I hope you took the time to find your center of vision that we looked at in the last article.  We will be using this idea in this article to help you pocket balls better.

The first thing we need to think about is our approach to the shot.  Just randomly jumping into a shot will give you random results, and that is just what we don’t want.  We want to develop the consistency to pocket the shots we are supposed to make.  The best way to do this is to have a consistent approach to each and every shot.

Here are some ideas to help you develop your own personal shot approach.  I like to stand with my center of vision on the line of the shot.  Here is how to find exactly how far back to stand from the cue ball to start your approach.

Mark Finkelstein Approach 1

Stand with your cue held at your grip position and your arm stretched straight out almost touching the cue ball.  This is the best place to start your approach to the shot.  Now what I do is slightly lean forward with your head, causing you to fall gently down the line of the shot.  I move my right foot to the left slightly and then step up with my left foot.  The purpose of this is to keep your center of vision on the line of the shot through out the approach! 

Randomly walking in to the line of the shot moves your head back and forth on the shot line, causing inaccuracies and an inconsistent sight picture.


You might think I’m being a nit and worrying about millimeters, and I am.  Given the precision we need in pocketing balls, these millimeters count!

Mark Finkelstein Approach 2

I like to also form my grip and bridge before I start the approach.  As I make that first step with my right foot, I turn my body to the right, getting my grip and bridge hand on the line of the shot before I get down and put my bridge arm on the table. 

As you can see from these pictures, I do all of my aiming while I am standing up, before I get down to the shot!

One last point is that I have already chalked my cue tip and put the chalk down so it is not a distraction.  Once I get started on the shot approach, I don’t want anything to interfere with my focus.

So let’s review the approach.  First we want to start a stretched out cue distance from the cue ball with our center of vision on the line of the shot.  Some people may experiment with putting your right foot on the line of the shot and leaning slightly to the right to get your center of vision on the line, but I’d rather not lean when I start.

Then you slightly twist and get your grip hand and bridge hand on the line of the shot as you take your first step into the shot.

And finally you slide into the shot along the line as you bring your left foot into your final stance position.

Having a well rehearsed, consistent approach to every shot puts you in the best position to be a ball pocketing machine, and that is a good thing.