Jeremy Jones Pool Instruction - Aiming with English

JJ is the most knowledgeable commentator and has yhe best way about him in the box. Kudos JJ and good luck this year bringing home the cup!

Yes, this is FHE. I would call it "FHE in the air". FHE is when the back hand is stationary on center and the front hand shifts off center to apply english. The final result of JJ's technique is the same as pivoting with 100% FHE. The front hand is shifted the same regardless of whether you place it on the table at center ball first and then shift it to apply english (a standard FHE pivot with the grip hand stationary), or you shift it to its final off-center position while coming down to the table without moving the grip hand (JJ's technique). The final cue orientation is the same in either case. In short, he's doing an FHE pivot in the air "at the last moment" while coming down. But if JJ's technique is the same as FHE, why does he dislike pivoting? He says it's because, "It's very hard to keep the butt in the center. If I go down with center ball and I pivot to the left, you can see the butt goes to the right." But (pun intended!), when he demonstrates this (5:10), he uses a pure BHE pivot! Of course the butt moves to the right if you make it move it that way using a BHE back hand pivot movement. If instead you use a proper FHE pivot, the back hand will not move and there is no difference between the techniques. In fact, at 6:46 he has a "prover" of his technique where he basically does a reverse FHE pivot to bring the cue back into center line (“pivot back to center”) to show that the shot is still made without english. If using a reverse FHE pivot proves that the english is properly canceled, then using a normal FHE pivot to apply that english in the first place is also proven to be proper. Basically, I think he doesn't like FHE & BHE pivots simply because he learned to shoot without them and has done so for 33 years. And that's fine. Given his level of accomplishment, it clearly works for him. So, I can’t argue with that. As further clarification, when he says, "the butt stays in the center of the cue ball", he means to say "the grip hand stays in the center of the cue ball" on the center-to-ghostball shot line. Indeed, at 7:08 he says, "very important for you to squeeze the back hand and keep it in [center] position." So, I think he's talking about the back grip hand, not the butt of cue. (The back hand is so close to the butt end that it doesn’t matter that much either way.) Again, it's therefore the same as an FHE pivot. I agree with @douglasschultz8215 who said, "Not really proof it holds up for all shots. He should probably watch Dr. Dave's videos regarding this topic." Shot speed, shot distance, amount of cue deflection (natural pivot length), length of bridge (tip to front hand), cue elevation, CIT & SIT throw, cloth characteristics, and especially the quality of your stroke will all affect the success of using this – or any – technique. Dr. Dave discusses all these issues, and I have a couple of videos too. Finally, this is FHE "in the air". This is not BHE. He does an example using parallel english, but parallel english is not FHE or BHE. Those are three different cue orientations. And by mixing those techniques you can get any cue orientation in between.

Finally! This is the second time I’ve watched this video and it finally clicked - to keep the back of the cue centered on the cue ball while applying side spin at the tip. After applying this technique, I began making a lot more shots with the cue ball traveling exactly where I expected. And even if I miss, the contact between the cue and cue ball is much more solid, resulting in better “feel”. Thanks JJ!

He perfectly describes the tangential relationship between the cue ball and the object ball. If you watch Efren - and I mean every video you can find - you will see him employ the points made here with absolute perfection.

Super quality commentary and great knowledge about the game. Matches that you don't comment on taste bland. Please keep what you're doing. You're a great asset to the game, JJ.

I've been playing for nearly 40 years, and this is the best tip I've ever heard for aiming with English! Thank you JJ!

Very useful, Jones. I've been confused about how to apply spin despite watching tons of videos on YouTube, they never get to the point like you do. Thank you so much 👍👍👍

Absolutely fantastic video and it makes so much sense. I played a lot in the Philippines, and a few years ago I had a Filipino try to teach me this EXACT method of aiming with English. I was not receptive to it at all. In fact, a number of Filipino players that I was playing with were not receptive to it. But it makes so much sense. They key, as Jeremy says, is that you make the adjustment towards the end of getting down on the shot. I just came back from working on this at my local pool hall. It took maybe 10 to 15 shots until I got the hang of it, but once I did it was so much easier! There is not much thought to it. You just do as Jeremy says and stroke through the ball. Now, if you have a bad stroke it is going to be a problem like any shot you try with bad stroke. I highly encourage everyone to try this. I wish I had been more receptive to this a few years ago. As noted by Jeremy, this is not exactly backhand english (BHE) although to many it will appear that way. The back hand does not change from the original aim line.

An excellent explanation! I’ve been searching for something on aiming with English and have watched countless videos. This, by far, is the most useful. Thank you!

Just what I was working on today - my English, but I never could get it to work. Gonna have to try this now! Thanks for sharing!

Excellent info!!! I never once thought about the total MASS of the cue contributing to better and more consistent contact with the CB. I have basically always "parallel" aimed, or PIVOTED, my stick for the type of English I wanted to impart on the ball. I'm about to head straight (get it?.... straight?..... haha... ok, lame joke there, sorry.....) to my pool table to try this out. I don't see how this method CAN'T work and produce more consistency!!!! Thanks J.J.!!!

More great work, Coach JJ. Thank you

Great set of videos!

Great tips JJ, keep'em coming!

JJ is the man! I would love to hear @DrDaveBilliards thoughts on this

awesome tip thank you. i always struggle with playing with english and missed most of my long and medium speed shot with the parallel shifting of the cue . this makes so much sense . will try thank you.

Very nice to see it explained this way. This has been my method that naturally came to me. I always find my line and adjust as I come down slow on the shot. I've gotten comfortable shooting on the edge of the ball from practicing. This channel has some of the best teaching techniques. Thanks for being great at what you all do. Take care

Thanks JJ…. Excellent pool tips as always.

Simply the best!

Nice tip! Captain! Glad you started your channel