Side-Run & Check
Side is used to help position the white ball, but is only effective when the white hits a cushion. Mainly, side is used to change the angle that the white ball returns from a cushion but it can also increase (run) and decrease (check) the speed of the white.
To play sidespin hit the cue ball either to the right or left of 
centre, whether it is a run or a check shot depends on the angle that the white hits the cushion. The top demonstration shows run being played by hitting the white on the right and the bottom shows check by hitting the white on the left if however these shots were being played against the opposite cushion then it would be the other way around.
If a shot is played with a lot of side or over a large distance, then sidespin can cause the white to swerve..
Click here to return to the Tips & Techniques section