There comes a threshold in every beginner’s development at which they want to add English to their repertoire. Applying English to shots is sexier and it adds a lot to your arsenal, both offensively and defensively.

Still, I have a a rule with my students: Don’t concern yourself with English until your pocketing and position using center cue ball is rock solid. You have to practice shots over and over, from one foot away, then two feet away, then three feet away, etc., until you can’t miss them. You have to own those shots.

That’s important because the minute I explain to students what deflection is, I see the panic on their faces.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Deflection is largely a product of speed or force. Using a lot of power on a shot can result in two ball’s width distance of deflection. And, of course, the biggest unknown is your equipment. Every player has to figure out how much deflection their personal cue has.

When my students want to start using English, I don’t tell them much about deflection. I just let them shoot a few balls applying English. They get a quick understanding of what deflection means.



In explaining deflection to them, I liken it to martial arts. If you hit me directly in the chest with a lot of force, I’m going to go straight back. If you hit me with the same force but toward one shoulder or the other, I’m going to fall away in the opposite direction. But, if you hit me softly toward one shoulder or the other, I’m not going to veer off to one side.

The same is true for deflection using English. With slower speed, I can still aim a shot the same way I would using center ball because there isn’t enough force on the cue ball to make it deflect to one side or the other. In fact, anything up to medium speed can be aimed the same way you would using center ball.

Does distance make a difference? Not if you’re using medium speed or softer. What I do suggest, however, is that if you’re using English and shooting a three-foot shot with medium speed, simply shorten your stroke when shooting the same shot from five feet away. A full stroke is more likely to add unwanted speed.

As a little practice drill, set up this shot and shoot it using right English with medium speed from three feet away. Then move the cue ball back two feet and shoot the shot using the same aim and same speed.