How do you shoot when you are playing pool?

Question

How do you shoot when you are playing pool?

Answer 1

So much goes into one shot and it starts by how you address the table and where you choose to stand. Consider that if you body is not aligned to the shot, the position of your body can force your stroke off alignment by 5 to 15 degrees and it looked right but you won’t know why you didn’t pot the ball. Address the table first by choosing which shot and considering where the cue ball will go after first contact, deciding now if English is required to make the cue ball go where you need it to avoid a scratch or next position; do this before you lean into the shot position. Nothing will destroy your accuracy more than not being absolutely resolved in your mind on what the shot is to be and how it will execute when you stroke. If you have doubt or still deciding what the shot should be when you are down on the shot, get up and start over to readdress the table.

In addressing the table, first look at the center line from the object ball to the pocket, determining the cue ball’s point of contact on the object ball to make this centerline complete, then with this in mind move to your position behind the cue ball. When you step up to the shot, stand with your body (your heart) centered to the line of the shot between the cue ball and that chosen point on object ball, with feet in T stance. This will make your behind swing out as you lean into the shot and naturally leave your eyes looking straight down your cue on the center line of the shot with your arm also poised over this center line for a free but naturally straight stroke.

Set your bridge and choose your cue tip’s point of contact on the cue ball depending on required English if necessary. Raise your vision to include the point of contact on the object ball. When you are settled that all is aligned begin to stroke gently to stabilize the straightness of your stroke. Raise your vision slightly again to just above the object ball point of contact to include the destination pocket. When you feel your stroke is steady and straight pull back one last time and pause as though you have ****** the gun. Never pull back and release your stroke in one action as the nervous muscle tension in this jab style stroke is the beginning of instability the steers your shot off of your aim. Don’t blink; Release the shot in one smooth steady motion and drive the cue directly through the cue ball.

It’s a funny quirk of human behaviour that you can do all this set up very calmly but just as you stroke you tense up all the muscles, maybe with belief that such added power is needed or maybe just nervousness but that sudden burst of muscle action steers your shot off of aim. Its not strength or power, but the speed of your stroke that controls the force of the shot on the table. I don’t care who you are, the majority of players are sucked in by other people ball banging style and are to shooting way too hard to maintain control. Stop it, stay calm and loose, the same muscles used in the practice stoking will complete the shot. Try not to squeeze up on the cue handle with all four fingers when you release as the added muscle tension will change the direction of the stroke. Do not try to stop the stroke at the cue ball as this element will also cause undesired muscle tension that will steer the shot off your aim.

Good Shooting!

Answer 2

Try the video and online games category. I'm sure they can help you out.

Answer 3

I usually just line up my stick with the cue ball, and a very smooth follow through, but be careful you are not "pushing" the ball

unless you are asking about a video game, and in that case I have no clue, nor do I care because this is the category for REAL snooker and pool

Answer 4

Very smoothly.