The follow shot is one of the easiest and most common shots in billiards. Beginners can easily master the follow shot, and the force follow is essentially the same just with more power behind it. The force follow shot, like a push shot, is useful in many billiard situations where the cue ball and object ball are lined up for a straight shot. Because follow shots do not require English, as soon as players learn how much force is necessary and can hit the right point on the cue ball they can master the follow shot.

A force follow shot is a more powerful type of follow shot in which the cue ball continues to travel in the same direction as the object ball once they strike. A force follow shot needs a great amount of top spin which is the force that allows the cue ball to continue moving forward. The cue ball must be struck very hard and in just the right spot to produce the necessary top spin.

The proper top spin is applied by striking the cue ball just above its center. It is important to strike the cue ball in the middle of the horizontal axis and just above the vertical axis as striking it to the left or right will produce unwanted English and striking it too low will not produce enough top spin or may even produce back spin which will cause a stop shot.

The follow shot is best suited for shots when the cue ball and object ball are aligned with the pocket and the shot is straight on. Force follow shots work best when the cue ball and object ball are close together and have to travel some distance to the pocket. Shots that require the cue ball to travel at an angle are not the best candidates for any type of follow shot.