Shooting Aid for Disabled Bridge Hand from Stroke

9/13/2017 8:59:47 PM

Shooting Aid for Disabled Bridge Hand from Stroke

My bridge hand is disabled due to a stroke.

Are there any aids for shooting pool with a disabled bridge hand? What is out there?

Something like a spring-loaded pool cue?

Diluccia

Shooting Aid for Disabled Bridge Hand from Stroke

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 9/13/2017 9:31:36 PM
I am sorry to hear about your stroke. I hope you are feeling alright.

I have not seen anything like a spring-loaded pool cue, but that would be so perfect. It could have different spring tensions for making hits of varying forces.

However, there are a number of devices out there, but from what I have heard, none of them are particularly good. It's about trying a few until you find the one that is the "least bad" for you.
1. EZ-Bridge - Sanctioned by the BCA - totally eliminates the need to use your bridge hand by providing a rolling stand for your cue shaft. Sold at amazon.com.
2. The Cannonaid - This invention is designed for a one arm person, one handed person, somebody with a broken arm, arthritis or a bad back who cannot bend over, or someone confined to a wheel chair. This is an older one, and not sure where you can get it.
There are others out there like these. These were just the first two I found.

nike00 on 3/7/2018 4:18:18 AM
Hi, I just saw your post. I know this is 6 months after your post but I may have something. I have Parkinson's and Essential Tremor and invented a device that assists me in shooting. I play in 2 leagues, APA & ACS, and it's allowed in both of them. I've made one for people with arthritis, nerve damage and neuropathy. If you see this and are interested please reply. I can describe it to you and we can see if it is what you are looking for. Thanks

user1522678387 on 4/2/2018 10:13:09 AM
I just saw a mechanical pool cue that shoots with the push of a button! It has adjustable tension too! It's called a Nixstixx. Cost $160.00.

billiardsforum on 4/2/2018 6:17:49 PM
Yeah one of the Nixstixx marketing folks, Joshua, is a member here actually. He posted about their mechanical pool cue a while back.

It's a well designed product, but I don't get the name.

user1522678387 on 4/2/2018 6:31:15 PM
The inventors name is Nick Cestro so it's Nick's Stick! Nixstixx!!!

Evemurph on 12/8/2018 9:55:48 AM
@nike00,

I am very interested in learning more about what you invented in order to help someone with a handicap to bridge better.

I have a friend with cerebral palsy who struggles with his bridge hand.

user1578624043 on 1/9/2020 6:40:45 PM
I was playing pool tonight with young woman with SMA. I worked up a method of holding a bridge for her. Something like a Cannonaid is the right idea for her, but it is brass and quite heavy. She has very limited arm mobility and strength, and plays from a motorized wheelchair.

The EZ bridge looks interesting but I'd like to know the weight.

Any recommendations? I may try making one from wood.

nike00 on 1/10/2020 7:54:11 AM
The device I invented and patented is called The Steady Shot. It's made of wood and weighs a tad over 2 oz. Unlike the EZ-Bridge you hold it on your fingers as you move around the table. It can be used to shoot off the rail, over balls, massé shots, jump shots really 99% of shots you need to shoot.

I'm attaching a link to a video showing you how to use the Steady Shot. It's one of the first Steady Shots I made. They look much better now. What I tell people is if you get one you need to play with it for a while. You can not just pick it up and start shooting with it. I say give it at least 45 minutes to an hour to get the feel for it.

_{Source: drive.google.com/file/d/0BwQPXyMpn6RuWlRUX3dKSXAwYlU/view}

Evemurph on 1/10/2020 9:16:47 AM
@Nike00 - That looks like an awesome tool that you invented!

How could I order one?

How much are they?

nike00 on 1/10/2020 3:13:58 PM
Hi Evemurph, thank you. It definitely helped me be more competitive. I went from a skill level 4 to a 5 in APA when I started using it. I can make you one if you're interested. It'll be $30 plus shipping.

I don't know what the protocols are for a forum. If you're interested is there a way to give you my email address so we don't show any personal information?

user1578624043 on 1/10/2020 4:47:10 PM
@Nike00 - She only has use of one arm, and that is limited. She can't reach out onto the table. Picture the two kids in wheelchairs who do the Shriner's Hospital ads, then imagine they can only use one arm.

But what you show, on a wooden base, might do the job. She can manage that weight, which is about 1/4 what the brass one weighs. The way I would expect her to use it is have her opponent place it for her and then might scoot it around a little with the cue. I could make something like that, but you seem to have thought the cue rests out so I could probably buy one and make a base for it.

She did make some creditable shots with me holding a bridge for her. She almost beat me! It helps that I had not played pool for about half a century. She'd never tried a bridge before. She rests the cue on one shoulder and uses that arm to move the stick.

Her usual technique without the bridge is to bat the cue ball with the cue stick, kind of like baseball, which gives about the precision you would expect.

She also bowls, using a ramp. The important thing is she loves doing both.

@Nike00, your face looks a lot like a fellow with your name who works for NEC in Canberra, Australia (on Facebook). If you could accept messages there, that would work. I don't see a message app on this forum. I'm in the US. No rush. The young lady is going back to college tomorrow and I can give it to her on her next break.

Evemurph on 1/10/2020 5:34:39 PM
For the young lady in the wheelchair, this adaptive device might help her since she just has the use of one arm. I got one for a friend of mine who only has one arm and he likes it a lot.

SHIFTY BRIDGE - 3 WHEEL

$12.95

If you have tried the Shifty Bridge, then you are well aware of how easy it is to use! The 3 wheel Shifty Bridge creates a larger base by having 3 wheels, which gives you more stability to move around the table and set up for that perfect shot with ease. Shifty Bridges will fit shafts with diameters between 11.5mm to 13mm.

Made out of durable plastic right here in the U.S.A., you can’t go wrong with the 3 wheel version of the Shifty Bridge. Plus we think the embossed 8 and 9 balls on the sides of the bridges are pretty cool too.

_{Source: pooldawg.com/shifty-bridge-3-wheel}

user1522678387 on 1/11/2020 5:24:33 AM
I'm learning to play pool also. My arms only go to my elbows, no hands. I use a short, women or child cue.

I bought a Rollershot and an extendable telescoping bridge which have helped me tremendously!

If I'm in a tough shot where the roller is in the way of the bridge, I just rotate my cue so the roller is up in the air and it clears the bridge without having to remove it!

nike00 on 1/11/2020 1:38:03 PM
@Evemurph - There is another bridge that doesn't have wheels which may work. It is called a Handi Bridge. It has the base like you were thinking about.

And kudos to the young lady and to:
- @user1522678387 - Never let anything stop you.
- @Evemurph, I respect to you for helping. It's nice to see people like you in the world that don't look the other way!
@Evemurph - Sorry, I forgot to add that I live in Arizona.

user1522678387 on 1/11/2020 2:04:51 PM
This is the extendable bridge I use. I can extend it to where I need it, set it on the pool table, and use the cue with one arm!

user1595995082 on 7/28/2020 8:58:03 PM
@nike00 - I would love one of the steady shots.

Please reach me at (918) 399-6563 very interested in buying one.

nike00 on 7/31/2020 5:45:56 PM
@user1595995082,

If you want to email me your information at steadyshotdda@gmail.com I can send you one.

Do you do PayPal?

user1630346392 on 8/30/2021 10:59:53 AM
Where can I purchase the steady shot?

My address is:

1802 Hosmer Lane
Cresthill, Illiniois 60403

My email is:

nhl09@yahoo.com

nike00 on 8/30/2021 11:35:05 AM
@user1630346392 ,

If you want to email your information to dominic@thesteadyshot.com, I can send you one.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to discuss costs on this site so we can discuss it in our email.

If you would like to see more information on The Steady Shot shooting aid, you can go to thesteadyshot.com. There is a page which will allow you to message me your information there too.

Thanks,
Dominic

user1677977407 on 3/4/2023 7:50:08 PM
I have a condition, where my bridge hand is permantly closed over halfway. I can use my thumb to make an open bridge but that's about it.

I am 75 years old now, and I have been an intermediate pool player all my life. I still love to play. The one thing I can no longer do is jump shots because I can't extend my fingers at all.

I saw a device called "easy jumper" and ordered it. I can hold it in my hand and it elevates it high enough to shoot down on the ball.

A league operator told me that this is not legal. I replied with, well it's no different than a bridge other handicapped players use to be able to play, why am I different with a deformed hand.

He pretty much brushed me off with a "No".