Corner pockets in snooker can make or break your break. Learning how to approach them with precision, control, and confidence is key to winning frames. Below is a step-by-step guide to help improve your corner pocket potting skills and cue ball control.
📍 Start Close
Begin with simple setups. Place the object ball just a few feet from a corner pocket, with the cue ball at a slight angle. Build your confidence with short-range shots before adding difficulty.
📏 Increase Distance Gradually
As your aim and technique improve, slowly increase the distance between the cue ball and object ball. This helps build consistency under pressure while reinforcing your aiming habits and cueing control.
🎯 Straight Cueing
Keep your cueing action straight. Watch your cue’s chevrons or grain lines — they should stay steady during and after the shot. If they twist, you may be turning your wrist or altering your grip mid-stroke. We'll go deeper into this in our upcoming Grip Guide.
🟡 Aim for the Far Jaw
Instead of aiming for the center of the pocket, aim for the far jaw — the more open side. For example, if the left side of the pocket is more open, aim there. To help the ball toward that side, use “helping side” — in this case, a touch of right-hand side.
Start by striking the cue ball at center height or slightly above, and apply 1–2 tips of side spin from the vertical center line. Be careful — using too much side without adjusting your cue angle can lead to frequent misses. Every cue reacts differently, so practice is key to learning how your own cue responds.
🎱 Cue Ball Control
Controlling the cue ball’s path after contact is just as important as potting. Try placing a ball or marker where the cue ball should stop. Repeat the same shot and experiment with spin, aim, and follow-through to understand the cause-and-effect relationship.
📌 Positional Shots
Building breaks depends on great position. Cue height and grip pressure affect how you create or widen angles. Raising the butt of the cue can help you stun the cue ball more effectively or widen the shot angle. Practicing different cue heights helps improve your position play.
🕒 Practice with Purpose
Regular practice is important, but purposeful practice is what brings results. If you're struggling with specific shots — like deep corner pots — don’t just keep guessing. Ask a better player for help or book a lesson with a coach. Don’t waste time repeating mistakes. Learn and improve!
🧠 Visualize Before You Shoot
Before you strike, take a moment to visualize the path of the object ball and cue ball. Picture where they’ll go — then commit. Remember, every stroke must be smooth and complete. Don’t jab or rush the delivery — stay in control from backswing to follow-through.
Practicing your approach to corner pockets will improve not just your potting, but also your rhythm and overall table confidence.
🎓 Need help? Reach out to an experienced snooker coach like Neil Johnson, who can give you personalized feedback and technical support to improve your game faster.