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The Right and Wrong Ways to Draw the Cue

By Matthew Sherman, About.com

2 of 3

Draw Shots - A Common Mistake

Into the air!

Photo (c) Matt Sherman
I'm purposely exhibiting a fault many beginners make on draw shots. Newbies aprubtly lift their cuestick in an effort to gain leverage on the shot, hitting the ball harder. The draw shot requires a hit point below the ball's equator, and not a forcible stroking motion.

Compare this photo to the previous, you can see how much I have lifted from the table. Keep the shooting hand low. A key thought is to hold the cue so loosely, it might almost tumble to the ground except it is cradled in the bottom of your fingers. Any tension in the stroke or before the stroke is made indicates the lifting motion that launches the cue ball into the air with such comical (and dangerous!) results.

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