im in Southern California, near Disney land. the reason I say I have only been playing for 4 months and already can use side spin is because im retired, with nothing but time. and the pool bug has bit me pretty hard. its a good thing, as im off the internet and away from the tv. but playing alone has its draw backs. so I have been able to really put my mind and soul into the game and have really improved in this short time.
im just using trial and error on side spin. but after time i have figured out somewhat:wink:
Before you go hog wild with an instructor, I am suggesting the following.
Buy a copy of Bert Kinister's 60 minute workout for 9-Ball (I think you can download it from his site by paying a fee). The principles inculcated therein apply to ALL games.
Spend 6 months of darn hard WORK with it. I'm talking about 4-5 hours a day with that CD only. (then go out and play people after you've worked out with it if you want to do so).
I was one of his first customers way back around 1992, I think, and if you're like I was, the first thing you will say about Shot #1 is this......."I've been ripped off. I paid good money for this fat buzzard to show me how to shoot a straight-in shot?"
How wrong I was...how wrong I was.
I worked with that shot #1 until I could hate it and Kininster as well...........but, he is absolutely right.
That shot will create a stroke where there is no stroke. (I had some stroke errors from childhood that needed cleaning up. I'd been told this by top action gambling players, but none could steer me in the right direction.) Even Mosconi...yes, I played him a few times back in 1961 and 1962 and he was astonished at how I seemed to miss so many routine shots while having great form, great follow through, and keeping my head down. He couldn't pin it down either. Neither could Buddy Hall, or Danny Jones,or Long Beach, or Beanie Staton, or Ralph Guest, or Billy Johnson, or Tony Ellin, although Billy J. came VERY close to nailing it.
That silly ass Shot #1 from Kinister's tape WILL create a perfect stroke where there is no stroke. He gives you the tools..........
YOU GOT TO DO THE WORK.
And avoid listening to pool players with that "hit a million balls stuff". That is so dumb. I've always asked..."what if the guy is hitting the million balls the wrong way?...that is so shallow and ignorant".
Give Kinnister a try.
Then if you've still got trouble, maybe hunt up an instructor (make sure he can play though...those that are all mouth don't mean too much to me)
Good luck and enjoy the game. I've been at it for 65 years...eyes and nerves are still good too.
However, if you don't like to train or won't train................then forget everything I've written in this post.
:thumbup2: