when does spin lose its effect?

[nutscrewsandbolts]

Hi,
I've got two questions that I hope someone can answer.
1) If I'm playing side, once the cue ball comes off one cushion, will it lose its side spin? eg. if I play the ball straight along the baulk line with side, it will come off at an angle when it hits the first cushion, but when it hits the second cushion, will the side make any difference to the angle off the second cushion?

2) If I am snookered and I play follow or screw off a cushion to an object ball, will that make a difference to the cue ball?

in other words, does spin lose it's effect when it contacts the first cushion?

Thanks

[gettingbetter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhKgTM07xoc

Have a look at this video, I know its an exhibition shot, but watch the cue ball when its hits the 3rd (black) cushion, it takes off, so there is your answer for number 1.

As for two, I think if you play that shot, the cue ball should probably just stop once it hits the object ball.

[Rethunk]

Hi,
I've got two questions that I hope someone can answer.
1) If I'm playing side, once the cue ball comes off one cushion, will it lose its side spin? eg. if I play the ball straight along the baulk line with side, it will come off at an angle when it hits the first cushion, but when it hits the second cushion, will the side make any difference to the angle off the second cushion?

It depends on the amount of side you apply, the speed of the cue ball, the distance the cue ball travels from the object ball being potted to the first rail the cue ball strikes, the angle at which the cue ball strikes the rail, etc. No matter how much detail someone provides, getting a proper feel for a shot with side will require time at the table shooting practice shots.

One practice setup would be to clear all balls except a red and the cue ball from the table and then do the following:

1. Place a red a short distance from a side pocket. Put the red in line with the five spot and the side pocket.
2. Place the cue ball at an angle relative to the line formed by the red ball, the side pocket, and the five spot, and on the side closer to the six spot than to the D.
3. Pot the red with a center ball hit with enough speed that the cue contacts three rails and heads to the top of the table near the seven spot. Shoot this several times to get consistent speed.
4. Try the following in turn, and try as best you can to hit with the same speed for each shot.
4.1. Medium speed, center ball hit.
4.2. Medium speed, right side.
4.3. Medium speed, left side.
5. Observe where the cue strikes each cushion.

From here you should vary the distance of the red to the pocket, the cue to the red, the amount of top and bottom, etc. I think this sort of (potentially tedious) practice routine is your best bet.

2) If I am snookered and I play follow or screw off a cushion to an object ball, will that make a difference to the cue ball?

I can write "yes", but the best thing is to set up a practice shot and give it a try. With a consistent stroke and consistent setup you should notice a difference. It really helps to see the effect yourself.

You could try this: place the cue ball near a side rail. Shoot the cue ball into the opposite rail and try to sink the cue ball into the side pocket on the same rail as your starting position. Initially vary only where you strike the cue ball on the vertical axis, then try changing speed. Determine where on the opposite rail the cue needs to make contact.

[bongo]

It does depend a lot on what table you're on. See this shot, on a club table it probably doesn't work as it is almost impossible. However on a professional table (I've tried it), it works and the video shows Neil Robertson playing it, the side reacts even off the third cushion, and just about a tiny bit of side on the fourth cushion.

[bongo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhKgTM07xoc

Have a look at this video, I know its an exhibition shot, but watch the cue ball when its hits the 3rd (black) cushion, it takes off, so there is your answer for number 1.

As for two, I think if you play that shot, the cue ball should probably just stop once it hits the object ball.

I didn't see you posted the same video! Sorry!

[poolqjunkie]

That check side was massive off the cushion, what a beauty!

[Nic Barrow]

Side Spin Reduction

Hi,
I've got two questions that I hope someone can answer.
1) If I'm playing side, once the cue ball comes off one cushion, will it lose its side spin? eg. if I play the ball straight along the baulk line with side, it will come off at an angle when it hits the first cushion, but when it hits the second cushion, will the side make any difference to the angle off the second cushion?

2) If I am snookered and I play follow or screw off a cushion to an object ball, will that make a difference to the cue ball?

in other words, does spin lose it's effect when it contacts the first cushion?

Thanks

1). The energy given from the cue to the side of the cue ball spins the cue ball as it moves. When the cue ball hits the cusion, this energy is converted into changing the direction of the cue ball. Depending on how much side was applied, and if all the spin was converted to direction change (EG if the cushions or balls are dirty / worn / not smooth they will change the cue ball direction more because there is more friction) then some side can still remain to the second and third cushions.
Interestingly, a cue ball played with NO SIDE, will pick up side from the cushion if it strikes the cushion at an angle. This is because the part of the cue ball that strikes the cushion remains still as the outside part twists to change direction. This equals what we call 'automatic side'.
Depending on which cushion is hit next in either scenario above, the next cushion strike can be running side or check side.
The slower the cue ball moves, the more the side spin dies down.
So if you are palying side to a far cushion with low speed, put double the amount of side you think you need onto the ball.

2). When escaping from snookers always (unless forced otherwise) play:
a). No side spin (side changes the cue ball direction from the cushion!)
b). Above centre striking (stun and screw changes the cue ball direction from the cushion!)
c). As slowly as possible (extra speed changes the cue ball direction from the cushion!)
Anyone who applies any of these three mistakes makes it very very difficult to escape reliably and consistently from snookers. After all you want the ONLY mistake you make to be the aiming of the shot - then it is easy to correct. But if you make all three mistakes above too, then it will be impossibel to define what you did wrong to miss the snooker escape, and therefore impossible to improve what you are doing.