Control the Cue Ball

Objective: Master cue-ball speed control (soft, medium, firm, hard, natural roll, stopping the ball) and understand stun, including how it differs from a full stop and its tangent-line relationship.

Why it matters: Every position-play skill later in this course depends on controlling how far and how fast the cue ball travels after contact.

Watch: [Video placeholder] Demonstration of the four speed levels and a stun shot showing the 90-degree tangent line.

Learn: A short guide covering the four speed levels (soft, medium, firm, hard), natural roll, stopping the cue ball, distance control, what stun is, how it differs from a full stop, and the tangent-line concept.

See it: [Image placeholder] Diagram showing the tangent line at 90 degrees to the object ball's path on a stun shot.

Practise: Speed-zone drill, finishing the cue ball inside a marked target zone using each of the four speeds; then a stun ladder, starting close and gradually increasing distance.

Test yourself: 1) What is the difference between a stun shot and a stop shot? 2) What angle does the cue ball travel at relative to the object ball after a stun shot? 3) Name the four speed levels used to control cue-ball distance.

Challenge: From a fixed distance, play 10 stun shots at different cut angles and track how consistently the cue ball follows the tangent line.

Common mistakes: Using excessive power for stun shots instead of controlling the tangent line with correct cueing.

Coaching cue: Before striking, ask: what speed does this shot actually need, and where does the tangent line send the cue ball?

Completion criteria: Consistently finish the cue ball inside the target zone at all four speeds, and demonstrate the tangent line on a stun shot from three different angles.