Should one place their bridge hand exactly where they think it should be for a shot, or slide it into place until it feels right? Which is considered proper technique, or is it a matter of personal preference?
Thanks
Thanks
Placing v. Sliding Bridge Hand into Place
- Thread starter PhilosopherKing
- Start date
I don't know that one would necessarily be better than the other. Personally, as part of my visualization process, I "see" where my bridge hand is going to be, and that is where it goes when I get down on the shot. Then I may slide it a little to get it exactly where it needs to be.
Note: Other balls on the table might prevent you from actually sliding your bridge hand into place.
Note #2: Most tables have a lot of dirt and chalk dust in the cloth. If you are a "slider", be prepared for a lot of hand washing.
Steve
Note: Other balls on the table might prevent you from actually sliding your bridge hand into place.
Note #2: Most tables have a lot of dirt and chalk dust in the cloth. If you are a "slider", be prepared for a lot of hand washing.
Steve
Thank you for the explanation... Personally, I subconsciously slide when I'm in gear. If I'm playing poorly, or under a lot of pressure, or uncomfortable, I make a conscious effort to precisely place my bridge. It seems to help me to compose myself.
Well Steve beat me to it.
There are times when a slide is comfortable and times when a "put it right there" is accurate.
I use a 10" bridge for my S.O.P. shots. I like to get my bridge hand down on the table and then slide it into position.....SPF=randyg
This topic really sits close to my heart because like the OP, I have had the same issue with subconsciously sliding my bridge hand once it is in place.
My coach, Denny Stewart was running me through a few drills like the stop shot and force follow and while I would make the cue ball stop, or follow it through, it wasn't necessarily right on. In fact, I was consistently cutting the ball a fraction off of dead center.
After some analysis, Denny asked me to make the bridge on my cue during my pre shot routine and set it into place when I am ready to bend over the pool table to address the cue ball.
He said that he noticed that; when I would address the cue ball, I focused so much on my stance, and alignment with my cue (cue tip position being close to the cue ball, having my elbow and hand cradling the cue at my hip, etc.) that when I got into place, I would have my cue tip on the table and then take my hand to it, in order to make my bridge. So he felt that having my bridge ready before bending would make up for it.
Almost immediately the difference was there. I started to hit everything straight, without no problems at all. Epiphany, I thought! It had me amazed, the 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch that I kept over/under adjusting to made a big difference. .
So in my opinion, I think that I would place the bridge and develop a consistency in where it should be, and notice what "right" feels like. Then, when you feel ready, sliding it will probably come natural with muscle memory, etc.
But alas, I am a rookie, and make no claims. Just my two cents on what I have experienced/learned on my journey through learning the game.
May the Stroke be with you!
My coach, Denny Stewart was running me through a few drills like the stop shot and force follow and while I would make the cue ball stop, or follow it through, it wasn't necessarily right on. In fact, I was consistently cutting the ball a fraction off of dead center.
After some analysis, Denny asked me to make the bridge on my cue during my pre shot routine and set it into place when I am ready to bend over the pool table to address the cue ball.
He said that he noticed that; when I would address the cue ball, I focused so much on my stance, and alignment with my cue (cue tip position being close to the cue ball, having my elbow and hand cradling the cue at my hip, etc.) that when I got into place, I would have my cue tip on the table and then take my hand to it, in order to make my bridge. So he felt that having my bridge ready before bending would make up for it.
Almost immediately the difference was there. I started to hit everything straight, without no problems at all. Epiphany, I thought! It had me amazed, the 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch that I kept over/under adjusting to made a big difference. .
So in my opinion, I think that I would place the bridge and develop a consistency in where it should be, and notice what "right" feels like. Then, when you feel ready, sliding it will probably come natural with muscle memory, etc.
But alas, I am a rookie, and make no claims. Just my two cents on what I have experienced/learned on my journey through learning the game.
May the Stroke be with you!
Thanks. I wish I had such an observant coach, or, for that matter, any coach at all.
One thing to pay attention to, is that whether you "place", or "slide" your bridge hand into position, it is VERY likely that you'll put your bridge hand in the same place most of the time (80%-90%). When you do move it, it will be likely be less than 2" different, than your 'natural' bridge distance. This is all part of your personal shooting template, with which we use to play pool 90% of the time.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Thanks. I tend to over slide a lot. It almost always causes me to crowd the cue ball, totally destroying the timing of my stroke.
What usually happens is I place my bridge hand on the table with my back hand forward of perpendicular. Then I simultaneously slide my bridge forward and bend my lead leg until my back arm is at roughly 90 degrees.
When I over slide, I invariably end up striking the cue ball with a kind of upward poke that I try to compensate for by slipping back on the butt of the cue. The result is a mess.
Thanks again.
You need to spend a day with Scott. He can help set your personal Template and get the right Process started for you....SPF=randyg
Hi PhilosopherKing,
now *my* opinion, that i would recommend
let us think- your stroke and stance is good/perfect- if this is already done, you almost *won*. the most important thing is, that your bridge is always at the same position depending how far you re away from the Cueball with your bridge/hand. The reason is, that you usualy have only a *shortly* moment where your stroke is really parallel to the table (perfectly straight)- at this moment of your stroke your tip hits the Cueball and you re able to do a good and perfect *follow-through*. If you are too far away with your bridge, you can t go *straight through* the cueball and that s not what you want. And because of that i highly recommend that you place your bridge directly to the place where it has to be. Because if begin to slide with your arm/hand/bridge until it feels right for you, you ll move with your body (you ll do 100 %!) no matter with what part of your body- head, arm, ellbow, etc etc. -
Always watch your shot- get into alignment, get into position- ready if u don t feel comfortable- go back from the table- and try it again. The position of your bridge/hand is really important.
hope was able to explain it with my low english- i hope it will be soon that good to be not afraid to transport the things i want to say
ready to get knocked out from scott, randy and steve if you think i m wrong
lg
Ingo
now *my* opinion, that i would recommend
let us think- your stroke and stance is good/perfect- if this is already done, you almost *won*. the most important thing is, that your bridge is always at the same position depending how far you re away from the Cueball with your bridge/hand. The reason is, that you usualy have only a *shortly* moment where your stroke is really parallel to the table (perfectly straight)- at this moment of your stroke your tip hits the Cueball and you re able to do a good and perfect *follow-through*. If you are too far away with your bridge, you can t go *straight through* the cueball and that s not what you want
. And because of that i highly recommend that you place your bridge directly to the place where it has to be. Because if begin to slide with your arm/hand/bridge until it feels right for you, you ll move with your body (you ll do 100 %!) no matter with what part of your body- head, arm, ellbow, etc etc. - Always watch your shot- get into alignment, get into position- ready
if u don t feel comfortable- go back from the table- and try it again. The position of your bridge/hand is really important. hope was able to explain it with my low english- i hope it will be soon that good to be not afraid to transport the things i want to say
ready to get knocked out from scott, randy and steve if you think i m wrong
lg
Ingo
Hi PhilosopherKing,
now *my* opinion, that i would recommend
let us think- your stroke and stance is good/perfect- if this is already done, you almost *won*. the most important thing is, that your bridge is always at the same position depending how far you re away from the Cueball with your bridge/hand. The reason is, that you usualy have only a *shortly* moment where your stroke is really parallel to the table (perfectly straight)- at this moment of your stroke your tip hits the Cueball and you re able to do a good and perfect *follow-through*. If you are too far away with your bridge, you can t go *straight through* the cueball and that s not what you want
Always watch your shot- get into alignment, get into position- ready
hope was able to explain it with my low english- i hope it will be soon that good to be not afraid to transport the things i want to say
ready to get knocked out from scott, randy and steve if you think i m wrong
lg
Ingo
Thanks. Your English is much better than my German. Your point came through clearly.
Ratta...That is a pretty good evaluation, but a couple of things need clarification. First, as long as you grip the cue where your hand falls directly under your elbow (when your tip is at the CB), it doesn't matter how long or short your bridge is (you're correct in that the cue is only "level" at the moment of contact). Second, since the CB is gone 1/1000th of a second after contact, it doesn't matter how far you follow through (we teach you to "finish" your stroke, which in turn delivers followthrough according to how your arm works with your body, in a pendulum swing...it doesn't matter if it's a half inch or 9 inches...as long as your grip hand finishes on your chest or near your armpit).
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Hi PhilosopherKing,
now *my* opinion, that i would recommend
let us think- your stroke and stance is good/perfect- if this is already done, you almost *won*. the most important thing is, that your bridge is always at the same position depending how far you re away from the Cueball with your bridge/hand. The reason is, that you usualy have only a *shortly* moment where your stroke is really parallel to the table (perfectly straight)- at this moment of your stroke your tip hits the Cueball and you re able to do a good and perfect *follow-through*. If you are too far away with your bridge, you can t go *straight through* the cueball and that s not what you want
Always watch your shot- get into alignment, get into position- ready
hope was able to explain it with my low english- i hope it will be soon that good to be not afraid to transport the things i want to say
ready to get knocked out from scott, randy and steve if you think i m wrong
lg
Ingo
I think you should slide whenever possible. I think it's far more accurate than dropping down. Dropping your bridge is just a little random. Not a lot, just a little. When you slide, you can feel your exact position and distance while addressing the CB (while your feet are already set).
Your feet are identical whether you drop or slide. You can't always slide, so sometimes you have to drop down. It's just a slight adjustment to your preshot routine - but I think it's important.
Your feet are identical whether you drop or slide. You can't always slide, so sometimes you have to drop down. It's just a slight adjustment to your preshot routine - but I think it's important.