Answers to Common QUESTIONS About Using SIDESPIN ... When, Why, and How to Use It

dr_dave

dr_dave

Instructional Author
Gold Member
Silver Member
FYI, I just posted a new video that provides detailed answer to many common questions about sidespin, including: What is it Used For? What is it Not Used For? How do You Judge How Much to Use? What are Good Drills for Practicing Sidespin? and Should You Try to Spin Balls In? Convincing demonstrations support all the answers. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - What is it Used For?
3:20 - What is it Not Used For?
5:01 - How do You Judge How Much to Use?
9:39 - What are Good Drills for Practicing Sidespin?
14:26 - Should You Try to Spin Balls In?

Supporting Resources:
As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that provides detailed answer to many common questions about sidespin, including: What is it Used For? What is it Not Used For? How do You Judge How Much to Use? What are Good Drills for Practicing Sidespin? and Should You Try to Spin Balls In? Convincing demonstrations support all the answers. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - What is it Used For?
3:20 - What is it Not Used For?
5:01 - How do You Judge How Much to Use?
9:39 - What are Good Drills for Practicing Sidespin?
14:26 - Should You Try to Spin Balls In?

Supporting Resources:
As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

What do you guys think about "spinning a ball in or not," as covered in the section starting at 14:26?

Would you use outside spin on the shootout shot like in some of the pro examples shown?
 
First my logic for playing different techniques could be conditions familiar. Perhaps accustomed conditions with less than pristine conditions. 🤷‍♂️
Oh I would suggest a ⚠ caution to suggest learn centerball vertical axis First. My experience provided a few prosperous encounters at 5 a game. Oh they could spin their rock and my Game was just vanilla. Getting on the perfect line. So the variables are minimal.
 
dr_dave said:
What do you guys think about "spinning a ball in or not," as covered in the section starting at 14:26?

Would you use outside spin on the shootout shot like in some of the pro examples shown?
Click to expand...
gregcantrall said:
First my logic for playing different techniques could be conditions familiar. Perhaps accustomed conditions with less than pristine conditions. 🤷‍♂️
Oh I would suggest a ⚠ caution to suggest learn centerball vertical axis First. My experience provided a few prosperous encounters at 5 a game. Oh they could spin their rock and my Game was just vanilla. Getting on the perfect line. So the variables are minimal.
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting. I was hoping we would get a lot more input and discussion on this matter, especially from the players out there.

I also prefer fewer variables when playing; but if playing under dirty conditions, I do use gearing outside spin when CB control is not an issue.
 
Ok. I used to spin the ball a lot as a beginner; basically the only way I could get stuff to go. As I broadened my control sense and abilities I was always comfortable spinning the ball. I liken ball control to flying a helicopter. It's fraught with treachery but people learn to do it safely.
 
straightline said:
Ok. I used to spin the ball a lot as a beginner; basically the only way I could get stuff to go. As I broadened my control sense and abilities I was always comfortable spinning the ball. I liken ball control to flying a helicopter. It's fraught with treachery but people learn to do it safely.
Click to expand...

Would you and others spin in the shootout shot at the end of the video?
 
No telling. I often spin stuff because it's quicker to lock in and in this case safer to shoot. (no scratch as shot)
I'd also center ball it just aiming at the carom/tangent - the carom being the objective and not the pocket.
I might be afraid of missing it or just foggy eyed and use inside because the aim is basically right at the contact point.
Rambling. I try to cinch the money as reliably as the situation permits.
 
The scene from Quigley Down Under fits my feelings regarding side spin.
The KISS method fits my outlook on playing pool. KEEP IT SIMPLE Silly. 🤷‍♂️
My latest experiment of practicing with my phenolic tip break cue as my shooter has been enlightening and rewarding.
My study of and conversations with Cole Dixon led me to a waterbuffalo tip. Waterbuffalo would be just under phenolic on a hardness chart. My phenolic tip in competition was a success. Well success for me was shooting the whole event Without a single clank of misscue when applying side. My ability to apply the off center strike more precisely has strengthened my game.
3 ball break practice has shown me that I can get extreme spin on the cueball with the rock hard tip. It just requires a closer to center strike and of course a more precise strike. The ability to control it is another story. Kinda like driving a high performance car it takes skill.
 
dr_dave said:
Would you and others spin in the shootout shot at the end of the video?
Click to expand...
I do. Gearing English is just another tool in the bag. It’s all about what you’re comfortable with. In earlier posts you note that your preference is to keep variables to a minimum. This makes perfect sense, as keeping things simple as possible reduces the risks of things going wrong. In the shot you refer to in the post I’m quoting, you note in the video that you had more success without this spin. You also mention Filipinos tend to favor it. It all links to what I refer to at the start of this post, it’s about comfort level, what you’re familiar with. Those that tend to favor using it generally do so because it’s how they started hitting the shot with success early on. As a result it becomes their default.

The thing about spin though, or more succinctly, using it regularly, is that in very long sessions, generally those that occur in gambling more so than tournament play, is that as you hit 8 to 12 hours in, this often unravels which can leave you busted.
 
I personally never use sidespin on normal shots where position doesn't require it. e.g. the spot shot shown in the video, I'd just play along the vertical axis. Speed/spin depending on table conditions and exact cue ball position.

The issue of dirty equipment causing kicks is something I haven't encountered, as I play on very clean tables with everyone using TAOM chalk. I guess if I played on worse conditions I'd be forced to learn to use small amounts side for most normal shots that otherwise don't require side to avoid those issues.
 
Marty Reisman perfected his precision of strike to a degree that he could return a ping pong ball with the edge of his paddle.. His skills as a hustler kept him in Stealth mode.Getting huge spots and holding his paddle like a hammer. His winning shots just brushing the edge of the table were unreturnable and always seemed lucky. 🤔 Oh yeah Efren often said, "I got lucky." 🤷‍♂️
 
I have an interesting idea for a new experiment or video (if you don't have one about it already) for Dr. Dave:

How do different spins help in reducing table roll-off for soft speed shots?

For example, a pocket-speed shot with no spin vs. max sidespin seems to roll off less with max sidespin. But is this just placebo or is there science behind it? And if it's a real effect, how does it work exactly? And the main question I'd have is, do different axis of spin have a different effect for this, e.g. using max backspin vs. using max sidespin? The "drag shot" (max backspin) is often used in such situations, but that seems to be more about the fact that the CB slows down more than with other spins, effectively reducing table roll by having more speed along the path. So it's not the same effect that I am concerned about.
 
Staying in Stealth mode was not hustling it was hunting. 🤷‍♂️
Staying plain ball and riding the 9 at every opportunity, kept me in the soft ring games. Taking wild attempts at the money ball was an effective. Uh stall. Never missed on purpose, just tried semi impossible shots. 🤷‍♂️
 
I was once called a showboat because I spun the ball. I didn't care as it was poetry when I had the CB on a string and my creative juices were flowing. I'm too old now to play that way and have toned it down but it's still nice knowing how to spin for position or a breakout
 
Hopefully I can reach a logical conclusion without hurting feelings. 😉
So the precision application of side is an advanced skill that definitely deserves practice.
Grady Mathews promoted rail first practice that got whitey to the same target using different angles. A scales type drill that goes from corner to side rail and opposite side pocket scratch. Like a limbo. How far can you go down the rail and still scratch.
Things that make you say 🤔
Willie Hoppe only got 1 ball for his first month of practice. He's definitely the GOAT of billiards.
And oh yeah he says look at the ball as you strike it.
In practice it gives the most direct and immediate feed back. Economic practice method that brings progress toward success. Just one aspect of being a Champ.
An effective practice program is key.
First determine your goal. If you just want to perfect One shot that will get A Girl to take her clothes off......🤔 perfect the double kiss. Double Kiss Doolie declared that he shot so good that he could get a whole convent of nuns take take off their clothes. His double kiss skills were epic. 🤷‍♂️
His security program was lax and he got a hammer to the head and awoke in the hospital somewhere in L A. Next to a guy that got a golf club the same way. 🤷‍♂️
 
George the Greek said:
I was once called a showboat because I spun the ball. I didn't care as it was poetry when I had the CB on a string and my creative juices were flowing. I'm too old now to play that way and have toned it down but it's still nice knowing how to spin for position or a breakout
Click to expand...
Besides it can impress a lady when in a courting mode. 🤷‍♂️ 😉
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top