Using Draw/Follow on the cue ball

This lesson will explain how the execution of draw and/or follow on the cue ball affects the angle at which the object ball banks off the cushion. Unlike the effects of english or speed, the effects of draw/follow on the cue ball is not so noticeable. The angle of increase or decrease is very minimal, however it is still helpful to know it.

Refer to the illustration below. When you apply follow or above center hit on the cue ball (with no english), there is a slight decrease in the banking angle of the object ball off the cushion. This is indicated by the white line on the illustration. The amount of decrease in angle is dependent on the speed at which the object ball travels as it hits the cushion as well as if english was applied on the cue ball. As we have discussed in the previous lesson on "bank shots", the more speed on the object ball the less angle it will have off the cushion. At some point, the effects of executing follow or draw on the cue ball will be overrun by the effects of speed and/or english.

Opposite the effect of following the cue ball, applying draw or below center hit on the cue ball (with no english) increases the angle at which the object ball banks off the cushion (indicated by the blue line). Similar to "follow", the angle of increase depends on speed and english.

These are the important factors that you will need to keep in mind when attempting a bank shot. Speed has the most effect as far as the angle of the bank followed by English and then Draw or Follow. You will need to practice and try out all the different combinations of these factors at hand.