How it works
When you hit the cue ball below centre, it slides forward but spins backwards. It hits the object ball full and gives it its speed. If the cue ball still has its backspin at that moment, the spin pulls it back towards you.
The cloth slowly wears the backspin off. So the further the cue ball travels, the more you need. First add a little speed, then use the full tip height. Start with the cue ball one diamond from the object ball. Three diamonds is a real test. Keep the cue ball at least one or two ball-widths from the object ball. If they are very close, the cue can hit the cue ball twice, which is a foul.
Draw comes from a low hit and enough cue speed at contact. Keep the cue level and use a smooth, loose stroke with a full follow-through. Then you get that speed without forcing it. Hitting harder doesn’t give you more draw by itself. A hard, forced stroke adds forward speed, and the cue ball may only creep back.
Step by step
- 1
Set up a straight-in shot with the cue ball about one diamond from the object ball.
- 2
Lower your bridge so the tip points just under one tip-width below the centre of the cue ball. A closed bridge helps keep the tip steady (Lesson 3).
- 3
Keep the cue as level as the cushion allows.
- 4
Keep your grip loose (Lesson 2). Use a smooth stroke at a steady speed. Follow through a hand’s length or more.
- 5
Stay down after the stroke. If the cue ball comes back towards you, lift the cue out of its way. Touching the cue ball again is a foul. For more draw, first check that you hit low enough. Then add a little speed, but keep the stroke smooth.
Common mistakes
Standing up early
Your body lifts during the stroke, so the tip hits the cue ball too close to the centre.
Poking
You slow down into the cue ball instead of following through. You get much less draw than you expected.
Lifting the back of the cue
The cue ball curves on its way. Lower your bridge instead.
Going too low
More than one tip-width below centre, the tip slips off the cue ball. That is a miscue. Chalk before every shot.
A tight grip
The stroke gets jerky. The tip misses its spot and the speed changes from shot to shot.
A shiny tip
A tip that doesn’t hold chalk slips off the cue ball. If your tip looks shiny, roughen it with a tip tool (Equipment: Accessories).
Practice this
Exercise · Level 1
Draw ladder
Put the object ball one diamond from a corner pocket. Place it on the diagonal towards the middle of the table, well away from the cushions. Put the cue ball on the same line, one diamond further back. Draw the cue ball back one diamond, then two. Five shots each. Then move the cue ball back to two diamonds.
Exercise · Level 1
Stop · stun · draw drill
The scored drill in the Drill library. Do all three parts.
Check yourself: cue ball one diamond from the object ball, straight in, 10 shots. In 6 of them, the object ball drops and the cue ball comes back at least one diamond. It should stay within two ball-widths of the shot line. Then you’re ready for the next lesson.
Note: on cut shots, draw bends the cue ball back, away from the tangent line. Level 2 shows where it goes.