Straight arm or no straight arm?

[trob]

So as you get older your body changes and so does your game. I’ve been playing for 35 years. For example I took my glasses off when I played for years. My left eye was great and I was a right handed player who was left eye dominant. Then at some point during Covid my left eye left the chat lol i couldn’t read the numbers on the ball standing next to the table.
Now I’ve been noticing I have some pain in my left shoulder when I’m playing after about an hour. I noticed yesterday watching Neil’s play Svb he lets his left elbow break down where I was always taught to keep that arm straight. Talked to a friend who takes lessons from the Neil’s and he said yeah I changed to that a while back. It gets me over the ball better. Half way through a straight pool match yesterday I started feeling that pain so I changed my stroke. Felt more solid and yes I felt more over the ball . I guess a few multiple hour practice sessions and it will be 2nd nature and that will be my new stroke.

What changes have you all old timers like me had to make ? lol what’s next

 

[Not Dead Ted]

What's next? ... Your center of gravity betrays you and you start falling over, and not just when playing pool.

 

[bbb]

I changed to darts!!!

 

[bbb]

I changed to darts!!!

Seriously the bent bridge arm is an accepted way to use your bridge arm
I would suggest you see an orthopedist to find out what’s wrong with your shoulder and see if the doc recommends
some physical therapy. And may be an MRI.
Or something else to help you

 

[trob]

Seriously the bent bridge arm is an accepted way to use your bridge arm
I would suggest you see an orthopedist to find out what’s wrong with your shoulder and see if the doc recommends
some physical therapy. And may be an MRI.
Or something else to help you

Appreciate that but I think I’m 54 and with a physical job the body is wearing out lol

 

[bbb]

Appreciate that but I think I’m 54 and with a physical job the body is wearing out lol

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink

 

[kingwang]

Seriously the bent bridge arm is an accepted way to use your bridge arm

Both are accepted. Bent is probably a little more common, but look at players like Hohmann and Alcaide for examples of straight bridge arms.

 

[skor]

whatever works as long as you can get a straight stroke and hit.

 

[GoldCrown]

So as you get older your body changes and so does your game. I’ve been playing for 35 years. For example I took my glasses off when I played for years. My left eye was great and I was a right handed player who was left eye dominant. Then at some point during Covid my left eye left the chat lol i couldn’t read the numbers on the ball standing next to the table.
Now I’ve been noticing I have some pain in my left shoulder when I’m playing after about an hour. I noticed yesterday watching Neil’s play Svb he lets his left elbow break down where I was always taught to keep that arm straight. Talked to a friend who takes lessons from the Neil’s and he said yeah I changed to that a while back. It gets me over the ball better. Half way through a straight pool match yesterday I started feeling that pain so I changed my stroke. Felt more solid and yes I felt more over the ball . I guess a few multiple hour practice sessions and it will be 2nd nature and that will be my new stroke.

What changes have you all old timers like me had to make ? lol what’s next

Cannot get my chin close to the cue. Nasty arthritis in neck makes me tilt my head when lining up/aiming. Shoulders are killing me. Arthritis in fingers affects bridge & grip. Cataract surgery worked out great in general but bright light distracts. Tired after 2 hours.
What changes did I make? Had my GC4 pockets modified to 5.75 and use 2" balls...and shoot when my opponent is not looking

 

[trob]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink

And you don’t know how to take humor. So your not a doctor or comedian

 

[GoldCrown]

Appreciate that but I think I’m 54 and with a physical job the body is wearing out lol

54...wanna trade? At 79 I'm happy I do not lose my balance going to the table when it's my turn.

Myself...always used a straight arm. There are no rules for that.

 

[Island Drive]

Arm is more comfortable with a slight bend from the elbow for long hours of play.

 

[Black-Balled]

54...wanna trade? At 79 I'm happy I do not lose my balance going to the table when it's my turn.

Myself...always used a straight arm. There are no rules for that.

He thinks his shit hurts at 54!!

 

[Black-Balled]

Both are accepted. Bent is probably a little more common, but look at players like Hohmann and Alcaide for examples of straight bridge arms.

View attachment 932011

Looks like a green ball ..not sure if that's the 6 or the 4 or the 8, need to ask Emily...would influence bridging form there?

 

[GoldCrown]

He thinks his shit hurts at 54!!

54 yo shit is ripe. It's mature. And if he can take a good one he does not understand what Getting Lucky is. My shit ain't heavy no more. Cannot say It's The Shit ..

 

[straightline]

Straight arm is for football and maybe martial arts. With gloves and slicked shafts there's no binding so that's not a valid reason. Stabilizing the upper body shooting mechanism - mmMaaybe but with fast cloth and still no stick binding, I don't see any reason for that either.

All stretched out might be a sighting thing IDK...

 

[axejunkie]

I have wondered the same from watching Niels. I'm a straight arm guy and do worry about shoulder wear. But did try the arm on the table thing and it feels about as awkward as standing on one leg to shoot. I seemed like my head was over my tip!

 

[trob]

I have wondered the same from watching Niels. I'm a straight arm guy and do worry about shoulder wear. But did try the arm on the table thing and it feels about as awkward as standing on one leg to shoot. I seemed like my head was over my tip!

It definitely moves you forward

 

[kingwang]

Looks like a green ball ..not sure if that's the 6 or the 4 or the 8, need to ask Emily...would influence bridging form there?

Usually players with a bent bridge arm would float their arm above the six there I think. It's just simply his form.

 

[Bob Jewett]

The standard at snooker is to plant your elbow on the table. That gets your head lower and minimizes movement of the upper body.

At pool, a straight arm also anchors the upper body and gives a consistent bridge-to-head distance.

What I think is not so effective is a bent elbow out in the air.