How low do you get on your cue and what bridge do you use?

Question

Snooker players all get right down on their cue as do a lot of the female pool players (snooker background), where as almost all the pool players I have seen stay up a foot or two off the cue. What are the advantafes and disadvantages?

does the closed bridge obscure the aim when down on the cue?

Which combination of bridge type and cueing level do you use?

Discuss.

I kinda chop and change between them all, just depending on what feels comfortable for that shot, but I think it might be throwing off my repeatability.

Answer 1

I use both but an open bridge more than a closed one,as for height i will aim pretty low but when i shoot im at about a 30 degree angle from my eyes to the tip of my cue

I will close my bridge up if im going to shoot fairly hard or over a ball and jump shots that i very rarely play

Answer 2

The new style of teaching is the "snooker" style, with an open bridge and chin very close to the cue. I personally don't feel that's there's much advantage to playing pool like this, but it is what's most often taught by BCA Certified and other instructors. Keep in mind that snooker players (and pool players with snooker backgrounds) are generally taught mechanics and 'coached' much more often than pool players. Most pool players, even at the professional level, are mostly self taught. Their stance usually develops out of comfort, and a very low stance is uncomfortable for most people when they first try it.

Personally, I stand up a little more upright, with my chin a foot or so off the cue. I use a closed bridge about 70% of the time, although I've changed that a lot. When I was younger, I'd use an open bridge 95% of the time, and just a few years ago I'd use a closed bridge 95% of the time. I think I've found a happy medium between what I'm comfortable using, cue ball control and accuracy.

As far as which bridge is better, they both have their strong points. I feel I have better speed and spin control with a closed bridge, and it helps prevent pulling up out of your stroke, a common mistake by many low level players. I also feel it's a little easier to apply draw, especially a "power" draw, with a closed bridge. An open bridge obviously allows most visibility if you use a very low stroke. It's also generally considered better when applying follow. Just about any type of stroke can be applied with either though, so in the end I think it's more about preference than anything.

Also, don't change your stance, bridge length, and head height from shot to shot. This is a terrible way to play unless you've been doing it your entire pool playing life. Consistency is the key to goo playing, especially if you're a lower level player. You can execute almost every shot with the same setup. The only time it should change is when you're playing over another ball, or attempting a jump or masse shot. Even most rail shots should require minimal, if any, changes to your setup.  

Answer 3

I like the others alternate depending on the shot between an open and closed bridge.  I usually close it up when playing a lot of draw or when shooting a shot stern.  And as far down on the cue I am, The only shots the cue isn't on my chin is the break or jumping with a jump cue because I hold it dart style.  It took a bit to get used to shooting like that (back when) but my mechanics are better and I am more accurate.  Everyone is going to do things different, but that's how I play.  Good luck, and keep rackin em up!

Answer 4

Million dollar question, high head helps (me) with cue ball control, low head for aim. I keep my head somewhere between depending on the shot (higher for easier pocketed balls lower for tougher pocketed balls. Bridges, I can use any but the closed bridge should give you more control. Oh and keep your cue as level as possible.

Answer 5

I use various stances and bridges ---depending on the shot. While I do have a rhythm to my game, It's necessary to adjust stance, bridge, and stroke, in order to execute various shots depending on the task at hand, and the location of the cue ball. In any case, I ALWAYS keep my cue as level as possible. My bridge is usually open (for a good line of sight), unless I'm applying some serious torque to the cue ball ---needing a firmer and super-controlled grip.

"How high off the cue ball?" No matter how low I may be to the cue stick, I never let my chin rub on my cue. Sometimes I'm down extremely low on my cue. Sometimes I'm higher over my cue, as explained above. I never really measured ---no need to.

LAG