Method for using BHE with LD tech...

[BasementDweller]

Some people do consciously use BHE, but there are a lot of people that take advantage of it without knowing it because their natural bridge length falls on, or very near, the pivot point of their cue. Personally, I play with an LD shaft (WD700), and prefer to consciously adjust my aim to compensate for squirt before I get into my stance instead of pivoting when I'm already down on the ball. That way, I can come down on the ball with everything (feet, hips, elbow, wrist, cue) in line with my shot and use the same stroke every time, just varying the speed.

I do the same thing for the same reasons but I try not to do this consciously. At least when I'm playing my best I don't have to think about it much at all. I absolutely abhor the idea of having a different lineup for nearly every shot requiring english. I really can't believe people play like that but to each his own I suppose.

Since I use this method, I would think the ideal pivot point of a cue would be one that falls right smack dab in the middle of the bridge hand and the grip hand. Then when you do this sort of air pivot you would have your pivot point in an ideal spot and it would be less cumbersome to deal with. Trying to pivot off of my bridge hand has always seemed unnatural to me. Having a pivot point right in the middle of the two hands seems like it would be the most ideal.

 

[Johnnyt]

I don't have any idea how to prove this, but I believe after playing for years and using the same cue and shaft for few months you get a feel for it. I use many length bridges depending on the shot. I believe you just pick up a feel for it. I have no problem making balls and I never give bridge or pivot points a thought. I just do it. Johnnyt

 

[Matt]

...I try not to do this [adjust for squirt] consciously. At least when I'm playing my best I don't have to think about it much at all.

Conscious or not, I think the important point is that there isn't any pivoting involved once we are down to shoot. I also don't really think about it much on most shots either, but there are certain shots where I know I have to force myself to adjust a little more than what seems natural. In particular, cutting a ball with inside draw (generally a little harder stroke than follow or stun, so less swerve involved), I know that I have to aim a bit full on the OB or I'll over-cut it.

 

[Matt]

I don't have any idea how to prove this, but I believe after playing for years and using the same cue and shaft for few months you get a feel for it. I use many length bridges depending on the shot. I believe you just pick up a feel for it. I have no problem making balls and I never give bridge or pivot points a thought. I just do it. Johnnyt

I only think about squirt on a few shots where I know it's a significant factor. In general, if I'm using a good bit of english from a distance and shooting hard enough that the swerve won't cancel the squirt, I have to force myself to aim a bit full or thin depending on the english. On most shots, that's not the case, so I just shoot the ball in the hole.

 

[naji]

So I figured out a method for using BHE with LD tech without having to use a longer more uncomfortable bridge and I thought I would go ahead and share it with AZland...

First, you have to find the shafts pivot point. A search should help those who aren't aware of how to do that, or you can go to Dr. Dave's site, his site shows how to find it.

Mark that point on the cue. You can put a dot on the shaft with a sharpie or whatever. This also helps to improve consistency because you will line up with the same orientation on the shaft with each shot.

Once you have the pivot point marked, you step into the shot bridging at the pivot point and get down on the shot, you pivot with that bridge for the amount and type of english you want, remembering to lower or raise your bridge for follow and draw to minimize swerve.

Once you have that aimline, holding the cue on that line and focusing on keeping the cue on that line and the point on the cueball you are going to make contact with, you slide your bridge forward to where it's comfortable and then lock it in place.

Once there, you are aligned with the shot based on the point on the CB that you wanted to hit, so you then stroke straight through that portion of the CB and you should be in line for the vast majority of shots.

Softer shots won't work as well due to increased swerve and CIT, but it's a good starting point and allows you to not have to rely as much on feel for side spin adjustment.

Jaden

When you do not get a response means some azb'ers wants to keep good stuff away from exposure. Great stuff, if players remember all steps required.

 

[Wileydog]

I only think about squirt on a few shots where I know it's a significant factor. In general, if I'm using a good bit of english from a distance and shooting hard enough that the swerve won't cancel the squirt, I have to force myself to aim a bit full or thin depending on the english. On most shots, that's not the case, so I just shoot the ball in the hole.

Another advantage to shooting on the pivot point is, it increases your chance of shooting on target, even if you accidentally strike the cue off center. If you're not on the pivot point and you accidentally strike the cue with left or right, the squirt may take you off the intended path. Shoot on the pivot point and it matters less if you accidentally shoot off center.

 

[Matt]

Another advantage to shooting on the pivot point is, it increases your chance of shooting on target, even if you accidentally strike the cue off center. If you're not on the pivot point and you accidentally strike the cue with left or right, the squirt may take you off the intended path. Shoot on the pivot point and it matters less if you accidentally shoot off center.

As I mentioned in a previous conversation on the topic, Ron Shepard made the same observation in his paper.

I agree that the ability to hit less accurately and make the OB is an advantage of a cue with a natural pivot point. Sure, if you aren't cuing accurately the cue ball might not end up where you want it, but at least you will make the shot and still be at the table.

 

[dr_dave]

Another advantage to shooting on the pivot point is, it increases your chance of shooting on target, even if you accidentally strike the cue off center. If you're not on the pivot point and you accidentally strike the cue with left or right, the squirt may take you off the intended path. Shoot on the pivot point and it matters less if you accidentally shoot off center.

This is particularly important with the break shot. If you choose a break cue with the pivot point located at your natural bridge length, you will be much more accurate with your break shot. For more info, see Diagram 4 and the surrounding discussion in: "Squirt - Part IV: BHE, FHE, and pivot-length calibration" (BD, November, 2007)

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[bdorman]

IMHO the advantage to using parallel english is that it works on every shot -- it isn't dependent on bridge length. How do you use a BHE bridge length on a rail shot? or when the CB is three inches off the rail? Or shooting over another ball? Or when an OB is where you need to put your bridge?

I'm certainly no pro, but it seemed to me that it was best to learn one method (parallel english) that I could use in all situations.

 

[Mitchxout]

I just measured the pivot point on my maple shaft sneaky at 14." Up until 5 minutes ago my bridge length for 30 years has been about 8."

I assume all cues and/or brands are different? Does anyone know what causes a certain cue to have a longer or shorter "sweet spot?"

 

[dr_dave]

Does anyone know what causes a certain cue to have a longer or shorter "sweet spot?"

Yes. It depends on the "end mass" of the shaft. For more info, see:

shaft "endmass"
what causes squirt
low-squirt (AKA low "cue ball deflection," AKA LD) shaft

Regards,
Dave

 

[Jaden]

When you do that you ARE adjusting your aim.

IMHO the advantage to using parallel english is that it works on every shot -- it isn't dependent on bridge length. How do you use a BHE bridge length on a rail shot? or when the CB is three inches off the rail? Or shooting over another ball? Or when an OB is where you need to put your bridge?

I'm certainly no pro, but it seemed to me that it was best to learn one method (parallel english) that I could use in all situations.

When you do that, you are adjusting your aim...or you are missing some shots and on tighter conditions, you will miss even more.

The point of using BHE is to be more precise when using side spin.

When using LD tech you are either 1) using the excess width of the pocket with straight parallel english to assist with the pocketing of balls 2) consciously adjusting aim for side spin and or limiting how much side spin you use or 3) subconsciously adjusting your aim for side spin shots.

What BHE does is allow you to be more consciously precise and have better starting angles for various shots to become more purposely accurate and not be limited on the amount of spin you can use.

Try BHE with some extreme side spin and you'll see what I'm talking about. It allows you to get more comfortable using more side spin than you other wise would be.

Jaden

 

[Mitchxout]

How did Ronnie Allen "air bridge?" :bow-down: Is there a pivot point for one-handed? :scratchhead:

 

[Johnnyt]

I might be missing something here, but I never heard of a pivot point until I came on AZB. I had run many 70's and 80's and one 103 before then. I would like to ask good players and pros for an honest answer to weather they use it or not. I'm betting most don't and some don't even know what it is. JT

 

[Jaden]

Considering Efren is the one who showed me...

I might be missing something here, but I never heard of a pivot point until I came on AZB. I had run many 70's and 80's and one 103 before then. I would like to ask good players and pros for an honest answer to weather they use it or not. I'm betting most don't and some don't even know what it is. JT

Considering that the first I heard about BHE was Efren answering me how he accurately put on so much side spin, that should be the answer to your question.

It is also my understanding that most if not ALL of the filipinos are aware of it or use it.

Jaden

Not to mention that I'm not too shabby of a player myself lol....

 

[Johnnyt]

Considering that the first I heard about BHE was Efren answering me how he accurately put on so much side spin, that should be the answer to your question.

It is also my understanding that most if not ALL of the filipinos are aware of it or use it.

Jaden To be truthful, I'm scared

Not to mention that I'm not too shabby of a player myself lol....

Well I can't argue if Efern and most Filipinos use it. That's good enough for me. That said, I'm not touching anything in my game at this time. I have never hit so many shots in the part of the pocket I'm aiming for. To be truthful, I'm afraid to change a thing right now. JT

 

[Jaden]

That's the reason I haven't checked into pro one...

Well I can't argue if Efern and most Filipinos use it. That's good enough for me. That said, I'm not touching anything in my game at this time. I have never hit so many shots in the part of the pocket I'm aiming for. To be truthful, I'm afraid to change a thing right now. JT

Typically I will look into and try to figure out how any thing that I become aware of works.

I just can't bring myself to look into pro one and how it works at this time for the same reason that you cited about BHE.

As the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Jaden

 

[Cory in DC]

Has anyone actually consciously chosen BHE vs. FHE,
or used some measuring trick for their pivot point,
and seen their game go up?

Does anyone know of a professional who did this?

I'm generally a fan of being precise and sweating the small stuff,
but this has always struck me as overthinking a process
that is best handled by the lizard brain.

A lot of the stuff we think we are doing consciously (choosing an aim point,
using a bank system, adjusting for throw) is actually being
done subconsciously and being automatically corrected during warmup strokes
or even midswing on your final stroke.

If I'm shooting a long, nearly straight-in shoot firm and need to really spin the cueball for some reason, I use BHE. Switching to this really improved my make percentage for these types of shots. On other, less extreme shots, I just make the adjustment visually/subconsciously before getting down on the shot. Even for those, I think that knowing BHE and playing around with using it helps my brain make the subconscious adjustments.

I did have recent success teaching a strong 4 / weak 5 speed APA player who said she "just couldn't use english" how to use BHE. BHE is a hell of a lot faster way to learn how to adjust than "just keep trying and you'll figure it out."