The Stun Shot: Freezing the Cue Ball on Impact

Among all cue ball control techniques, the stun shot is one of the most practical and versatile. Unlike follow or draw shots, the stun shot makes the cue ball stop dead after hitting the object ball—or slide forward just slightly depending on the angle. Mastering this technique is essential for players who want to dictate table position with surgical precision.

1. What Is a Stun Shot?

A stun shot happens when the cue ball is struck with no spin—not rolling forward, not spinning backward—just sliding across the cloth. When this sliding cue ball contacts the object ball, it instantly loses momentum and appears to "freeze" in place.

Key effects:

  • Cue ball stops on impact if struck directly.

  • On angled shots, it follows the natural tangent line.

  • Offers reliable, predictable position play.

2. How to Execute a Stun Shot

  • Tip Placement: Strike the cue ball slightly below center to cancel natural roll.

  • Stroke: Smooth and firm, but not overly hard.

  • Timing: The cue ball should be sliding, not spinning, at the moment of contact.

  • Level Cue: Keep the cue horizontal to minimize unwanted spin.

The goal is to create a pure sliding motion until collision.

3. Why Stun Shots Are Important

  • Control: Offers predictable paths, especially on angled shots.

  • Position Play: Useful for stopping the cue ball near clusters or ideal angles.

  • Safety Shots: Allows precise cue ball placement in defensive play.

  • Transition Shots: Bridges gaps between draw and follow, expanding shot options.

Professional players use stun shots constantly because of their reliability.

4. Common Mistakes

  • Accidental Topspin: Cue ball rolls forward instead of stopping.

  • Accidental Backspin: Cue ball draws back unintentionally.

  • Too Soft: Ball grips too early, killing the slide.

  • Too Hard: Spin reappears, ruining the stun effect.

The solution is practice and consistent stroke mechanics.

5. Practice Drills

  • Stop Shot Drill: Line up straight shots and stop the cue ball on contact.

  • Angle Stun Drill: Hit balls at 30°–45° angles, watch cue ball follow the tangent line.

  • Stun Position Drill: Combine stun shots with specific landing zones for cue ball control.

  • Stun + Follow/Draw Mix: Alternate between stun, draw, and follow to refine stroke precision.

These drills train your ability to “read” how stun affects different angles.

6. Equipment Considerations

  • Carbon Fiber Shafts: Deliver consistent low-deflection hits, critical for precise stun shots.

  • Proper Cue Tip: A medium tip provides balance between grip and control.

  • Reliable Construction: A well-balanced cue ensures smoother delivery and accuracy.

BIZU Carbon Fiber Pool Cues are built for consistency—making it easier to execute stun shots with confidence and accuracy.

Conclusion

The stun shot may look simple, but it’s one of the most valuable tools in any player’s arsenal. By learning how to freeze or slide the cue ball at will, you gain unmatched control over the table.

With steady practice and the advanced performance of BIZU Carbon Fiber Pool Cues, you can turn the stun shot into a dependable weapon for both offense and defense.