Frustrated with Bridging

S

stevesdl

Registered
Prior to an in house lesson, I was a 2 inning player for 8 ball. Often running the table (8 footer), but just as often, not completing the run but either running as the "opponent" or finishing the game in the 2 inning. My goal was to glean additional tips and refine my 8 ball game (an assuming improving this wil also improve other billiard games).

The first thing I was told was my bridging was wrong. I was told and shown open brdiging for all shots with the exception of queue ball 6" from rail (cross over bridge), and drawing the cue ball back (closed bridge) All other shooting should be open bridge. The proof of ths concept was that all the Pros out there today shoot this way. Prior to that, I use closed bridge for the majority of my shooting.

Practiced with this open bridge concept for 2 months steady now and my game has gone down the freaking tube. If I revert back to closed bridge, I am back on spot.

I seen some recent pics on the main page of Pros and dog gone it I see a few with closed bridge on what appears to be a regular shot.

So question (drum roll after all that)
Was I instructed wrong or what?


Just for the record, my home 8 footer has seriously tight pockets as the instructor found out very quickly. :) When I go to a hall and play on Diamond tables and other brand name tables, those pockets are 2 feet wide to me. :):)
 
play with what u feel comfortable with,

when i coach pool players fundamentals (im a snooker coach) i teach them to have an open bridge on most shots, but you can have a closed bridge if thats what feels natural and most comfortable 4u.
 
Maybe you're not confortable with the open bridge (consciencely and unconsciencely). It may be the instructor's fault for telling you that your bridge was f'd up but if it's comfortable to you and it works, why worry about it?
 
stevesdl...There's nothing wrong with playing all shots with an open hand bridge, as long as your grip is very light. I suspect Lee Brett plays exclusively with an open hand bridge (almost all snooker players do), and he plays at a very high level. The "rule of thumb" that we teach, is open hand when shooting above center (for ease of sighting the shot), and closed hand when shooting center or below (for security). Likewise, we recommend a closed hand bridge for power strokes (power draw and the break). That said, it is just a standard that works easily for many players. As long as your cue isn't going up in the air, when you shoot with an open hand bridge, there's nothing wrong with shooting that way...particularly because you're already quite adept at shooting that way. Hope this helps...

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

stevesdl said:
Prior to an in house lesson, I was a 2 inning player for 8 ball. Often running the table (8 footer), but just as often, not completing the run but either running as the "opponent" or finishing the game in the 2 inning. My goal was to glean additional tips and refine my 8 ball game (an assuming improving this wil also improve other billiard games).

The first thing I was told was my bridging was wrong. I was told and shown open brdiging for all shots with the exception of queue ball 6" from rail (cross over bridge), and drawing the cue ball back (closed bridge) All other shooting should be open bridge. The proof of ths concept was that all the Pros out there today shoot this way. Prior to that, I use closed bridge for the majority of my shooting.

Practiced with this open bridge concept for 2 months steady now and my game has gone down the freaking tube. If I revert back to closed bridge, I am back on spot.

I seen some recent pics on the main page of Pros and dog gone it I see a few with closed bridge on what appears to be a regular shot.

So question (drum roll after all that)
Was I instructed wrong or what?


Just for the record, my home 8 footer has seriously tight pockets as the instructor found out very quickly. :) When I go to a hall and play on Diamond tables and other brand name tables, those pockets are 2 feet wide to me. :):)
Click to expand...
 
i agree with scott lee, for power shots use a closed bridge, and try to have an open bridge when playing top, i also recommend using a closed bridge for spin shots.
 
This was a vid taken before I had the lesson. Don't get me wrong, I gained a good bit of knowledge from the lesson but the bridge thing just ain't working. I do agree I should bring my bridge hand palm down on the table whenever possible.

I have no problem shooting high middle or low with a closed bridge though. :):)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyTBLwD1z_Y

Thanks all
Stevesdl
 
Steve: I watched the first three minutes of your video. What's the matter with your bridge??? Looked fairly stable to me. You should work on a little better pattern play. Hitting any ball (that doesn't need moving) in 8-Ball is a no-no.

The worse thing you did is break your Process (might not have one) a couple of times.......BCA Master Instructor, randyg
 
stevesdl said:
... Was I instructed wrong or what? ...
Click to expand...

If your instructor can't explain the advantages of the various bridges and why you might want to use each in a particular situation (as opposed to, "that's the way all the pros do it"), then, yes, you need to find someone else to help you with your game.
 
Whatever the game is 8,9,10 ball always use whatever bridge you are most comfortable with, you have to find something you like not what someone else likes .

Remeber everyone is different , I use a close bridge when I'm on top of the rail and I get told not to do that but I'm comfortable I make my shot and move on to the next , when you are practicing at home or at the poolhall or where ever, do what you want and try different things .

It will pay off and Improve your game just like I said to my Daughter the other day Practice makes Perfect ( In most cases ) :wink:
 
The only advantage I can see to the open bridge is that you have an uninterrupted sight line down the cue, but for me the closed bridge offers more stability and accuracy because of the fact that for me it reduces both lateral and up/down movement of the cue more than the open bridge and therefore improves my ability to delivery a straight stroke and strike the cue ball in the spot intended.

I've always played primarily with a closed bridge. On the occasions I do use an open bridge I'm not sure I can tell you why, just that when I get down on that particular shot it seems more comfortable to me at that moment. Perhaps it is because subconsciously on that particular shot having an uninterrupted sight line is paramount to other considerations.

To each his own, ymmv.

If you play better with the closed bridge use it and don't look back. If you play better with an open bridge, same advice.

Good luck and kudos to you in your serious effort to improve.
 
Thank you all.

I really do believe I got some excellent answers..

I am going back to closed bridge for many of my shots.

Stevesdl
 
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