Holding Cue too far forward???

[nrage]

surely a longer bridge hand (ie greater over hang of tip from bridge contact) increases the margin of error in cue action?

"Margin of error" != "Margin for error". We're both correct

In short/plain terms; A longer bridge means a small error in the grip hand produces a larger errors in the tip position, than a shorter bridge would.

[throtts]

Longer bridge hand means as the cue reaches it furthest point with a error the deviation of the cue Is greater than with the same error with a shorter bridge, innit, Dean, haha. It's like Mastermind physics on here sometimes.

[Terry Davidson]

OK...there are only TWO reasons for shortening the bridge to cueball distance:

1. (Obviously) Playing of the cushion; and,
2. When the CB and OB are less than 8" (or so) apart as then the danger is with your normal follow-through you might double-hit the cueball if you are the type of player who accelerates through and beyond the cueball (as we all should be).

When playing off the cushion you should even shorten the grip hand more to ensure the drive to the chest and you can do this on the shots where the balls are close together. Everyone will do this and you can prove it to any player by putting the balls 2" apart and see what the natural set-up will be...not only will everything be much shorter but if attempting a screw shot from this close position the player will likely also raise the butt of the cue too.

The only reason the cue length over the bridge should be lengthened is for stretch shots, otherwise it should be the same or nearly the same for all hand-on-the-table shots.

And yes, the longer the cue over the bridge means greater error when striking the cueball if anything is out of alignment, simple lever theory.

Terry

[chrissmall147]

hi mate,

don't change your cue it's fine and you will grow into it. I played with a tw cue and they are great cues from a great cue maker. The ideal length from cue ball to bridge hand is one hand's length away. Your bridge hand should be in the same position for every shot, whether its a power shot or a nice roll through, you just alter your backswing for the shot you are playing. This saves you wondering before a shot where to put your hand. It was hard to see properly from your video but i would say you need an extra inch at least of cue in front of your bridge hand and then your cueing arm will go down the butt of the cue slighty but still keeping it vertical though. As you grow this will keep altering and i think the cue will suit you nicely once you have stopped growing. so next time you are practising put the white ball on the table and place your hand to the white and where your hand finishes this is where your tips of your bridge will rest on the table and a vertical cueing arm and this is a perfect set up position.

cheers chris small

[Dknox1]

OK, thanks a lot Chris, that's helped loads!