How do you apply English?

[PKM]

I am trying to learn about Backhand English (aim and pivot), and one thing I'm wondering is how prevalent it is among players. As I mentioned elsewhere, it seems that it is not taught in most instructional material that I've seen, yet many swear by it as an effective way to compensate for deflection.

I'd appreciate any further explanation on your experience.


(By parallel I mean keeping your cue perpendicular to the cue ball, as opposed to either BHE or FHE (if I understand correctly). It would be parallel to your aim line, which would have to be adjusted to compensate for deflection.)

 

[Cuebacca]

I answered "parallel for all shots", but I think it's more a combination of parallel and FHE. If my mechanics, stance, alignment, etc., were better, then in my case it would probably be purely parallel or purely FHE, but I'm not sure which. LOL. Man, you made me realize that it's time for me to do some video analysis of myself. LOL.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

 

[RiverCity]

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

I voted for a combination of all of them..... but I do the exact same thing. Its built in to my aiming before I even get down on shots that require it.
Chuck

 

[Pushout]

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

Yup, that's how I've always looked at it. But, I can't play a lick

 

[Tim-n-NM]

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

This is how I do it also. I think the people that play well play by feel and confidence in there stroke. Aim and Shoot not much thought to it.

 

[PKM]

This must be a taboo topic, no one wants to talk about it!

Even if you don't think about it anymore, surely you must have learned to either pivot or shoot parallel?

 

[Craig Fales]

I play by feel aswell...I don't think about what my hands are doing as that would just throw my game in the crapper....

 

[Pushout]

This must be a taboo topic, no one wants to talk about it!

Even if you don't think about it anymore, surely you must have learned to either pivot or shoot parallel?

Not that I ever remember. I never even heard the terms 'til about 10 years ago.

 

[Tim-n-NM]

Even if you don't think about it anymore, surely you must have learned to either pivot or shoot parallel?

You may be correct but it was a long time ago or something, because I never think of such things while playing or practicing. I play by feel. I can feel speed and or spin in my mind and just play. Thats what works for me. It may not work for everyone. But it has worked for me. FWIW

Tim.

 

[MrLucky]

Me three...

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

I just took a lesson from Scott Lee so I am in transition ! So who knows what I will be doing once I get my mechanics straight!

 

[Pete]

I would have to say none of the above. I simply decide which english I intend to use, look at the object ball and make zero adjustments. I get down and shoot at whatever feels right.

I do the same in addition to fhe and par.

Pete

 

[TheBook]

I don't use it because it throws my stroke out of alignment. I am lined up for a shot with my cue, forearm, shoulder, chin and upper arm all in the same plane. Now I move my cue to use back hand english and everything is out of alignment.

Keep pool simple. BHE justs complicates it. You will do better learning to play position and keeping angles.

To answer about being taboo. This topic has been beaten to death in one form or another. Do a search and you will see a lot of discussion on it.

 

[PKM]

I don't use it because it throws my stroke out of alignment. I am lined up for a shot with my cue, forearm, shoulder, chin and upper arm all in the same plane. Now I move my cue to use back hand english and everything is out of alignment.

Keep pool simple. BHE justs complicates it. You will do better learning to play position and keeping angles.

To answer about being taboo. This topic has been beaten to death in one form or another. Do a search and you will see a lot of discussion on it.

I see there was a similar poll a while ago, my bad. No harm in getting another sample I guess.

I am concerned about the alignment as well, I wonder if some people adjust their stance after the pivot in order to keep their arm in the same plane. Or if people are able to fall into the pivot position it might not be an issue.

 

[VIProfessor]

I adjust for deflection, etc. BEFORE I get down on the shot, and I think that it is important, if one desires to ever play at a high level, to learn this. The aim and pivot method may be a convenient way to introduce the concept of compensation to beginning players, but IMHO it limits the long-term development of a player's game.

Because the aim and pivot method involves shifting body parts after getting down on the shot, it does not promote proper body alignment. In addition, aim and pivot does not account for factors like stroke speed and the individual characteristics of one's stroke. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the very act of adjusting and compensating when one is down on the ball takes away from the required process of letting go and allowing the shot to shoot itself. The whole idea of a solid pre-shot routine is to set everything up before getting down on the shot so that all you have to do is execute. IMHO, the aim and pivot method detracts from this.

Ultimately, compensation for deflection is best learned by experience and executed by feel. Pivoting while in the stance is a shortcut that may lead to short term results but long-term retardation. I don't deny that almost all players do make some minute adjustments at the table, but I suggest that consistency rises in inverse proportion to the degree of adjustment. I remember reading somewhere that amateur players, because of innacurate setup and/or landing, usually adjust significantly after getting down on the table, while professional players, because of the quality of their setup, usually adjust in only minute degrees. The aim and pivot method, IMHO, maximizes the amount of adjustment, and that can't be healthy.