Quick answer: To control the cue ball in pool, focus on two things: speed and where you hit the cue ball. Hit above center to make it roll forward, below center to make it stop or come back, and at center for the most control. Use the softest speed that gets the job done. Before every shot, pick a target zone where you want the cue ball to stop for your next shot. Practice a few simple drills, and your cue ball control will improve fast.
Making balls is fun. Getting the cue ball where you want it is how you run racks. Here is how to build that skill.
The Two Keys: Speed and Tip Position
| Key | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Speed | How far the cue ball travels |
| Tip position | Which way the cue ball moves after contact |
Where to Hit the Cue Ball
| Hit | Result |
|---|---|
| Center | Most control, little spin |
| Above center | Follow, the cue ball rolls forward |
| A little below center | Stop, on a straight shot |
| Well below center | Draw, the cue ball comes back |
| Left or right | Side spin, changes rail angles |
Learn each one: how to hit the cue ball in the center, how to do a stop shot in pool, how to draw the cue ball, and how to use sidespin in pool.
Speed Control Is Most Important
Most position mistakes come from hitting too hard. Softer shots are easier to control and make fewer mistakes. Try to use the softest speed that still makes the ball and moves the cue ball where you want.
Pick a Target Zone
Before you shoot, choose where the cue ball should stop. Make the zone big, like the size of a dinner plate, so you have room for small errors. Then choose speed and tip position to get there. Planning ahead is covered in how to plan your next shot in pool.
Understand the Tangent Line
On a cut shot where the cue ball is sliding with no spin at contact, called a stun shot, the cue ball leaves the object ball at about a right angle. This path is called the tangent line. Follow bends the path forward, and draw bends it back. Knowing this helps you predict where the cue ball goes.
Drill 1: Speed Ladder
Shoot the cue ball up and down the table off the far rail. Try to stop it near the near rail, then near the side pocket, then near the far rail. This builds a feel for speed.
Drill 2: Stop, Follow, Draw
Set up a short straight shot. Shoot it three ways: stop the cue ball, follow forward a foot, then draw back a foot. Repeat 10 times each.
Drill 3: Target Zone Drill
Set an object ball near a pocket. Place a coin or chalk where you want the cue ball to stop. Shoot and see how close you get. Move the target around.
Common Cue Ball Control Mistakes
- Hitting too hard
- Using spin when you do not need it
- Not picking a target zone
- Moving during the stroke
- Forgetting about scratches
A smooth, straight stroke makes all of this easier. See how to improve your pool stroke and practice your stroke with how to make a straight in shot in pool.
Using Rails
Sometimes the best path for the cue ball goes off a rail. Fewer rails usually means more control. When you use a rail, watch how speed and side spin change the angle. Read how to shoot off the rail in pool.
When Control Means Playing Safe
Good cue ball control also helps you play safe. If you can not make a ball, you can leave the cue ball where your opponent has no good shot. See how to play safe in pool.
The Bottom Line
To control the cue ball in pool, master speed first, then learn stop, follow, and draw. Pick a target zone before every shot, use the softest speed you can, and practice with simple drills. Better cue ball control means easier shots and more runouts.
Keep Reading on This Site
- How to Make a Straight In Shot in Pool: 7 Simple Steps
- How to Make Thin Cut Shots in Pool: Simple Aiming and Stroke Tips
- How to Make a Combination Shot in Pool: Aim, Speed, and Drills
- How to Hit the Cue Ball in the Center: Simple Drills for Beginners
- How to Play Safe in Pool: Safety Shots for Beginners
- How to Use Sidespin in Pool: A Simple Guide to English
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you control the cue ball in pool?
Control your speed and where you hit the cue ball. Pick a target zone before every shot.
What is the most important part of cue ball control?
Speed control. Most mistakes come from hitting too hard.
Should beginners use side spin?
Beginners should learn center ball, stop, follow, and draw first, then add side spin later.
What is the tangent line in pool?
It is the path the cue ball takes after hitting an object ball on a stun cut shot, about a right angle from the object ball's path.