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THE STOKE
As in all ball sports, distance from the ball is important, allow correct stroking of the cue ball. A guide to
this is to move in where your cue hand (right hand in this example) is at your hip, with the tip of the cue
close in line to the cue ball, in a further straight line to the “point of contact” of the object ball. Face the
direction the cue ball has to travel. Standing in a slight boxers stance, leave the right foot where it is, and
move the left foot forward for comfort and balance. Bend forward from the waist, placing bridge hand on
the table. At the same time bend the left knee slightly at the knee, and thrust the right leg back at the knee,
without moving the right foot. This will have the effect of swivelling buttocks and hip in a rolling action to
the left and creating a free area between the right hip and the chest for the cue to travel smoothly and almost
parallel with the bed of the table.
Address the cue ball with the tip of the cue, dead centre, aiming through the cue ball to the “point of
contact” on the object ball. With the cue arm at the “rest position”, commence one or two pendulum swings
with the tip first stopping short of the cue ball. At the same time, check that the tip is directed at “dead
centre” on the cue ball. When satisfied that the preliminary action of the cue is correct commence the final
backward stroke. Pause slightly at the end of the backward stroke and then complete the forward stroke to
strike the cue ball at dead centre, propelling it towards the “point of contact” on the object ball.
It is most important during the final backward and forwards movement of the cue, the only part of the body
or head that moves is the cue arm from elbow to hand. There must be a slow pull back, minute pause,
and smooth follow through.
From the pause to striking the cue ball, the eyes must be looking at the “point of contact” on the object ball.
If the body is still, the preliminary strokes are aimed dead centre on the cue ball, and the action is smooth, it
is not necessary to look at the cue ball
