🎱 Player Shot Observations: Is Your Bridge Too Long?

Watching this shot, one area that stood out was the player’s bridge length.

A bridge that’s positioned too far away from the cue ball can make it more difficult to keep the cue travelling on a straight line. The longer the cue has to travel, the greater the chance that even a small amount of unwanted head or body movement can send the cue slightly offline before impact.

Another point worth considering is the cue action. A smoother, pendulum-like stroke often produces greater consistency than a jabby delivery.

1:39 mins in and the guy’s cue action seemed jabby and that may cause inconsistencies in his play.

Finally, many players benefit from introducing a slightly longer pause at the end of the final backswing. That brief moment allows the body to settle before committing to the shot and can encourage a more composed, controlled delivery. It doesn’t really matter how long the pause is. Some pause short, others a bit longer. Watch the very top players like Murphy and you’ll notice a deliberate pause before delivering.

These observations are based on this particular shot and are intended as constructive criticism of the player. Every player develops their own technique, but it’s always worth asking whether small adjustments like a shorter bridge or pause in your game could make your cue action more repeatable and consistent under pressure.

Question for readers:
👉 Do you prefer a short bridge or a longer bridge, and why? And could you benefit from experimenting a little?