Tips for Helping Your Follow Shot.

Even though you hit the cue ball on top to create a follow shot an important factor to consider is that it is possible to follow the cue ball by hitting the cue ball with center ball or even below center. As long as the cue ball contains forward spin at the moment it contacts the object ball.

How is it possible that a below center hit will create a follow shot? Let's look at an example. Suppose you have a long shot at the object ball, let's say the cue ball and the object ball is 7 feet apart. You execute your shot by hitting the cue ball below center with medium soft speed. Initially, the cue ball will contain backspin due to the below center hit. As it travels further down the table towards the object ball, friction takes effect removing the spin on the cue ball. At a certain distance before the cue ball reaches the object ball, friction again takes effect on the cue ball which now has no spin. With no spin on the cue ball and it traveling forward, the effect of friction naturally creates forward roll on the cue ball. With forward spin on the cue ball, it follows the object ball upon impact.