To “slide” is when a cue ball moves across the table surface. With this technique, the cue ball doesn’t include a follow or draw spin. A hit from a middle ball is used to make the cue ball slide on the surface.
As the speed picks up with the cue ball, it will continue to slide for a longer period of time. With a follow, the cue ball will have friction. This helps the cue ball slide to an object ball. The cue ball should be hit with a draw shot so when it gets to the object ball, the draw shot has disappeared and the cue ball slides upon the connection.
When there is a center to center hit with the cue ball and object ball, during the impact, there will not be a follow or draw. The cue ball will shift movement to the object ball and stop moving. This is what is called a stop shot. The sliding cue ball uses sidespin to make a connection with the object ball.
After that, the sidespin disappears. A stun shot is when the cue ball leaves the object ball going in a certain direction. The cue ball doesn’t go very far. With the stun shot, there is only a little draw to cut down the speed of the cue ball prior to it hitting the object ball.
The cue ball can slide and make contact with an object ball at an angle. It will move in a line that is not connected to any impact between the balls. This is called the tangent line. This line is a little less than 90 degrees parallel to a line created between the points of contact of the two balls.
If there is a follow from a cue ball striking an object ball, the cue ball will initially go on the tangent line. Then it goes from the tangent line to the way the cue ball will roll. If there is a strong impact with a draw from the cue ball, it will go backward from the tangent line going the other way of the cue ball.
As long as the cue ball is going fast, it will go a longer distance on the tangent line before it makes a forward or backward arc.
This technique is one that requires concentration and practice in order to get it right. It may take a while, but with this accuracy and skill is the key to getting it.
