I am regularly asked what kind of cue action is the best action to help a snooker player improve his game. I have written “The Master Cue Action” to help players understand the important fundamentals of achieving a natural rhythm in their cue delivery.

All the top snooker players in both the amateur and the professional game have different types of cue actions. Every player has their own individual way to cue up to the cue ball. Some players don't feather the white and some cue up to the ball 2 or 3 times. One thing all good players have in common is a smooth straight delivery through the cue ball while in the impact zone.

The cue action I recommend has both a front pause and natural back pause. I believe this is the best way for a snooker player to develop a delivery to time the ball smoothly. Developing a front pause in your action will improve your aiming on the object ball and the back pause will improve the timing of your delivery.

The “Master Cue Action“ begins on your shot approach by coming in on the line of aim, with your tip at the ball and addressing the middle of the cue ball where you intend to strike it.

Getting down with your tip up on the ball, will get your cue on line. As soon as you get down bring your chest to the cue to get your chest on line. This contact point on your chest will keep the cue on line during the shot and by adjusting your stance you can find the correct chest contact point.

The fastest point of your cue action should be during the moments of impact and the secret to this is to start the shot your cue arm in the vertical address position. This address position will create maximum acceleration through the impact zone.

If you start in the inside address position, your timing and moment of impact will be late, Starting the address position long, will lead to moment of impact being early The cue arm should act like a piston or pendulum action, working on the principle of consistent up and down the natural swing of your cue action. (1)

The Impact Zone

After working with hundreds of top players over the years. I believe this is best achieved by making a front pause at the cue ball and focusing on the object ball before you start your back-swing.
Whatever type of pause you make or the amount of feathers you make during your cue action does not make any difference as long as you prepare yourself to perform in the impact zone.

Remember the quickest point of your cue action is the moment you hit the cue ball and this is why it is important to be vertical at your address.

After you complete all your feathers make a front pause at the cue ball and focus on the spot of object ball. At the end of your final backswing make a natural back pause, before delivering the cue through the ball. This is achieved by allowing your elbow to drop (2) which creates the natural cue swing through the ball.

It is important to allow the elbow to drop, during your follow through because it will help you get the cue tip through the ball. (3)

If the opposite occurs you will sometimes create a snatch by hitting your chest which stops the cue from going through the ball. As your arm drops it enhances the grip to close on the butt of the cue.

Timing this correctly with the acceleration in the impact zone is the secret in timing the shot which creates the natural power. This will also create the desired finishing position of being parallel on the completion of the shot.

Summary

Always remember when things go wrong the front pause is for “Aiming“ and the back pause is for “Timing”. Practice to consistently deliver the cue straight through the line of aim. This is the reason why professional players still practice up to eight hours a day in trying to perfect their cue action and cue delivery.