Playing Too Much Side Spin

[Pangit]

When I first "discovered" how to play heavy side spin...it was an "en-lightening" experience... took my game too a whole different level..

Now It seems I can't keep it simple... KISS it's a layup...? I "almost" wish I still played center CB with proper speed and leave a tough shot? Wear `'em down. Fine line.

 

[AlexandruM]

Try to use TOI, it may help you to stay in center of the cue ball.

Side speed is good, but only in situations, when you need it for position, and there are no alternative.

 

[bender_lu]

hi there

I know a lot of people that play too often with side spin. I guess this "disease" really gets bad when people start off early with LD shafts and playing side becomes "easier", but a lot of people dont recognize the power of center ball. you can play a lot of positions using stun, follow or draw, and nearly everything with minimum side spin.

In the 14.1 subforum ist a video of max eberle playing straight pool with a head camera, you can see "through his eyes". watch this video and you will se that max uses no or just little side.

The best players in the world know how to use the natural angles to move the CB, they have a plan and know how to execute it. tons of sidespin is only for fixing a messed up position.

Some here on the forums wrote once:

Newcomers to pool play centerball
Advanced players play with side spin
Pros play centerball

Enjoy the video and have a nice day

 

[ENGLISH!]

This may sound a bit crazy.

I have a 90" x 45" Sport King that I basically learned on at 13 & used english, side spin, virtually from the get go.

Then when playing on smaller bar tables, I really used spin because of the bigger/heavier cue balls.

I've played on bigger 9 & 10' tables in the past & used spin pretty much the same as on my Sport King.

Now I'm playing in an in house money league on nothing but 9' tables with Simonis & my use of side spin has dropped off considerably. I still hit the cue ball off center but I'm just not spinning it as much. It's more of a roll it or slide it on a slant kind of thing. I don't really know why. I'm a feel type player & don't really analyse why I do what I do. I just do what I feel is right.

Just my crap, hoping it might help.

 

[Cornerman]

When I first "discovered" how to play heavy side spin...it was an "en-lightening" experience... took my game too a whole different level..

Now It seems I can't keep it simple... KISS it's a layup...? I "almost" wish I still played center CB with proper speed and leave a tough shot? Wear `'em down. Fine line.

Here's the problem: When you get to a certain level, KISS means using side spin correctly. So, in that whole english speak, better players use english correctly; mediocre players use it incorrectly.

But to not use side spin in pool IMO is a travesty and a tragedy.

Freddie <~~~ uses english incorrectly as often as I can

 

[Gerry]

I spin the CB prodigiously, and I play ok

I think too many aspiring players hear the " try to never get off the center axis of the CB" comments and take them too much to heart. I know players that make the game tougher by trying to stay at the center of the CB!....silly.

see the CB as a clock with numbers on it, learn to make ALL standard shots using ALL positions on the clock....once comfortable with that, then you can play how ever you wish.

I'm not saying to use 9oclock spin on a straight in shot......but learn how to do it and you WILL be a better player and have a greater understanding on what you can do with the CB.

Have fun,

G.

 

[ENGLISH!]

I spin the CB prodigiously, and I play ok

I think too many aspiring players hear the " try to never get off the center axis of the CB" comments and take them too much to heart. I know players that make the game tougher by trying to stay at the center of the CB!....silly.

see the CB as a clock with numbers on it, learn to make ALL standard shots using ALL positions on the clock....once comfortable with that, then you can play how ever you wish.

I'm not saying to use 9oclock spin on a straight in shot......but learn how to do it and you WILL be a better player and have a greater understanding on what you can do with the CB.

Have fun,

G.

G.

I totally agree.

Too many are holding people back by scaring them away from learning english. It just is not THAT hard to learn & certainly has advantages. I learned at 13 years old with no instruction. Just play around with it, get comfortable with part of it & then keep expanding on it til you've got it all.

Regards to You &

 

[Pidge]

Using english is not what separates the world class from the newbie. Knowing when to use it and how much to use does.

When I first started playing I would avoid using side like the plague because I would no doubt miss the shot. Then as I started to take the game seriously and understood what went on when using english I would avoid using centre ball like the plague. This seems like the natural path many players take when starting out. Its a great feeling making the CB do weird things off the rail but how many times do you see great players having to use maximum english? Especially in 8 ball, 14.1 and one pocket.

9 ball is a different story. The amount of times I've seen pretty decent players, or atleast have the potential to become decent players stick their tip to the very edge of the CB and think that's the only way to play english is ridiculous.

Bottom line is english is just as important as centre ball, but understanding how much is needed is key.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Using english is not what separates the world class from the newbie. Knowing when to use it and how much to use does.

When I first started playing I would avoid using side like the plague because I would no doubt miss the shot. Then as I started to take the game seriously and understood what went on when using english I would avoid using centre ball like the plague. This seems like the natural path many players take when starting out. Its a great feeling making the CB do weird things off the rail but how many times do you see great players having to use maximum english? Especially in 8 ball, 14.1 and one pocket.

9 ball is a different story. The amount of times I've seen pretty decent players, or atleast have the potential to become decent players stick their tip to the very edge of the CB and think that's the only way to play english is ridiculous.

Bottom line is english is just as important as centre ball, but understanding how much is needed is key.

Pidge,

What you say it true.

When I look at a cue ball I see the whole clock from 12:01 to 11:59 + 12:00 & then I see, I don't how many clock faces around the center as they go out to the 'edge'. The options are endless.

But to get to those endless options one has to venture off of that vertical center line & too many are being scared off from venturing out.

Just my $0.02.