How to Master Pool Side Spin (Left Spin & Right Spin) – Beginner-Friendly Guide
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Once you’ve mastered the three basic cue techniques (high, low, center) and improved your accuracy, it’s time to move on to the next level: side spin. Side spin (also called "english" in billiards) is a powerful technique that allows you to control the mother ball’s path after hitting the target ball—even when it hits the rail. Many beginners are intimidated by side spin, thinking it’s too advanced, but it’s actually much easier than you think—you just need to know where to hit the mother ball, how to control the force, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Today, we’ll teach you the basics of side spin: left spin and right spin. We’ll focus on beginner-friendly techniques—no complex theories, just step-by-step guides that you can practice immediately.
First, let’s understand what side spin is. Side spin is when you hit the mother ball to the left or right of the center (instead of above, below, or center). Hitting the left side of the mother ball creates left spin , and hitting the right side creates right spin . Side spin affects the mother ball in two ways: 1) after hitting the target ball, the mother ball will spin sideways, changing its path; 2) when the mother ball hits a rail, it will bounce off at a different angle than a normal shot. This is why side spin is so useful—it allows you to hit shots that you can’t hit with basic cues.
Now, let’s talk about how to hit left spin and right spin correctly. First, the contact point: do not hit too far to the left or right—start with a point 1 millimeter from the center (on either side). Hitting too far to the side will make the mother ball spin too much, leading to missed shots or uncontrollable paths. Second, the stroke: use the same 3-step rhythm from Article 2—gentle backswing, 1-second pause, smooth forward stroke. Keep your wrist straight, and your arm moving in a straight line—do not twist your wrist when hitting side spin, as this will change the contact point. Third, the force: use moderate force—too much force will make the spin uncontrollable, and too little force will not create enough spin.
Next, when to use left spin and right spin in a game. Here are two simple scenarios for beginners:
1. Left Spin: Use left spin when you want the mother ball to bounce to the left after hitting a rail. For example, if the target ball is close to the left rail, hitting left spin will make the mother ball bounce off the rail and move to the right, allowing you to hit a follow-up shot.
2. Right Spin: Use right spin when you want the mother ball to bounce to the right after hitting a rail. For example, if the target ball is close to the right rail, hitting right spin will make the mother ball bounce off the rail and move to the left, avoiding blocking other shots.
Now, let’s talk about common side spin mistakes to avoid. The biggest mistake beginners make is hitting the mother ball too far to the side—this is why many people think side spin is "hard". Start with a small contact point, and gradually move farther out as you get more comfortable. Another mistake is twisting your wrist—keep your wrist straight, and let the cue do the work. Finally, do not use side spin for every shot—only use it when you need to change the mother ball’s path. Basic cues are still the best for most shots.
Practice side spin for 20 minutes a day (after your basic practice). Start with straight shots, then move to rail shots. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to control side spin smoothly, and you’ll be one step closer to becoming an advanced player.
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