How long after you started playing...

ENGLISH!

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did you start intentionally using side spin & at what age was that.
 
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Immediately, and I was about 7 years old.


I didn't learn how to control it at all, or hit it deliberately, until I was about 17.
 
Immediately, and I was about 7 years old.


I didn't learn how to control it at all, or hit it deliberately, until I was about 17.

Thanks for the chuckle.

I guess i should go back & clarify what I meant by the word 'use'.
 
Been playing for more years than I care to remember and I still try to use as little a side spin as possible.
Usually don't go much over half a tip.

That being said to answer your question I experimented with it very early on, didn't use it in my games until later, but just playing with it started early.

Using it regularly and with the desired results and plans came a few months or a year into it. Again this was all a very long time ago.

By the way I definitely like the words "side spin", or "screw", much more than using the word English to describe side spin.
 
My first "custom" cue at age 15 was a Meucci Original, that whippy shaft
would spin the ball without me even trying...
it sure made draw shots fun.
 
Immediately, and ever since (although been working towards the center and using less and less for a while now). I got into pool by seeing Efren play, and learned how to play by trying to emulate him. Still working on the "emulating him" part ;)
 
The minute that

did you start intentionally using side spin & at what age was that.

I started playing at 12 and had natural talent for it. The minute someone asked me to play for money it dawned on me that I had to move the cue ball and I started immediately. I would hunt for the lightest cue in the house and what I did was swipe my Spin on but the ball went in the hole and cue ball went where I wanted it to. It was completely natural. Youth and good depth perception does a lot for you.
 
Started using spin after about a year. Mainly low left and low right.

That's how I started but within weeks after being introduced to the game at 13. I had that Old Neighbor to set the example for me.

About a year later when my Dad asked my Uncle who was very very good to play me a couple of games & when my Dad asked what he thought, my Uncle replied, "He plays real good but he uses low too much.'.

By too much, he meant too often.

My hungry ears ate up what he said & I was back on the table right after he left shooting every shot with high outside & high inside.

My game changed that afternoon.

Best Wishes.
 
I started playing in high school and to the best of my memory, almost immediately started using outside English on pretty much every shot.
 
I started playing at 12 and had natural talent for it. The minute someone asked me to play for money it dawned on me that I had to move the cue ball and I started immediately. I would hunt for the lightest cue in the house and what I did was swipe my Spin on but the ball went in the hole and cue ball went where I wanted it to. It was completely natural. Youth and good depth perception does a lot for you.

And I'd guess that that was some of your Most Happy & Enjoyable Times PLAYING the Game.
 
And I'd guess that that was some of your Most Happy & Enjoyable Times PLAYING the Game.

took five years to learn English because I never liked to use it.
started at 25
to this day, I eschew side unless I absolutely have to!!
 
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Thanks for the chuckle.

I guess i should go back & clarify what I meant by the word 'use'.


Ha. I knew exactly what you meant. I couldn't help myself though, because I'm part smartass. :D


I overused side spin through my 20s and 30s, and now in my 40s, looking to play 14.1, I find toning it down makes things easier.
 
Ha. I knew exactly what you meant. I couldn't help myself though, because I'm part smartass. :D

Yeah, but there is a huge difference between a well meaning smart ass & a mean spirited smart ass. :wink:

There are too many of that 2nd' kind. Actually even one is too many.
 
I learned the game playing in the army at 19 having never even touched a cue before that. We played for money and many a week I would go without any extra luxury items, because I gambled it all away, lol. Then I started winning more than I lost, and got hooked. Started playing seriously a couple of years later at about 22. I was taugth some basics by a carom player at that time. Needless to say, he liked to spin the ball. He hated when I slammed balls into the pocket, and he could not conceal his disapproving frown, lol. He was quite a character, but a nice old gentleman. To this day I hate slamming balls in, and always prefer the soft spin instead.
 
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Always used English ever since I can remember. Still do on most shots. I use it to aim with quite a bit.
 
took five years to learn English because I never liked to use it. I started at 25. To this day, I eschew side unless I absolutely have to!!

Most really good player's (like 95%) learned to use, and control 'side spin' (ie; English) very early on in their developmental stage of learning the game!..Boogeyman, please don't shy away from it!..If you don't learn to use it, and become proficient at it, you may never become the player you want to be!...TOI, TOO, max-high, max-low, learn it ALL!..You never know when you'll need it to WIN! :cool:

PS.. There is no such thing as "excessive english"!..Learn to use whatever it takes to get the job done! :p
 
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Most really good player's (like 95%) learned to use, and control 'side spin' (ie; english) very early on in their developmental stage of learning the game! Don't shy away from it!..If you don't learn to use it, and become proficient at it, you will never be a top notch pool player!...TOI, TOO, max-high, max-low, learn it ALL!..You never know when you'll need it to WIN! :cool:

PS.. There is no such thing as "excessive english"!..Learn to use whatever it takes to get the job done! :p

Very Good Post, Sir.

I hope many take it to Heart.

Belated Merry Christmas to You & Best Wishes for a Happy & Safe New Year for You & Yours,

Rick

PS Good to see You posting again.
 
Most really good player's (like 95%) learned to use, and control 'side spin' (ie; English) very early on in their developmental stage of learning the game! Don't shy away from it!..If you don't learn to use it, and become proficient at it, you will never be a top notch pool player!...TOI, TOO, max-high, max-low, learn it ALL!..You never know when you'll need it to WIN! :cool:

PS.. There is no such thing as "excessive english"!..Learn to use whatever it takes to get the job done! :p

What do think about learning to use english in stages ? For example practicing pocketing a ball consistently starting with no english, then a little english and upping the amount of english once they pocket consistently ?
 
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