Is inside english harder for you to use?

[Patrick Johnson]

Chinchilla:
...you're saying inside is just as good to pocket balls theoretically as outside?

Me:
Yes.

jsp:
If the "theory" includes the effects of throw and friction, then your answer is false.

When using OE, it is always possible to obtain perfect gearing english such that the effects of friction can be completely taken out of the equation. For IE, it is impossible to ever achieve gearing english (by defintion), so friction will ALWAYS be a factor on all IE shots.

We also have to consider the reality that friction is only rarely "completely taken out of the equation" with outside spin and can actually be increased by it if the amount of spin isn't applied perfectly. I think this "benefit" is highly overstated/overrated and doesn't really weigh in favor of outside spin on a practical level. I also think it's a poor reason to use outside spin in general.

pj
chgo

 

[scottjen26]

Like Mike, I too use BHE as he describes, starting with center ball and going through my preshot routine. Then I pivot to set my english, adjusting (rarely, as needed) based on the parameters of the shot (elevation, extreme speeds, etc.), take another stroke or too if I feel I need them, then shoot. I tried the swooping method and it's not for me, but I've seen many players be successful with that.

And to followup on another poster (sorry for the repeated material, but I was late to the party I guess, too much work!), I too played a lot of 3 cushion and I'm sure that played a large part in my comfort factor with inside english, as it's used frequently. Even though you are not pocketing a ball, the thickness of hit you are trying to attain on the OB still has to be fairly accurate to score the point, and since you end up using various amounts of spin along with a full range of speed you get pretty good at judging the effects no matter what type of equipment you are using.

Scott