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Step 1
Place the ball you intend to sink near a corner pocket. Put the cue ball off to the side, about 12 inches away. As you become skilled with combo shots, change the setup to more difficult positioning, such as the center of the table, near a side pocket and touching an opponent's ball.
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Step 2
Envision the cue stick as an extension of your arm. The mental image helps to keep the end of the cue from swaying out of alignment.
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Step 3
Determine the angle that the cue ball must hit the numbered ball in order to sink it. Memorize this angle.
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Step 4
Position yourself to hit the cue ball into the numbered ball. The impact must cause the numbered ball to ricochet in the correct direction, dropping it into a pocket or at least winding up in a better position.
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Step 5
Line up the combination shot carefully, predicting each ball's movement across the table. It's unwise to simply stare at the cue ball; look for the big picture before taking the shot.
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Step 6
Smack the cue ball firmly but not too hard. You maintain the best control with a steady, even hand and medium force.
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Step 7
Practice the same setup repeatedly until you have a consistent success with the shot. Once you're capable with one setup, choose another, and stay dedicated to that exact shot until you do it well. You can learn combination shots more quickly when introducing them one at a time.
