Although nothing is better as a camera support than a solid tripod, a monopod with a medium weight ball head is a good second runner up when tripod usage is impractical, prohibited or impossible. The type with small tripod legs at the bottom does not help very much but there are ones with an "L" shaped food that can assist in securing the end of the monopod with your own foot or by wrapping you legs around the monopod with one foot on that bracket.
When using longer lenses it is best to support the lens with the monopod rather than the camera body.
To maximize the effectiveness of a monopod we have to remember some of the very basic triggering or tripping methods- old stuff but good to remember. Squeeze the shutter release- don't hit it. Use a cable release, an electronic wire release, a remote release and in certain cases a hand grip with a cable or electrical release may help, Take that deep breath when exposing and prevent ground vibration from being conducted to the camera via the monopod.
I hope this helps.
Ed
