Lesson 7(H): Final Cue Delivery

By Nick Prinsloo

More of this Series •  Introduction • 1.) Philosophy Of Pool • 2.) Learning To Play Pool • 3.) Overcoming The Physical Barriers • 4.) Overcoming The Mental Barriers • 5.) Why Pool? • 6.) Becoming A Natural Player • 7.) Judging The Angle & Establishing The Right Technique • 7e.) Sighting The Shot • 7f.) The Practice Strokes • 7g.) Pausing For Perfection • 7h.) Final Cue Delivery

Cue delivery, or the final stroke, involves bringing the cue through in a straight line (the line of the shot) so that the tip of the cue makes clean, crisp contact with the cue-ball and follows through some distance past the point of contact.

After the final pause, as discussed in the previous lesson, the final stroke is played by simply closing the elbow. If the alignment of the arm, shoulder and elbow has been correct, i.e. in line with the line of the shot, the cue has no choice but to come forward in a straight line. There is nothing more to it. By closing the elbow the cue follows through naturally.

As with many other sports, the follow-through, after contact has been made, assists in keeping the cue ball on line and on target. This has something to do with the anticipation of the follow-through, which makes the cue stop only after the cue ball has left the tip of the cue. It provides a very desirable punch effect and adds to the crispness of the shot.

It is important to note that the longer the follow-through (within reason), the better the stroke, unless, of course, you are unable to follow-through without playing a push stroke (when the cue ball and object ball are close together). Even on soft, delicate shots you should still have a good follow-through. The pace at which the shot is played is varied by varying the strength and speed "behind" the shot, and not by varying the length of the follow-through. Inevitably, the follow-through of a soft, rolling shot will not quite be as long as that of a power stroke, but that will take a natural course without you having to consciously think about it at any stage of your progress.

If I had to think of the perfect follow-through, Steve Mizerak immediately springs to mind, and looking at the modern stars of the game, so does Corey Deuel. They both stroke the ball smoothly at all times, with a consistent, well-timed follow-through. Even when playing firm and power shots, they seem to put no effort into the shot at all: the stroke is sheer poetry in motion. This is accomplished by keeping the follow-through deep and smooth.

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