Suitable for most standard shots using center ball or just off center tip placement.

As you can see, the heel of my hand and fingertips are planted firmly on the bed of the table, my thumb is pressed against the base of my index finger pointing upwards, forming a V channel to which I guide my shaft through.

This allows unrestricted sighting on my shot.

Next, we have a closed bridge, suitable for more high spin shots such as draws or heavy right or left English or heavy follow.

Allows greater tip control, but does tend to impede on sighting of the shot depending on the Q ball position.

It also will hide bad stroke characteristics, so watch out for this.

Occasionally you'll have the Q ball close to the rail in which you want to form a rail bridge.

Guiding the thumb along one side of the queue and the edge of your index finger on the other side using the rail itself for bottom stability.

This is typically used when the Q ball is for maybe six inches off of the rail.

And there's not enough room to form a standard bridge on the bed of the table.

You may also find the Q ball right against the rail or only an inch or two off here, you lay the palm of your hand against the edge of the rail, lay your index finger flat guiding it on one side, the tip of your thumb on the other, again using the rail as bottom support.

If you have to elevate over a ball, plant your index finger and pinky finger, pulling the two middle fingers back, forming a bit of a tripod, again, pulling your thumb upwards forming a V channel with which to guide your shaft through, stroke down on the shot, make sure you hit center ball.

On a large table, an eight or particularly a nine foot table, sooner or later you're going to find yourself faced with situations similar to this.

As you can see, the placement of the Q ball and object ball put it out of my effective reach.

And you don't want to try and stretch for a shot.

To this degree.

The answer?

The mechanical bridge, affectionately known as the crutch or the granny stick.

There's absolutely no shame in having to use this, but be sure you know how to use it properly.

First, you want to make sure that if at all possible, the bridge is placed flat on the bed of the table and not elevated.

Second, place the shaft into one of the grooves of the mechanical bridge, grab the butt cap with your thumb, your index finger and your middle finger, holding it much like you would a dart.

Then pull your head down into the line of the shot so that what you're sighting is true, should be right down the line of the queue.

Couple of warm up strokes.

Be sure to pull the bridge and your queue out of the way.

Thank you for watching.