Hendry's cue tips brought me here. Michael, the way you played on that video while talking and listening was excellent. Snooker is one of the hardest games in the world, so for me, it's insane how you can play like that without really concentrating.
I think what Michael was saying in hendry’s video was, doing it when it matters consistently, when the pressure is on that’s so hard to do. Different ball game ..👍
Let's just all agree, this is a great channel from someone who is proven. Michael has certainly helped me with mindset and how to approach the game which no other channel (snooker or pool) has so far been able to do.
I greatly appreciate Michael's approach to snooker explanations. Regarding the topic dealt with here, it is scientifically proven that cut induced throw exists (it doesn't involve transfer of spin to the object ball, its a one off alteration of angle travelled by the object ball, due to friction between the glancing balls). You can deal with it on the table whether snooker, pool or other billiards, by either aiming to cut the affected cut shots a bit thiner or by using some suitabley guaged outside spin, which can neutralise the effect. The correction can be fairly accurately worked out, tables exist, it varies somewhat if you want to be precise. A touch of outside spin is a useful shortcut anyway. Good players have learned, through practice, to play thin on the most affected cut shots (slow stun or soft rolling shots) without necessary knowing that's what they do. New players using cut angle figures are blighted by mostly hitting the shots thick, until they hopefully learn to go thinner or perhaps more easily learn to use a trace of outside spin, as a practical solution. Sorry this is so waffly a discourse, I know Micheal will disapprove, but it is a factor in this discussion, as well as outside spin assisting the cue ball on its way, as Michael describes. Keep up your practical slant on the advice Michael, its appreciated. There is a vast resource giving the results of practical experiment and theoretical modelling at Dr Daves many websites. He was until recently a Professor of Engineering at an American University. Watch "Cut-induced THROW (CIT) and spin-induced throw (SIT) in pool and billiards" on TH-camth-cam.com/video/-jUL_8aZ2LU/w-d-xo.html However it can overwhelm the mind especially at the table. Billiard games seem best learned by a practical approach. Instinct honed by many hours practice and game play.
Completely wrong. You confidently stated it’s all “Scientifically proven.” Well I’d sure like to read the scientific study and it’s conclusions if you wouldn’t mind sharing them?
@@johnteather8359 I agree and like Dr Dave said, it incurs the most on 1/2 ball shot. Also Barry Stark mentioned it. Although I also believe now that it helps the white ball on its way. That is new knowledge for me.
It is not transferring any noticeable spin, it's just eliminating the friction and throw. Any spin on any situation helps with eliminating the cut induced throw.
Just watched you on Stephen Hendry’s channel and you were a POTTING MACHINE….super talented. One of the greats quite rightly says he was impressed by your game….. I hope you get on the main tour ..soon…playing like that……😀✊
3:26 Now what I'm seeing here is if you look at the red dot on the object white, You can see it does actually get turned at the moment of impact. That's the object ball having imparted spin, It's literally turning at the moment of impact. Slow it right down you can see it "skids" onto the line. That's how imparted spin works, It doesn't work the same way as playing with side with a cue. It's an impact effect
They're essentially saying that playing this shot with right hand side on the cue ball then imparts left side on the object ball and therefore when it gets to the pocket it has running side, but this clearly shows there's no side on the object ball at all.
In pool this is called "spin induced throw". It happens when spin on the cue ball has influence on the path of the object ball. And in pool world it happens, but it is very difficult to be observed with highly polished balls and new, slippery cloth. Try the same shot on worn cloth and with dirty, sticky balls and you will notice it is a real thing ;)
Anyone notice that a drag shot used on a thin cut always runs (substantially) thicker than you'd think...? No idea why - but I do think it's true... And, while no spin is transferred there is definitely a friction throw effect on the OB with helping side. I think it's only called "helping" side as it helps you move the cue ball to different areas through ALLOWING slightly thicker contact (if and as needed). Agreed, it doesn't help pot the ball at all - only makes it harder!
Spin induced throw they call it in the pool world same for snooker perhaps you could talk more about that. Nick Barrows did a video about cut induced throw or squeeze and how you actually have to aim thinner than you think to pot the ball. Aim where you think the correct spot is then add a smidge of ‘helping side’ and bang you will counteract and pot the ball. I think most do this instinctively
Re "transmitted" side: Instead of thinking about side, let's think simply about spin. There's a well-known, elementary trick shot everyone learns early on that proves that spin can be transmitted. Two object balls are set up in a dead plant position on the lip of a pocket. The beginner is invited to hit the rear ball and pot both of them. Doesn't happen. No matter how hard you hit it, the first-contact ball stays out. UNTIL you're shown the trick, which is to put screw on the cueball. That imparts top spin to the first object ball, which duly chases its companion into the pocket. The only way this can work is through transmitted spin, which means that, in principle at least, transmitted side-spin should be just as possible. Them's me thoughts, at any rate.
Agreed playing an angled shot with top side or bottom changes the angle the object ball travels so adjustments are needed ie an angled pot to the right with centre Back spin will kick the object ball further to the right and the same shot with top spin will push it out further to the left so either adjust your aim or either hit a touch of lower left or top right spin to compensate the throw or kick
This is how I interpret it. Personally, when I try to play plain ball, I tend to put a trace of UNWANTED right hand side. But when I intentionally try to play with right hand side, I feel that I strike it correctly and don’t put on any additional right hand side. Im more relaxed knowing I’m hitting with side anyway instead of hitting dead centre. When you focus so hard on hitting dead centre, you kinda slack in other important areas coz all your focus is on the most difficult part. So, I play shots intentionally with RHS, coz im gonna get a trace of it anyway, it might as well be intentional. It’s more forgiving if that makes sense. I call it forgiving side, instead of helping side.
Been watching your vlogs for a while now. Usually on my tv so can’t comment. Love the vlogs helped me out a lot ! Especially some with my confusion about ho much side spin to use when needed. I’ve been using to much. Wife then using less potting more balls and playing with more confidenc as a result. Keep them coming. 👍👍
Agree with poolfiend007. The cut-induced throw is present in snooker. Nic Barrow demonstrated it with his machine here: th-cam.com/video/CGsXQ1MvO9Q/w-d-xo.html 'helping side' reduces the throw as explained and demonstrated by Dr. Dave. Still, I also believe that it is not really 'helping' to pot the ball - one just aims to compensate for.
As a beginner pool player I like to use one tip "helping" side only around 30-40 degree shots where cueball is 30-50 cm distance. Any narrower angle and it starts to increase the difficulty for me unnecessarily. Then there's the hail Mary long distance shot where one aims to miss the ball but really it's 5% success rate at best.
Michael, don't worry, you made perfect sense the first time. But I think the confusion lies in the fact that if a player hits a quarter ball in the EXACT position of the ghost ball, the cue ball will still impart a trace of forward momentum on the object ball that can effectively 'thicken' the angle by a degree or two. So by adding a trace of running side, or the misunderstood 'helping side', the angle can be 'corrected' or 'helped' back to the direction the ghost ball was pointing. Your message is that 'helping side' is only concerned with the path and speed of the cueball after contact. Whereas 'correcting' the ghost ball with a bit of running side is a different issue. Is that right?
Hi mate. Not sure about snooker ball physics, i guess lighter balls might make the "effect" less, but ill talk pool balls. The term "helping side" comes from CIT, not spin transfer on OB as you pointed out its almost non existent. But for my best knowledge atleast in pool, if you hit plain ball for example 1/2 ball cut or bit thicker, the CIT will throw the OB thick if you hit the contact point perfect. But with "helping side" or running side you counteract the effect on CIT and can hit the contact point spot on and make the shot.
Just subscribed, only half way through Stephen's video but absolutely loving it. You've got an incredible analytical snooker brain, can't wait to watch your videos. Also do you have a website for booking lessons?
Maybe I can help clear things up at least in terms of what pool players are trying to do. I don't use this technique but what I've been told is that the trace of side helps to counteract cut induced throw. I believe if you aim and stroke properly, you will minimize or eliminate CIT without the side. Hopefully that helps.
I greatly appreciate Michael's approach to snooker explanations. Regarding the topic dealt with here, it is scientifically proven that cut induced throw exists (it doesn't involve transfer of spin to the object ball, its a one off alteration of angle travelled by the object ball, due to friction between the glancing balls). You can deal with it on the table whether snooker, pool or other billiards, by either aiming to cut the affected cut shots a bit thiner or by using some suitabley guaged outside spin, which can neutralise the effect. The correction can be fairly accurately worked out, tables exist, it varies somewhat if you want to be precise. A touch of outside spin is a useful shortcut anyway. Good players have learned, through practice, to play thin on the most affected cut shots (slow stun or soft rolling shots) without necessary knowing that's what they do. New players using cut angle figures are blighted by mostly hitting the shots thick, until they hopefully learn to go thinner or perhaps more easily learn to use a trace of outside spin, as a practical solution. Sorry this is so waffly a discourse, I know Micheal will disapprove, but it is a factor in this discussion, as well as outside spin assisting the cue ball on its way, as Michael describes. Keep up your practical slant on the advice Michael, its appreciated. Watch "Cut-induced THROW (CIT) and spin-induced throw (SIT) in pool and billiards" on TH-cam th-cam.com/video/-jUL_8aZ2LU/w-d-xo.html
Just in case it’s interesting to you … I think people (rightly or wrongly) assume that if it hits the jaw of the pocket with a side that either HELPS it turn into the pocket or HINDERS it by doing the opposite, it’s had an effect . I think in snooker it’s much more likely that people have perceived that it’s helping because their aim is a bit off … so they think this helps it go in … when in reality they’re just getting more and more confident learning the angle with a bit of side … im pretty sure that is what is actually happening The exception might be rail shots , where as you rightly said that momentary transfer of the spin causes it to momentarily pull into the cushion before then going in a straight line to the pocket (be interested to know if you agree ?) As someone who played a lot of snooker … then moved to france and started playing a lot of US 8 ball … I can say that there might be something to the side being passed on to the object ball in US pool and either helping or hindering it going into the pocket … they play with A LOT of side and the weight of the balls means (in my opinion) it can be transferred .. I completely get what you’re saying Michael and you’re spot in with what you’re saying . Don’t disagree with anything . I think the two different concepts are being conflated and as you right explained … it’s meant to be a completely different thing to what some people perceive it as. Helping side is simply when the side shifts it slightly off the angle and widens or narrows the trajectory of the ball which then continues without spin towards the pocket
Right helping side eliminates the throw you would get from a centre ball contact and straightens up the shot instead of aiming to miss to account for the throw simple so in effect it helps it in to the pocket
Been a Fan /Subscriber to Michaels channel for a while now it’s criminal how you’ve only got 6k odd subs should have 100s of thousands mate I’m an Avid snooker Fan and Player although I’m nothing special probably just around the level or maybe a little bit better than your average club player seem to be improving my game little by little by taking a couple of tips from you Michael off the channel so I’d like to say thank you please mate really appreciate it 😊👍, wish you all the best mate it’s only a matter of time before your back up and running back on the tour your a phenomenal player too good to not be on the tour mixing it amongst the top echelon of player , also just watched your episode on stephens cue tips channel also pal was wishing it was longer than 20 odd minutes lol was really enjoying it seemed like you couldn’t miss Stephen didn’t have a chance you were blowing him away bro 😂😂👏👏🤝💙
Michael. The videos that talk about helping side helping to throw it into the pocket are talking about a specific scenario where the cut is very thin. What they mean is that on very thin cuts, you can't normally use ghost ball to aim, because the throw (or squeeze) or whatever you want to call it, pushes the object ball forward slightly causing it to miss thick. And they're saying that by applying helping side to these thin cuts, it counteracts the throw and allows you to aim using ghost ball without it missing thick. But it's only for very thin cuts. If you don't use the ghost ball method, then that won't mean anything to you.
Michael, is my understanding right, if you play with side are you essentially playing a slight swerve shot between the cue ball and object ball so that in effect the cue ball's line of approach is slightly different?
I agree with all of your statements on helping side not actually helping with the pot ..but.. using "helping side", i.e 'outside spin' to get the object ball to 'hug' the rail and make sure of the pot, surely that imparts some spin on the OB so that it stays tight to the rail? My apologies if you have already addressed this.
Clearest video to explain helping side does make sense: th-cam.com/video/KgHM8PCs2-s/w-d-xo.html (Dr Dave Billiards) If you hit the exact ghost ball position, the object ball will throw. With helping side, it will not throw. Helping side is also called gearing side.
I always thought that running side and check side referred to the reaction the side had when the cue ball hit the cushion after the pot. I know the cue ball throws slightly the opposite direction to whatever side you are playing and you should aim slightly thicker or thinner depending on this but check or running side has nothing to do with this.
Yea from what i can gather he is talking about just a trace of side and in particular ‘running side’ and the effect it can have by sending (helping) the cue ball on its merry way before hitting the cushion. I think most people apply side (unintentional) of some sort as it’s unlikely you are gonna hit bang plumb perfectly centre no matter how good you are so many players apply a trace (a tiny dab - half a tips worth) of side so they know theres no danger of any unwanted side (throw) if that makes sense. NB. Im no great player and trying to fathom all the physics of the game out myself so apologies if im way off the mark with this. Please correct me if im wrong here. 👍
Thank you for confirming my thoughts. Someone was telling me this same nonsense, "to get spin on the object ball"... in my mind i was thinking: i don't think that's even possible...
When the object balls tight on a cushion and you put running side on it seems easier to pot so does the cushion squeeze running side on the object ball?
I think they must have great misunderstood on the side spin induced effect throw of the object ball as transfered side spin. There is a danger when playing too hard on side spin (which deflects on cue ball off the line of aim) can cause throw object ball even more.
Funny coincidence you should release this just after I'd commented on your older video. It does seem to be more of a thing in American pool, perhaps due to the size and weight of the balls. If there is a transfer of spin it's minimal, spin induced throw is the important thing, along with cut induced throw. With the shot you demonstrated, the right spin is "glancing off" the object ball, whereas when played with left spin as you did first, the spin induced throw would push the object ball slightly thick. The older and the dirtier the balls are, the more this will happen. I am more of an American pool guy though, so perhaps it's not as drastic in snooker.
Sir I totally agree and watched it properly..you proved a great innovative video. But I still have something in my mind.. I want to share it with you sir..
although never used a helping side, I throw my thoughts, that we have cut-induced thow ( CIT ) and spin-induced throw ( SIT ) a bit of helping side keeps the object ball on its line
By not using helping side you are making the game harder. I don’t think about CIT and SIT when I’m playing, I just aim for a part of the object ball which through practice I’ve learned is the correct part to send it in a certain direction. Snooker isn’t rocket science, it’s hitting a ball with a stick. People are over complicating it.
Perfect example using the spotty white as an object ball. Obvs' no spin imparted! Maybe do a vid playing back to back shots with and without the helping side so folks can see the effect on the cue ball?
really important video this, i bought into the myth as well. Your helping the white not the other way round. It isnt easy to play with side as youre throwing the white ball off a straight line, so you would need to adjust the potting angle. Basically choosing a slightly tougher pot for the sake of better position.
I can remember years ago back in the 90s, Jimmy White had this shot (not sure what match it was in) but he commented on this break and he had a red close to the black so that the red's line to the corner pocket was slightly hampered by the black and he played this shot explaining how it would 'help with the pot' - playing with side, just enough to kick the red off line very slightly. The red would always go in but he played it that way so that he could maximise the tolerance of the pocket opening. Hope that makes sense...
I think michael has the science of contact right here. Great players may have a opinion on how side effects but on contact with the object ball there is no additional benefit given from side used on the cue ball. wherever it contacts the object ball that's line of departure
I watched Stephens cue tips too, but I have already been watching your channel. He put a duff link on to your site, so I have posted a good link in my comments. Thanks again Michael, I am practising the high black too....Chris H.
Totally agree with you that helping side helps white to move further after hitting object ball... but explain how it happen, you dnt have angle to pot a ball. and you put left hand side and ball goes IN... i think when you put left hand side white pushes the line of object ball slightly right ... and vice versa.. Love ur content.. thnx... ..
Ronnie O plays most shots with a touch of side because it’s easier to judge the throw as it’s very difficult to hit a 100% straight ball even golfers use the same principle and always play a draw or fade shot even footballers pass mostly with swerve
Hi Sir! Great helping videos but I dunno why but I’ve myself played doubles that are wider but putting some side helps the object ball kind of check off the fusion narrowing the angles to pocket… can you help understand why that happens if there no spin on the object ball?
Michael, if you want to check whether helping side affects the angle of the object ball or not, you could use a third ball the opposite way as you did when you talked about the reverse side. You need to place it in a way, so that you could only hit the object ball thicker than you have to. And i guess you will see that helping side affects the direction of the object ball stronger than the reverse side. I would say much stronger. But i say “i guess”, because i’m not sure any more. Could you please check this and tell us?
With heavier pool balls, the spin will negate the cut induce throw and give you a more natural angle, snooker players that try pool often miss easy balls because of this.
For some reason it feels easier to pot a ball with a bit of side rather than plain ball, maybe thats why everything thinks its helping side. However i agree, technically it doesnt change where the object ball is going
On rail shots I find side helps me to make the pot. I don't know if this is because it transfers spin onto the object ball or if it's just because I've taught myself to pot them this way through years of repetition. Anyway I find I play my best snooker when I'm not thinking about it too much and just playing the shot when I see it. I also find music helps... like I get into a rythm sometimes I feel like I'm dancing round the table.... is this just me?
So the helping side, is just to help the cue ball move on its way, nothing more… how much side though? Do you base it on the diameter of a £1 coin from the imagined centre of the cue ball? Thanks Ade
This is something that's always confused me, and I always assumed I was doing something wrong, or it was only something that happened on top quality tables/with top quality cues/balls etc. It just doesn't make sense! You need to hit the ball at the right angle to get it into the pocket. Everything else is just controlling the cue ball.
Interesting debate. I've always assumed that the spin transferred to the object ball, but you've shown it here to not be the case. Given that, what's your thinking on the side spin on straight pots down the cussion? So called "experts" say you need to put side spin to "help the object ball into the pocket?!" 🤔 P.s enjoyed your vid with Stephen, lot of deep thinking debate between the two of you, that I could of listen to for a lot longer! 👍
It’s all still a bit confusing. Why, when cutting a green off the spot in similar way demonstrated here, do i more than often seem to pot it way easier with a trace of left hand side (check side) rather than plain ball or indeed running side? I dont know if it’s phycological and my brain is subconsciously allowing for any CIT and has now logged in some kind of better sighting of the angle with lefthand side, but whatever the left hand side in this kind of shot seems to be ‘helping side’ for me (as by way of it ‘helps’ it off on its merry way for me.) Lol. Does this mean with a natural sighting (centre cue ball) i am sighting it up thick? Is this just me?
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching im hoping to start Nottingham uni next year so may take you up on that if im still confused what’s going on. Do you have website with prices pls? Thanks.
Hi Michael brilliant as usual just a question really when I'm playing I can hardly ever pot a ball without putting spin on have you any reason why this is m8 well done on your tour card pal class 👍
I think the misunderstanding is how little side you're put on when you say helping side, people misunderstand this and put on quite a bit of side which obviously causes the ball to "throw" a lot, hence I think people get the impression players are using that throw to pot balls while aiming more center ball. When in reality you would only do that if you absolutely had to to put a ball that doesn't go without throw. Bit of a storm in a teacup.
Well snooker balls are designed to be smooth and only transfer momentum but not spin. So how would the white even transfer any spin? For that to happen it would need to spin probably much faster than what a human player could do.
There was a little something that seemed a tad contradictory mate (not having a go) you said the only way to pot the ball is to be able to hit the right part of the object ball but the first part of the video you couldn’t see the potting angle so are we doing a minuscule swerve to hit the correct angle or is the throw of the object ball due to the spinning cue ball?
There’s no swerve. The left hand side will definitely throw the object ball on to a thicker line. This is LHS on a left cut which will have more of an effect on the path of the object ball because the LHS is going across the face of the object ball. Helping side is RHS on a left cut and is a smaller amount of side (a trace). This small amount plus the fact it is spinning the way the ball is going the friction is less meaning no or very small amount of throw.
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching but there must be some type of throw obviously because you’ve potted a ball you that couldn’t see the potting angle on, and this is when in comms they say ‘turn it over’
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching btw I’ve been playing since I was about 15 until I was about 35, hardly play now I’m nearly 50 and just got into the habit of helping side on pretty much every shot, when I was in my late 20’s I got snookeritis and couldn’t let go of my cue and got the last few years of playing in local leagues I had to count my waggles and had to hit on ‘3’, it was hell for me as I considered myself a decent amateur at one stage with a highest break of 93 🤯🤯
You did miss to explain the case about the plants that are not on and you make them on with side or with just hitting the first ball on a certain spot. Can you explain how it works?
think your missing the point Michael i understand the point of helping side, but its got nothing to do with cushions its what was called cheet side, no ball in the way but altering the path of the white whilst break building, dead straight on the pink = forward or backward but a trace of cheat gives you a slight angle
In the first shot with left side you can see for the first two inches or so of the object ball’s travel there is some axial rotation but it dies off almost immediately. In the second shot with right side there is no axial rotation. So you’ve actually proved that the ‘helping side’ has countered the friction throw effect. Just because it isn’t obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Interesting point of view… so maybe Michael is not right!!! We need a physics expert here to end this discussion. The circle of death is around again!!! OMG! 😆😜🤓
@@fmsd91 well whether or not it has any actual impact on the potting angle from a players pov, which is what Michael is alluding to, remains to be seen. It might be small enough an effect that the ball still goes in the pocket with or without side spin. 🤷🏻♂️
I have definetly seen spin transfered onto the object ball, as you can make the object ball bounce off the cushion at unnatural angles. However, after seeing these videos, I think it is just due to the club balls being old, and dirty and scratched.
Someone I know played a shot that went in the pocket and shouldn't have gone , I said how did that go in he said because I played it with side , I said side doesn't pot the ball 4 u but he was adamant that he was correct I said carry on then and believe what u want lol 😂
Definitely one of the best coaches around . Honest and sincere 💪💪
Loads of knowledge .
🙌
Who came here after watching him on Stephen Hendry's channel?
! YT brought it up for me. This is a big less dynamic, shall we say.
I was here already!
I did
Me 😁
Obviously you.
Hendry's cue tips brought me here. Michael, the way you played on that video while talking and listening was excellent. Snooker is one of the hardest games in the world, so for me, it's insane how you can play like that without really concentrating.
I think what Michael was saying in hendry’s video was, doing it when it matters consistently, when the pressure is on that’s so hard to do.
Different ball game ..👍
one of the hardest??? clearly the hardest ever game all time
No misunderstanding on my part, I'm with you all the way! Keep the videos coming!
Let's just all agree, this is a great channel from someone who is proven. Michael has certainly helped me with mindset and how to approach the game which no other channel (snooker or pool) has so far been able to do.
I greatly appreciate Michael's approach to snooker explanations. Regarding the topic dealt with here, it is scientifically proven that cut induced throw exists (it doesn't involve transfer of spin to the object ball, its a one off alteration of angle travelled by the object ball, due to friction between the glancing balls). You can deal with it on the table whether snooker, pool or other billiards, by either aiming to cut the affected cut shots a bit thiner or by using some suitabley guaged outside spin, which can neutralise the effect. The correction can be fairly accurately worked out, tables exist, it varies somewhat if you want to be precise. A touch of outside spin is a useful shortcut anyway. Good players have learned, through practice, to play thin on the most affected cut shots (slow stun or soft rolling shots) without necessary knowing that's what they do. New players using cut angle figures are blighted by mostly hitting the shots thick, until they hopefully learn to go thinner or perhaps more easily learn to use a trace of outside spin, as a practical solution.
Sorry this is so waffly a discourse, I know Micheal will disapprove, but it is a factor in this discussion, as well as outside spin assisting the cue ball on its way, as Michael describes. Keep up your practical slant on the advice Michael, its appreciated.
There is a vast resource giving the results of practical experiment and theoretical modelling at Dr Daves many websites. He was until recently a Professor of Engineering at an American University.
Watch "Cut-induced THROW (CIT) and spin-induced throw (SIT) in pool and billiards" on TH-camth-cam.com/video/-jUL_8aZ2LU/w-d-xo.html
However it can overwhelm the mind especially at the table.
Billiard games seem best learned by a practical approach. Instinct honed by many hours practice and game play.
Completely wrong. You confidently stated it’s all “Scientifically proven.” Well I’d sure like to read the scientific study and it’s conclusions if you wouldn’t mind sharing them?
@@johnteather8359 I agree and like Dr Dave said, it incurs the most on 1/2 ball shot. Also Barry Stark mentioned it. Although I also believe now that it helps the white ball on its way. That is new knowledge for me.
Side spin reduces throw on cut shots
It is not transferring any noticeable spin, it's just eliminating the friction and throw.
Any spin on any situation helps with eliminating the cut induced throw.
Just seen your Stephen Hendry vid , enjoyed it and some great shots 👍
Just watched you on Stephen Hendry’s channel and you were a POTTING MACHINE….super talented.
One of the greats quite rightly says he was impressed by your game…..
I hope you get on the main tour ..soon…playing like that……😀✊
Subscribed...Stephen sent me. ;-) I'm in USA ,no snooker where I am. But I practice on a pool table. So much to learn from snooker.
Helping English sure helps when you're wanting to cinch a ball without a skid and everybody hates when that happens
3:26 Now what I'm seeing here is if you look at the red dot on the object white, You can see it does actually get turned at the moment of impact. That's the object ball having imparted spin, It's literally turning at the moment of impact. Slow it right down you can see it "skids" onto the line.
That's how imparted spin works, It doesn't work the same way as playing with side with a cue. It's an impact effect
They're essentially saying that playing this shot with right hand side on the cue ball then imparts left side on the object ball and therefore when it gets to the pocket it has running side, but this clearly shows there's no side on the object ball at all.
In pool this is called "spin induced throw". It happens when spin on the cue ball has influence on the path of the object ball. And in pool world it happens, but it is very difficult to be observed with highly polished balls and new, slippery cloth. Try the same shot on worn cloth and with dirty, sticky balls and you will notice it is a real thing ;)
Anyone notice that a drag shot used on a thin cut always runs (substantially) thicker than you'd think...? No idea why - but I do think it's true... And, while no spin is transferred there is definitely a friction throw effect on the OB with helping side. I think it's only called "helping" side as it helps you move the cue ball to different areas through ALLOWING slightly thicker contact (if and as needed). Agreed, it doesn't help pot the ball at all - only makes it harder!
I love this guy. So funny but also knowledgeable. Great combo.
Top bloke knows his stuff
Spin induced throw they call it in the pool world same for snooker perhaps you could talk more about that. Nick Barrows did a video about cut induced throw or squeeze and how you actually have to aim thinner than you think to pot the ball. Aim where you think the correct spot is then add a smidge of ‘helping side’ and bang you will counteract and pot the ball. I think most do this instinctively
Hilarious!
Thank you sooo much Michael!
Re "transmitted" side: Instead of thinking about side, let's think simply about spin. There's a well-known, elementary trick shot everyone learns early on that proves that spin can be transmitted. Two object balls are set up in a dead plant position on the lip of a pocket. The beginner is invited to hit the rear ball and pot both of them. Doesn't happen. No matter how hard you hit it, the first-contact ball stays out. UNTIL you're shown the trick, which is to put screw on the cueball. That imparts top spin to the first object ball, which duly chases its companion into the pocket.
The only way this can work is through transmitted spin, which means that, in principle at least, transmitted side-spin should be just as possible.
Them's me thoughts, at any rate.
Agreed playing an angled shot with top side or bottom changes the angle the object ball travels so adjustments are needed
ie an angled pot to the right with centre Back spin will kick the object ball further to the right and the same shot with top spin will push it out further to the left so either adjust your aim or either hit a touch of lower left or top right spin to compensate the throw or kick
This is how I interpret it. Personally, when I try to play plain ball, I tend to put a trace of UNWANTED right hand side. But when I intentionally try to play with right hand side, I feel that I strike it correctly and don’t put on any additional right hand side. Im more relaxed knowing I’m hitting with side anyway instead of hitting dead centre.
When you focus so hard on hitting dead centre, you kinda slack in other important areas coz all your focus is on the most difficult part. So, I play shots intentionally with RHS, coz im gonna get a trace of it anyway, it might as well be intentional. It’s more forgiving if that makes sense. I call it forgiving side, instead of helping side.
Wonderful! I'm SO glad I found your channel. Cheers mate, good stuff.
Been watching your vlogs for a while now. Usually on my tv so can’t comment. Love the vlogs helped me out a lot ! Especially some with my confusion about ho much side spin to use when needed. I’ve been using to much. Wife then using less potting more balls and playing with more confidenc as a result. Keep them coming. 👍👍
Great channel, great content.
you explained it so well, "pretend that was a cushion" ends my confusion🤯
Agree with poolfiend007. The cut-induced throw is present in snooker. Nic Barrow demonstrated it with his machine here: th-cam.com/video/CGsXQ1MvO9Q/w-d-xo.html
'helping side' reduces the throw as explained and demonstrated by Dr. Dave.
Still, I also believe that it is not really 'helping' to pot the ball - one just aims to compensate for.
This is perfect
You're entertaining for sure, whether I agree or not I don't care just keep putting out the fun vids please!!
As a beginner pool player I like to use one tip "helping" side only around 30-40 degree shots where cueball is 30-50 cm distance. Any narrower angle and it starts to increase the difficulty for me unnecessarily. Then there's the hail Mary long distance shot where one aims to miss the ball but really it's 5% success rate at best.
Michael, don't worry, you made perfect sense the first time. But I think the confusion lies in the fact that if a player hits a quarter ball in the EXACT position of the ghost ball, the cue ball will still impart a trace of forward momentum on the object ball that can effectively 'thicken' the angle by a degree or two. So by adding a trace of running side, or the misunderstood 'helping side', the angle can be 'corrected' or 'helped' back to the direction the ghost ball was pointing. Your message is that 'helping side' is only concerned with the path and speed of the cueball after contact. Whereas 'correcting' the ghost ball with a bit of running side is a different issue. Is that right?
You're 100% right. Commenting to help the algorithms. You reds!!!
Hi mate. Not sure about snooker ball physics, i guess lighter balls might make the "effect" less, but ill talk pool balls. The term "helping side" comes from CIT, not spin transfer on OB as you pointed out its almost non existent. But for my best knowledge atleast in pool, if you hit plain ball for example 1/2 ball cut or bit thicker, the CIT will throw the OB thick if you hit the contact point perfect. But with "helping side" or running side you counteract the effect on CIT and can hit the contact point spot on and make the shot.
CIT?
CIT: Cut induced throw and SIT: Spin induced throw
Just subscribed, only half way through Stephen's video but absolutely loving it. You've got an incredible analytical snooker brain, can't wait to watch your videos. Also do you have a website for booking lessons?
Much appreciated! Email me at Michaelholtsnooker@outlook.com
Maybe I can help clear things up at least in terms of what pool players are trying to do. I don't use this technique but what I've been told is that the trace of side helps to counteract cut induced throw. I believe if you aim and stroke properly, you will minimize or eliminate CIT without the side. Hopefully that helps.
Yeap. Dr dave rules
I greatly appreciate Michael's approach to snooker explanations. Regarding the topic dealt with here, it is scientifically proven that cut induced throw exists (it doesn't involve transfer of spin to the object ball, its a one off alteration of angle travelled by the object ball, due to friction between the glancing balls). You can deal with it on the table whether snooker, pool or other billiards, by either aiming to cut the affected cut shots a bit thiner or by using some suitabley guaged outside spin, which can neutralise the effect. The correction can be fairly accurately worked out, tables exist, it varies somewhat if you want to be precise. A touch of outside spin is a useful shortcut anyway. Good players have learned, through practice, to play thin on the most affected cut shots (slow stun or soft rolling shots) without necessary knowing that's what they do. New players using cut angle figures are blighted by mostly hitting the shots thick, until they hopefully learn to go thinner or perhaps more easily learn to use a trace of outside spin, as a practical solution.
Sorry this is so waffly a discourse, I know Micheal will disapprove, but it is a factor in this discussion, as well as outside spin assisting the cue ball on its way, as Michael describes. Keep up your practical slant on the advice Michael, its appreciated.
Watch "Cut-induced THROW (CIT) and spin-induced throw (SIT) in pool and billiards" on TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/-jUL_8aZ2LU/w-d-xo.html
Are you aiming the cue ball as close as you can to the pink with the left hand side ?
Just in case it’s interesting to you … I think people (rightly or wrongly) assume that if it hits the jaw of the pocket with a side that either HELPS it turn into the pocket or HINDERS it by doing the opposite, it’s had an effect .
I think in snooker it’s much more likely that people have perceived that it’s helping because their aim is a bit off … so they think this helps it go in … when in reality they’re just getting more and more confident learning the angle with a bit of side … im pretty sure that is what is actually happening
The exception might be rail shots , where as you rightly said that momentary transfer of the spin causes it to momentarily pull into the cushion before then going in a straight line to the pocket (be interested to know if you agree ?)
As someone who played a lot of snooker … then moved to france and started playing a lot of US 8 ball … I can say that there might be something to the side being passed on to the object ball in US pool and either helping or hindering it going into the pocket … they play with A LOT of side and the weight of the balls means (in my opinion) it can be transferred ..
I completely get what you’re saying Michael and you’re spot in with what you’re saying . Don’t disagree with anything . I think the two different concepts are being conflated and as you right explained … it’s meant to be a completely different thing to what some people perceive it as. Helping side is simply when the side shifts it slightly off the angle and widens or narrows the trajectory of the ball which then continues without spin towards the pocket
Right helping side eliminates the throw you would get from a centre ball contact and straightens up the shot instead of aiming to miss to account for the throw simple so in effect it helps it in to the pocket
Been a Fan /Subscriber to Michaels channel for a while now it’s criminal how you’ve only got 6k odd subs should have 100s of thousands mate I’m an Avid snooker Fan and Player although I’m nothing special probably just around the level or maybe a little bit better than your average club player seem to be improving my game little by little by taking a couple of tips from you Michael off the channel so I’d like to say thank you please mate really appreciate it 😊👍, wish you all the best mate it’s only a matter of time before your back up and running back on the tour your a phenomenal player too good to not be on the tour mixing it amongst the top echelon of player , also just watched your episode on stephens cue tips channel also pal was wishing it was longer than 20 odd minutes lol was really enjoying it seemed like you couldn’t miss Stephen didn’t have a chance you were blowing him away bro 😂😂👏👏🤝💙
Thank you. Really appreciate it. 😃
Michael. The videos that talk about helping side helping to throw it into the pocket are talking about a specific scenario where the cut is very thin.
What they mean is that on very thin cuts, you can't normally use ghost ball to aim, because the throw (or squeeze) or whatever you want to call it, pushes the object ball forward slightly causing it to miss thick. And they're saying that by applying helping side to these thin cuts, it counteracts the throw and allows you to aim using ghost ball without it missing thick. But it's only for very thin cuts. If you don't use the ghost ball method, then that won't mean anything to you.
Michael, is my understanding right, if you play with side are you essentially playing a slight swerve shot between the cue ball and object ball so that in effect the cue ball's line of approach is slightly different?
I agree with all of your statements on helping side not actually helping with the pot ..but.. using "helping side", i.e 'outside spin' to get the object ball to 'hug' the rail and make sure of the pot, surely that imparts some spin on the OB so that it stays tight to the rail? My apologies if you have already addressed this.
Clearest video to explain helping side does make sense: th-cam.com/video/KgHM8PCs2-s/w-d-xo.html (Dr Dave Billiards)
If you hit the exact ghost ball position, the object ball will throw. With helping side, it will not throw. Helping side is also called gearing side.
I always thought that running side and check side referred to the reaction the side had when the cue ball hit the cushion after the pot. I know the cue ball throws slightly the opposite direction to whatever side you are playing and you should aim slightly thicker or thinner depending on this but check or running side has nothing to do with this.
Yea from what i can gather he is talking about just a trace of side and in particular ‘running side’ and the effect it can have by sending (helping) the cue ball on its merry way before hitting the cushion. I think most people apply side (unintentional) of some sort as it’s unlikely you are gonna hit bang plumb perfectly centre no matter how good you are so many players apply a trace (a tiny dab - half a tips worth) of side so they know theres no danger of any unwanted side (throw) if that makes sense. NB. Im no great player and trying to fathom all the physics of the game out myself so apologies if im way off the mark with this. Please correct me if im wrong here. 👍
Thank you for confirming my thoughts. Someone was telling me this same nonsense, "to get spin on the object ball"... in my mind i was thinking: i don't think that's even possible...
It’s an incredible myth which I’m really surprised is still thought of as true.
😃
When the object balls tight on a cushion and you put running side on it seems easier to pot so does the cushion squeeze running side on the object ball?
I think they must have great misunderstood on the side spin induced effect throw of the object ball as transfered side spin. There is a danger when playing too hard on side spin (which deflects on cue ball off the line of aim) can cause throw object ball even more.
Helping side truly helps the object ball into the pocket! You're just covering up for Big Snooker so that nobody else can become a professional!
Can you explain why 9-ball pros always cut the 9 ball (the last shot of the rack, no position for the next ball required) with helping side?
Funny coincidence you should release this just after I'd commented on your older video. It does seem to be more of a thing in American pool, perhaps due to the size and weight of the balls.
If there is a transfer of spin it's minimal, spin induced throw is the important thing, along with cut induced throw.
With the shot you demonstrated, the right spin is "glancing off" the object ball, whereas when played with left spin as you did first, the spin induced throw would push the object ball slightly thick. The older and the dirtier the balls are, the more this will happen. I am more of an American pool guy though, so perhaps it's not as drastic in snooker.
great knowledge and talks a lot of sense
Sir I totally agree and watched it properly..you proved a great innovative video.
But I still have something in my mind.. I want to share it with you sir..
Email me.
Details are in my bio. 😃
although never used a helping side, I throw my thoughts, that we have cut-induced thow ( CIT ) and spin-induced throw ( SIT ) a bit of helping side keeps the object ball on its line
By not using helping side you are making the game harder.
I don’t think about CIT and SIT when I’m playing, I just aim for a part of the object ball which through practice I’ve learned is the correct part to send it in a certain direction.
Snooker isn’t rocket science, it’s hitting a ball with a stick. People are over complicating it.
Nailed it Michael.
🤣🤣🤣 Love it!!
Perfect example using the spotty white as an object ball. Obvs' no spin imparted! Maybe do a vid playing back to back shots with and without the helping side so folks can see the effect on the cue ball?
It's very clear for me
It's about the cue ball
Not the object ball
It is very simple to understand 🤔
really important video this, i bought into the myth as well. Your helping the white not the other way round.
It isnt easy to play with side as youre throwing the white ball off a straight line, so you would need to adjust the potting angle.
Basically choosing a slightly tougher pot for the sake of better position.
Class michael perf mate haha love your spinning lesson
2:24 yeah .. when I do this, I always imagine it as if I was going to put a proper swerve on the CB. That can give the player the right side to hit.
I can remember years ago back in the 90s, Jimmy White had this shot (not sure what match it was in) but he commented on this break and he had a red close to the black so that the red's line to the corner pocket was slightly hampered by the black and he played this shot explaining how it would 'help with the pot' - playing with side, just enough to kick the red off line very slightly. The red would always go in but he played it that way so that he could maximise the tolerance of the pocket opening. Hope that makes sense...
I think michael has the science of contact right here. Great players may have a opinion on how side effects but on contact with the object ball there is no additional benefit given from side used on the cue ball. wherever it contacts the object ball that's line of departure
I watched Stephens cue tips too, but I have already been watching your channel. He put a duff link on to your site, so I have posted a good link in my comments. Thanks again Michael, I am practising the high black too....Chris H.
Doesn't side help pot balls down the cushion if the object ball is tight? Doesn't that transfer side onto the object ball?
Definitely not.
Totally agree with you that helping side helps white to move further after hitting object ball... but explain how it happen, you dnt have angle to pot a ball. and you put left hand side and ball goes IN... i think when you put left hand side white pushes the line of object ball slightly right ... and vice versa.. Love ur content.. thnx...
..
Ronnie O plays most shots with a touch of side because it’s easier to judge the throw as it’s very difficult to hit a 100% straight ball even golfers use the same principle and always play a draw or fade shot even footballers pass mostly with swerve
Hi Sir! Great helping videos but I dunno why but I’ve myself played doubles that are wider but putting some side helps the object ball kind of check off the fusion narrowing the angles to pocket… can you help understand why that happens if there no spin on the object ball?
Michael, if you want to check whether helping side affects the angle of the object ball or not, you could use a third ball the opposite way as you did when you talked about the reverse side.
You need to place it in a way, so that you could only hit the object ball thicker than you have to.
And i guess you will see that helping side affects the direction of the object ball stronger than the reverse side. I would say much stronger.
But i say “i guess”, because i’m not sure any more.
Could you please check this and tell us?
You're absolutely right. Side has no effect affect on the object ball.
Hi,to stop all confusion,use a stripe poolball as objectball...NO side are imparted to objectball...
With heavier pool balls, the spin will negate the cut induce throw and give you a more natural angle, snooker players that try pool often miss easy balls because of this.
For some reason it feels easier to pot a ball with a bit of side rather than plain ball, maybe thats why everything thinks its helping side. However i agree, technically it doesnt change where the object ball is going
Just seen you on Stephens cue tips, well played young man
On rail shots I find side helps me to make the pot. I don't know if this is because it transfers spin onto the object ball or if it's just because I've taught myself to pot them this way through years of repetition.
Anyway I find I play my best snooker when I'm not thinking about it too much and just playing the shot when I see it. I also find music helps... like I get into a rythm sometimes I feel like I'm dancing round the table.... is this just me?
Spin doesn't transfer
it's just you
So the helping side, is just to help the cue ball move on its way, nothing more… how much side though? Do you base it on the diameter of a £1 coin from the imagined centre of the cue ball?
Thanks
Ade
This is something that's always confused me, and I always assumed I was doing something wrong, or it was only something that happened on top quality tables/with top quality cues/balls etc. It just doesn't make sense! You need to hit the ball at the right angle to get it into the pocket. Everything else is just controlling the cue ball.
I think Michael"s knowledge even impressed Hendry.
Interesting debate. I've always assumed that the spin transferred to the object ball, but you've shown it here to not be the case. Given that, what's your thinking on the side spin on straight pots down the cussion? So called "experts" say you need to put side spin to "help the object ball into the pocket?!" 🤔 P.s enjoyed your vid with Stephen, lot of deep thinking debate between the two of you, that I could of listen to for a lot longer! 👍
At least i know what you're on about Michael 👍
It’s all still a bit confusing. Why, when cutting a green off the spot in similar way demonstrated here, do i more than often seem to pot it way easier with a trace of left hand side (check side) rather than plain ball or indeed running side? I dont know if it’s phycological and my brain is subconsciously allowing for any CIT and has now logged in some kind of better sighting of the angle with lefthand side, but whatever the left hand side in this kind of shot seems to be ‘helping side’ for me (as by way of it ‘helps’ it off on its merry way for me.) Lol. Does this mean with a natural sighting (centre cue ball) i am sighting it up thick? Is this just me?
It’s impossible for me to give advice on here, I’d need to have a look at you to help.
I do online coaching if Nottingham is too far to travel. 👍
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching im hoping to start Nottingham uni next year so may take you up on that if im still confused what’s going on. Do you have website with prices pls? Thanks.
Hi Michael brilliant as usual just a question really when I'm playing I can hardly ever pot a ball without putting spin on have you any reason why this is m8 well done on your tour card pal class 👍
Another nice video Michael 👍
I think the misunderstanding is how little side you're put on when you say helping side, people misunderstand this and put on quite a bit of side which obviously causes the ball to "throw" a lot, hence I think people get the impression players are using that throw to pot balls while aiming more center ball. When in reality you would only do that if you absolutely had to to put a ball that doesn't go without throw.
Bit of a storm in a teacup.
Well snooker balls are designed to be smooth and only transfer momentum but not spin. So how would the white even transfer any spin? For that to happen it would need to spin probably much faster than what a human player could do.
The problem is that snooker is all about feel not set methods
Correct.
Great Cue Tips episode. You should have promoted your TH-cam channel
Stephen did promote it, unfortunately as I write this the link is incorrect or broken, hopefully that will be fixed.
@robertl426 It must have been quick enough for me to miss it. Hopefully, Michael gets a few thousand more subs
Well explained
There was a little something that seemed a tad contradictory mate (not having a go) you said the only way to pot the ball is to be able to hit the right part of the object ball but the first part of the video you couldn’t see the potting angle so are we doing a minuscule swerve to hit the correct angle or is the throw of the object ball due to the spinning cue ball?
There’s no swerve. The left hand side will definitely throw the object ball on to a thicker line. This is LHS on a left cut which will have more of an effect on the path of the object ball because the LHS is going across the face of the object ball. Helping side is RHS on a left cut and is a smaller amount of side (a trace). This small amount plus the fact it is spinning the way the ball is going the friction is less meaning no or very small amount of throw.
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching but there must be some type of throw obviously because you’ve potted a ball you that couldn’t see the potting angle on, and this is when in comms they say ‘turn it over’
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching btw I’ve been playing since I was about 15 until I was about 35, hardly play now I’m nearly 50 and just got into the habit of helping side on pretty much every shot, when I was in my late 20’s I got snookeritis and couldn’t let go of my cue and got the last few years of playing in local leagues I had to count my waggles and had to hit on ‘3’, it was hell for me as I considered myself a decent amateur at one stage with a highest break of 93 🤯🤯
Love you coach😂
I just posted a video showing that helping side exists, especially when played without an angle. Induce object ball spin all day fellow snookererrrss
Nothing worse than the misunderstanding in the restaurant that served STEPHEN LEE a salad!
You did miss to explain the case about the plants that are not on and you make them on with side or with just hitting the first ball on a certain spot. Can you explain how it works?
Never mind this side lark Holty, how many goals are we gonna score at Arsenal?
6. #NFFC
Perfect sense micheal
think your missing the point Michael i understand the point of helping side, but its got nothing to do with cushions its what was called cheet side, no ball in the way but altering the path of the white whilst break building, dead straight on the pink = forward or backward but a trace of cheat gives you a slight angle
Great video 😊
Legend 🙏 and you were perf over on hendys channel. Obvs.
In the first shot with left side you can see for the first two inches or so of the object ball’s travel there is some axial rotation but it dies off almost immediately. In the second shot with right side there is no axial rotation. So you’ve actually proved that the ‘helping side’ has countered the friction throw effect. Just because it isn’t obvious doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Interesting point of view… so maybe Michael is not right!!! We need a physics expert here to end this discussion. The circle of death is around again!!! OMG! 😆😜🤓
@@fmsd91 well whether or not it has any actual impact on the potting angle from a players pov, which is what Michael is alluding to, remains to be seen. It might be small enough an effect that the ball still goes in the pocket with or without side spin. 🤷🏻♂️
I have definetly seen spin transfered onto the object ball, as you can make the object ball bounce off the cushion at unnatural angles. However, after seeing these videos, I think it is just due to the club balls being old, and dirty and scratched.
Just about to watch you on Hendrys cue tips channel 💪
Love the clenched teeth comments! 🙂
Someone I know played a shot that went in the pocket and shouldn't have gone , I said how did that go in he said because I played it with side , I said side doesn't pot the ball 4 u but he was adamant that he was correct I said carry on then and believe what u want lol 😂
no way in hell with helping side there is a squeeze effect. no way!