Basic Shots & Shotmaking

In our first article on the Follow Shot, I discussed the proper execution of the follow shot. This lesson will revisit the topic of the Follow shot and explain in more detail the state of the cue ball as it travels towards the object ball that makes the cue ball follow towards the direction of the object ball after it impacts the object ball.

In our first article on the Draw Shot, I discussed the proper execution of the draw shot. This lesson will revisit the topic of the Draw shot and explain in more detail the state of the cue ball as it travels towards the object ball that makes the cue ball draw back after it impacts the object ball.

In a previous article on the Stop Shot, I discussed the proper execution of the shot. This lesson will revisit the topic of the Stop shot and explain in more detail the state of the cue ball as it travels towards the object ball that makes the cue ball stop at the moment it impacts the object ball.

Angle shots, also referred as cut shots or slice is generally make up the most of your shots in the game of pocket billiards. Therefore, it is important to master these type of shots. In this lesson, I will discuss key points that you should remember about angled shots.

A Follow Shot is when the cue ball stops momentarily then follows the object ball's direction upon contact with the object ball. It is normally done by hitting the cue ball above center (see illustrations below). This is a relatively easy shot as long as you don't hit the cue ball too high which can cause you to miscue.

A Draw Shot is when the cue ball stops momentarily then draws away from the object ball towards you upon contact with the object ball. This is one of the more pleasing shots to see as the cue ball stops momentarily before it races back towards you. It is normally done by hitting the cue ball below center (see illustrations below). This is a difficult shot to master because hitting the cue ball below center normally creates a "miscue" specially for beginner players.

A "Stop Shot" or "Stop Ball" as Filipinos normally call it, is when the cue ball stops dead in its tracks upon contact with the object ball. It is normally done by hitting the cue ball at the center (see illustrations below). If the object ball and the cue ball is only a short distance away, a centerball hit on the cue ball with medium stroke will generally stop the cue ball after making contact with the object ball. There are however, a few exceptions.