bridge length

wigglybridge

wigglybridge

14.1 straight pool!
Silver Member
when i was a kid playing pool in the 60's, bridge lengths were pretty short (so were skirts; woohoo!).

now, even in straight pool, bridge lengths are waaaaay longer, especially with the European players, particularly Ralf, Neils, and Engert.

i've been experimenting with a longer bridge, and in some situations it feels more accurate, like my aim is better. but someone who has played a lot of 14.1 commented on it the other day, and it's still a question in my mind.

why do you think this trend to longer bridges happened? is it due to the huge rise of 9-ball? low-deflection shafts and pivot point? is it Actually more accurate?

i figure if Ralf & Thorsten are doing it, it's not by accident. unless it's just what they're used to from so much 9-ball and they don't want to change for the rare 14.1 match?
 
I think it is inherent in how you learned the game. I grew up when 14.1 was the main game, and I use a shorter bridge to this day. I feel there is less margin for stroke error for me with a shorter bridge.
 
I agree...

Growing up in the '70s, it's how I learned the game as well. I've also played around with a longer bridge, but just ultimately couldn't get used to it.

I think that's a lot of what's got me screwed up right now... trying different things such as a different bridge, LD shaft, different aiming techniques, etc. I think I need to just stick to the game the way I've always known it and shoot the way I've always shot and with the equipment I've always shot with. The only change I'm sticking to since returning to the game a few years ago is the glove.
 
I also use a short bridge. I can't make a ball with a long bridge. The friend I play with ( Driven) uses a long bridge a lot. This guy never misses a ball.

I'm lucky if I even hit the CB with a long bridge. Some guys use a long bridge holding the cue stick on the rail with the CB 2 or so feet away. I don't get it, but they sure can do it.

Look at my post #4 on this thread ...

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=219104&highlight=bridge

This is just the type bridge that I'm terrible with. Like I said in the thread, consider he has another 3 or so inches to follow through as well. :shrug:

I'm a firm believer that there is something to be said for individuals stance, muscles, bones, joints, physical makeup, whatever, that allows these extra long delivery strokes to the CB with accuracy.
 
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There is something to be said for short bridges, less can go wrong. I agree that bridge lengths grew longer with the greater focus on 9 ball over the years.

I tend to use a longer bridge due to my snooker playing (roughly 12 inches), though I rarely use all of it. I probably draw the cue back only 6 inches.

I say stick with whats comfortable. However if you're having issue with your long pots or looking to improve them maybe a change would be useful.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I tend to use a longer bridge due to my snooker playing (roughly 12 inches), though I rarely use all of it. I probably draw the cue back only 6 inches.
Click to expand...

I think this is the key. I have really studied a great deal of accu-stats, Tar, and the other DVDs along with numerous live matches. I have noticed that while many of these guys have extremely long bridge lengths, they almost never use all of it.

Watch Shane or Alex or Ralf, etc. you will see that with a 12-15" bridge they only draw back a few inches. They pull back as far as they need to get the cueball in position.

I have a long bridge but I don't use more than half of it most of the time. I can sight the line more accurately with a long bridge but can still deliver in a straight line by pulling back only a few inches.
 
wigglybridge said:
when i was a kid playing pool in the 60's, bridge lengths were pretty short (so were skirts; woohoo!).

now, even in straight pool, bridge lengths are waaaaay longer, especially with the European players, particularly Ralf, Neils, and Engert.

i've been experimenting with a longer bridge, and in some situations it feels more accurate, like my aim is better. but someone who has played a lot of 14.1 commented on it the other day, and it's still a question in my mind.

why do you think this trend to longer bridges happened? is it due to the huge rise of 9-ball? low-deflection shafts and pivot point? is it Actually more accurate?

i figure if Ralf & Thorsten are doing it, it's not by accident. unless it's just what they're used to from so much 9-ball and they don't want to change for the rare 14.1 match?
Click to expand...

You re right on here, that especially Ralf has a very long bridge- imo the only *not-so-good* habit he has. But no reason to copy *bad habits* even if a sensational player like him is doing this :)

Every player has it s own *perfect bridge length*-
Mathematically the exact and perfect pendulum bridge distance ist he length of your radius bone. The distance from the thumb side wrist to the inside of your elbow-joint. That distance is from the core (sweet spot) of the cueball to the fulcrum on your bridge. This should be your central referencepoint for your baseline stroke size. So you see, that everyone has it s own naturally given anatomical stroke length depending on the length of your radius bone-and so it is also with the bridge-distance.

lg from overseas,

Ingo
 
Ratta said:
You re right on here, that especially Ralf has a very long bridge- imo the only *not-so-good* habit he has. But no reason to copy *bad habits* even if a sensational player like him is doing this :)

Every player has it s own *perfect bridge length*-
Mathematically the exact and perfect pendulum bridge distance ist he length of your radius bone. The distance from the thumb side wrist to the inside of your elbow-joint. That distance is from the core (sweet spot) of the cueball to the fulcrum on your bridge. This should be your central referencepoint for your baseline stroke size. So you see, that everyone has it s own naturally given anatomical stroke length depending on the length of your radius bone-and so it is also with the bridge-distance.

lg from overseas,

Ingo
Click to expand...


In my case that would be 11". I think I bridge about 1 diamond from the back of my clothes bridge to the edge of the cue ball. I almost need an extra inch or two cue...

Pete
 
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