Side spin - Am I doing something wrong?

[thursoman]

Here is a totally daft question from a complete beginner.

When I hit the cue ball with right-hand spin against the cushion the ball comes off the cushion to the right. This is what I expect to happen.
However, when I hit the object ball with the same spin the cue ball goes to the left. Is this what is supossed to happen or am I doing something really wrong?


Any help greatly received indeed!

[cocked hat]

sidespin

Hi Thursoman'
It's to do with whereabouts you hit the object ball.When you are aiming at the cushion it doesn't matter where on the cush the ball hits,however when you are aiming at an object ball,it makes a lot of difference where the contact point is.
As you hit the cue ball with side spin,because you are not hitting the centre of the ball,it causes the ball to be thrown sideways slightly.In order to hit the object ball as you intended,it is necessary to aim slightly in to the spin to allow for this throw.:snooker:

[thursoman]

I see, thank you for that.
So If I apply left side spin to the cue ball I need to aim slightly left on the object ball?

So if done correctly the cue ball should follow the path of the spin?
In other words : if I go for left side spin the cue ball should come off to the left after contacting the object ball?

[tallguy]

well, the effect is much more noticeable once it hits a cushion after the contact with the cue ball. You can quickly try this out.

Place the object ball near a pocket and the cue ball for a half-ball pot so that the cue ball doesn't have to travel more than a foot to hit a cushion after contacting the object ball. Now pot the object ball applying left spin, right spin and no spin. This should enable you to see the effect you are looking for.

When you apply left spin the cue ball should come off the object ball, hit the cushion and move further towards the left just as you would expect it to if you hit the cushion directly applying left spin. In other words, the cue ball retains the same spin applied to it even after contacting the object ball.

[bongo]

It isn't a daft question, it is a very common one.

The answers provided here are very good, just remember that table to table, you will get slightly different reactions, different cloths will send the ball further away from the intended line and some may be slower or faster and the cushions the same. Some balls will be worn so the spin may not take effect as much.

As you can probably see from your experiences from experimenting with side it isn't a straight-forward aspect of snooker. You say you are a beginner, so play all your shots with centre ball, no side. When you get more advanced as a player, THEN tackle side spin.

You will have more solid and consistent foundations to learn side spin, and when to adjust (which is vital), than if you have an inconsistant approach and action to the shot.

Side spin can make your game very confused and there are too many variables with side for beginners, become an expert in centre ball (which isn't a limitation) before you expand into side, you will be more prepared and you have something to go back to which is being consistant in centre ball.

If people say to you that you're a bad player because you don't use side, don't listen as pros only use side on 5% of shot they play.

bongo