Aiming your pool stick

An absolute beginner at pool and billiards watches his tip. He is only concerned with where the cue strikes the cue ball. This type of aiming does not line up your stick behind the cue ball.

An intermediate player will also make sure that his tip strikes the cue ball in the proper place. But he will go further with his aiming. He will line up the front and back of the stick behind the cue ball. When he strikes the cue ball, his stick will be solidly behind the cue. It will not be angling off to either side. His stick will be straight, but his aim may still be missing something.

A pro player will position his stick properly and will line up his stick behind the cue ball, but his point of aim is not at the cue ball at all. The pro aims through the cue ball to the object ball. As soon as the pro gets over the shot, he aims his cue from the butt to tip through the cue ball and to the object ball. If he does this right, his stick will be absolutely behind the cue ball, his stick will be straight, and all he has to do is stroke the shot and continue his run.

Aim from the back of your stick through the tip, through the cue ball, to the object ball. Your accuracy will improve dramatically.