Left-hand Side
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This first diagram shows left-hand side being used
to take the cue-ball to a safe area of the table.
Similar results could be gained by playing without
side and aiming slightly thicker, but the thinner
contact gives the red less momentum and keeps
it further away from the two top pockets.
Using a little side in any shot like this also lessens
the chance of a double-kiss ruining the stroke.
You will find that this shot can be of even greater use
during the early part of the frame when there are many
more balls to avoid on the journey back to baulk.
A little practise will teach you how much side to use,
and you'll soon discover many similar opportunities
that will improve your safety play and force errors
from your opponents.
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In this example left-hand side has been used to make
the escape from the snooker easier to judge than if it
were played off the two cushions.
As the cue-ball is touching the cushion you will need to
play the shot with a little top as well as the lefthand side.
A few practise strokes will show you how much side
to use, and how close to the blue you should aim.
The idea of course is to play gently to just roll up
to the red, and leave very little for your opponent.
The three balls do not need to be against the cushion
for this type of escape to be played. If all three form a
straight line that is at right angles to the cushion, this
method can still be a safer way to judge the angle.
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Diagram 3 shows another variation of the same shot with
the balls placed in an "impossible" snooker. The cue-ball is
set tight against the cushion and is touching the black.
At first sight it appears to be perfectly safe, and yet
by playing into the cushion the blue can be easily hit.
Play the stroke with left-hand side and aim towards the
black cross. The cushion-rubber will compress just enough
to let the cue-ball out without disturbing the black, and
the cue-ball will rebound from the top cushion to make
contact with the blue.
The black cross only gives an indication of where to aim.
The exact aiming point will depend on the amount of side
you use and the strength that you play the shot.
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