Using the Mechanical Bridge

teedotaj

teedotaj

teedot oohhhhhh
Silver Member
I tried searching for threads about this but it seems that it hasn't been discussed before so here it is..

If there is any shot that has given me trouble than any other shot, it would be a mechanical bridge shot. I know how to hold it properly (three finger grip), and I imitate the pros by sighting it sideways (I don't know how else to explain it). I even tried to copy Ronnie Alcano!

BUT, I always miscue, double-hit, drop the cue, hop the CB, SOMETHING!
I avoid using the bridge as much as possible. I would rather shoot lefty (which I am comfortable with with short simple putts with no spins and getting better). I have looked like fish out of water many times in my league whenever I had to use the bridge and it's just embarrassing.

BUT really how do you do it?? Is there a special formula like a regular pendulum stroke? How do people draw or use english using that thing?!?!

I really hate that thing =( Which is why I cringe even more when newbies frown upon using that thing referring to it as the "b*tch stick" which is quite absurd seeing you need to know how to properly use it to be effective with it..but I digress, we'll save that for another topic another day..

Opinions/advise for a mechanical bridge challenged player??

Thank you in advance!!
 
teedotaj said:
I tried searching for threads about this but it seems that it hasn't been discussed before so here it is..

If there is any shot that has given me trouble than any other shot, it would be a mechanical bridge shot. I know how to hold it properly (three finger grip), and I imitate the pros by sighting it sideways (I don't know how else to explain it). I even tried to copy Ronnie Alcano!

BUT, I always miscue, double-hit, drop the cue, hop the CB, SOMETHING!
I avoid using the bridge as much as possible. I would rather shoot lefty (which I am comfortable with with short simple putts with no spins and getting better). I have looked like fish out of water many times in my league whenever I had to use the bridge and it's just embarrassing.

BUT really how do you do it?? Is there a special formula like a regular pendulum stroke? How do people draw or use english using that thing?!?!

I really hate that thing =( Which is why I cringe even more when newbies frown upon using that thing referring to it as the "b*tch stick" which is quite absurd seeing you need to know how to properly use it to be effective with it..but I digress, we'll save that for another topic another day..

Opinions/advise for a mechanical bridge challenged player??

Thank you in advance!!
Click to expand...


first of all you should slap anybody who calls it the "b**ch stick" some hacks in my league call it then and they wonder why they're 3's. sounds like you might just need some practice and some confidence. for me bridge shots are only marginally more difficult that when i can get down on the shot.
 
The best advice I can give is to watch a professional snooker player use a rest. go to youtube and watch. These guys use the bridge very frequently and their targets are much harder.

You will see a couple things....
1. shooting elbos is parallel to the table, elbow kicked out to the side...this keeps the elbow from dipping down allowing you to keep your stroke on plane.

2. Opposite arm is resting on the table when possible, one hand holding the bridge to the table,

3. Sounds funny, but kick your rear out to the side of your shooting arm...it will help the range of motion for your elbow and also allow you to get your head in dead line of the cue, cueball and object ball.

4. accelerate through the ball, this may need some development of timing, but too often you dont "pop" the stroke you can get some amazing action using a rest if you accelerate through the shot.

5. Keep cue level to the table as best as possible.


PERFECT EXAMPLE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFC4Gp2p3Y

GOOD LUCK!
 
It's hard to say what you're doing wrong without a video or anything. But three very common mistakes are:

1) Not holding the bridge still. It sounds like a no-brainer, but anchor your non-shooting hand to the table, to be sure the bridge isn't moving at all as you shoot.

2) Lining up too far away from the cue ball. Using the bridge, it's very important to make sure you address the shot with your tip close to the ball. It's hard to judge how much room you've got between the tip and the ball from so far away, but you can look at the shadow of the tip on the cloth to help you.

3) Not stroking smoothly. Don't jerk, or you're likely to miscue. Make sure you bring the tip back slowly, and accelerate smoothly to the CB, and you'll place the tip on the ball more accurately and get your desired result more consistently. Also, hold your finish position. The expectation of freezing a the finish can be a good way to trick yourself into stroking smoother and straighter.

-Andrew
 
Add to that... setting up with too short of a backstroke and taking a short jab at the CB.

Your bridge distance with the rake should be the same as if you weren't using the rake... try to emulate your regular pre-shot routine when using the rake... it should help.
 
Why is it called "mechanical"? It's not the least bit mechanical - no moving parts, it just sits there :P

And agreed with the above poster - ignore anyone giving you grief for using a bridge. Sometimes it's necessary - people are only so tall and can reach only so far. The best revenge against these weasels is to make the bridge-aided shot, and run out. :)
 
IMO, the biggest problem many players face, using the mechanical bridge, is trying to do too much (ie: getting perfect position, when they have to draw table length to do it). If you just make your object ball, even when it's a difficult shot, you will still be at the table, with options. Trying to do something spectacular usually ends poorly (often because of poor mechanics or rushing the shot), and a miscue might cost you the game. There are several 'theories' about how to play using the bridge, and no one set way is the only way. For example, some people advise using the entire range of motion, with your forearm, for the shot...while others recommend using just the movement of the wrist. Both ways work. One might be easier to use than another, for some people. My advice would be to get some help from an expert player, or take a lesson from an instructor.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Try this too !

Instead of using the three finger hold on the cue, put the bottom of the butt of the cue in the middle of your palm and curl your fingers around the butt. Look straight down the cue when aiming, and remmember not to see-saw the cue when stroking. I seen King James Rempe do this on a
video, I tried it, and I liked it. That's how I hold the cue now when I
use the bridge ! ( I call it the "Cats paw")
 
One thing I find helpfull when using the (not so)mechanical bridge is to place it on the table away from the cue ball and practice the stroke a couple times prior to setting up the shot.

Just like a practice swing in golf.

You obviously can't do this with the cue ball there because you want to do the full stoke including the follow through.
 
Practice

You need a good stroke with a bridge whether the bridge is your hand or mechanical. You just need to learn two different arm motions.

Like everything else required to be competitive in pool you need to practice. Practice with a mechanical bridge on every shot of a rack whether you need it or not. Do this for 30 minutes, rack after rack. Or set up shots and do them over and over until you get it right.

Another good thing is to ask an experienced player to watch you and see if they can pick out what you are doing wrong. Like others said above, its hard to tell without watching.
 
The single best favor you can do yourself is to learn not to use it :)

Well, ok, not exactly. But what I'm saying is: learn to use your off hand. At least 2/3rds of the shots that used to need a bridge won't anymore. Of all the things I try to teach people this is one of the hardest. They fight against it like a cat being lowered into a full bathtub. But bite the bullet and force yourself to do it. Try to imitate the bridge you make with your other hand (even if it feels awkward). The key is to just do it a thousand times until it's comfortable. If there's no money on the line, go ahead and do it even if you know you're more likely to miss.

That being said, there will still be shots that need a bridge, but you'll find they're all pretty much the same shot... a sharpish cut where the CB if near the foot rail and the OB is even closer.

Cigardave and scott have the best advice here.
1. The distance of the rake from the ball is very important. Try one distance, do a few test strokes, then go forward or back a bit, try a few more, until you find the distance that feels the most ideal to you. If your goal is to hit high on the cue ball, slide forward or back until the tip is pointing where you want to hit. Ditto if you'd rather hit closer to center. This is preferable to trying to adjust tip position by raising or lowering your back hand. You probably should forget about draw tho it's certainly not impossible. But if it can be done with follow, do it.

2. Don't try to do much, especially avoid sidespin or draw. Look for a way to do what you need with follow unless it'd require a ton of force, and don't go for sidespin unless you're only moving the cb a couple of feet and you'll be hitting the ball pretty soft anyway.
 
Thanks for the advise everyone! Specially regarding the length/distance of the bridge and even the way to hold it (CAT PAW FTW!) Everything sounds good! I guess I really just need to dedicate some time practicing with the bridge.

My problem isn't really trying to do much with the shot using it cause I don't really do anything with it, just centre ball. But even then I miscue, hop the cb, or something else that's going to make me miss. Really it's the mechanics that i want to learn more.

What are the proper mechanics for it? The video posted above shows really good mechanics..with his behind sticking out. haha but I will try it.

keep them coming! I'm sure I'm not the only one learning from your inputs in this thread! :thumbup:
 
okay, this will sound weird and I don't remember who shot this way, but it's how I shoot with one when I have no choice but to use it...

I saw a pro rest the bridge on his left shoulder, using his shoulder to hold the bridge meant he could use his left arm and hand for balance and his right arm to stroke (or whatever arm you shoot with). I tried it out and although it felt a LITTLE awkward, I think it was because people were looking at me like I didn't know how to use it. I think is was a player from the Orient, but not sure.
 
CreeDo said:
The single best favor you can do yourself is to learn not to use it :)

Try to imitate the bridge you make with your other hand (even if it feels awkward). The key is to just do it a thousand times until it's comfortable. If there's no money on the line, go ahead and do it even if you know you're more likely to miss.
Click to expand...

I would definitely rather be ambidextrous than have to rely on an extension. I can make siple puts with it. I have no trouble forming a bridge with my other hand. It's the backhand holding the cue that's not stable for me. But I'm getting there :D
 
MilwShooter said:
okay, this will sound weird and I don't remember who shot this way, but it's how I shoot with one when I have no choice but to use it...

I saw a pro rest the bridge on his left shoulder, using his shoulder to hold the bridge meant he could use his left arm and hand for balance and his right arm to stroke (or whatever arm you shoot with). I tried it out and although it felt a LITTLE awkward, I think it was because people were looking at me like I didn't know how to use it. I think is was a player from the Orient, but not sure.
Click to expand...



That would be Ronnie Alcano :thumbup: here's the vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHffyitzQfA

I tried it too since it made sense. It's just like shooting with a longer arm from your shoulder. But I'd still want to learn the text book shot.
 
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Of course it all depends on the shot and your position on the table, but, I'll suggest placing the bridge handle on the table and holding it down with your hand.

Your stick hand IMO should hold the butt of your stick with 3 fingers. THUMB DOWN, TWO FINGERS ON TOP, and ELBOW UP, and shoot with a wrist motion or slight and smooth forearm motion following through, with your head over the shot and you stick running under your chin.
 
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