Cue-ball control drills: stop, follow and draw

One layout, three intended finishes

Place the cue ball and one object ball on a straight line to a corner pocket. Leave enough space beyond the object ball for a follow target and behind it for a draw target. Use the diamonds to recreate the positions.

The diagram uses a 100 × 50 playing area as a reference. On a different table size, keep the proportions and use a target about three ball-widths across. Use table-approved markers or visual landmarks; remove any loose marker that could interfere with a ball.

S marks the cue-ball center at impact, one ball diameter behind the object ball. F is a follow target farther along the shot line. D is a draw target back toward your starting position. Choose one target before each shot.

Practice stop, follow and draw separately

1. Stop: arrive sliding

Pocket the object ball and leave the cue ball close to S. A stop shot requires the cue ball to be sliding without forward or backward roll at contact. The useful tip height and speed depend on the distance to the object ball; a center-ball hit does not automatically produce a stop.

2. Follow: control forward travel

Pocket the same ball and let the cue ball roll forward into F. Begin with a comfortable above-center contact and a level cue. Keep the setup and tip contact consistent while adjusting speed. Start with a generous target well short of the pocket.

3. Draw: keep backspin until contact

Pocket the ball and bring the cue ball back into D. Use a below-center hit, a chalked tip and a smooth, level delivery. Backspin must still be present when the balls meet. Move the cue ball closer if you cannot reproduce a short draw before attempting a longer one.

Spend five unscored attempts finding each finish, then choose one drill for a ten-shot scored set. Do not change both the target and the starting position halfway through a set.

A simple ten-shot check

Write down your score out of 20 and whether misses finished short, long or sideways. This is a simple guide exercise; Position Lab has its own drill-specific attempts, distances and scoring displayed inside the app.

When one target becomes repeatable across several sets, shrink it or add distance. Change one difficulty at a time so you know what caused the result.

Change the cause you can observe

• The cue ball rolls forward on a stop attempt: it had forward roll at impact. Recheck the actual contact height, then adjust speed or move slightly lower.
• Draw turns into stop or follow: the backspin did not survive to contact. Shorten the distance first and check that your tip is striking where you intended.
• The cue ball moves sideways: check whether the pot was truly straight and whether you cut the object ball. Unwanted sidespin can also change the aim.
• Distance varies: keep the target, tip contact and starting positions fixed while refining a repeatable stroke speed.

Cloth, ball cleanliness and shot distance change the result. Calibrate at the table you are using instead of assuming one tip position or stroke length always gives the same travel.

Finish by applying one successful transition to a three-ball ghost runout. The next test is whether you can choose and execute that finish under a little pressure.