How to Hit a Cue Ball in Pool

Nothing ruins a game of pool like a miscue on an easy shot. The best approach, bridge and line can be ruined if you hit the cue ball slightly off center. Here are some tips on how you can practice hitting a cue ball in pool.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Use a striped ball to practice your cue ball striking. Use the stripe as a reference to see how straight you are hitting the ball. You can also get cues balls that have dots or stripes that will help you practice.

2. Aim the tip of your stick at the center of the ball. If you're off slightly to the right or left, the ball will wobble as it travels. If it hits the side of the table, the ball will careen to the side instead of bouncing straight back.

3. Practice hitting the ball on an empty table. Stand at one end of the table and shoot at the opposite end of the table. Hit the ball and try to get it to come straight back with no wobble.

4. Try hitting an actual cue ball once can consistently hit a striped ball or practice ball straight. You will not have the stripes or dots as a guide, but your shot should still go straight to the end of the table and then straight back toward you.

5. Place another ball on the table and practice hitting long, straight shots. Long shots test the quality of your cue ball striking. If your shot is straight, you should sink the shot. If you're off even slightly, the object ball probably will miss the hole.

6. Practice your center shot on the cue ball until it becomes second nature to you. Master straight shooting before adding English or other shooting techniques.

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