Anyone can play pool, but even the best players get into bad habits and no matter how much you play, its worth giving your cueing action the occasional once over.
You may have a fatal technical flaw, so arm your self with Max’s tips and tricks and get back to basics. print them out, get practicing, impress your friends and trounce your enemies.
Stance
First things first, get comfortable. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed and your feet are wide enough apart to keep you from falling over when your opponent 'accidentally' barges you as you're about to play a shot. The aim of the stance is to get you lined up so that there is a straight line between the object ball, through the cue ball, both hands, your head and your cueing shoulder.
oh dear, very bad stance
correct stance
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Head/eyes
When lining up a shot keep your head fairly low and close to your cue so you're looking down it. Your chin should be anywhere between 6 -12 inches from the cue - see what's comfortable for you. When you're set, look at where you're going to strike the cue ball. When you are happy with this ignore it and focus on where to hit the object ball. Re-check both of these. Now look through the white at the object ball and strike. Keep your head down and watch the shot through.
incorrect
6 inches - honest
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Bridge
Your bridge should be about 5-8 inches away from the cue ball. Rigidity is the key. Spread out your fingers and thumb on the table, then lift up your palm while you keep the tips of your fingers and the heel of your hand on the table. Clamp your thumb to your forefinger and you should have a V shape between your thumb and forefinger into which the cue will neatly fit This is the English style bridge and its much the easiest, but it might be worth trying the American style closed bridge which gives you more control if you're really whacking the ball.
american bridge
english bridge
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Stroke
Remember what your mother told you - it's all true about clean hands. The cleaner they are the smoother your cueing action will be. If its hot and sticky try rubbing a bit of cue chalk into the V of your bridge for lubrication. The key is to get a nice fluid back-and-forth motion, like a pendulum. The most common beginners error is poke at the cue ball without a proper back swing. Give yourself a few practice strokes before you hit the ball. Don't grip the back end of the cue too hard. Your cueing elbow should be directly above your cueing hand at the point of impact. You don't have to stretch your arm back to hold the end of the cue. Keep it comfortable.
an incorrect elbow position
a correct elbow position
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potting
This is the easy bit. No, really. Draw an imaginary line from the pocket through the middle of the object ball. Where the line exits the ball is where the cue ball must strike. Start with straight shots and close shots, then move the cue ball further away from the object, then try potting from different angles.
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Spin
Once you've cracked the potting the next thing to worry about is making sure you'll be in position for the next shot, and your position for the next shot will allow you to get into position for the one after that. The game is all about thinking ahead, working out where you want to be and then knowing how to get there. If you're potting a ball you can obviously influence the end position of the white ball by hitting it harder or softer, and you can also impart spin on the white ball. Don't worry about side spin (which the Americans call English for some reason) because it's too difficult and unless you're really good it just means you miss the pot. All you need to practice is backspin (or screw) from hitting the white ball below the centre and topspin (or follow) from hitting it above. Remember to chalk your cue at least once every couple of shots or you'll miscue.
top spin cue position
back spin cue position
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Doubles
Doubles (or bank shots) look very impressive but they're easy really. The facts are clear. When you strike a ball at a cushion it will come off at (roughly) the same angle as it approached the cushion. You can influence the angle at which the ball comes off by hitting it harder or softer. If you hit harder the angle will narrow and if you hit softer it will widen. Stick to fairly straight doubles - if you have to cut the ball it starts getting really tricky.
a tricky double
a not so tricky double
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Swerves
If you've been snookered and you can't get out of it by coming off a cushion you may consider a swerve shot around the obstructing ball. It's not easy but it looks very impressive when you've cracked it. You have to cue high and hit down on the ball. This means establishing a firm high bridge and hitting down on the side of the ball. It will swerve away from the side you hit and then come back again. You have to hit reasonably hard to get sufficient purchase on the ball. Always chalk the cue first.
the bridge for a swerve shot
the high cue
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