The stop shot is a highly effective and foundational technique in billiards, primarily used to make the cue ball come to a complete halt at the exact point of impact with a straight-in object ball. This effect occurs when the cue ball has no topspin or backspin at the moment it strikes the object ball, allowing for a near-perfect transfer of its momentum directly into the object ball. To achieve this, players typically hit the cue ball slightly below center with a firm, level stroke. The backspin imparted by hitting below center will "wear off" due to friction with the cloth as the cue ball travels, causing it to be in a pure sliding motion precisely as it contacts the object ball. Mastering the stop shot provides invaluable cue ball control, as it allows for predictable positioning for the next shot by eliminating any unwanted forward or backward movement of the cue ball after pocketing the object ball.