'All
players realise that the game becomes much harder when playing
shots off the cushion.
In the first place it is impossible to use back-spin if
the ball is flush against the cushion. This immediately
limits the range of shots that can be played, forcing the
player into above centre striking.
Whilst
it is possible to get some back-spin on the cue ball if
it is an inch or two away from the cushion, this can only
be done by raising the butt of the cue high in the air.
Accuracy suffers when the butt is raised and this apsect
of the chosen shot should be taken into consideration before
attempting to do so.
Cushion heights can also alter the degree of difficulty
of the shot that the player is faced with. All tables differ
slightly in cushion height, some more than others.
So what can be done to increase the
success rate of shots off the cushion?
Firstly, like every other shot, preparation is vitally important.
This is heightened when faced with awkward bridging and
cueing. In addition, the player must realise that not too
much should be attempted when the cue ball is stationed
close to the cushion.
In The
Bridge, I have stressed the importance of the
first finger of the bridge hand being pressed firmly into
the cloth when placing the hand on the table. The same applies
when playing from off the cushion.
Along
with the other fingers the bridge hand should be raised
slightly, so that when you proceed with the waggles the
cue is kept clear of the cushion. Fig 1 shows the player
at address, and Fig 2 shows the same cueing position, with
the player about to strike the cue ball.
At
first this may feel uncomfortable but with practice you
will soon begin to feel that more movement is possible.
This in turn will lead to a smoother stroke through the
ball.
In
addition, experiment with a lighter grip than normal. This
will facilitate a smoother action and assist the delivery
of the cue. Only practice however can improve your accuracy
and consistency.
As mentioned, cushion heights vary marginally, but whatever
the circumstances there will not be much of the cue ball
to hit when it is tight against the cushion.
A method that Steve Davis operates very well is to raise
the bridge part of the hand very slightly as it rests on
the cushion rail. If you watch Davis in a situation like
this you will notice that he can cue freely without the
tip of the cue coming into contact with the cushion.
Obviously you shouldn't try to do anything very ambitious
with the cue ball when it is tight to the cushion, but if
you do need more power, raise the bridge slightly higher,
as shown in Fig 3.
Once
again firmness of the bridge hand is essential. These shots
do mean you have to hold the cue at an angle instead of
near the horizontal - which in itself is not a good thing
- but smooth cueing and I repeat, not attempting too much
with the cue ball will help to even things out.
You
will at least be more positive on the shot if you are actually
coming down on the cue ball rather than trying to strike
it by scraping along the cushion rail.
When playing unusual shots most people fail because their
preparations lack rhythm or are otherwise incorrect. If
they knew how to prepare properly their apprehension would
disappear. It is all a question of practice and making the
correct choice of bridge, though you can practice as much
as you like and some positions will still be a lot more
difficult than others.
Remember to keep your bridge hand as firm as possible, your
head perfectly still and the cue as close to parallel with
the table as possible.
