Balls, Cues, Tips & Chalk

Objective: Choose appropriate starter equipment and understand basic maintenance.

Why it matters: The right starter kit removes avoidable frustration — a bad tip or dirty chalk causes miscues that get blamed on technique instead of gear.

Watch: 2-minute video comparing typical cue weights/lengths and demonstrating correct chalking technique.

Learn: Guide on cue length/weight for beginners, tip hardness options, and how/when to chalk.

See it: Diagram of a cue's parts labelled (tip, ferrule, shaft, joint, butt).

Practise: Chalk before every shot for a full practice session and note any difference in miscue frequency.

Test yourself: n/a

Challenge: Try two different tip hardnesses (if available) and note the difference in feel.

Common mistakes: Over-chalking (excess falls onto the cloth) or under-chalking (leads to miscues on angled shots).

Coaching cue: Chalk little, chalk often.

Completion criteria: Can name the main parts of a cue and demonstrate correct chalking technique.