English is a necessary evil in the world of pool. English allows the cueist to alter the natural path of the cue ball (CB). Sometimes, the natural path of the object ball (OB) can be affected also, but that’s a topic I’m not covering in this article. I term english a "necessary evil" because sidespin can cause numerous problems as well as rewards, many of which have been expounded in the "Understanding English" lesson posted by the Admin. This particular lesson will deal with using english and various other spin techniques to control the CB.
Before I continue, let's define a few terms. The term "english" refers to sidespin only. "Draw" is produced by striking somewhere on the bottom half of the CB. "Follow" is created by striking somewhere on the top half of the CB. "Center ball" is just that, striking the dead center of the CB. If you imagine a clock face, draw would be at 6 o'clock, and follow would be at 12 o'clock. Left would be 9 o'clock, and right would be 3 o'clock. Draw, center ball, and follow are not english as they are on the vertical axis of the CB and therefore create no sidespin. Left and right sidespin are english. Hitting the CB off the vertical axis creates sidespin. The distinction between english, draw, and follow is important because they affect the path of the CB in different ways. I'll get into that shortly. The "tangent line" is the line perpendicular to the line to the pocket (see diagram 1).
In this diagram, Line A is the line to the pocket, Line B is the tangent line. Line B is perpendicular (makes a right angle) with Line A. If we use a medium pace stroke with a center ball hit on the CB, the CB will travel more or less along this line.
Before learning to use english, it is extremely important to understand the tangent line. The tangent line tells us where the CB is going to travel if we don't use any english, draw, or follow. Once we understand where the CB will go without any spin, then we can use spin to alter that path. We can use the tangent line as a reference to determine the natural path, and then use our knowledge of spin to change that path.
Follow and draw will alter the path of the CB after it contacts the OB. Follow will cause the CB to roll forward of the tangent line, draw will cause the CB to come back from the tangent line (see diagram 2).
Line C is the path of the CB when using follow. Line D is the path of the CB when using draw. Notice that the CB follows the tangent line before rolling forward or coming back. This path is actually a parabola. Once the CB contacts the OB, it follows the tangent line until friction grabs the ball and the spin causes it to move forward (follow) or backward (draw). If the CB is struck harder, it stays on the tangent line longer. If we use follow and strike the CB hard, it would follow this line (see diagram 3).
Line C is the path of the CB when using follow with a medium stroke. Line D is the path of the CB when using follow with a hard stroke. Notice that the CB path stays on the tangent line longer before moving forward to the short rail. The same parabolic path applies to draw, just on the opposite side of the tangent line.
Follow and draw alter the path of the CB after contact with the OB. English, on the other hand, alters the path of the CB after it contacts a RAIL. English has no effect whatsoever on the path of the CB if the CB doesn't touch a rail. Some players will swear that this last statement is false. I assure you, my statement is true. There are two shots that prove this. 1) Set up a short straight in shot. Use left english with no draw or follow (dead 9 o'clock). Stroke firmly with a level cue. Pocket the OB. The CB should just spin in place. 2) Set up the cut shot in the diagrams above. Use left english with no draw or follow (dead 9 o'clock). Stroke firmly with a level cue. Pocket the OB. The CB will follow the tangent line, it will not roll forward or backward of the tangent line. The CB will react differently once it contacts the rail, however.
There are two types of english: running and reverse. Running english "opens" up the rebound angle off the cushion and helps the CB “run” around the table. "Opening the angle" means that the angle created when using running english is larger than it would be if no english were used (see diagram 4).
Line C represents the natural path of the CB (no draw, follow, or english is used). Line D represents the path of the CB if we use running english, in this case, right english (3 o'clock). Note that the angle created by BD is bigger than the angle created by BC. This is an example of opening the angle. Reverse english "closes" the rebound angle off the cushion (see diagram 5).
Line C represents the natural path of the CB. Line D represents the path of the CB if we use reverse english, in this case, left english (9 o'clock). Note that the angle created by BD is smaller than the angle created by BC. This is an example of closing the angle. Reverse english tends to slow the CB down when it contacts the rail, which is why it is also known as “kill” english.
In the 2 previous examples, right english was running and left english was reverse. How did I determine this? Face the rail the CB is going to contact. If the CB is traveling to the right as you face the rail, right english is running and left english is reverse. If the CB is traveling to the left as you face the rail, left english is running and right english is reverse. It’s important to keep in mind that running and reverse english are determined relative to the rail the CB is going to contact. Look at this diagram.
In this diagram, I’ve numbered the rails using balls. The left rail is 1, top is 2, right is 3, and bottom is 4. In this example, I’m using right english to alter the natural path of the CB. Facing rail 1, the CB moves right, therefore right english is running english. When the CB strikes rail 1, it is with running english, so the angle opens. Facing rail 2, the CB moves to the right, therefore right english is running english. When the CB strikes rail 2, it is with running english, so the angle opens. Facing rail 4, the CB moves to the LEFT, therefore right english is reverse english. When the CB strikes rail 4, it is with reverse english, so the angle closes. Remember that running and reverse are determined relative to the rail.
Now we know how to alter the path of the CB after it contacts the OB. We also know how to alter the path of the CB after it contacts a rail. We can combine english with draw or follow to result in beautiful CB movement around the table. The purpose of knowing these things is to enable us to get the CB into position for the next shot. There are several steps involved in determining the correct spin necessary to accomplish the goal of position.
- Determine the target position area. This means find the area where you want the CB to be for the next shot. It is important to pick out an area that is on the correct side of the next shot. In other words, pick an area so position to the next ball is easier.
- Calculate the natural path of the CB. This step simply means find the tangent line. If the CB is going to strike a rail or rails, use the angle in = angle out method to determine where the CB will go after contacting the rail(s). This will give a rough estimate of the natural path of the CB. If the natural path of the CB goes to or through the target position area, the only thing you have to worry about is ball speed, and we can use just a center ball hit to accomplish the goal of position.
- When necessary, use your newly discovered knowledge of draw, follow, and english to alter the natural path of the CB to get the CB into your target position area. This may mean using draw, follow, english, a combination of draw and english, or a combination of follow and english. Keep in mind that draw and follow affect the path of the CB after contacting the OB, english affects the path of the CB after contacting a rail. If the CB is not going to contact a rail, there is no need to use english. Use english only when necessary! English introduces many variables into a shot (see the “Understanding English” Lesson); therefore use it only when necessary to minimize the number of things that can go wrong.
- Try to use the simplest route possible to get to the position area. Use as few rails as possible. The farther the CB has to travel, the finer your ball speed intuition must be. Don’t use 3 rails for position when 1 will work just as well.
- Try to have the CB travel on a line going into the shot. Imagine a line going through the next OB and its intended pocket. Try to get the CB traveling on this imaginary line whenever possible. Try to avoid having the CB traveling sideways through the position area; this may result in getting on the wrong side of the next shot.
- If there are too many balls to work around in order to gain good position, try to get the CB into the middle of the table. This may leave a harder shot, but at least it’s a shot. The middle of the table will usually allow you to play the hard shot, or even a safety. The middle of the table is an excellent place to play from to give yourself options. Don’t try to play difficult position and leave yourself without a next shot. This is called “taking what the table gives you.” Having no shot at all can be disastrous, especially in today’s ball in hand games.
- After visualizing and plotting your path, get down and stroke it! Maintain a level cue throughout the stroke, regardless of spin being applied.
Rule 3 is not set in stone. Different situations dictate different tactics; use your best judgment. Also, if you only know one way to attain position, do it; use what you know. Match play is not the time for experimentation.
“Spinning the rock” and CB control are necessary to become a good pool player. Beginners should practice using center ball hits to fine-tune ball speed first. Get comfortable with pocketing balls and using the tangent line for position. Only then should english be introduced. English will frustrate, amaze, and astound, but a greater understanding of sidespin will increase run out percentages because run outs are dependent on CB positioning. You can’t run out if you don’t have a shot. Use spin to gain better position and increase your run out percentages.