Billiard Basic - Cue Ball Path

The cue ball always starts on a path perpendicular to the target line after contact with the object ball. The target line is the line the object ball takes. The cue ball then curves forward or backwards depending on the spin on the cue ball in the vertical axis (follow or draw). If the cue was hit in the center, it gets forward spin from the friction on the table. The curvature forward after contact with the object ball is determined by the ratio of spin to linear velocity. Linear velocity is the speed the ball is moving.

Cue ball curvature after striking an object ball is determined by how hard you hit the ball, how far apart the cue and object are, and any follow/draw you apply. Practice some shots using center-ball hits, and vary stroke speed and distance between the cue and object balls to get a feel for how much the cue ball curves.