The Backspin
A shot that is made by aiming at any point other than the center of the cue ball, will cause the cue ball to be projected with a spin on it. Using a backspin on your shot will cause the cue ball to draw away from the object ball and return towards you after it has made contact with the object ball. It is normally done by hitting the cue ball below the center. This is a difficult shot to master because hitting the cue ball below the center normally creates a "miscue", especially for beginning Billiard players. Many players will "jump" the ball instead of creating a backspin until they master this technique.
The distance the cue ball has to travel before impact with the object ball is a major consideration when using the backspin. Another factor to consider is the type of cloth on the table. Smoother cloths will have less friction which will allow the cue ball more momentum to draw back. A rougher type of cloth will have more friction which will hinder the momentum of the cue ball a lot more. Most higher priced tables are constructed with a smoother cloth which enables players to apply a backspin and English efficiently.
You will need to put more backspin on the cue ball as the distance between the object ball and the cue ball increases. As stated above, the cloth on the pool table surface may cause friction and reduce the speed of the balls. This reduces the amount of backspin. This is where the difficulty of the back spin comes into play. Many Billiard players find it very difficult to draw the cue ball at longer distances mostly because there was not enough backspin applied to the cue ball.
You will find this technique advantageous in many situations. it will also increase your over-all game. The primary use of a backspin is to avoid scratching when normally the cue ball would follow through on a shot. Placing backspin on the ball allows you to make the shot while remaining in control of the game. It also allows you to "set up" your next shot giving you a better leave than if you were to make a follow through shot. Many Billiard players apply backspin to their shots to create a good lay of the cue ball in preparation for their next shot. Backspin is a great tool to master when learning your techniques as a newer player.
