Cue-ball spin

Strike above center for follow. After contact, the cue ball keeps rolling forward more strongly. Strike below center for draw. With enough power and a clean contact, the cue ball pulls back after hitting the object ball.

Start with small offsets from center. Extreme spin is harder to predict and is rarely necessary for a basic position route.

• Above center: follow forward after contact.
• Center: a neutral, predictable starting point.
• Below center: draw back after contact.

Strike left or right of center to add side spin. Its clearest effect appears when the cue ball reaches a cushion, where it can open or tighten the rebound angle.

Side spin also adds complexity before and after contact, so use it for a specific cushion route rather than on every shot.

First find a potting line that works with center ball. Then ask whether the natural cue-ball path already reaches a useful position. Add draw, follow, or side only when it improves that path.

Changing one variable at a time makes the result easier to learn: keep aim and power similar while comparing center, follow, and draw.