WRISTS - The "hidden power catalyst" of a great stroke or "just along for the ride"?

Also amusing is how Neil has gone from criticising those who he saw as driving CJ from the board to, er, attempting to drive CJ from the board himself.

Why must you always make up crap? Do you get that big a thrill out of adding nothing but gas to the fires??

I have no intention or desire to drive CJ from the "boards". I only want him to clarify things and make clear the difference between what works for almost everyone and what is unique to him. And to describe things in a way that makes sense. He is getting better at describing things in words. The way he was describing things was baloney, and he got called on it.
 
If you tighten your muscles in the hand or wrist by attempting to direct the stroke thats what slows down the stroke. Sure the centrifugal force makes the hand pivot at the wrist. Just as in a great golf swing that is unobstructed with muscles tightening.
This brings a few questions to mind:

1) Centrifugal force* - are you sure it's Centrifugal* force? It's not a real force as defined and "a force for convenience". SEE BELOW*

2) If the wrist is "just along for the ride", what wrist movement will "actually slow down the stroke"? In other words why would it matter if you tighten up "the wrist movement" if there's no wrist movement anyway?

3) How do you go about not applying any "muscle power" to your wrist when you're applying a "wrist movement"?





*Centrifugal Force, in physics, the tendency of an object following a curved path to fly away from the center of curvature. Centrifugal force is not a true force; it is a form of inertia (the tendency of objects that are moving in a straight line to continue moving in a straight line). Centrifugal force is referred to as a force for convenience—because it balances centripetal force, which is a true force. If a ball is swung on the end of a string, the string exerts centripetal force on the ball and causes it to follow a curved path. The ball is said to exert centrifugal force on the string, tending to break the string and fly off on a tangent.
 
In all fairness, when discussing things that are "outside the norm" it usually takes a variety or combination of explanations before it's truly understood. I take it for granted since, in person I have a mental list of 3 themes of explinations, and a few variations of specific details that are proven (in my experience) to get someone in the "understanding mode" quickly.

With that being said, allow me to answer your questions.

I have heard other players compare my grip to the "V Grip", I know Mr. Brett, but don't know what he teaches. If there are similarities in my grip and the movement I suggest with the wrist/fingers I wouldn't be surprised, and like all my techniques they are what I personally use and have found to be the most effective.

I know my grip has been questioned and talked about, and I did go over it in my original 'Ultimate Pool Secrets' using a sword, however I resisted going into great detail.

Concerning firmness: I practice on both ends of the spectrum in this respect. I will squeeze the cue, cock it and play with a firm grip and sometimes I only use two fingers (using thumb/first two fingers) with a very light grip pressure if I'm working on Touch/Finesse/Feel shots.

I play with a firm, controlled pressure, that gives {ME} the ideal balance between power and touch. I use the same pressure when playing golf or tennis as well and played all three games at the same time for several years when in my early teenage years (although I played golf left handed).

I cock my wrist on all shots, and just less on finesse or slow rolled shots. However, my main objective, in Buddy Hall fashion is to hit most shots the same speed and as in my example cock up to eye level from my hip. Then I take my practice stokes BEFORE I get down on the shot, not after.

My main objective is to cock my wrist/fingers in such a way to create a track/slot that makes it virtually impssible to not hit the cue ball straight.

Yes, the stroke (for me) is a pushing motion that extends the tip through the cue ball. When players on here talk about pulling the cue they lose me because I can't relate to that at all. Notice I don't tell them they are full of "BS", "crazy", "trying to con people" "say they are talking nonsense", I JUST simply am "quietly confused" and can't relate to why they play in that way.

The TOUCH of Inside technique I have explained in many ways. First off, I DO NOT spin the cue ball, I just "cue it" to the inside. This creates a situation that slightly overcuts the object ball. When combined with this "Wrist/Finger Stroke" it is DEADLY ACCURATE and expands the Pocket Zone by an impressive margin. Someone that aims at the center of the pocket and uses center ball can't win with the 5/7 playing 9 Ball.

I'm not boasting, just stating a fact, when you learn to use the 3 Part Pocket System and look at the pocket as a Zone (and learn to pre set your hand so you hit the cue ball straight every time), the Game changes and becomes possible to play without error for hours at a time.

I'm not claiming to be "better" than the players {on this Forum} that don't understand my techniques, I'm simply playing a different Game than they are. 'The Game is the Teacher'


This is a great post. It clears up a few things for me. Especially the grip. I found myself relying on my thumb and first two fingers for most of my shots. I know you said to move the stick out of the palm, but the stick is resting against the first knuckle at the edge of the palm. I feel like I'm using the Busty grip now. :smile:

Best,
Mike
 
I like that "nervous tension" Ben Hogan relates to

If you tighten your muscles in the hand or wrist by attempting to direct the stroke thats what slows down the stroke. Sure the centrifugal force makes the hand pivot at the wrist. Just as in a great golf swing that is unobstructed with muscles tightening.

Have you ever seen a martial artist put his hand through brick or boards? I know your point, but don't think for a moment that their hand is not tight. You can tighten your hand and still be relaxed in your arm.

Ben Hogan used to to talk of a "nervous tension" in his golf swing and Tiger Woods isn't exactly relaxed when he swings. I was trained playing "big money" matches and if someone tried to play "relaxed" against me.....well.....you can ask other people what happened to them.

I'm just speaking from my own experience, not somone elses. If you can play relaxed by all means continue to do so, I'm just not of the same mind set. I like that "nervous tension" Ben Hogan relates to because when you're in the heat of battle it's second nature to tighten. Trying to stay too relaxed is going against what's natural and that can cause conflict. 'The Game is the Teacher'
 
Question for you CJ

I hope I word this correctly.

Do you close (squeeze) the grip at tip contact with the cue ball or during the measurement of the shot close (squeeze) the grip on the OB.

I call it a pure hit. Not over hitting or under hitting the OB.

Or is the closing (squeezing) of the grip shot dependent.

Oh, good morning. :smile:

Thank You

John
 
I hope I word this correctly.

Do you close (squeeze) the grip at tip contact with the cue ball or during the measurement of the shot close (squeeze) the grip on the OB.

I call it a pure hit. Not over hitting or under hitting the OB.

Or is the closing (squeezing) of the grip shot dependent.

Oh, good morning. :smile:

Thank You

John

Hi John,

I believe CJ said he wants a consistant grip 'pressure' throughout the stroke. I believe he even said that on a power shot he might even 'practice' the stroke to get the end grip pressure & maintain that pressure from start to finish.

I tried the 'hip set' advice on the dining room table this morning (we moved my table to my son's house). It seems to work much better as the stroke was straight with less tension & no twisting. I plan to try it out asap.

Have a good weekend,
 
A question for CJ

I was watching Earl Strickland vs. CJ Wiley at the U.S. Open
At 2:00, the first shot after the opening break it looked like you had your index finger pointed down the shaft of the cue. Upon reviewing it, I see it was an illusion and the lighting made it appear that way. Many many years ago I did experiment shooting with my index finger extended along the shaft and pointing at the cue ball. Would that be similar to but an exaggeration of your wrist/hand position?
 
I think this is a good representation of the grip. As CJ has posted. It works and works very well to lock the wrist to prevent any side movement

John
 

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Hi John,

I believe CJ said he wants a consistant grip 'pressure' throughout the stroke. I believe he even said that on a power shot he might even 'practice' the stroke to get the end grip pressure & maintain that pressure from start to finish.

I tried the 'hip set' advice on the dining room table this morning (we moved my table to my son's house). It seems to work much better as the stroke was straight with less tension & no twisting. I plan to try it out asap.

Have a good weekend,

Thanks Rick.

Since CJ suggested the hammer stroke I have paid real close attention to the better players stroking action. Now I can see what they are doing, pretty simple once someone points it out. Its more of a flowing movement.

Dont forget to keep your left foot in line with the shot line.

You have a good weekend also.

I'll be watching the Big Truck Show all afternoon and paying attention to some of the players basics.

John
 
Don't look if you're a "conventional instuctor", I'm going to show my new DVD now.

Cover your real eyes if you don't realize who's been telling the real lies.
Has somebody been telling lies, CJ?

pj
chgo
 
It's more like fingerprints, everyone's are slightly different when magnified.

I hope I word this correctly.

Do you close (squeeze) the grip at tip contact with the cue ball or during the measurement of the shot close (squeeze) the grip on the OB.

I call it a pure hit. Not over hitting or under hitting the OB.

Or is the closing (squeezing) of the grip shot dependent.

Oh, good morning. :smile:

Thank You

John


I personally use a consistant grip pressure. Many do have a very light grip and then tighten at impact.

I know many top players though the years that shared my same opinions, however they did use the light grip.

This, to me is the personal part of pool. It's more like fingerprints, everyone's are slightly different when magnified. 'The Game is the Teacher'
 
]Make sure you cock the TIP up in FRONT of your eyes before you go down

I was watching Earl Strickland vs. CJ Wiley at the U.S. Open
At 2:00, the first shot after the opening break it looked like you had your index finger pointed down the shaft of the cue. Upon reviewing it, I see it was an illusion and the lighting made it appear that way. Many many years ago I did experiment shooting with my index finger extended along the shaft and pointing at the cue ball. Would that be similar to but an exaggeration of your wrist/hand position?

No, I would not recommend extending your finger in any way, shape or form. Eveyone's grip is a personal matter and no two are exactly alike.

I prefer to grip my cue like I do a Hammer or Axe so my fingers are in control, yet my wrist is free to work up and down. I could show you many ways to achieve different cue ball reactions by how you pre set your wrist, but I don't have desire to try to communicate it in writing.

Some of these things MUST be done in person, so there's no confusion. The main thing is to get your wrist/fingers in a position BEFORE you get down on the ball doing practice strokes to feel that groove/slot and hinge of your wrist.

Make sure you cock the TIP up in FRONT of your eyes before you go down on the shot. The reason is important, you want to start with your eyes looking at the TIP because that's where they will be after you're down on the "Line of the Shot".

Sounds like a small thing, but take my word for it, IT's a BIG thing and it could be the "difference that makes the difference". 'The Game is the Teacher'
 
I will also sign it to whom ever you want if you want to use it as a gift

How much will it retail for?

$24.95 and the first 50 orders I will include a signed poster. I will also sign it to whom ever you want if you want to use it as a gift for Christmas or Birthday.
 
CJ:

Here’s a regrettably fuzzy, occasionally jumpy 7-minute 1980 video that nevertheless amply demonstrates Willie Mosconi’s firm and ultra-confident delivery stroke that’s also capable of great subtlety (note the cute nip/slide-draw he executes at 3:40 that has to avoid the break ball he’s setting up on by a scant millimeter).

Though we can’t conclude exactly how tightly he’s gripping, his evident slip stroke would indicate that his grip is apparently loose at least during and after cue ball impact (except for the several shots when he atypically raises his stick way up in the air after impact . . . hard to do that with a loose grip of course).

His form and delivery stroke are most clearly able to be studied at these video points:

-- 2:10
-- 2:52
-- 5:20
-- 6:15
-- 7:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKw56oAA-E&feature=related

What would be your opinion on Mosconi’s pre-setting of, and use of, his wrist during most of the shots seen on this video? I saw him in person a few times and he seemed to have a very "wristy" stroke, as best as I could describe it. Thanks in advance, CJ.

Arnaldo
 
the systems/techniques that allows the Game to play through them

Has somebody been telling lies, CJ?

pj
chgo

I don't believe it's the "somebody's" that lie, I think it's somebody's perception that is lying. We can't always believe our eyes/logic/perception when it comes to people, intentions and sports techniques.

There is no "cookie cutter" way of doing things at the highest level. When it somes to the Game of Pocket Billiards many "contemperary methods" don't allow the ultimate outcome for enjoyment.

Saying the "cue does all the work" to me is like believing the "pen does all the writing" for an author, or "the brush does all the painting" for a famous painter.

These things are said from lack of experience.....the experience of the game playing through them, rather than them trying to play the game.

The greatest experience, (in my opinion) is when someone learns the systems/techniques that allows the Game to play through their HANDS. It's not necessarily about playing a LOT better, it's about enjoying the Game a LOT more. 'The Game is the Teacher'
 
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One thing that's essential is to maintain CONTROL of your cue throughout your stroke

CJ:

Here’s a regrettably fuzzy, occasionally jumpy 7-minute 1980 video that nevertheless amply demonstrates Willie Mosconi’s firm and ultra-confident delivery stroke that’s also capable of great subtlety (note the cute nip/slide-draw he executes at 3:40 that has to avoid the break ball he’s setting up on by a scant millimeter).

Though we can’t conclude exactly how tightly he’s gripping, his evident slip stroke would indicate that his grip is apparently loose at least during and after cue ball impact (except for the several shots when he atypically raises his stick way up in the air after impact . . . hard to do that with a loose grip of course).

His form and delivery stroke are most clearly able to be studied at these video points:

-- 2:10
-- 2:52
-- 5:20
-- 6:15
-- 7:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKw56oAA-E&feature=related

What would be your opinion on Mosconi’s pre-setting of, and use of, his wrist during most of the shots seen on this video? I saw him in person a few times and he seemed to have a very "wristy" stroke, as best as I could describe it. Thanks in advance, CJ.

Arnaldo

No one will ever question Mosconi's skill in Straight Pool. I especially like how he addresses the cue ball by just measuring up to it. He doesn't get caught up with practice strokes, but hits the shots with authority.

He probably holds the cue lightly, but watch on some of his follow throughs when the cue (and his hand) finishes almost violently to his left. You can see he's squeezing the cue and finishes in a powerful position.

This shows {to me} that he used his wrist to increase power and accuracy with a slight "slip stroke". Again, watch how he "whips" the cue to his left after contact several times with his hand, in a forceful follow through.

One thing that's essential is to maintain CONTROL of your cue throughout your stroke, especially on "stroke shots".

I also like how Mosconi stands up a bit taller than what you see these days. I don't believe you have to get really low on the cue to enjoy the game and play at a high level. 'The Game is the Teacher'
599083_10151883039785288_219346101_n.jpg
 
No one will ever question Mosconi's skill in Straight Pool. I especially like how he addresses the cue ball by just measuring up to it. He doesn't get caught up with practice strokes, but hits the shots with authority.

He probably holds the cue lightly, but watch on some of his follow throughs when the cue (and his hand) finishes almost violently to his left. You can see he's squeezing the cue and finishes in a powerful position.

This shows {to me} that he used his wrist to increase power and accuracy with a slight "slip stroke". Again, watch how he "whips" the cue to his left after contact several times with his hand, in a forceful follow through.

One thing that's essential is to maintain CONTROL of your cue throughout your stroke, especially on "stroke shots".

I also like how Mosconi stands up a bit taller than what you see these days. I don't believe you have to get really low on the cue to enjoy the game and play at a high level. 'The Game is the Teacher'
599083_10151883039785288_219346101_n.jpg

Yea, I don't think Jimmy Moore or Luther got down on the ball low.
 
This shows {to me} that he used his wrist to increase power and accuracy with a slight "slip stroke". Again, watch how he "whips" the cue to his left after contact several times with his hand, in a forceful follow through.
can you say more about this , please! I was always told that your stroke is good if when the cue always goes straight after the impact and when I watch Willie, it 's sometimes completely opposite
 
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