Aiming with side

[Rahal]

Hi all,

I started playing snooker just over a year ago and feel that i should start playing with side to take my game to the next level.
I have been using side for safety shots but not for potting unless the object ball is pretty close to a pocket as i'm scared to miss.
How would you recommend i approach the shot, aim, etc with side as opposed different to taking a shot without side?
Is there something you do differently?

Thanks in advance for the replies which i'm looking forward to

[sberry]

practice, practice, practice - these shots you have to play time after time after time to learn the difference between them and centre ball shots, you can pick up a copy of the old eddie Charlton book very cheap which explained it well enough I thought

basically, if you are putting left hand side on the cue ball you will be hitting it left of centre which will push/deflect it to the right of the line the cue ball would take if you hit it centre ball, meaning you would miss the shot to the left of unless you can compensate for the deflection or push off the normal line that is caused by you hitting the cue ball left of centre - so you need to compensate by adjusting your line of aim further to the left - and vice versa, to the right for right hand side

that is just the basics which cannot cover the subject nor can any amount of writing in my opinion, the amount of deflection is affected by distance, pace, top, bottom and is something you simply learn by trial and error, start off with simple shots from the black spot and work your way up to full length of the table shots, with drag or screw for reverse side, etc.

fun to learn but best done an hour or so at a time, on your own in a dark corner of the club, unless you have a practice partner who is good enough and will show you. this is also where a basic book is worth it's money, it can be there to refer to constantly until you get it

[md5299]

Also when playing into baulk from the top of the table right hand side will take the cue ball to the left and left hand side goes to the right but as sbery says pace comes into it giving the cue ball all different paths,a minefield.Whatever you do don't take your line of aim and then pull your cue across the cue ball,100% doomed.................

practice, practice, practice - these shots you have to play time after time after time to learn the difference between them and centre ball shots, you can pick up a copy of the old eddie Charlton book very cheap which explained it well enough I thought

basically, if you are putting left hand side on the cue ball you will be hitting it left of centre which will push/deflect it to the right of the line the cue ball would take if you hit it centre ball, meaning you would miss the shot to the left of unless you can compensate for the deflection or push off the normal line that is caused by you hitting the cue ball left of centre - so you need to compensate by adjusting your line of aim further to the left - and vice versa, to the right for right hand side

that is just the basics which cannot cover the subject nor can any amount of writing in my opinion, the amount of deflection is affected by distance, pace, top, bottom and is something you simply learn by trial and error, start off with simple shots from the black spot and work your way up to full length of the table shots, with drag or screw for reverse side, etc.

fun to learn but best done an hour or so at a time, on your own in a dark corner of the club, unless you have a practice partner who is good enough and will show you. this is also where a basic book is worth it's money, it can be there to refer to constantly until you get it

[bolton-cueman]

practice, practice, practice - these shots you have to play time after time after time to learn the difference between them and centre ball shots, you can pick up a copy of the old eddie Charlton book very cheap which explained it well enough I thought

basically, if you are putting left hand side on the cue ball you will be hitting it left of centre which will push/deflect it to the right of the line the cue ball would take if you hit it centre ball, meaning you would miss the shot to the left of unless you can compensate for the deflection or push off the normal line that is caused by you hitting the cue ball left of centre - so you need to compensate by adjusting your line of aim further to the left - and vice versa, to the right for right hand side

that is just the basics which cannot cover the subject nor can any amount of writing in my opinion, the amount of deflection is affected by distance, pace, top, bottom and is something you simply learn by trial and error, start off with simple shots from the black spot and work your way up to full length of the table shots, with drag or screw for reverse side, etc.

fun to learn but best done an hour or so at a time, on your own in a dark corner of the club, unless you have a practice partner who is good enough and will show you. this is also where a basic book is worth it's money, it can be there to refer to constantly until you get it

simplest and most understandable explanation I've read on here. +1

[Phil C]

simplest and most understandable explanation I've read on here. +1

Agreed.

Enjoyed that

[Terry Davidson]

I agree with that too. Because each cue and even a different tip, slow or fast cloth, light cueball and power all change the amount of aim-off a player has to compensate for there is no way a coach can teach exactly how to aim when using side.

The only solution is in solo practice to use it as much as you can and learn how much your cue will throw. At the end of the shot delivery stay still with the cue extended and observe the path of the object ball without moving your upper body or head, just follow with the eyes. Stay down in this position for 1-2 seconds after every shot (watch Shaun Murphy for an example of this). This will give your brain the feedback loop it needs to learn how to aim using side spin.

Terry

[cyberheater]

practice, practice, practice - these shots you have to play time after time after time to learn the difference between them and centre ball shots, you can pick up a copy of the old eddie Charlton book very cheap which explained it well enough I thought

Which is funny as Eddie always maintained that he was a centre ball striker an didn't put side on the white.

Listen from around 2:50.

[Leo]

practice, practice, practice - these shots you have to play time after time after time to learn the difference between them and centre ball shots, you can pick up a copy of the old eddie Charlton book very cheap which explained it well enough I thought

basically, if you are putting left hand side on the cue ball you will be hitting it left of centre which will push/deflect it to the right of the line the cue ball would take if you hit it centre ball, meaning you would miss the shot to the left of unless you can compensate for the deflection or push off the normal line that is caused by you hitting the cue ball left of centre - so you need to compensate by adjusting your line of aim further to the left - and vice versa, to the right for right hand side

that is just the basics which cannot cover the subject nor can any amount of writing in my opinion, the amount of deflection is affected by distance, pace, top, bottom and is something you simply learn by trial and error, start off with simple shots from the black spot and work your way up to full length of the table shots, with drag or screw for reverse side, etc.

fun to learn but best done an hour or so at a time, on your own in a dark corner of the club, unless you have a practice partner who is good enough and will show you. this is also where a basic book is worth it's money, it can be there to refer to constantly until you get it

Straight to the point no waffle good post

[tedisbill]

Which is funny as Eddie always maintained that he was a centre ball striker an didn't put side on the white.

Listen from around 2:50.

He's not literally saying he never puts side on the ball. He's just saying he avoided it as much as possible (which is like anyone really).

He says "it's only when you get out of position that you need to use side", which will be quite often, because nobody plays perfect position on every shot.

[mythman69]

I can't remember where I read it, but unless you are making regular 40 breaks don't use side. It will cause more trouble to your game.

Having said this, there are times it is useful. Getting out of snookers for example.

[Terry Davidson]

I think the mantra should be...learn how to use side so you can use it when needed but avoid using it as much as you can. Sort of opposing points really but I think that's the truth of it. (let's not get into the use of 'helping side' on pots where no cushion is involved...please!)

Terry

[warren132]

Dont think anyone can teach this. Only with practice can a player find himself able to play with side.

[Catch 22]

Dont think anyone can teach this. Only with practice can a player find himself able to play with side.

Old tommy in irvine has been teaching me how to use side ....it's murder voodoo

[jono*]

Not just with aiming. Judging the extra pace on the cue ball when using side also takes a lot of practice and experience to judge

[warren132]

Old tommy in irvine has been teaching me how to use side ....it's murder voodoo

Like i said no one can teach you you have to learn for your self. They may tell you but thats not enough.