Ever Change Your Bridge?

[DrCue'sProtege]

was wondering if any of you players out there ever get down over a shot, feel uncomfortable with your bridge, and switch to the other one?

specifically, do you ever set up with, say, the closed bridge, it feels uncomfortable, and switch to the open bridge? or vice versa?

this happened to me last night, i switched from open to closed on a medium length draw shot because it felt real uncomfortable with the open bridge. yes, believe it or not, i made the shot, but it wiped its feet on the way down.

DCP

 

[1pRoscoe]

quite often. I use whatever feels right for the shot at hand.

 

[vapoolplayer]

was wondering if any of you players out there ever get down over a shot, feel uncomfortable with your bridge, and switch to the other one?

specifically, do you ever set up with, say, the closed bridge, it feels uncomfortable, and switch to the open bridge? or vice versa?

this happened to me last night, i switched from open to closed on a medium length draw shot because it felt real uncomfortable with the open bridge. yes, believe it or not, i made the shot, but it wiped its feet on the way down.

DCP

i used to do this all the time, (still do at times). after a while, you'll develop a feel for what you need for each shot before you set up. different shots require different bridges. soft "touch" shots and sometimes thin cuts are easier with an open bridge so you have more room to see what you're doing. you're more powerful draws and force follows, along with anything using more than a 1/2 to full tip of sidespin are better used with a closed bridge for control.

its all about preference and feel to the individual, some shots you shoot with an open bridge, i might shoot with a closed bridge, or vice versa.

just remember, if you've already set up, and you need to change something because it didn't feel right, the best thing to do is to stand up and do it all over again using the way that feels comfortable.

thanks

VAP

 

[scottycoyote]

i go into my stance with my hand on my bridge (or in it if its closed), its part of my setup so I rarely ever change it once i get there. Like the previous poster siad.....if you change something like that its usually best to stand up and start over.

 

[longhair]

I change my bridge often after I'm down on a shot. I barely notice, as I am (hopefully) focused on the ball, not my bridge. I agree that if you must change something it's best to stand up, but if you never lose focus you don't need to stand up to change your bridge.

 

[mjantti]

Sometimes a good solid bridge is hard to find and get comfortable with. If the cueball is near the rail and you have to cue almost parallel to the rail and shoot draw, finding a good bridge can be difficult if you want to use as little elevation as possible. Or, the pocket parts are made out of some metal and there are some sharp metal edges there which could damage your shaft so you don't want to be cueing on them.

If I have difficulties in finding a comfortable bridge, I get down to the shot and adjust my bridge hand as long as it feels comfortable and solid and then I stand up to regain my composure. Then I get down at the shot again knowing which bridge to use without any hesitation or doubt if my bridge is solid. Sometimes a shot is hurried after lengthy bridge alternations which might cause shooting off-balance or with a wrong mindset like "I need to get over this quick because it doesn't feel good !"

 

[pharaoh68]

I change my bridge like more often than I change my underwear.

Okay wait. That didn't make me sound too good. What I mean is, I change my bridge a lot. I have several different open bridges and two or three different closed bridges. You have to have several bridges because no two shots are the same. Sometimes, you have to put your bridge hand down on the table and think for a minute "Wait! Is this the best, most stable and accurate way from me to shoot this shot?" and make adjustments from there.

And uh, I was just kidding about that underwear comment. I, um, change 'em all the time.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

was wondering if any of you players out there ever get down over a shot, feel uncomfortable with your bridge, and switch to the other one?

specifically, do you ever set up with, say, the closed bridge, it feels uncomfortable, and switch to the open bridge? or vice versa?

this happened to me last night, i switched from open to closed on a medium length draw shot because it felt real uncomfortable with the open bridge. yes, believe it or not, i made the shot, but it wiped its feet on the way down.

DCP

In odd-bridge situations, I like to know exactly what type of bridge I will use before I get into my stance so my initial stance will only be to determine exactly what type of bridge to use. Once that's attained, I'll get up and start over. Your whole pre-shot routine should be uninterrupted. If you're changing bridges, you're disrupting your rhythm. Figure out what's best, then get up and start over and use the bridge you determined is the best for the situation.


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[Tbeaux]

I haven't played in quite awhile but I used to use whatever bridge the shot required. I even freaked some people on a couple of occasions by using nothing but my thumbnail as a bridge!
Even did that on a jumpshot! (bet it made the hall owner nervous if he saw it)
Go with whatever works for the shot!!

Terry

 

[catscradle]

was wondering if any of you players out there ever get down over a shot, feel uncomfortable with your bridge, and switch to the other one?

specifically, do you ever set up with, say, the closed bridge, it feels uncomfortable, and switch to the open bridge? or vice versa?

this happened to me last night, i switched from open to closed on a medium length draw shot because it felt real uncomfortable with the open bridge. yes, believe it or not, i made the shot, but it wiped its feet on the way down.

DCP

I do it frequently and unconciously because I change my mind about how I want to hit a particular shot. I think it is better however to get up and start again if you change your mind what you want to do.