Tips to get rid of chicken wing?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
A friend of mine shot a video of me shooting for a few minutes the other day. I noticed that in about 1 in 10 shots my elbow sticks out from my body (chicken wing stroke). I have no idea if I have always done this or it's something that has happened since I started playing again. I notice that when I had my elbow down the balls were spliting the pocket and when it was out to the side I just barely got the ball in the pocket.

Are there any tips or quick fixes for this. I have a hunch that I'm doing it more than what I saw on the video because when I make sure my arm is straight down it feels awkward. Johnnyt
 
Johnny, me too...fighting chicken wing. I'm trying to change my stance a bit...noticed that I was chicken wing when I was facing the shot too much, so I'm trying a more "sideways" stance...I just point my right foot towards the shot then "step up" with my left. This tends to put my right shoulder further back, and presto...no longer does the chicken wing feel natural.

Edit...part of my problem may be age related. Touch of bursitus in my right shoulder, so I tend to do what feels best over what is best, if that makes sense.
 
Im not sure I understand what you mean, is your arm moving out during the stroke or is it just out from your body but staying in place? To me a chicken wing stroke has always been one where the arm (elbow) moves out during the stroke.

From your post I think you mean it is just out away from your body but not moving laterally during the stroke. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it often gives much more room for a free stroke. But if your stance and alignment are not in a position for this placement of your arm I could see you struggling.

There have been a lot of great players who's arms were away from their body's to give them room to stroke. I remember a guy named Mike that had a set up like this that didnt play to bad.

Is there any way to post the video?

Woody

Edit: or do you mean your elbow is out farther than your hand so your forearm is at an angle?
 
I have noticed a lot of great players who actually do the opposite of the "flying chicken wing". Their upper arm is actually on the inside of the shot plane.
 
pwd72s said:
Johnny, me too...fighting chicken wing. I'm trying to change my stance a bit...noticed that I was chicken wing when I was facing the shot too much, so I'm trying a more "sideways" stance...I just point my right foot towards the shot then "step up" with my left. This tends to put my right shoulder further back, and presto...no longer does the chicken wing feel natural.

Edit...part of my problem may be age related. Touch of bursitus in my right shoulder, so I tend to do what feels best over what is best, if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

I have bursitus of the elbows (popeye elbow) and shoulders...hmmmm. Maybe that's why I'm doing the wing thing now. Thanks. Johnnyt
 
woody_968 said:
Im not sure I understand what you mean, is your arm moving out during the stroke or is it just out from your body but staying in place? To me a chicken wing stroke has always been one where the arm (elbow) moves out during the stroke.

From your post I think you mean it is just out away from your body but not moving laterally during the stroke. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it often gives much more room for a free stroke. But if your stance and alignment are not in a position for this placement of your arm I could see you struggling.

There have been a lot of great players who's arms were away from their body's to give them room to stroke. I remember a guy named Mike that had a set up like this that didnt play to bad.

Is there any way to post the video?

Woody

Edit: or do you mean your elbow is out farther than your hand so your forearm is at an angle?
Click to expand...

Elbow is out further than my hand and forarm when I do it. Johnnyt
 
Problem

Johnnyt said:
Elbow is out further than my hand and forarm when I do it. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

It is an unconscious security thing. Are you bending your wrist inward also?
Many times this is caused by standing too straight with your cue. Are you standing at a 45 degree angle to your cue?
 
I have the same type of problem but just the opposite. My elbow tends to stick too close to my body and my stroke goes from inside out causing me to miss shot after shot and not be able to figure out why. Then I remember that my elbow has to be away from my body and immediately the shots start splitting the pocket.

I have to incorporate a method into my pre-shot routine that includes setting up with the elbow in the proper position and I was doing that until I didn't pick up a cue from Feb thru last week. :eek:

7 month lay off! Stupid.
 
i would love to see the video of that, johnny if you still have it the ones that you got with your friends, try to post it, I'm trying to see if i have the same thing your speaking of. I think I do, but not a major one, my elbow goes outside to the right a little bit, not alot. but I saw alot of pro's do that on a powerful stroke shots, so I'm not sure if thats a bad thing, as a guy above me mentioned it gives more room for power strokes, I saw Earl do it sometimes (Only if its the same thing i'm imagining right now) Thats why i'm asking for a video to check it out.
 
Most of the people that I have seen with the 'chicken wing' bend over with their chest square to the table. Most of the better players twist, leaving one side of their chest closer to the slate than the other. For me, being a lefty, it's my right side.
 
Video Analysis- cam never lies!
Further a qualified person who can *bring* you through the process how to *do*it right- he ll should show you how to control it yourself until you do it correctly unconciously.

lg
Ingo
 
I thought players stroke with their elbow not their shoulder. Why would your shoulder move, if you are only using your elbow?
 
I went out and played for a little while last night and it seems that I am setting up for some shots too square for me. I'll go out in a few minutes and play for a few hours and try to remember to set up right each time. It's funny how after 60 years of playing that you still have to check your fundamentals in this game. Thanks everyone for your help. Video is long gone. It was his daughters camera. I think if I had the video I could have solved the problem after watching it a few more times...or maybe not. Johnnyt
 
I'm betting this comes into play when you're trying to do something unusual with the CB. IMO the chicken wing happens most when steering the CB. You end up swiping which brings the elbow up.

Try this in your post routine. Make sure you note where your tip ends up. ON EVERY SHOT. It should be right in front of where you contacted the CB. If not you're not stroking straight and probably elbow movement.
 
I'm betting this comes into play when you're trying to do something unusual with the CB. IMO the chicken wing happens most when steering the CB. You end up swiping which brings the elbow up.

Try this in your post routine. Make sure you note where your tip ends up. ON EVERY SHOT. It should be right in front of where you contacted the CB. If not you're not stroking straight and probably elbow movement.
 
Johnnyt said:
A friend of mine shot a video of me shooting for a few minutes the other day. I noticed that in about 1 in 10 shots my elbow sticks out from my body (chicken wing stroke). I have no idea if I have always done this or it's something that has happened since I started playing again. I notice that when I had my elbow down the balls were spliting the pocket and when it was out to the side I just barely got the ball in the pocket.

Are there any tips or quick fixes for this. I have a hunch that I'm doing it more than what I saw on the video because when I make sure my arm is straight down it feels awkward. Johnnyt
Click to expand...


Well, if you're just doing it one-in-ten that means to me that your altering your PSR one-in-ten. And it is very likely that you are doing it on the same type of shot each of those times. More precisely, you may be doing it on the same type of shot that is putting your body in the same type of position and you are failing to note that you're changing your PSR on these.

Just a guess, without seeing the whole thing.

Lou Figueroa
 
Chicken Wings Fix

Try rolling up a small towel and putting it under your armpit when practicing. This healps to keep your elbow pulled into the side better. You might also look at the ProShot Glove which keep your wrist straighter. If your wrist flies out your elbow might follow.
 
Thanks guys. I went out and played the ghost 6 racks of 9-ball taking my time with the PSR. From what I noted I only seem to do it on blind pocket shots. I got back up each time and re set in my stance and that seems to work. Boy this game can be a pain in the A$$ sometimes. Johnnyt
 
I improved my chicken wing by:

a) Placing my back foot on the shot line
b) Fully extending my bridge side elbow
c) Using a closed (non-snooker like) stance

When you "stretch out" like this, it tends to bring the back elbow in line.

Not for everyone, but helped me.
 
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