Mastering the draw shot or the screw shot in snooker has been one of the most elusive goals in my game. For years, I have tried every tip that came my way: hitting low on the cue ball, adjusting my stance, tweaking my grip—but nothing seemed to work quite right. The cue ball would stubbornly ignore my intentions, refusing to reverse as smoothly as I’d envisioned, often halting mid-table or rolling forward just enough to ruin my positioning. But I wished someone let me into the secrets to – How to play screw shot in snooker.
Thankfully i had graduated from hitting the cue ball with muscle power which i later knew was naïve and did nothing for either the cue ball of object ball positioning except for the lucky pots in a clueless pocket .It seemed so hilarious watching those shots played by coplayers, i was there once too !! But now I was pushing through my ball more consciously ..gripping it with my cue tip for few more microseconds…but then the most important shot – the Draw Shot / The screw back shot evaded me..mysteriously !!
Then yesterday night, during one of those restless YouTube spirals, I stumbled across a video titled “How to Power Draw the Cue Ball with NO MISCUES” by Shortstop On Pool . Intrigued but skeptical, I watched the video with that familiar blend of both hope and resignation.
Link to the video – Click here
Better still watch it embedded below⏬
This video was different. The host didn’t just show the shot; he broke down every micro-detail I’d been overlooking. From cue acceleration to follow-through (something I thought mattered less in a draw shot) and the precise spot to aim on the cue ball—the analogy of a train riding on two train..the whip action…the play of wrist…it all suddenly clicked. After a few practice sessions inspired by this newfound wisdom, I finally felt the draw shot respond as intended, with the cue ball gliding back like a loyal companion.
It wasn’t just a shot mastered; it was a mystery solved, a frustration lifted.
Draw shot mental preparation – My mental drill…you may not need it. .but i was born with a low IQ and i need mental triggers..
- Remember the triangle before shooting , hit at 90 °angle, and not after that angle.
- Remember only the edge of cue tip should touch the bottom part of cue ball , not the center of tip
- Remember the whip action and train over train visual while hitting the cue ball with Loose wrist , with no muscle use, relaxed , no power …the loose wrist action is the train over train..
- Finish with tip on the table after long follow-through
- a bit of downward angle is okay , focus on increasing the rotational energy
Some how i feel the follow through was also demonstrated in the famous Bruce Lee’s 1 Inch Punch , I know. You must be laughing at me suggesting a connection between a Bruce Lee’s 1 Inch Punch and a cue hit in a game of snooker .
Watch closely and you will find Follow through is the common factor !!
Cheers ..lets rack it up !!
Joydeep Majumder is a dedicated snooker enthusiast with over 3 years of play time and a deep love for the sport. His passion and love for the sport shines through in his writing as he shares insights, personal stories, and a genuine appreciation for the mental and physical challenges of snooker. Off the table, he enjoys sharing his knowledge with fellow players, aiming to inspire a new generation of snooker aficionados.