Watching a couple of late 90s/early 2000s pro videos. Question about bridges.

Positively Ralf

Positively Ralf

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Why is it that a lot of players back then had a smaller window of space between their bridges and the cue ball? I noticed guys like Rempe, Mizerak and Buddy Hall didn't leave much space in between whereas Sigel, Earl and Efren had much larger spaces.
 
Positively Ralf said:
Why is it that a lot of players back then had a smaller window of space between their bridges and the cue ball? I noticed guys like Rempe, Mizerak and Buddy Hall didn't leave much space in between whereas Sigel, Earl and Efren had much larger spaces.
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Edit: I originally thought you were referring to the space in your bridge hand loop, but I think you must have meant bridge length, as Bob pointed out. So this answer below is more about the space in the bridge loop and doesn't answer your question. But I'll leave it anyway because it does relate to players with longer bridge lengths.

As for the space in the bridge loop --- I call it the California bridge, which was introduced by the California 9 Ball players. It's a loose and relaxed loop that players use with their longer bridge lengths. My boyfriend at that time (mid 1980s) was from California and he also had the loose loop. I adopted it and have used it myself ever since.

In rotation games, you have to shoot a lot of big shots. That bridge is deceiving, because it looks insecure. But actually, once you learn to trust it, it has the opposite effect of what you would think in that it helps the player to stay loose, particularly in shooting the big shots where the tendency is to tighten up.

I'm not sure if Efren already had his own version of the loose bridge when he was in the Philippines or if he picked it up when he went to California for awhile.
 
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I’ll take a closer look at that. As I started playing pool again I’ve taken the time to focus on fundamentals all over again. I’m seeing some benefits from a shorter bridge myself. Now another thing I gotta pay attention to. I miss watching videos as a kid a just thinking Efren and Johnny were the nuts. Now I look a tempo, where their eyes go, how long they take to analize shots, stroke speed etc. etc. I respect them more but sometime ignorance is bliss.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I think the OP was not talking about the form of the bridge hand but rather the distance from the cue ball to the hand. I think when he says "much large spaces" he means what I would call a "much longer bridge length". Could be an open or closed bridge.
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I think you're right. I'll edit my post. Thanks.
 
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Long bridge length is fine IF you have laser-straight delivery. I've shortened up lately and am making a lot more balls. If i have to really super draw or follow one i'll lengthen it some but shorter is better for me.
 
I think deflection of cues may play a part here for some. If adjusting aim for spin is being done with backhand english (not necessarily BHE that is swooping during delivery as was def more common back then but even if adjusting before the stroke as some plyrs do nowadays) the amount of deflection of the cue determines the placement of the bridge... the more deflection, the shorter the bridge, since the amount the angle changes as the back hand pivots the tip from center ball to the side is dependent on how close the pivot point (bridge) is to the cb.

This could be a reason why there are guys now like Filler who have short strokes but still play with a long bridge. You almost never saw that back in the day as it was commonly taught to vary the bridge length along with stroke length and always pull the tip back to the hand.
 
Bridge lengths have more to do with line of sight than anything else. Players who stand low have longer bridge lengths because it enables them to see the line of the shot better. Players with short bridge lengths usually stand taller. Both types of players stand the same distance from the cue ball, it's just that one stands more upright.

Remember: Just because a player has a long bridge length, it doesn't mean they have to take the cue back to their bridge hand every time. They adjust the length of their stroke based on the needs of the shot in front of them.
 
FranCrimi said:
Bridge lengths have more to do with line of sight than anything else. Players who stand low have longer bridge lengths because it enables them to see the line of the shot better. Players with short bridge lengths usually stand taller. Both types of players stand the same distance from the cue ball, it's just that one stands more upright.

Remember: Just because a player has a long bridge length, it doesn't mean they have to take the cue back to their bridge hand every time. They adjust the length of their stroke based on the needs of the shot in front of them.
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Great point on sighting. Now that you mention it, I think this is the most likely explanation for the longer bridges as stances have gotten lower over the years.

If we look at loop bridges in particular, a more upright player can use the shaft for aiming at a close distance while a lower stance would leave the shaft obscured by the loop of the bridge, causing the low stance player to lengthen the bridge if they want to aim with the shaft.

But you are wrong about the players in higher and lower stances standing the same distance from the ball. If a player in a higher stance were to get lower while maintaining the length of their bridge arm, the bridge hand would naturally move forward and closer to the cue ball. If the 2 stances stood the same distance from the cb, the lower player would have the shorter bridge. Since this is the opposite of what we see, the lower stance players have to be standing farther away, not the same distance.
 
garczar said:
Long bridge length is fine IF you have laser-straight delivery. I've shortened up lately and am making a lot more balls. If i have to really super draw or follow one i'll lengthen it some but shorter is better for me.
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I gave up on the super long bridge for breaks also. I just add about two inches to bridge, take longer pause on the back swing, focus on a long fluid follow through and bang good spread. Easier to squat the rock too because I’m hitting the cue ball where I want.
 
I love pool said:
I gave up on the super long bridge for breaks also. I just add about two inches to bridge, take longer pause on the back swing, focus on a long fluid follow through and bang good spread. Easier to squat the rock too because I’m hitting the cue ball where I want.
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Just curious: Where did you hear 'squat the rock'? Who taught you to say that?
 
Does is sound weird or vulgar? It’s just something people say. I’ve heard it in videos and I play pool. I’ve used it with people and they seemed to know what I was talking about. It just means when the cue ball bounces back from the contact with the head ball the on the break shot. Then it stops quickly near the center of the table.
 
I love pool said:
... It’s just something people say. I’ve heard it in videos and I play pool. I’ve used it with people and they seemed to know what I was talking about. It just means when the cue ball bounces back from the contact with the head ball the on the break shot. Then it stops quickly near the center of the table.
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That's certainly the usage I've heard. I have no idea where it originated.
 
I love pool said:
Does is sound weird or vulgar? It’s just something people say. I’ve heard it in videos and I play pool. I’ve used it with people and they seemed to know what I was talking about. It just means when the cue ball bounces back from the contact with the head ball the on the break shot. Then it stops quickly near the center of the table.
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I've never heard a pro say it. Can you envision a pro being interviewed on ESPN or BBC saying that he squatted the rock pretty well today? I guess it's kind of like the ghetto speak of pool.
 
Positively Ralf said:
Why is it that a lot of players back then had a smaller window of space between their bridges and the cue ball? I noticed guys like Rempe, Mizerak and Buddy Hall didn't leave much space in between whereas Sigel, Earl and Efren had much larger spaces.
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7-10'' maybe 11 was the talking/norm.
Rempes bridge distance was not Short or Long.
Earls bridge distance was in this realm.
Miz seemed to of been a bit closer, seemed more in control of his cueball than his peers in his prime.....
His play seemed a little more compact than his peers.
I think because the conditions were.... bigger pockets in tournament play (they wanted to be closer to whitey to get the right cue action. The cues back then worked better when doing a 10 foot draw shot up close.
Toooooooooooo much wood sticking out, then the wobble/flexing/etc takes place, cept maybe for the best Balbuska hand picked wooden shafts.
Humm Billiard Digest
 
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