Tips for Helping You use a Bridge.

There are many types of bridges each of which serves it own purpose. However, the main function of the bridge is to lock your cue stick into position to minimize unnecessary sideways movement.

​

The closed bridge is widely used by many players. Because of the way the cue stick is wrapped around by your fingers, this type of bridge has a few advantages over the open bridge. First, it prevents unnecessary sideways movement of your cue stick thus preventing miscues. It is also better for power shots where you draw your cue as far back as possible. Using a closed bridge allows more control over the movement of your cue stick.

​

The open bridge is widely used by newer players mostly because it easier to set your hand for an open bridge than a closed bridge. This type of bridge is useful for soft shots and follow shots.

​

The mechanical bridge is another option. Follow these 6 steps when using a mechanical bridge:

• First, with bridge in hand, align the shot like any other. Stand behind the line of aim and lay the bridge across the table. After I put the bridge head up to the cue ball I like to move the back of the bridge out of the way, holding it down with my opposite hand.

• Second, lay your cue in the groove that gives you the appropriate height. For follow, the highest, for stun the middle and for draw I actually prefer the middle with some downward cue angle. Power draw? Play around with the highest groove and lots of downward angle.

• Third, keep your head about a foot behind the bumper of your cue, looking down the line of the cue with your dominant eye.That foot of space allows you to take warmup strokes without punching yourself in the face.

• Fourth, and this is where I see most people go wrong, get your grip right. As you look down your cue, your four fingers should be on top of the cue and your thumb will be underneath. If you don't know what I mean, it's basically the same way you position your hand as you drink from a bottle of water.

• Fifth, get your elbow up to where your forearm is about a 45 degree angle, and there is no break in your wrist This will make your arm stable and allow you to take straight practice strokes.

• Last, follow through! You can do just about anything with a mechanical bridge that you can do with a finger bridge. In fact, it should be easier because you have a much better view and less moving parts!