Skip to content
Cueing Academy

Pool glossary · Stroke & Stance

Stance

What is the correct stance in pool?

Stance is how you position your feet, hips and body over the shot. A good pool stance puts your chin over the cue, your back-arm forearm hanging vertically at contact, and your weight balanced so nothing moves except the cue arm during the stroke.

Step by step

  1. 1Stand behind the shot on the aiming line with the cue pointed at the target.
  2. 2Step forward with your bridge-side foot, keeping your back-side foot on or near the line.
  3. 3Bend from the hips until your chin is just above the cue.
  4. 4Check that your back forearm hangs straight down when the tip is near the cue ball.
  5. 5Freeze and take two practice strokes — if anything other than your forearm moves, reset.

In more detail

There is no single perfect stance — height, flexibility and eye dominance change it — but every good stance shares the same outcome: the cue travels on the aiming line and the body stays still. If you sway, stand up or drop your shoulder, the stance is wrong for you.

People also ask

Should my feet be parallel in a pool stance?

Usually not. Most players angle the feet roughly 45° to the shot with the back foot on the line, which gives stability without blocking the cue arm.

How low should I get over the cue?

Low enough to sight along the cue comfortably — many players have the chin 2–6 inches above it. Lower gives better aim; too low strains the neck and blocks the backswing.

Train it at the table

More guides on stance