A masse shot is one of the most advanced and visually impressive techniques in billiards, allowing the cue ball to curve significantly around an obstructing ball or to reach an otherwise inaccessible object ball. Unlike a typical shot where the cue is held relatively level, a masse shot requires you to elevate the butt of your cue to a steep angle, often 45 degrees or more, and strike the cue ball downwards with a large amount of sidespin (English). This downward and off-center impact causes the cue ball to not only spin heavily but also to dig into the cloth slightly, creating the friction necessary for it to arc or curve across the table. The amount of elevation, the degree of sidespin, and the force of the stroke all determine the tightness and length of the curve. While spectacular and sometimes essential for escaping difficult situations, masse shots are inherently challenging to control, can be abusive to cue tips and table cloth if executed improperly, and typically require extensive practice to execute with any degree of accuracy.