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Pause at the back

A short pause before you hit the cue ball stops you rushing and keeps the cue on line.

  • Stroke
  • All levels
  • 10-second clip

Watch

head stillpausethumb and two fingers, lightstay loosestroke 0straight downelbow stays stilla hand’s width paststill on the line
1

Take two or three smooth practice strokes.

Drawn on the site, with the CueSensei character.

Why it matters

Most missed easy shots come from rushing the last stroke. A pause at the back of the backswing gives your eyes time to settle on the object ball. Then the cue moves forward from a still start, so it stays on line.

How to do it

  1. 1

    Take two or three smooth practice strokes.

  2. 2

    On the last backswing, stop the cue for a moment, about as long as it takes to say “pause”.

  3. 3

    Keep your eyes on the object ball during the pause.

  4. 4

    Then move the cue forward smoothly and follow through.

Common mistake

Pausing at the front

Many players stop with the tip right next to the cue ball, then snatch the cue back and hit. That pause is in the wrong place. Pause at the back, where the cue changes direction.

Try it tonight

Exercise · All levels

Pause on every shot

Object ball on the foot spot. Cue ball two diamonds behind it, on the line to a corner pocket at the foot end. Pot it with a clear pause at the back of every stroke. Every attempt counts.

  • Pass: 4 of your last 5
  • Then: Cue ball one diamond further back