"Matt... Enjoy reading your articles on line, and was looking at the one talking about the stance and 45 degrees to the shot. That angle (45 degrees) feels most comfortable and stable to me.
Yet, I find if I turn more to the right (that is left foot further toward cue)....to about 30-35 degrees instead of 45, I have a more naturally straight shot action. Seems really lined up for my natural arm hinge. Just doesn't feel as balanced or comfortable, so reluctantly I've stayed with 45..."
Both feet in pool and billiards can play a helpful function in the stance. In general, you can flare the non-dominant foot (the left foot for the right-handed pool player, reverse these directions if you play left-handed) to set the torso and trunk squarely (or angled somewhat) to the shot. The right-handed player pivots their left foot to their right (towards the shot line the cue ball will travel) to set the angle of their trunk.
The player who wrote to ask the question seems most comfortable with a 30-35 degree angle of hips to the shot line and might need to adjust both feet as below. Pool players who begin their career as Snooker players tend to keep their left foot along a straighter alignment to keep the hips even straighter than 30 degrees to the line. Do not be confused to think they set both feet straight or that the left foot is not advanced a step toward the target.
The right foot can also contribute to the stance of the right handed player. The more it is pivoted to your right, the more it will impede the motion of the hips, and the taller to the shot you will comfortably stand. Pivot the right foot less to securely lower the upper body to the cue stick or pivot it more to stand taller for a break stroke or some shot requiring a higher stance to better see the balls for aim.
The player who wrote in should experiment next with both feet, setting one foot to control the angle of the hips and thighs to the stroke, the other foot the height of their body to the shot.
Keep those questions like this one about the feet in pool and billiards coming. They remind me to get you the updates you need to assist your game!
