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CUEING ACADEMY · PRACTICE SHEET

Spot-to-Spot Stroke Line

Stroke & cue delivery · Beginner · 10 min

Cue ball from the head spot, over the foot spot, off the foot rail and back over the head spot.

Cue ballObject

Objective: Deliver the cue on a straight line so the cue ball travels and returns along the same path.

Setup: Place the cue ball on the head spot. Line up so you are shooting over the foot spot to the centre diamond of the foot rail.

Scoring: Score 1 point each time the returning cue ball touches your cue tip (held still on the head spot line) or passes within one ball-width of the head spot. Ten attempts per set.

Success standard: 7 out of 10 attempts within one ball-width, for two consecutive sets.

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Category
Stroke & cue delivery
Difficulty
Beginner
Duration
10 min

Spot-to-Spot Stroke Line

A no-object-ball drill that exposes a crooked stroke immediately. If the cue ball doesn't come back over the spot, something in your delivery moved off line.

Cue ball from the head spot, over the foot spot, off the foot rail and back over the head spot.

Cue ballObject

Setup

  1. Place the cue ball on the head spot.
  2. Line up so you are shooting over the foot spot to the centre diamond of the foot rail.

Execution

  1. Take your normal stance and bridge. Address the centre of the cue ball.
  2. Make two or three smooth practice strokes, pausing briefly at the back of the backswing.
  3. Shoot at medium speed so the ball hits the foot rail and rolls back toward you.
  4. Hold your finish position until the ball has stopped. Note where it crosses the head string.
  5. Retrieve the ball, reset on the head spot and repeat.

Scoring

Score 1 point each time the returning cue ball touches your cue tip (held still on the head spot line) or passes within one ball-width of the head spot. Ten attempts per set.

Common mistakes

  • Steering the cue sideways at contact to 'help' the ball straight.
  • Lifting the head or standing up before the ball has left the tip.
  • Gripping tighter as the cue moves forward.
  • Hitting with unintentional side spin, so the ball returns wide of the spot.

Progression

Once you pass consistently, increase speed to two lengths of the table while keeping the same accuracy target.

Terms this drill trains

Easier variation

Use a slower one-length speed and score anything within two ball-widths.

Harder variation

Shoot with a firm stroke so the ball travels three lengths; score only returns over the spot itself.

Drill objectives describe what the exercise trains. Results depend on the player, the table and the quality of practice; no drill guarantees a specific improvement.

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