log in
sign up or:

By using this site you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service

forgot password?

Left of Right English for Object Ball Frozen Against Cushion

11/15/2025 4:54:15 PM

Left of Right English for Object Ball Frozen Against Cushion

Seemingly simple question:

When an object ball is frozen to a rail/cushion, how do you know when to use left English vs. right English?

Left of Right English for Object Ball Frozen Against Cushion

Replies & Comments
  1. user1763243654billiardsforum on 4/14/2026 9:06:51 PM

    Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. I guess you've had it answered by now but incase you have not, and for those finding it later, I'll leave some info:

    • Applying English mostly affects the trajectory of the cue ball after it hits the object ball. It has a much lesser effect upon the object ball's trajectory.
    • The main concept to consider is "rail induced throw". This is the concept where because the object ball is frozen to the rail, the rail acts as a 2nd contact surface, and thus, any English (side spin) applied will transfer differently than it would against an object ball sitting on it's own in the middle of the table.

    It will of course depend on which side of you the frozen ball lies, left or right. I'll answer the question based on the assumption that:

    1. you want to simply send the object ball (which is frozen to a rail) straight down the rail and into the pocket, AND,
    2. that I am shooting from the short side of the table, and the frozen object ball is frozen against a rail on my right side.

    The answer to your question (with the above assumptions) is that you'll want to use Right English (a.k.a. "Inside English" or "Running English")

    You want right English which in this case is a spin toward the rail which the ball is frozen to.

    This works due to the "Throw" effect. That's where right-hand spin on the cue ball creates friction at the contact point which throws the object ball to the right (into and along the rail).

    Since the ball is already at the rail, this throw effect redirects it to travel parallel to the rail rather than deflecting away from it.

    You're essentially using English to correct for your unavoidable approach angle. The right spin compensates by bending the object ball's path back toward the rail.

    I hope that helps and I hope that I haven't mixed up my terms (or my lefts and rights)!

upload a photo or document

use plain text or markdown syntax only
log in or sign up

Sign in to ensure your message is posted.

If you don't have an account, enter your email and choose a password below and we'll create your account.

Preview:

Left of Right English for Object Ball Frozen Against Cushion

  • Title: Left of Right English for Object Ball Frozen Against Cushion
  • Author:
  • Published: 11/15/2025 4:54:15 PM
  • Last Updated: 4/14/2026 5:19:12 PM
  • Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)