Playing with a really short bridgelength

Straightpool_99

Straightpool_99

I see dead balls
Silver Member
I'm always experimenting with new stuff to try to elevate my game, and I've been working on shortening my bridgelength, which is substantial, down to a very short one, even shorter than most people recommend (less than 8 inches). I've always had an extremely long stroke, and a long bridge, and since I can't practice as much as I want I feel it might be holding me back a little.

I have to say it's very addictive to have complete control over exactly where you hit the white, with no real uncertainty. Of course if your stroke is of a pro standard, which I have to admit mine isn't, the downsides might outweigh the advantages. There is a tendency to jerk the stroke a bit on the harder shots with such a short bridge, and of course playing with a Z2 means that the pivot point is now 12 inches behind the bridge, which can't be good.

+Never had such precision in my position play.
+Complete confidence that I will not miscue, even on extreme shots
+More confidence on certain kinds of tough shots (i know I won't steer etc)

-More open bridge use(to be able to go down low, but still see the line)
-Tendency to misread some long shots
-Some jerkiness in the cue action
-I have to restrain my wrist snap a bit.

Anyone else play with a short bridge? Do you play rotation games that way, or only straight pool/8 ball/one pocket?
 
Carom players use short bridges for cue-ball accuracy.

It didn't hurt Buddy Hall either
 
Mosconi played with a relatively short bridge. I don't think it matters what you bridge length and stroke look like, it's if you can consistently make shots that counts.
 
Bridge length

Straightpool_99 said:
I'm always experimenting with new stuff to try to elevate my game, and I've been working on shortening my bridgelength, which is substantial, down to a very short one, even shorter than most people recommend (less than 8 inches). I've always had an extremely long stroke, and a long bridge, and since I can't practice as much as I want I feel it might be holding me back a little.

I have to say it's very addictive to have complete control over exactly where you hit the white, with no real uncertainty. Of course if your stroke is of a pro standard, which I have to admit mine isn't, the downsides might outweigh the advantages. There is a tendency to jerk the stroke a bit on the harder shots with such a short bridge, and of course playing with a Z2 means that the pivot point is now 12 inches behind the bridge, which can't be good.

+Never had such precision in my position play.
+Complete confidence that I will not miscue, even on extreme shots
+More confidence on certain kinds of tough shots (i know I won't steer etc)

-More open bridge use(to be able to go down low, but still see the line)
-Tendency to misread some long shots
-Some jerkiness in the cue action
-I have to restrain my wrist snap a bit.

Anyone else play with a short bridge? Do you play rotation games that way, or only straight pool/8 ball/one pocket?
Click to expand...

I would tend to think the bridge length on that z2 is about 14 inches. You might want to recheck that, you might just be used to playing it at 12.

Mine is 12 with a standard maple shaft at around 12.80

I use around 8in with a 13mm cue.
 
DAVE_M said:
Mosconi played with a relatively short bridge. I don't think it matters what you bridge length and stroke look like, it's if you can consistently make shots that counts.
Click to expand...

True, I think there are all kinds of manipulations you can make that makes you feel comfortable and those changes might be the key to your personal best game overall.

Lately I have paid a little attention to correct bridge length for the different cues and it does help eliminate mistakes but still...its farther away in some cases which is all that comforting at times.
 
Everyone is a little different of course, but, I do believe the main thing is that your not to forward so your not hitting the cue ball before getting to the sweet spot of your stroke, and with longer bridges, you may be hitting the cue ball after the sweet spot of your stroke. A good player in the area or of course a house pro or a simple video of you hitting some balls will let you see that when contacting the cue ball that stroking arm should be 90 degree or close to it. I'm sure this varies to all players, but my opinion.
 
pool

Straightpool_99 said:
I'm always experimenting with new stuff to try to elevate my game, and I've been working on shortening my bridgelength, which is substantial, down to a very short one, even shorter than most people recommend (less than 8 inches). I've always had an extremely long stroke, and a long bridge, and since I can't practice as much as I want I feel it might be holding me back a little.

I have to say it's very addictive to have complete control over exactly where you hit the white, with no real uncertainty. Of course if your stroke is of a pro standard, which I have to admit mine isn't, the downsides might outweigh the advantages. There is a tendency to jerk the stroke a bit on the harder shots with such a short bridge, and of course playing with a Z2 means that the pivot point is now 12 inches behind the bridge, which can't be good.

+Never had such precision in my position play.
+Complete confidence that I will not miscue, even on extreme shots
+More confidence on certain kinds of tough shots (i know I won't steer etc)

-More open bridge use(to be able to go down low, but still see the line)
-Tendency to misread some long shots
-Some jerkiness in the cue action
-I have to restrain my wrist snap a bit.

Anyone else play with a short bridge? Do you play rotation games that way, or only straight pool/8 ball/one pocket?
Click to expand...

Put a piece of scotch tape over the tip of your cue, then come back and tell me you can hit center of the cue ball with out any extra focus or without changing your normal shooting routine.
 
Should bridge length depend on what feels natural or pivot point? I know side spin gets discussed a lot. I have tried finding the pivot point on various shafts. Which can be an eye opener. If I play with what feel natural on every shot, I have a hard time making a ball when using side spin. I get a new cue with maple shafts and the pivot point is so long, it does not feel natural. Had to buy a predator shaft for a custom cue.
 
I think there are more benefits with bridging closer tothe pivot point... my guess is 16 inches for the z2, which I've only trialed briefly. I'd actually recommend a medium squirt cue with bridge length around 12 inches.

But, for some of the advantages you speak of, you might try a shorter backswing.

This video of Cliff Thorburn, a Canadian Snooker player making a 147 snooker break, shows him using a very short backswing throughout most of the break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE0n_7i_VLE
 
A bridge length is measured from the back of the cue ball to the VEE of your bridge hand.

randyg
 
Do you find with the short bridge, that the LD characteristics of the Z2 is different to the longer bridge ?
Neil
 
I play with a Z2 shaft. A short bridge hand doesn't feel normal for me. I have a long bridge length (12 inches) but a short follow through.
 
conetip said:
Do you find with the short bridge, that the LD characteristics of the Z2 is different to the longer bridge ?
Neil
Click to expand...
The amount of squirt doesn't change, but a different bridge length means different results (good or bad) from pivoting, either on purpose (for BHE, aiming systems, etc.) or accidentally (because of stroke error).

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
The amount of squirt doesn't change, but a different bridge length means different results (good or bad) from pivoting, either on purpose (for BHE, aiming systems, etc.) or accidentally (because of stroke error).

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

Ding, ding, ding, ding...

A lot of good players actually hit the CB in a slightly different place than where they lined up the shot. An imperfect stroke has the same effect as applying BHE. If the speed is sufficient that swerve is not a major factor, bridging at the pivot point removes one variable. If your stroke is absolutely perfect and reproducible, you can bridge wherever you like.

JM(BS)O
 
From what i learned a bridge length is suppose to change throughout a match. A longer bridge length is for a power shot which could reduce your accuracy because it can cause more movement in the shaft (10-14 inches). A shorter bridge length to be more precise but will reduce the power do to a shorter stroke (7-10 inches).
 
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