I recently took a lesson from a damn fine billiards instructor. He was personable, educated, and backed up his information with perfect demonstrations. But after watching me get into position to draw the cue ball, he stopped me and recommended that I elevate the butt of my cue rather than flatten my bridge to get the necessary action.

I was quite taken aback by that, seeing as how that went against everything I've come to learn (and ardently drill) about creating draw. I laughed and told him that, but he insisted I try it his way. I did, and ended up scooping the cue ball on every attempt. When I showed him how I've come to learn how to create draw (by keeping my cue as level to the table as possible while shooting straight and low), I had no issue getting the necessary action, which seemed to confuse him.

A little later, after watching me go for draw during a casual game, he smiled and said that I was shooting draw shots his way, but hadn't caught that I was lifting the leveled butt of my cue a split second before my tip struck the cue ball.

That threw me for a loop, but it wasn't until he recorded me and showed what was happening in slow motion that I realized I haven't been drilling what I thought I was.

For months, I've had it in my head (aside from when I rush the shot or squeeze my grip hand) that any draw I've created was the result of an absolutely level cue and straight stroke. Turns out not so much.

Which got me to thinking about y'all.

How do YOU shoot your draw shots? And when you mess up, what's the most common issue you've become familiar with in your stroke?