open vs closed bridge draw shot miscues
- Thread starter z0nt0n3r
- Start date
For some reason your closed bridge makes you hit higher on the CB. It doesn't do that to everybody.
pj
chgo
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I'm not an instructor but IMO if you're miscuing, you're moving your tip somehow. Open or closed shouldn't make a mechanical difference, but you might be masking whatever the issue is with a closed bridge. It can be a band aid fix but a draw is a draw, the bridge shouldn't play into it if your stroke is where you want it and correct. I'd see what some instructors say, I'm curious about it too.
It shouldn't for sure, but it's possible - for instance if one bridge is higher than the other. You might also stroke differently with one than the other.
pj
chgo
i'm going to video-tape it and see because i'm curious as well
I relate to this, do others, I wonder? I have a few ideas I think could be working separately, but more likely in cahoots
my cue balance isn't forward enough for my liking, so when I use an open bridge, I feel less secure drawing the ball-
mental insecurity is leading to physical insecurity?
otherwise, I have a theory that my closed bridge allows me to get lower, and more level on the cb than my open bridge
seems kind of counterintuitive, but I think it's real..when I get some time, I'll take a closer look at these things
meanwhile, let us know if you happen to crack the case (figuratively, I mean..)
I use an open bridge on close delicate shots but a closed bridge on long and all power shots.
No reason but that's what I've done for 60 years of play. Geez I'm old.
No reason but that's what I've done for 60 years of play. Geez I'm old.
As we age we because of body abuse get arthritis in hands. Open bridge is less painful.
Use what work best for you, it like shoes, not all size 20 fell good on size 10 feet.
Use what work best for you, it like shoes, not all size 20 fell good on size 10 feet.
WobblyStroke
Well-known member
My guess is you get your open bridge nice and low with a flat hand for draw but have a higher bridge with the loop bridge, causing the open bridge to flirt with the miscue limit while the loop bridge comes in above.
I generally recommend a loop bridge for any power shots (like the type of draw you would miscue on). It is just more secure and lets you get away with some extra movement that an open bridge would not. That secure feel can also get you delivering the cue better with more confidence. This can make a difference esp if you have no elbow drop in your stroke. If you get snatchy with the stroke, the tip will dip sooner and drop below the miscue limit.
If I had to guess tho, I'd go with bridge height as the culprit rather than masked stroke flaw with the loop bridge.
To test the height theory, you can try playing a low loop bridge where the middle finger is folded under, allowing for an index/thumb loop as close if not closer to the cloth than an open bridge. If the miscues come back with this bridge, it is the bridge height. If you stroke it fine from there, then you either have a mental block with the open bridge or some technical issue to address with an instructor near you.
I generally recommend a loop bridge for any power shots (like the type of draw you would miscue on). It is just more secure and lets you get away with some extra movement that an open bridge would not. That secure feel can also get you delivering the cue better with more confidence. This can make a difference esp if you have no elbow drop in your stroke. If you get snatchy with the stroke, the tip will dip sooner and drop below the miscue limit.
If I had to guess tho, I'd go with bridge height as the culprit rather than masked stroke flaw with the loop bridge.
To test the height theory, you can try playing a low loop bridge where the middle finger is folded under, allowing for an index/thumb loop as close if not closer to the cloth than an open bridge. If the miscues come back with this bridge, it is the bridge height. If you stroke it fine from there, then you either have a mental block with the open bridge or some technical issue to address with an instructor near you.
dunno if you saw my post above, but I'm picking up what you're laying down
I don't have a table here, but I picked up a cue and tried my loop bridge "for draw"
you appear to've confirmed what I suspected..my middle finger is supporting to the side
so, I think even more so now that I can get my cue lower, flatter with the loop bridge
this said, and because the loop is closed, I've felt more secure drawing this way
on the flip side, the index finger seems to get in the way of drawing open-bridged
anyway, thanks!
Zerksies
Well-known member
Bad fundamentals is your problem, you are not consistent
So you're saying then, when faced with a medium to long distance draw shot, if a player is more consistent with a closed bridge, then they have bad fundamentals?
Zerksies
Well-known member
something is not right or consistent, with what is going on with a open versus closed bridge.
I don't know the answer for sure, but I think maybe the right word would be 'different' rather than 'not right.' What came first -- chicken or egg? Does a player's stroke adjust to the type of bridge or is there a type of bridge that better suits a player's stroke?
You do not necessarily get the most draw from the lowest tip placement. Good power draw comes with the tip a little higher.
The key is how much backspin remains on the CB when it reaches the OB, and that depends on how much time is spent rubbing on the cloth. For short-to-medium length shots that rub on the cloth for a short time the most draw is achieved by hitting as low as possible - but for longer shots that rub on the cloth for a longer time it's best to hit slightly above the lower limit to give the CB more speed / less rubbing time / more remaining backspin.
pj
chgo
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just wanted to update this thread and say that changing the bridge height reduced my miscues but i don't know if it was the main culprit because yesterday in practice i noticed that whenever i pull the cue all the back to my thumb for powerful draw shots, then i'm almost certainly going to miscue no matter the bridge or bridge height. does anyone have any clue why that happens?
right now my only temporary solution is to just not pull the cue as far back and try to generate the power from accelerating the cue very fast during follow through.
right now my only temporary solution is to just not pull the cue as far back and try to generate the power from accelerating the cue very fast during follow through.
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It probably means that on long strokes you either raise your elbow or lower your bridge.
The other possibility is that for shots with less power, you align too low to start with and then drop your elbow to hit at a good height. On power shots your elbow timing is off.
Record yourself from the side.
raising my elbow or lowering my bridge in my setup or during the cue delivery?