Can different bridges produce different CB action

3kushn

3kushn

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This may be a silly question but it appears to me that they might.

Years ago I was taught what was called the Hoppe bridge. Maurice Daly talks
about it in his book. Its the bridge where the middle finger is tucked under.
I seem to get straighter CB lines with this bridge. I use it on short angle
and drop in shots.

Many or most of the top 3C players have gone to a stacked bridge. Why this
over spreading the fingers out for a broader base.

Another bridge I was taught is the finger tip bridge. Most players use this only
to get over a ball. My bridge is still a closed bridge but only the finger tips are
on the bed. I use it on standard shots where I'm applying extreme high
English and want a level stroke or I need to stand taller to see the hit.
 
Its probably so small it doesn't matter, the real issue is FUNCTIONALITY

I will tell you that a stacked bridge is more solid when trying to hit top on the ball as opposed to being on the fingers. The stacked bridge is more stable, and wether you use a stacked or the finger tip bridge the height you can keep the cue with the bridge is the same.

Generally the palm is as wide and long as the fingers are long.

But thats diff than the question you asked. I'm sure that to a degree differing types of bridges do produce diff CB action. But not in the way you would think.

An open bridge seems to give the best draw for many players, especially when trying to get much action. I doubt that the shaft performs the shot better b/c of the bridge, its the fact that you can see right down the shaft...thus letting you get a better view of that low spot your trying to deliver to. And that open bridge should have somewhat less friction on the cue stick as opposed to the closed bridge (probably negligible tho)

Just like when you tuck your thumb into your palm and put the peace sign over the shaft when your shooting on the rail. Its just a more FUNCTIONAL bridge for the shot at hand....you don't want to bridge ontop the rail, then your shooting jacked up.

Taking that into consideration I would venture to say that among all the bridge types it is FUNCTIONALITY that rules the choice as to which is best. The more functional bridge will basically in the simplest way let you deliver the shot to true fashion.

In a wide open table you wouldn't get up on your finger tips to put the super draw on the ball....then your down stroking on the shot. Same as if you got a flat hand and open bridge, you would have to dip your back hand and drop your elbow on delivery to hit high english (that would make no good sense) so you raise your bridge hand higher so that you don't have to drop your elbow and ruin your good mechanics.

Hope that helps/makes sense?,
Grey Ghost
 
Thanks Greyghost

I realize my question makes little sense and my perception may be an illusion.
I have small hands and I'm talking about 3C balls. Getting way high is a real stretch for me and I contend that my finger tip bridge is stable and solid from doing it for so many years, although one time Mark Wilson pushed my palm down on the cloth during a lesson not liking it much.:shrug: Maybe another illusion.

I'm more interested in the Hoppe bridge since I do see a difference and why the adoption of the stacked bridge with the top 3C players. What is the advantage. About a year or so before Harry Sims passed away he switched to a stacked bridge. Never asked why. :mad:
 
The action on the cue ball is a direct result of the angle of attack from the cue stick, and the speed of delivery to the cue ball. The cue ball doesn't know what kind of bridge you are using.

That being said, different bridges make accurate delivery of the cue easier. So to answer your question, different bridges might make it easier or more difficult. But remember, the bridge hand never conntacts the ball. The tip of the cue is the only thing that can cause the cue ball to do anything at all.

A good bridge is a comfortable and stable guide for the front of the cue. Nothing more or less.

Steve
 
tell you what your question does make sense, its a very good question

3kushn said:
Thanks Greyghost

I have small hands and I'm talking about 3C balls. Getting way high is a real stretch for me and I contend that my finger tip bridge is stable and solid from doing it for so many years, although one time Mark Wilson pushed my palm down on the cloth during a lesson not liking it much.:shrug: Maybe another illusion.
Try a regular closed bridge on those shots, and kick your wrist up more and pull your 3fingers that make up the tri pod closer to your palm. It will take the length out of the bridge and turn it into height, which is what your looking for. It would be more stable than the finger tips(not saying your not stable using it, just a mechanical/physics fact its inherently more prone to stability issues), but it might be uncomfortable for you too pull your fingers closer...give it a try tho...
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I tried playing for just a quick min using a stacked bridge, and then a normal closed bridge, and then the hoppe bridge. This is some differences I noticed, which are just casual observations.

The stacked bridge seems to be comfortable when I'm higher up on the ball, its comfortable as it lets your elbow be off the table in a comfortable manner. You arm bends at the elbow and the wrist is kicked to the side. If your using a normal closed bridge, or the hoppe and your high up then the forearm is twisted in a diff direction, which leaves the elbow at a funny angle to easily bend UP for when your higher on the shot.

Closed bridge/Hoppe Bridge, even on an open bridge the elbow is pointed opposite away from your back hand (if your a lefty your elbow is pointed right) With the stacked bridge the elbow is pointed almost straight down, which like i said makes sense that it would be a more comfortable bridge when your in a higher stance. (the bridge i mentioned where you make a more upward bend with the wrist and bring the 3 fingers closer to your palm to get height, well that bridge causes the elbow to act just like it does in a Stacked bridge, it points more downward as opposed to to the side directly away.)

As for the hoppe style bridge, I think for most shots especially if you are hitting low or center (anything but really high) that style lets you get your hand lower. Now you could get lower with the open bridge, but the lower you get the less stable it becomes. WIth the hoppe the two outside fingers are keeping you stable, and the finger that gets tucked into the palm is actually supporting the palm where it had no support prior. So its a more stable bridging technique using the closed style and getting lower on the ball. Instead of the hand leaning on the outside of itself, the hand becomes more level at the knuckles as opposed to the pad that lies b/t the thumb and wrist is normally off the table. So in a way the tucked middle finger is similar to a shim that you use to level the table.

Thats all i can really think of for now, but as both steve and I mentioned the bridge choice is more about which one is going to let you deliver the shot in the most secure/steadfast way in a straight line as you intended it to.

I've never really thought about all that really, so I glad you asked as it really made me think. Many times you can find out why something is good by how it works with or against your natural mechanics...and then know when to implement them by using the right piece that fits the puzzle at hand.

Thanks for making my head spin partner,:p:grin-square:
Grey Ghost
 
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In my opinion bridges make a HUGE differene on CB action-yourr Ronny O'Sullivan-nothing matters to him.


I just changed mine and it felt awakward at first, it still does a little but i'm potting more balls and getting better CB action.
 
from what to what?

Fatboy said:
In my opinion bridges make a HUGE differene on CB action-yourr Ronny O'Sullivan-nothing matters to him.


I just changed mine and it felt awakward at first, it still does a little but i'm potting more balls and getting better CB action.
Click to expand...

What did you change from and too? Why does it seem to make ball pocketing percentages go up, compared to your prior setup?
 
Greghost Thanks again for all your case study work.

My original question is probably not conveyed correctly but it looks like you maybe got it.

We all know that the tip does the work and placement, cue angle and quality of stroke is what creates the various effects.

It just seems that certain bridges maybe help create or enhance different effects, given the same tip placement angle and stroke. Maybe by forcing your arm and body into different positions is the reason.

Again I know it doesn't make any sense but sure seems in practice there's something to this.
 
3kushn said:
Greghost Thanks again for all your case study work.

My original question is probably not conveyed correctly but it looks like you maybe got it.

We all know that the tip does the work and placement, cue angle and quality of stroke is what creates the various effects.

It just seems that certain bridges maybe help create or enhance different effects, given the same tip placement angle and stroke. Maybe by forcing your arm and body into different positions is the reason.

Again I know it doesn't make any sense but sure seems in practice there's something to this.
Click to expand...

Just such as how I like that stacked bridge for a really high stance birdseye view. It lets my bridge hand elbow bend vertically so i can stand high easier. If I'm high up in stance but not on top the balls looking then I'm going to use a normal closed bridge and extend my arm and elbow is pointed away...just feels more natural and comfortable.
 
Well I have been playing on a serious level for about 14 years and I use all bridges. They do give you different cb action because of the angle the tip contacts the cue ball. You just have to be the judge on when to use whichever bridge based on what you need out of the cb and whether you are shooting off the rail or table. But ultimately you need to shoot with whatever bridge you are more comfortable shooting that particular shot with
 
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