The stroke is the culminating action in billiards, transforming your aim and preparation into the actual shot. It's fundamentally a smooth, pendulum-like motion of your dominant forearm, with minimal movement from your upper arm or shoulder, which should remain still and aligned with your shot. A crucial element is the backswing, which should be controlled and deliberate, followed by a smooth acceleration through the cue ball. Avoid "poking" or "punching" the cue; instead, focus on pushing through the cue ball, allowing your cue tip to maintain contact for a fraction longer, which is essential for imparting spin (english) and controlling the cue ball's path. Finally, a proper follow-through is paramount; extend your cue forward along the shot line for several inches past the point of impact, maintaining your body's stillness, to ensure the cue travels in a straight line and delivers the intended power and english.