Judd Trump utilizing BHE

[Colin Colenso]

Caught this nice view of snooker potting sensation Judd Trump using Back Hand English during the Champion of Champions final today.

http://youtu.be/Md6j9V2ab5w?t=19m45s

He may not be aware of it, but he's using a swipe to pivot form of Back Hand English, rather than pivot then stroke straight. This method adds an inch or two to one's effective pivot point, hence requires a slightly longer bridge length to execute. Guessing from the video, his effective pivot point for this shot is about 14 inches, CB edge to bridge V.

Notice that he aligns through center CB to the edge of the bottom rail jaw of the corner pocket. This compensates for Spin Induced Throw (SIT), which turns the black ball about 1/2 to 1 inch right for this power of shot. If he'd played it softer, there would have been more SIT.

There are advantages to the swipe pivot, such as being able to maintain aim checking until the final stroke through and it allows a little more bridge gap for generating higher speed shots with less jerking.

It's interesting that some players discover BHE for some shots without realizing they have done so.

 

[nobcitypool]

So Trump is a lefty but on the shot after the one you referenced, he used a bridge and stroked with his right hand. Is that common in snooker?

 

[victorl]

Very interesting.. If you watch Ronnie closely, you'll notice he clearly uses BHE quite often as well. I've never heard of pivoting being taught in snooker, so you have to wonder if these top players just do it naturally from experience.

 

[Colin Colenso]

So Trump is a lefty but on the shot after the one you referenced, he used a bridge and stroked with his right hand. Is that common in snooker?

It's just an odd quirk some players have. Seems more lefties use their right for the bridge than righties do vice-versa.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Very interesting.. If you watch Ronnie closely, you'll notice he clearly uses BHE quite often as well. I've never heard of pivoting being taught in snooker, so you have to wonder if these top players just do it naturally from experience.

I'll keep an eye out for that victor. I don't get to see a lot of high def snooker on the big screen and rarely do they line the camera up with the players cue on shots using significant side english.

I do notice that almost all the players swipe to the outside of the cut angle on most fuller stun shots. I suspect they are doing this to generate a little gearing english, to reduce the effect of kicks and to make the stun angle more in line with the throw of hitting with follow or draw.

 

[Nick B]

I'll keep an eye out for that victor. I don't get to see a lot of high def snooker on the big screen and rarely do they line the camera up with the players cue on shots using significant side english.

I do notice that almost all the players swipe to the outside of the cut angle on most fuller stun shots. I suspect they are doing this to generate a little gearing english, to reduce the effect of kicks and to make the stun angle more in line with the throw of hitting with follow or draw.

I have noticed that Allison Fisher does it on almost straight ins a great deal. Aims center ball and gears the ball the small difference.

Nick B

 

[Pidge]

Pivoting isn't taught in snooker. The pivot point of a snooker cue, lets take mine for example is 20". Its not practical to cue with that bridge length, especially when you're in and amongst the reds, you have to take what bridge length you can mostly. You are taught to buy a quality cue at an early age, and stick with it for life. That's how most judge using side. An unhealthy amount of experience with the same cue.

Most instructors will teach a player to offset their cue to the line of the shot, but always get down into the address position with your cue already offset - never pivot when down. The offset required in snooker is very minimal, and for a wide range of shots it will look like parallel English to most. I think the break is a shot where you see most players swiping. They align through CCB, then don't cue straight to add some outside. Its fairly reliable using this at that distance, but again its not something any amateur or new players should be learning to apply side.

As for Judd using the wrong hand for rest play - lots do. Especially left handed shooters. Most, especially at Judds level, are capable of using both hands with the rest. I remember watching Ronnie make a century with his left hand and only using the bridge in a proposition bet some drunk guy made to him.

 

[petermgates]

So Trump is a lefty but on the shot after the one you referenced, he used a bridge and stroked with his right hand. Is that common in snooker?

I do that. I'm righty who normally shoots lefty and uses the bridge (or rest if it's snooker) right-handed.

Whenever I play another left-handed shooter, I always ask them and it's surprising how many are righty shooting lefty and all of them I've asked use the bridge right-handed.

It's also interesting to watch which hand players use for chalking - some true lefties will swap the cue to their right hand and chalk with their left.

 

[Pidge]

I do that. I'm righty who normally shoots lefty and uses the bridge (or rest if it's snooker) right-handed.

Whenever I play another left-handed shooter, I always ask them and it's surprising how many are righty shooting lefty and all of them I've asked use the bridge right-handed.

It's also interesting to watch which hand players use for chalking - some true lefties will swap the cue to their right hand and chalk with their left.

You know you're a quality player when you chalk with both hands without realizing it

I have a friend who is a righty and shoots left handed. I find it very unique and quite odd that he learned this way. He can't break with any power, but he sure can cue straight. Weirdly he uses both hands when using the rest. He tends to use the rest with what ever hand is closer to the table.

 

[DTL]

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