For a straighter pool shot, choose your aim line while standing behind the cue ball, step into that line with a balanced stance, build a steady bridge, and let your arm deliver the cue smoothly through it. The setup matters as much as the grip: if you lower into the shot before deciding where the cue ball should contact the object ball, it is harder to keep your cue aligned.
How to aim a pool shot before you get down
- Stand behind the shot. Look from the cue ball toward the object ball and decide where the cue ball needs to contact it for the object ball to travel toward the pocket. Picture a line through that contact point before moving into your stance.
- Walk into the line. Keep the chosen line in view as you approach the table; avoid changing your aim after you are down unless you stand up and reset.
- Check the cue’s path. Before bending, consider whether your cue can travel along the line without hitting the rail or another ball.
Pool instructor Lee Brett advises doing most of the sighting from farther back, where the shot is easier to see. He wrote, “Roughly 90% of sighting the object ball is done back away from the table, as you get a clearer view of the shot.” That “90%” is Brett’s teaching estimate, not a measured statistic. His pre-shot guidance is in the APA article on sighting and aiming.
Build a balanced stance and align the cue
Set your feet so you feel stable and your stroking arm has room to move. Brett’s approach uses the lead leg to step into the shot line; the goal is to let your body settle around the line rather than reaching across it. He describes a stable, roughly shoulder-width stance, but foot spacing and direction will vary with handedness, reach, and comfort.
As you lower, keep your head and upper body steady enough to see along the cue. Make sure the cue points along the aim line and that your elbow can swing without being forced outward or tucked into an uncomfortable position. Brett explains that using the lead leg to enter the line can help deliver the cue parallel to it in his APA stance and alignment instruction.
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Make a bridge that suits the shot
Your bridge is the hand support that guides the cue shaft. Place it firmly on the cloth, shape a channel for the shaft, and keep the hand still while the cue moves through it. A useful starting point is about 6–10 inches from the cue ball when the shot allows; Brett presents that as an ideal guideline, not a distance that fits every shot. See his APA guide to bridge hands for additional examples.
| Shot or hand position | What to use it for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Open bridge | A general-purpose support when your hand can rest comfortably on the cloth. | Keep the shaft guided in a stable groove; avoid letting the bridge hand slide. |
| Closed bridge | A more enclosed channel around the shaft when that grip feels controlled for the shot. | Use it only if it lets the cue travel freely and straight. |
| Rail bridge | When the cue ball is close to a rail and the cloth does not provide room for an ordinary hand placement. | Find a secure support on the rail and confirm the cue clears it through the stroke. |
| Modified bridge | When a nearby ball or rail obstructs your usual bridge-hand position. | Prioritize a stable hand and a clear, straight cue path over reproducing your normal bridge. |
There is no single bridge shape or distance for every layout. Choose the position that gives you support, clearance, and a straight cue path, then practice it so an unusual hand placement does not make you steer the cue.
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Hold the cue for a relaxed, repeatable stroke
Grip the cue lightly enough that your wrist and forearm can move naturally. A tight squeeze can make a smooth swing difficult; the cue should feel supported, not clamped. Adjust where your hand holds the cue until your forearm hangs close to vertical at address and your elbow can swing comfortably.
Pool instructor Ewa Mataya Laurance recommends thinking of the shooting arm as a pendulum. At address, a near-vertical forearm is a useful starting point, not a rigid requirement for every body or shot. Let the backswing match the speed and distance needed: a soft shot does not require the same large motion as a firm one. Laurance discusses this approach in her APA stroke instruction.
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Deliver the cue along the line
- Settle before stroking. Once you are down, confirm your bridge is still, your grip is relaxed, and the cue remains on the selected line.
- Move the forearm smoothly. Let the arm swing back and forward without adding a last-second wrist twist or shoulder push.
- Follow through. Allow the cue to continue forward after contact rather than stopping abruptly. The bridge and body should remain quiet through the delivery.
- Stand up and reset if the line feels wrong. Re-aim from behind the shot instead of trying to correct alignment with a sideways cue motion.
A simple drill for a straighter pool shot
Practice straight-in shots at modest speed, using a repeatable setup. Before each stroke, choose the line from behind the table, step into it, and check that your bridge and cue are aligned. After striking, notice whether the cue tip continued along that line and whether your bridge hand or body shifted. Change one part of the setup at a time so you can identify what makes the stroke feel controlled. This is a practice suggestion based on the fundamentals above, not a tested accuracy protocol.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Optional equipment: chalk, a glove, and a cue
A cue is the tool you use to deliver the stroke; choose one that feels comfortable to handle rather than assuming a particular model will fix aim. Chalk is applied to the cue tip to help prevent miscues. A glove may make the bridge hand move more smoothly for some players. The WPA Rules of Play, effective September 15, 2025, allow compatible-color cue-tip chalk, mechanical bridges, and gloves. These tools can support play, but they do not replace alignment or a stable stroke. The APA also maintains a pool and billiard instruction directory.
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