🎱 Spin It to Win It

Hey there, and welcome to this week’s edition of Stroke of Confidence — where the worlds of pool and mindset come together. Whether you’re working on your stroke, trying to level up your game, or just looking for a quick spark of motivation, you’re in good company.

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This week’s topics:

• Spin for beginners

• Keeping focused

• Efren tribute

Let’s dive in:

⭐ Skills & Drills

Speakin English

If you want to improve your cue ball control and make your runouts easier, understanding spin (or “English”) on the cue ball is a game-changer. So what exactly is spin?

Spin means hitting the cue ball off-center — to the left, right, top, or bottom — instead of straight in the middle. This makes the cue ball behave differently when it hits the object ball or the rails. There are three important concepts to understand:

Deflection (or Squirt): When you hit the cue ball off-center, it doesn’t go exactly where you aimed. Instead, it deflects (or squirts) slightly to the opposite side of the spin. This means you need to aim a bit differently to compensate.

Example: Hit the cue ball on the right side, and it will squirt a little to the left.

Swerve: As the cue ball travels forward, the spin causes it to curve slightly in the direction of the English. This is called swerve. Swerve is small on short shots but more noticeable on longer, slower shots.

Example: Right spin makes the ball curve slightly right over longer distances.

Throw: When the spinning cue ball hits the object ball, it can cause the object ball to throw — moving slightly off the natural angle. Throw is important to understand for precise positional play.

Example: Right spin on the cue ball can push the object ball a little left.

It’s important to think of spin as a supplemental tool, not something to rely on before your fundamentals are solid. Your first priority should be mastering straight, center-ball hits. When you can hit the cue ball consistently in the middle, your stroke becomes reliable and repeatable, which is the foundation of good pool.

Once your center-ball hits are solid, you can introduce spin gradually—starting with small amounts of side spin to feel how the cue ball reacts. This gradual approach helps you build muscle memory and better judgment for when and how to use English effectively during games. Many beginners try to use a lot of English right away, only to find their shots unpredictable or miss the ball entirely.

Watch the video below by Jasmine Ouschan to see these topics demonstrated in more detail. Be sure to subscribe to her channel for more great tutorials.

Want your video featured in the Stroke of Confidence newsletter? Reach out to us at [email protected].

🗳️ Quick Poll

🧠 Mindset Mastery

Center of attention

One of the biggest takeaways from the book Inner Tennis: Playing the Game by W. Timothy Gallwey is this: where your attention goes, your performance follows. In the book, Gallwey talks about how just watching the tennis ball closely—its seams, spin, bounce—can calm your mind and sharpen your instincts. That advice applies perfectly to pool.

A lot of players think they’re watching the ball, but really, their mind is racing. They’re thinking about making the shot, avoiding a scratch, where the cue ball will end up... and not actually seeing the cue ball or object ball clearly.

Try this instead: before each shot, take a second to really look at the cue ball. Focus on the exact spot you want to hit. After the shot, watch how it rolls. Same goes for the object ball—watch it through contact, see how it moves, how it reacts.

No need to overthink or judge what happens. Just notice it. This kind of simple awareness helps your stroke smooth out naturally. You’re not trying harder—you’re just staying present.

I had a coach once say that I should be able to tell him a whole story about each ball I hit - down to describing where the reflections of the table lights were on the object ball. This may seem extreme but it has helped me stay present and focused on each shot and drown out everything else.

So, next time you’re practicing, slow down and actually watch the ball. You might be surprised how much better you play.

Purchase Inner Tennis: Playing the Game and more of our favorite books here: https://stroke-of-confidence-pool.beehiiv.com/c/book-recommendations

🤯 Get Inspired

Tribute to the GOAT

If you've spent any time around a pool table, you've probably heard the name Efren Reyes. Born in the Philippines, Efren grew up hustling games in Manila before becoming one of the most respected and feared players in the world. Nicknamed "The Magician," he's known for his unbelievable creativity, jaw-dropping shot-making, and ability to see patterns no one else can.

Efren’s not just a flashy player—he’s also a master of strategy, with an unmatched feel for cue ball control and safety play. He was the first player in history to win world titles in both 9-ball and 8-ball, and he’s racked up over 100 international titles throughout his career.

The highlight reel from Dr. Dave below shows why fans and pros alike consider him the greatest of all time. Enjoy the magic and subscribe to Dr. Dave’s channel for more great pool content.

Want your video featured in the Stroke of Confidence newsletter? Reach out to us at [email protected].

💥 Quick Links

Our favorite books on pool and the mental game: https://stroke-of-confidence-pool.beehiiv.com/c/book-recommendations

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That wraps it up for this week’s edition of Stroke of Confidence!

Thanks for reading, and as always, we hope you found something helpful, inspiring, or just fun to think about. Enjoy your weekend, hit a few balls if you can, and we’ll see you back in your inbox next Thursday!

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