How to Put Spin on the Cue Ball

This billiard tutorial covers the basics of how to hit a stop, follow, and draw shot. Understanding the fact that hitting the cue ball low will result in putting backward spin on the cue ball is only the beginning. What happens after the cue ball has traveled a few feet? Well, try it with a striped ball so you can see the action. Hit the 13 ball low and you will see it with backwards spin for a foot or so and then ZERO spin as it slides on the table for a second and then it will pick up natural forward roll. So, to hit a stop shot, the cue ball needs to be sliding into the object ball so there is no spin on it. A follow shot requires the cue ball to have forward spin and the draw shot requires the cue ball to still be spinning backwards when it hits an object ball.

To hit a follow shot, hit the cue ball about 1 tip diameter above center with a smooth follow-through and level stroke. The cue ball will instantly have forward roll so it will roll forward after hitting the object ball .

To hit a stop shot, hit the cue ball about 1/2 tip diameter below center with a smooth, level stroke. The cue ball needs to have ZERO spin on it when it contacts the object ball. If you hit the cue ball too soft, then it will pick up natural forward roll by the time it gets to the object ball and then will roll forward instead of stopping.

To hit a draw shot, hit the cue ball 1.5 tips diameter below center with a smooth level stroke and good follow through. You need to hit it hard enough so the cue ball still has backwards spin on it when it contacts the object ball. If you hit it too softly, then the cue ball will either be sliding when it hits the object ball resulting in a stop shot or will have picked up enough forward roll to roll forward after striking the object ball