Put simply, I hold a cue stick a few inches above the head of a player as they are bent into their stance. With few exceptions, most players rise in place during the final stroke and strike the stick with their head.
Lifting the head up during the stroke indicates that the player employs more than their shooting arm to make their billiards stroke. Stick your body down for stick pool instead. Only one arm should move through (most of, at least past ball impact) the duration of the stroke.
You probably think your body is immobile during the stroke, but if it is, you'd also probably play better pool already. Do this technique for a friend and have them do it for you. The vast majority of players will strike the stick with their head. If they know in advance you are testing them in this manner, they will still hit the stick, even if too gently to crack their skull!
Relaxed, Not Rigid, Is The Key
Conversely, the head is not to he held down by force. Your body need not sink into the carpet with excessive effort. You simply make a pool stroke by not doing many things. Settle into place in the stance than stroke with a relaxed arm and body.
For most players, the head comes into the correct position about halfway through the process of setting the bridge arm and hand into position. Let your head lower naturally with your trunk as you sit in place, and leave it there.
A good technique to practice is to avoid moving the head until the cue ball has come to rest follwing each stroke. Stick your stick pool--watch the entire results of your stroke before standing up from your stance for the next shot.
