Lesson
6

Draw and Follow

Hitting below center and above center

Goal

Bring the cue ball back or send it forward after contact.
1
Hit below center: the cue ball keeps backspin and comes back after contact.
Video lesson

Key points

If the cue ball is sliding at contact, it leaves at 90° to the object ball's path, along the tangent line.
If the cue ball is rolling naturally at contact, it deflects about 30° from its original direction on a half-ball hit (the 30° rule).
Draw: hit about 1–1.5 tip widths below center, with a long, smooth follow-through.
Follow: hit above center with medium speed.

Common mistakes

Tilting the cue down at the ball instead of lowering your bridge
Hitting low but quitting on the stroke, so the cue ball doesn't come back
Hitting too far from center and miscuing
Drill
Set up a straight-in shot and draw the cue ball back 30 cm, 60 cm and 90 cm in turn, then follow forward to the same marks.