How to Hit a Snooker Ball

Snooker, billiards and pool are three different games with a similar concept. In each of these games, a player must hit one ball (the cue ball) into other balls to get the secondary balls into a target (the pocket). While this is simple physics, being off just a centimeter during your shot can cause it to go off course. By using these tips, you should be able to hit the ball correctly and on target during a basic snooker shot.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by properly aiming. To do this, take your snooker cue and draw a line from the ball to the target. This will let you know where your cue ball should hit the other ball.

    • 2

      Get into your shooting stance and line your stick up to the cue ball. Take a few "practice strokes" (without touching the cue ball, of course) to mentally mark off where you want to strike the ball.

    • 3

      Put your arm into a 90-degree angle and begin your back swing. Keep your wrist loose and have a "medium" grip on the cue stick. Too hard or too light a grip may cause you to hit the ball off-center.

    • 4

      Hit the ball in the middle of the ball. You can still hit the ball either high or low so long as your stick makes contact in the middle. If you hit the cue ball high, it will follow the secondary ball after the two make contact. Hitting the cue ball low puts backspin on it, keeping it farther back.

    • 5

      Follow through to finish your shot. When hitting the ball in snooker, your arm should have a natural flow (almost like if you were bowling). If your arm has a jerking motion, you will put unwanted spin on the cue ball. Following through is the last thing you do to ensure that the ball travels in the direction you want.