Draw Shot & Follow Shot Drills — High and Low Practice
Strike point decides forward, stop, or reverse
How the cue ball really obeys you
So far we've assumed center hits — the cue ball obeys the 90° tangent (or 30° rolling) rule and that's it.
But hitting the cue ball at different heights on its face produces totally different post-impact behaviors:
- High hit (above center) → topspin → on a straight shot CB continues forward; on a cut CB starts on the tangent and then forward roll re-engages, pulling it forward.
- Center hit → no spin → on a straight CB stops dead; on a cut CB follows pure 90° tangent.
- Low hit (below center) → backspin → on a straight CB pulls back; on a cut CB squeezes the tangent toward "back" of post-impact direction.
This lesson teaches the switch. Open the strike-point selector in the right sidebar and pick high/center/low.
Three strike points → three behaviors
The strike-point picker controls where on the cue ball your cue tip hits:
- Top: cue ball gets forward roll (topspin). After hitting OB, "follows" forward.
- Center: cue ball has no rotation. Stops dead on straight shots.
- Bottom: cue ball gets backspin. After hitting OB, reverses ("draws" back).
Note: this lesson uses a simplified model — strike height directly drives forward / stop / back. Real cue sports also depends on speed, distance traveled before impact, and cloth friction (the spin "engages" only after some sliding).
- Top = topspin = follow (CB continues forward)
- Center = stun (CB stops on straight shots)
- Bottom = backspin = draw (CB pulls back)
When to use which
| Situation | Strike | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight shot, CB needs to keep moving forward | Follow | CB pushes through the OB position |
| Straight shot, CB stays at OB position | Center / Stun | Sets up the next ball at this exact spot |
| Straight shot, CB needs to come back | Draw | CB returns toward original position |
| Cut shot | follow/draw added to 90° tangent | Combined effect |
Four drills below. Each one needs strike-point + aim + power chosen together.
Drill 1/4 · Follow to the top rail
Set strike point to TOP (Follow). Pot the OB into the top-right pocket; CB should roll past the OB position to the top cushion.
Drill 2/4 · Center / stun
Strike point CENTER. Pot OB into the bottom-left pocket. CB stops at the impact position.
Drill 3/4 · Draw back to start
Set strike point to BOTTOM (Draw). Pot OB into the bottom-right pocket; CB should pull back to near the original position. Higher power needed for visible draw.
Drill 4/4 · Cut + strike-point combo
Combo: 30° cut into top-right. Use the tangent rule to plan CB direction, then add follow/draw to control distance.