Trying to Find a More Solid Bridge

[Zphix]

I'm fully committed to getting better the right way now. I'd like to start by revamping two things I noticed that cause inconsistencies:

-"Loose" bridge hand
-My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back.

It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but my closed bridge isn't tight around the shaft - it leaves room for shaft fidgeting. This is the most comfortable closed bridge I can manage right now, but any power stroke and the cue kinda goes wild so I don't get the consistency I'd like.

The backhand stroke I noticed by stoking in front of a mirror.

Thoughts, comments, feedback?

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EDIT: Pics were taken in front of my sisters mirror on her dresser so don't make fun of me for anything you see that isn't a cue, my hands, or my shirt

 

[ctyhntr]

If you can't get it any tighter without binding then try wearing a glove.

 

[Barnabus McDoug]

I personally make a closed bridge with my thumb higher up on my middle finger. I tend to take the meaty portion of my thumb (Palm side of the thumb knuckle) and press it against the middle knuckle of my middle finger. this gives me a nice V to slide the shaft through. then I just wrap the first finger around. very stable.

with that said I've switched almost exclusively to an open bridge. I would suggest trying to incorporate the open bridge into your game. it's good to have a knowledge of different bridge types to match appropriate shots.

 

[Zphix]

I personally make a closed bridge with my thumb higher up on my middle finger. I tend to take the meaty portion of my thumb (Palm side of the thumb knuckle) and press it against the middle knuckle of my middle finger. this gives me a nice V to slide the shaft through. then I just wrap the first finger around. very stable.

with that said I've switched almost exclusively to an open bridge. I would suggest trying to incorporate the open bridge into your game. it's good to have a knowledge of different bridge types to match appropriate shots.

Forgive me for not mentioning this in my post - I do shoot with an open bridge but not as extensively as a closed bridge.

Mostly for long shots because it gives me greater accuracy and precision than a closed bridge does.

Maybe I should shoot a few racks solely with an open bridge.

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[StraightPoolIU]

I've had the same issue and I've been recently trying to adjust based on what I've learned from Mark Wilson's book Play Great Pool. Try just rotating your bridge hand just a bit so the loop isn't perpendicular to the shaft any longer and more (but not completely) parallel. That should make the cue settle into the channel along the side of your thumb and forefinger and add an additional point of contact snugging up your bridge a bit.

 

[John Brumback]

I'm fully committed to getting better the right way now. I'd like to start by revamping two things I noticed that cause inconsistencies:

-"Loose" bridge hand
-My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back.

It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but my closed bridge isn't tight around the shaft - it leaves room for shaft fidgeting. This is the most comfortable closed bridge I can manage right now, but any power stroke and the cue kinda goes wild so I don't get the consistency I'd like.

The backhand stroke I noticed by stoking in front of a mirror.

Thoughts, comments, feedback?

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Pics were taken in front of my sisters mirror on her dresser so don't make fun of me for anything you see that isn't a cue, my hands, or my shirt

Turn your hand and try to make it look like the pic from Straightpool IU. He has a nice looking bridge that should work good. You don't want a tight bridge,imo. I do not think your bridge will fix your crooked stroke problems. That is smart to fiddle with your bridge and stroke in front of a mirror:wink: Good luck. John B.

 

[Careyp74]

Turn your hand and try to make it look like the pic from Straightpool IU. He has a nice looking bridge that should work good. You don't want a tight bridge,imo. I do not think your bridge will fix your crooked stroke problems. That is smart to fiddle with your bridge and stroke in front of a mirror:wink: Good luck. John B.

Yeah, I was going to recommend that, then saw StraightpoolU, then I was going to say listen to him, then I saw your comment, so I will just third the notion.

 

[Zphix]

Thanks for the input fellas -

I got help on my crooked backstroke last night and I'll be practicing in front of a mirror alot.

Will also be tinkering with my closed bridge to make it more solid like Straights

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[Pidge]

Clean under your finger nails. Its top secret, but I'm willing to share it with you. Back in the day when I needed an edge I knew I had to figure something out to give me the upper hand on others...not to mention the cleaner hand. That's when I started cleaning under my finger nails. I was untouchable. It was like I was cheating at the game.

Joking aside, follow what others have said with turning the hand...and clean under your nails!

 

[rookiepsu]

I'm fully committed to getting better the right way now. I'd like to start by revamping two things I noticed that cause inconsistencies:

-"Loose" bridge hand
-My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back.

It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but my closed bridge isn't tight around the shaft - it leaves room for shaft fidgeting. This is the most comfortable closed bridge I can manage right now, but any power stroke and the cue kinda goes wild so I don't get the consistency I'd like.

The backhand stroke I noticed by stoking in front of a mirror.

Thoughts, comments, feedback?

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Pics were taken in front of my sisters mirror on her dresser so don't make fun of me for anything you see that isn't a cue, my hands, or my shirt

Yo, tell your sister that Excedrine Extra Strength is cheaper, and the same thing, as Excedrine Migraine. Better yet, tell her to buy the equate brand from walmart. Green bottle, extra strength. It's even cheaper yet and exactly the same. Hope this helps.

 

[DirtyJersey]

If you can manage it I have seen a lot of higher level players bridge by placing their index finger over their middle finger. Personally I can't stand it and find using the same closed bridge you do only tighter to work fine for me. People I have talked to that use the index over middle finger bridge told me it took them time to "stretch" their index finger to make it work. Might be something you want to look into.

 

[MiscueBlues]

I recommend mark Wilson's book "play great pool" it has the most detail I've seen on every part of your fundamentals including a great chapter on how to bridge in different situations like on the rail or jacked up draw follow... Lots of pictures and great explanation.


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[John Brumback]

I recommend mark Wilson's book "play great pool" it has the most detail I've seen on every part of your fundamentals including a great chapter on how to bridge in different situations like on the rail or jacked up draw follow... Lots of pictures and great explanation.


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And he is what I would call a Pro. I've had to play him many times over the years. Great player!! Oh and a great guy too! John B.

 

[The Renfro]

If you can manage it I have seen a lot of higher level players bridge by placing their index finger over their middle finger. Personally I can't stand it and find using the same closed bridge you do only tighter to work fine for me. People I have talked to that use the index over middle finger bridge told me it took them time to "stretch" their index finger to make it work. Might be something you want to look into.

Hahah I hated the index finger over... Solution for me was to start carrying a sharpie around with me and simulate the index over bridge thru out the day.... For center ball I generally think the index over for me is more effctive in creating an accurate hit but I will still use the closed loop on some shots....

 

[Bob Jewett]

I learned my closed bridge from Willie Mosconi. It might work for you. He'll teach it to you for less than $10.

But before you work on trying to develop a closed bridge you may want to figure out what a closed bridge is supposed to do for you. Then you can see whether a particular attempt accomplishes the goals. It's harder to achieve a goal when you don't have one.

 

[ceebee]

I'm fully committed to getting better the right way now. I'd like to start by revamping two things I noticed that cause inconsistencies:

-"Loose" bridge hand
-My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back.

It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but my closed bridge isn't tight around the shaft - it leaves room for shaft fidgeting. This is the most comfortable closed bridge I can manage right now, but any power stroke and the cue kinda goes wild so I don't get the consistency I'd like.

The backhand stroke I noticed by stoking in front of a mirror.

Thoughts, comments, feedback?

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Pics were taken in front of my sisters mirror on her dresser so don't make fun of me for anything you see that isn't a cue, my hands, or my shirt

Rotate your bridge hand a little bit, counter clockwise, & you will close up that hole you have in your bridge.

 

[Zphix]

After a couple shots with the closed bridge you guys mentioned/showed - the cue doesn't move as much (then again, I'm currently fixing the flaws in my fundamentals) but, I feel a hell of alot more friction between the cue and the web between my thumb and index finger.

So, it's more solid but the cue doesn't accelerate as smoothly now - the obvious answer is probably get a glove but I kinda don't want the stigma attached to that either haha.

Is there anything to be said/done about this excess friction now?

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[victorl]

Clean and burnish your shaft until it's smooth as silk.

 

[Pidge]

I hate to say it but you may want to invest in a glove. I hate the damn things but I know exactly what you mean with between the webbing on thumb and index fingers. Luckily I use an open bridge very rarely soi get away with no glove

 

[naji]

I'm fully committed to getting better the right way now. I'd like to start by revamping two things I noticed that cause inconsistencies:

-"Loose" bridge hand
-My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back.

It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but my closed bridge isn't tight around the shaft - it leaves room for shaft fidgeting. This is the most comfortable closed bridge I can manage right now, but any power stroke and the cue kinda goes wild so I don't get the consistency I'd like.

The backhand stroke I noticed by stoking in front of a mirror.

Thoughts, comments, feedback?

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Pics were taken in front of my sisters mirror on her dresser so don't make fun of me for anything you see that isn't a cue, my hands, or my shirt

My backhand stroke tends to move towards my body, instead of straight back

IMO this is due to long pause of tip at CB, and it is natural muscle movement after a pause! Try to reduce your pause time after pre-warmup strokes so your muscles memory stays active to the pre-warmup movement. If you cannot, slow your back swing considerably, or lengthen your bridge. Could use TOI.