To shoot a center cue hit, cup your palm by pulling the fingers toward the heel of your hand. Top english is applied by pulling your fingers further toward the heel of your hand and forming a bridge on your finger tips. Always keep the heel of you hand on the table. It is important to raise or lower the tip of the shaft by adjusting your bridge, not by elevating the butt of the stick. If this bridge is too difficult, develop a solid open bridge.
Some people have a lot of difficulty making a closed bridge.
It does require supple joints in the fingers and wrist. Additionally, there are shots where a closed bridge is not the best choice, such as when shooting off the rail, over balls, or reaching for balls. In these situations the open bridge is preferable. Many top pool players also prefer the open bridge for the same reasons. To raise the tip of the stick, simply pull the fingers in and cup the palm.