Philippine Player's Long Bridge
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
I'm using now a longer bridge then before, it helps me to straight my shots, but on the other side I have problems using long bridge on draw shots. If I use long bridge I also grip the cue almost on the butt cap.
Longer bridge could be because of poor planning conditions and higher humidity to help power the cue ball around the table.
Last edited:
I think it is more they just learn to play that way because others play that way. I remember one pool room I used to go where Jimmy Ried played. Every kid there looked like Jimmy Reid when they were playing.
I can't think of many advantages to such a long bridge. Because of the pivot point (Long bridge I am referring to) it make small errors in the stroking hand huge errors at the cue ball.
I am not talking a bridge that is a little longer. Some of these guys have bridges that have to be like 15 to 18 inches. They bridge off the rail with the cue ball almost in the center of the table. I don't know how in the world they do it. Even if they never miss a ball I would not recommend coping it.
ding ding ding.... Powering the cueball and spinning for position benefits from the long bridge.. Lots of room for acceleration
Chris and Randy are exactly right. Room for power/spin when needed, but many shots are executed only bring the stick back 3 - 6 inches at most. Might also have something to do with the pivot point on their particular stick and use of BHE/FHE for spin as well.
I personally use about a 12 - 13 inch bridge and have gone to using an open bridge far more often than I used to. I find the long and open bridge assists with sighting, coupled with a shorter backswing for accuracy on most shots, and full length of bridge is available as needed for power without altering my setup.
Scott
I personally use about a 12 - 13 inch bridge and have gone to using an open bridge far more often than I used to. I find the long and open bridge assists with sighting, coupled with a shorter backswing for accuracy on most shots, and full length of bridge is available as needed for power without altering my setup.
Scott
True, just because they have a long bridge doesn't automatically equal a long stroke.
Real good example...Alex Paga..lion. Used to think..man that's a looong stroke and bridge until someone pointed out the actual stroke was much shorter, controlled and accurate.
The long part for accurate sighting down the barrel?
Most all pros use a long bridge because it's the best way to play great pool. John B.
Van Boening's bridge is as long as anyone's...and his arms are so long that his knuckles drag on the ground when he walks...so I don't think it's so much a matter of stature as it is power.
The thing that constantly amazes me about pro pool players is their precision accuracy on high-velocity shots. For most human beings there is an inverse relationship between accuracy and power. It just doesn't seem to apply to the upper echelon of pro pool.
The thing that constantly amazes me about pro pool players is their precision accuracy on high-velocity shots. For most human beings there is an inverse relationship between accuracy and power. It just doesn't seem to apply to the upper echelon of pro pool.
Maybe you said the reason,
" it makes small errors in the stroking hand huge errors at the cue ball."
Perhaps this forces them to be more aware and focused, so as not to
make those small errors. More focus - less errors - higher level of play?
Last edited:
I think the long bridge might help in aiming. However I have to wonder just how much acceleration is needed even on the shots where your cue ball has to travel the most. I don't think there are any, where you would actually need a longer bridge to accommodate the extra needed cue ball movement.
As Randy G stated they hardly ever bring the cue back the entire length of their bridge. Take Alex for instance, he uses a very long bridge but a very compact stroke. When Alex shoots, even a shot with a lot of force, he produces all the acceleration in a very compact area. I think that is the key for his accuracy and he has no problem moving his cue ball to where ever it needs to go.
After writing this I thought, but wait, you have the long bridge with the long stroke such as Earl. He of coarse is also accurate.
So I guess it really boils down to what works for you. Look at Allen Hopkins stroke and he could play a little. lol
Last edited:
Could be but I suspect the big strokes a lot of Filipinos have is a result of the humid conditions and slow cloth in the P I. I can remember walking down a street up to my waist in water in Subic Bay during the rainy season.
Probably takes a big stroke to move the ball around the table in those conditions.
Probably takes a big stroke to move the ball around the table in those conditions.
I'm not sure how many people actually sight down the shaft? I'm thinking not a whole lot. I agree about Alex's stroke, though. I've followed Alex since I first saw him in Binghamton or Syracuse, NY when he was first getting out with the Canadians. One thing I did notice about Alex at the 2011 US Open was that he pulls the shaft all the way back to the tip just before pulling the trigger. This is something I've been trying to remember to do myself for a good many years now, that, and concentrating on the cue ball after contact. That said, I've always used a 6-8 inch bridge and have no trouble getting around the table.
