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Pool glossary · Stroke & Stance

Pre-shot routine

Also called: PSR, Shot routine

What is a pre-shot routine in pool?

A pre-shot routine is the same sequence of steps you take before every shot — read the shot, choose speed and spin, step into the line, set, practice strokes, pause, deliver. It makes your technique repeatable and gives your mind a fixed track under pressure.

Step by step

  1. 1Stand behind the shot and decide the pocket, contact point, speed, spin and target zone.
  2. 2Step into the aiming line with the cue already pointing at the shot.
  3. 3Get down, settle the bridge and take 2–4 identical practice strokes.
  4. 4Pause at the cue ball, then at the back of the backswing.
  5. 5Deliver and stay down until the object ball drops.

In more detail

The routine is most valuable when you are nervous: a known sequence crowds out doubts. Keep it short enough to use every time — typically 10–20 seconds — and practise it until skipping a step feels wrong.

People also ask

How many practice strokes should I take?

Whatever you can repeat consistently — usually two to four. The number matters less than doing the same every time.

Train it at the table

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