Bridging over a ball

Build a Raised Bridge

fundamentals

The thirty-second answer

Use a stable raised support when another ball blocks normal hand placement. Keep fingers and cue clear of the obstructing ball.

See the body, feet & hands ↓

Build Your Stroke · positions up close

See the setup.

Full-body examples and hand close-ups. Choose the situation, then inspect the support, foot placement, and space your cue needs.

Right cue hand · left bridge hand

06 / Over a ball

Raise the support, keep the clearance.

An obstructing ball changes both the bridge height and the space available for your fingers.

Use a view that lets you inspect the obstacle.
Set the fingertips around the obstruction before any practice stroke.
Raise the cue only enough to clear it, and keep the delivery modest.

Feet & body clearance

Move the stance to put the elevated cue beside the torso. Keep a stable base rather than reaching farther from the same feet.

The bridge hand

Arch the hand and plant separated fingertips on clear cloth. The obstacle sits in the clearance space, without touching the hand or cue. Check clothing and sleeves too.

Inspect the cue and hand clearance.

Before you pull the trigger

If the hand wobbles, the fingers cannot clear the ball, or the required reach is uncomfortable, use a suitable rest or choose another shot.

Read the technique →

Stay in good companyMore from Build Your Stroke

Learn the movement.

Set the hand before the stroke and confirm that no part of it touches the obstructing ball. Use only as much height as clearance requires.

If the reach and elevation make control doubtful, consider a mechanical bridge or a different shot. Choose support that keeps your stance balanced and your cue clear.

Try it

One useful set.

Setup & action: Check clearance with slow practice strokes before playing.
What to watch: Describe the result, the miss pattern, and one thing to try next.
Practice format: 10 attempts is a starting suggestion. Record the pattern, not just the best one.

Record an attempt

A common complication.

Moving the supporting fingers during delivery or brushing the obstruction.

Change one thing

Check clearance with slow practice strokes before playing.

What changes the result?

Your setup, the equipment, and the intended outcome affect the comparison. Use a repeatable starting point and a modest target; bring persistent technique questions to a coach.

Keep something useful

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