Leave the cue ball in an area that gives you an easy angle on the next shot.
Before you shoot, pick the zone where the cue ball should stop for the next shot. Here it comes off the top rail into a zone with an easy angle on the 2-ball.
Video lesson
Key points
Before every shot, decide the area where the cue ball needs to stop for the next shot.
A small angle beats a dead-straight shot: a little angle lets you move the cue ball on to the next ball.
It's easier to get shape by sending the cue ball along the line through the zone than by crossing it.
Common mistakes
Only thinking about the ball you're shooting
Leaving the cue ball frozen on the rail or hooked behind another ball
Drill
Scatter 3 balls at random and run them in order. Note every shot where the cue ball stopped outside the area you planned.