by jayj

Created on: August 24, 2007

The mechanical bridge is sometimes called a 'crutch' or 'rake'. It is a stick with four metal grooves at the end of it, on which to place the 'cue' stick. This is normally used only when the shot cannot be reached in comfort using a 'hand bridge' and provides cue support and guidance. It can also prevent a foul, because one foot must always be on the floor. There are also a completely different set of bridge sticks which are used in snooker and English 8-ball, called 'rests'.

The positioning and grip of your hand on the cue stick are of up-most importance when using the mechanical bridge. The position of your hand on the stick gives you a free and smooth 'stroke'. You must grip it delicately, but firmly in order to follow the shot through. In order to do this, you must:

Find the point of balance between the cue stick and the bridge.
Move your hand (approximately) 5 inches behind this balance point.
Grip the cue firmly, but lightly, with your thumb, index and middle fingers.

Now that you are in position, with the correct stance, bridge position and cue grip. You are looking directly over the line of the cue and cue ball and you feel balanced and relaxed. The 'pendulum', or swing of your arm, and ''stroke'', or 'follow through' need to be addressed.

Your arm should swing closely to your side, like a pendulum. The cue movement should be in part from your wrist and in part from your arm. However, this movement should be fluid and work as one. The arm should keep swinging backwards and forwards in a steady motion ready to connect the cue stick with the ball.

The player must now 'stroke' through the ball. He must aim to have a smooth follow through, so that the cue stops of it's own accord. The player must not interfere with the cue sticks natural fluidity. The player must not try to stop the cue stick, by pulling it back. This will will effect the cue tip movement and result in a loss of accuracy in the shot. Also, it is important that the back swing of the pendulum is not too long, because this will make the cue tip move sharply in a direction. On the other hand if this swing is too short, the stroke will not be effortless and the follow through will not stop naturally.

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