Billiard Stances- A Comparison Of Two Styles - Easy Pool Tutor

This document intends a comparison between two differing styles of stance in the game of billiards, the snooker and the side-on stance.  Using a step-by-step drill structure, differences will be discussed between these two broad categories of stance style.

NOTE: If left-handed, switch right with left.

A snooker stance is all about being flat on the table and square on and off-centered behind the shot.  It is an off-centered stance.  The bridge and feet together form the triangle that supports the stance.  Going down square on and off-centered forms a triangle that is quite close to the shape of a right angled triangle.  The vertical line of a shot runs through the bridge and somewhere close to the right foot.  The horizontal line between the feet facing the shot is not quite horizontal because the left foot is slightly forward and to the side of the leading right foot.  The right foot is said to lead because it is closest to the line of shot.

A side-on stance is the opposite of the snooker stance in the way the body is positioned side-on and centered to the line of shot, instead of square on and off-centered.  It can be as flat on the table as a snooker stance, or it can be more elevated, with the head positioned off the cue.  The bridge and feet together form the triangle that supports the stance.  Going down side-on and as centered as possible forms a triangle that is quite asymmetrical.  The vertical line of a shot runs through the bridge and somewhere between the feet, but unlike the snooker stance, there is not a great deal of width difference between the feet and there is far more length difference.  The line between the feet facing the shot is much closer to vertical than horizontal, because the left foot is quite forward and only somewhat to the side of the leading right foot.

Step 1: Observing the {Line of Shot} stand [Head, Eyes] with [Right Elbow, Eye-of-Grip, Bridge, Cue, Chest/Belly] over [Pelvis, Legs, and Feet] behind the {Line} through the {Cue Ball}

The Eye-of-Grip is the 'V' formed between your forefinger and thumb.

Observe the Line of Shot by first looking at the pocket, and then at the cue ball and object ball together, forming an imaginary line between cue ball and object ball that aims the object ball into the pocket.

Begin by positioning the head behind the shot, and then shaping the rest of the body and the cue to the shot.  Through practice you learn what the correct distance from the shot is for you.  Try having the grip holding the cue quite low to the table so that when you bow down, the grip and cue can come up into the stance to meet the body.  This encourages a smooth motion into line.  Point the cue in the general direction of the shot, already quite horizontal behind the shot, with the left arm and bridging hand extended gently forwards.  Try having the cue somewhat flat in relation to your body and the table and the shot as you stand, not straight out away nor held against the torso.  This helps with your sense of distance and gives you room to move the bridge out and forward as you stretch out down into a stance.  While standing, I personally find that positioning the bridge hand just below the half way point of the cue works best, as it gives me the cue weight to guide the positioning down of the bridge hand.