A follow shot is one of the most common shots in billiards and one of the easiest to master. In a follow shot the cue ball continues moving forward after it has struck the object ball directly through the path the object ball has taken. A follow shot can be useful if you are trying to pocket two balls in one shot.

To properly execute a follow shot you need to apply english to the cue ball. Top spin will allow the cue ball to continue moving forward in the same path as the object ball after it makes contact with the object ball. The more speed you put on your stroke when you make a follow shot the more top spin it will create and the farther both the cue ball and the object ball will travel as the speed will be transferred from the cue stick o the cue ball to the object ball.

Giving the cue ball the necessary top spin for a follow shot is done by striking the cue ball with the cue stick just above the center. Striking the cue ball too far to the left or right of the center will result in the cue ball veering off at an angle so make sure your strike is centered to the left and right but slightly above the cue ball’s equator.

The best space in which to hit the cue ball to apply the correct top spin for a follow shot is 1 and 1/2 cue tips above the cue ball’s center. Hitting the cue ball too high can cause your cue ball to miscue and striking the ball too low will not produce the necessary top spin or if hit below the center can even cause backspin which will result in a stop shot.

The follow shot is one of the easier billiard shots to master and with a little practice even beginners can master the technique. Once you master striking the cue ball at the right point just above the center you will be able to perform a follow shot.