I'd say that it's not necessarily required to lower the bridge, but it would obviously be advantageous. If your shooter can reach the other side, then you do not have to cross the bridges. However, the balls they return will be injected into the other side, so unless you have a team member passing them to you (which reduces efficiency) you will only be able to shoot the few that migrate to your side, or those that are scored on you.;

Short answer: Yes.