Simple Squirt Test

Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fargo 1000 on VP4
Silver Member
Simple squirt test

This is a re-post of my Simple Squirt Test (originally posted December 2007), made even more simple and reviewed for accuracy.

The traditional "aim-and-pivot" squirt test keeps the balls at the same distance and pivots the shaft to different angles by shifting the bridge hand (pivot point) back and forth until the shot is made.

This Simple Squirt Test keeps the shaft aimed at the same two points on the CB and OB while changing the distance between the balls until the shot is made. Changing the distance between the balls while aiming at the same points on them changes the angle of the cue in (hopefully) a more controlled way that can be more accurately measured.

I hope it's helpful to you.

pj
chgo

simple squirt test.jpg
 
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Patrick Johnson said:
I was measuring the "squirt pivot point" on some shafts today and remembered this post I made about 3 years ago (December 2007). Thought it might be time to post it again...

Here's the simplest way I know to find your shaft's Squirt Pivot Length.

This should be especially useful for players who use Back Hand English - it's where you should pivot your cue if you don't expect any swerve effect (for short or hard shots) and where you should bridge for break shots.

View attachment 160204

1. Place any ball on the center spot of your table - this is your "object ball". Using a striped ball as your "cue ball" (with the stripe vertical and the stripe's edge pointed at the OB's edge as shown above), line up a straight shot for a corner pocket.

2. To start, separate the two balls by a measured distance that you guess is your shaft's Pivot Length minus 1 inch (so if you think your shaft might have a Pivot Length of 12", separate the balls by 11" to start).

3. Offset your tip so that it contacts the CB on the edge of the CB's stripe and the cue and the edge of the stripe are both aimed at the edge of the OB.

4. Stroke straight through the edge of the CB's stripe directly at the OB's edge - shoot the shot hard (without sacrificing accuracy) to eliminate swerve.

5. You'll miss the shot at first - that's a normal part of the test. When you miss, change the distance a measured amount and try again, aiming the cue and the edge of the CB's stripe at the OB's edge as before. If you got too much squirt, make the distance smaller. If you got too little squirt, make the distance greater.

6. When the shot goes in and the CB spins in place (more or less), the distance between the balls for that shot + 1 1/8" is your shaft's Pivot Length.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

Interesting. What's the relevance of .5R in regards to the squirt test. I know the relevance in regards to draw, follow, etc. Will that give you the maximum squirt?

Just curious-
Dave
 
pj -- The width of the stripe varies a bit on different makes of balls, so the edge of the stripe is just an approximation for where the half-radius point is. I imagine such minor differences are inconsequential?
 
I would think having the OB in the middle of the table is inviting trouble. Since the CB is being hit with maximum english, the spin transfer to the OB may result in significant OB swerve.

A test that I prefer, as it has practical application, is to position the OB on or near the foot spot with it's stripe pointing straight at a corner pocket. Position the CB so that it is exactly a 30 degree cut to pocket the OB. Shoot with 6mm (40%) outside english, to provide gearing.

If you are right on the pivot point, the OB should track to the pocket center with the stripe vertical (no induced sidespin (throw)).
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Astute question. The test measures how far the CB must travel in order to go offline the same distance as the tip is offset from centerball (that's the definition of "pivot length"). So aiming the tip/CB contact point (.5 radius from center) at a point on the OB that's twice as far from center (1 radius) and getting a square hit means the CB goes offline the same distance as the tip offset over that distance of travel. The edge of the CB stripe and the edge of the OB are just convenient landmarks that happen to be in the necessary 1:2 ratio from center.

pj
chgo

P.S. Yes, hitting at the edge of the stripe does produce maximum squirt, because that's the maximum tip offset before miscueing. But that's coincidental - any 1:2 ratio (for example .25 radius on the CB aimed at .5 radius on the OB) would work for this test.
Click to expand...

Do you really have to worry about .5R or a 2:1? The reason why I ask is because I thought there's only one point where you can align center/center and pivot out and make the ball anyways (for any one cue). Seems like this would be different for each make/model of shaft.

Dave
 
I was just talking to a friend that has a "squirt" problem... that would belong in the NPR forum though. He didn't mention low deflection shafts, something about towels:grin-square:
 
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Dead Crab said:
... may result in significant OB swerve. ...
Click to expand...
Since I have never seen object ball swerve, or at least never recognized it, I made the same assumption as PJ: the above is a typo. If not, I still have an offer open of $200 to anyone who can show me how to make an object ball curve significantly with a legal shot. (The details are posted elsewhere.)
 
Bob Jewett said:
Since I have never seen object ball swerve, or at least never recognized it, I made the same assumption as PJ: the above is a typo. If not, I still have an offer open of $200 to anyone who can show me how to make an object ball curve significantly with a legal shot. (The details are posted elsewhere.)
Click to expand...

does that include a ball that has been banked Bob.

bill
 
nice write-up PJ. :) I remember seeing something very similiar to this in one of Dr. Dave's videos. I don't really use BHE, but I've always been curious to try this test. Thanks for reminding me!
 
vasilios said:
does that include a ball that has been banked Bob.

bill
Click to expand...
Nope. The test involves making an object ball go around an obstacle without hitting a cushion. It does not allow the well-known hook off a slippery rail or the less well-known reverse hook for some high-speed banks.
 
One thing I would add to the OP test is to shoot shots with both left and right spin. Some people line up differently for left and right cuts. If you get differences between the two sides -- as far as pivot length -- you probably have a vision/visualization problem.
 
Bob Jewett said:
One thing I would add to the OP test is to shoot shots with both left and right spin. Some people line up differently for left and right cuts. If you get differences between the two sides -- as far as pivot length -- you probably have a vision/visualization problem.
Click to expand...

That's a very interesting line of thinking. Could you expand that to include the stroke?

Best,
Mike
 
That is good stuff Pat.. Thanks for sharing.. I am going to tinker with this when I get home.
 
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