In this video you will learn how to play inside English, left and side, off 3 rails to get position in the middle of the table.
Just as a quick note, being from the UK I find it strange that Americans refer to side spin as “English.” Snooker players usually refer to it as side or side spin. English can be right side or left side, can be running side or check side depending on what you are trying to do.
I am going to use the terms Inside English and outside English for clarity.
The middle table area is just a target area that I use for judging my progress and consistency.
Feel free to choose another spot or vary the target position during practice. So long as you can finish near the target area it is not that important.
Inside English Practice Drill Video.
The shot needs to be played with topspin and left (inside) English which will cause the white ball to deflect to the right and hit the object ball thinner than you are aiming. On its way to the object ball the white ball will return towards the line of the shot but usually not all of the way.
Make the Necessary Allowances When Aiming.
Well that sounds a lot easier than it actually is doesn’t it?
If you apply side spin to the cue ball it will cause the ball to move off line consequently making a different contact with the object ball.
So you need to aim fuller or thinner to allow for this movement.
The distance between the balls also affects the shot because after the white ball squirts off line it will tend to return to the intended path.
The amount of power or force used in the shot will also affect the amount of squirt, usually the more power the more shaft deflection and the more squirt.
Tip Position For Topspin Inside English
So with all of these variables this may seem like a difficult task but practice will help you to get a feel for these shots.
Your practice needs to be easy and repeatable in order to get the best results.
Next, I have included a video below of a simple inside English drill.
Inside English off 3 Rails Pool Practice Drill Video
The best way to learn how to do this is to “just do it,” get the shot wrong 20-30 times without being judgmental and eventually you will get one right. You are learning all of the possible ways that it does not work.
Now it is time to reproduce the good result over and over again until you cannot get it wrong and the shot becomes a natural part of your game.
Inside English Playing with a Low Deflection Cue.
If you play with a low deflection cue or shaft you will probably have to make a small adjustment nonetheless. Just a quick note, because this isn’t really the place, every cue and every shaft is unique even if they look the same. Always play with the same cue so that it becomes a part of you and not a separate tool.
Generally speaking, the harder that you strike the cue ball the greater will be the deflection.
Play the shot smoothly and follow through all the way.
The cue ball should finish in the center of the table for this exercise although from this position it is possible to extend the track line further to the balk end of the table.
Personal Note on Cue Stick Choice
Although I do not use a low deflection cue shaft myself I would strongly advise all new players to buy one early on and put in the time needed in practice and drills to get accustomed to the way that your shaft reacts during the shot.
These cues definitely will reduce the learning curve for shots off the centerline.
Having said that, I do not advise players with years of experience to switch, I tried this myself and personally found it very time consuming and ultimately unsuccessful.
I guess I am just too used to the shaft deflection after many years of practice.
