pause, either at the front or back swing of your last stroke- it gives you one last moment to check the line and the alignment of your body and cue in relation to that line before you shoot.

I hope you have enjoyed, please feel free to email me with questions/comments at wesma740@hotmail.com

back to Billiard stance Step 2 | Go on to read Matthew's general billiard stance tips.

Billiard Shot Stance

Title: Billiard Shot Stance
Author: Plumb (Matthew West)
Published: 12/14/2006 12:30:06 AM
Last Updated: 12/15/2006 12:30:06 AM
Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
Source: User Contributed

Billiard Shot Stance

The Billiard Shot Stance article belongs to the Billiard Shot Making and Shooting Tutorials category. Pool tutorials around billiard shot making and shooting tips.

Billiard Shot Stance Comments

quickshot from Manorville, NY on 4/7/2008 12:29:05 AM
Very informative and well presented billiard stance tutorial. It is easy to grasp.

jacobvella from Garden City, MI on 5/21/2011 12:13:00 PM
If I thought about all of the stuff in this article before I took a shot, I would miss for sure. You just have to play pool for long enough to know your comfort zone.

I prefer my chin to be down on the stick because it helps visualize the shot line. Getting as low as possible helps most pool players, but as I have noticed, it doesn't help all.

Like I said, find what is comfortable for you and work to perfect it. That is the only way to cultivate a good pool shot. P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E!

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