Connection Calibration - Can You Develop More "Feel" in Your Game?

CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
Gold Member
Silver Member
I want to discuss what "Connection Calibration" is and how to do it before anyone assumes it is another word for pre shot routine.

A pre shot routine is simply a routine you do each time before a shot when you stand a certain way, and see what type of shot you're going to hit and then go through your own personal routine for accomplishing the shot.

These routines are essential to actually play the Game, and you may want to incorporate things from the Connection Calibration and anchor it into your permanent routine. That's different.

When I'm doing Connection Calibration, I also do it before the shot, and this is where the similarity ends. For instance if I was doing the Calibration for my right hand I would show you how to put different parts of your hand on the "Line of the Shot", then shoot the shot and FEEL the shot sensation in THAT particular part of your hand.

Use your knuckles and go from the index, to the middle, to the ring finger, to the pinky, shooting usually straight in shots for the "fullest hit and sensation".

I use the right hand (if right handed) because kinesthetically it's the most important "body part" because it is directly Connected to the cue and gives you the most "feed back". I believe it's important to understand where you get the most sensitivity in your hand and why.
 
CJ Wiley said:
I want to discuss what "Connection Calibration" is and how to do it before anyone assumes it is another word for pre shot routine.

A pre shot routine is simply a routine you do each time before a shot when you stand a certain way, and see what type of shot you're going to hit and then go through your own personal routine for accomplishing the shot.

These routines are essential to actually play the Game, and you may want to incorporate things from the Connection Calibration and anchor it into your permanent routine. That's different.

When I'm doing Connection Calibration, I also do it before the shot, and this is where the similarity ends. For instance if I was doing the Calibration for my right hand I would show you how to put different parts of your hand on the "Line of the Shot", then shoot the shot and FEEL the shot sensation in THAT particular part of your hand.
Use your knuckles and go from the index, to the middle, to the ring finger, to the pinky, shooting usually straight in shots for the "fullest hit and sensation".

I use the right hand (if right handed) because kinesthetically it's the most important "body part" because it is directly Connected to the cue and gives you the most "feed back". I believe it's important to understand where you get the most sensitivity in your hand and why.
Click to expand...

Sorry CJ, I am not understanding what you are saying. It sounds like you are using more than "feel" I don't but get the connection between the hand and the shot. Could you clarify please
 
I get it. I try not to think about it in words but sensations I feel when i am stroking correctly. My grip hand is hypersensitive to what I am doing with the cue and allows me to park that cue ball where i want it consistently
 
Before using the Connection Calibration, I tend to employ the Senses Supercharger, followed by a quick Muscle Maximization. If these fail, I will then double down with the Ocular Optimization. Gets em every time.
 
CJ Wiley said:
I want to discuss what "Connection Calibration" is and how to do it before anyone assumes it is another word for pre shot routine.

A pre shot routine is simply a routine you do each time before a shot when you stand a certain way, and see what type of shot you're going to hit and then go through your own personal routine for accomplishing the shot.

These routines are essential to actually play the Game, and you may want to incorporate things from the Connection Calibration and anchor it into your permanent routine. That's different.

When I'm doing Connection Calibration, I also do it before the shot, and this is where the similarity ends. For instance if I was doing the Calibration for my right hand I would show you how to put different parts of your hand on the "Line of the Shot", then shoot the shot and FEEL the shot sensation in THAT particular part of your hand.

Use your knuckles and go from the index, to the middle, to the ring finger, to the pinky, shooting usually straight in shots for the "fullest hit and sensation".

I use the right hand (if right handed) because kinesthetically it's the most important "body part" because it is directly Connected to the cue and gives you the most "feed back". I believe it's important to understand where you get the most sensitivity in your hand and why.
Click to expand...

center pocket said:
I get it. I try not to think about it in words but sensations I feel when i am stroking correctly. My grip hand is hypersensitive to what I am doing with the cue and allows me to park that cue ball where i want it consistently
Click to expand...

I practice this everyday. The sensation in the grip hand is a feeling that cannot easily be put into words.

John
 
MahnaMahna said:
Before using the Connection Calibration, I tend to employ the Senses Supercharger, followed by a quick Muscle Maximization. If these fail, I will then double down with the Ocular Optimization. Gets em every time.
Click to expand...


Does a hit of the old hemp vapor help?

Lou Figueroa
just askin'
 
the shoulder movement (when down on the cue ball) affects the tip.

The part about pool that must be learned is how the connection is employed between the shoulder and the hand. When this is done in a technically sound way you can easily tell by how the shoulder movement (when down on the cue ball) affects the tip.

If you can move your shoulder and it has no "coil," then it won't be connected properly. With the top ranked players you can see them move their shoulder in a way that doesn't appear to do much....however, it is giving them direct input on their connection from the shoulder, down the arm, through the wrist, into the hand and extending down the cue so that the energy directly affects the tip.

This may seem complicated, however, there's a system that enables any player to feel and utilize this technique within a matter of hours. When all is said and done the player will have a way to make a repeatable acceleration through the cue ball like never before......utilizing what will seem like a "squeezing motion," however, it's the connection that makes it possible. 'The Game is the teacher'


Sedog said:
Sorry CJ, I am not understanding what you are saying. It sounds like you are using more than "feel" I don't but get the connection between the hand and the shot. Could you clarify please
Click to expand...
 
The motion and feeling in the grip hand is very similar to the motion involved in...

I'm currently working with two, professional carpenters and they have caught on to the advanced pool stroke as quick as anyone I ever trained. The motion and feeling in the grip hand is very similar to the motion involved in hammering a nail. (it's also the same wrist motion as golf, which would surprise many players)
HaneyRightHandRelease.jpg


I grew up on a lumber yard and my father was a carpenter. From an early age I spent hours and hours around the carpenters and hammered anything that even appeared to be a nail. ;) Who would ever guess that this was the perfect training for my future professional career?

Earl Strickland also did a lot of roofing when he was young and understands the "hammer motion" and how to activate this type of power in the hands and fingers.

I now use a hammer, swords, and a few other "unusual" training devices to teach the pool stroke.......and the results speak for themselves, there's no way you can develop this type of improvement by just using a pool cue. 'The Game is the Teacher'


One Pocket John said:
I practice this everyday. The sensation in the grip hand is a feeling that cannot easily be put into words.

John
Click to expand...
 
CJ Wiley said:
I want to discuss what "Connection Calibration" is and how to do it before anyone assumes it is another word for pre shot routine.

A pre shot routine is simply a routine you do each time before a shot when you stand a certain way, and see what type of shot you're going to hit and then go through your own personal routine for accomplishing the shot.

These routines are essential to actually play the Game, and you may want to incorporate things from the Connection Calibration and anchor it into your permanent routine. That's different.

When I'm doing Connection Calibration, I also do it before the shot, and this is where the similarity ends. For instance if I was doing the Calibration for my right hand I would show you how to put different parts of your hand on the "Line of the Shot", then shoot the shot and FEEL the shot sensation in THAT particular part of your hand.

Use your knuckles and go from the index, to the middle, to the ring finger, to the pinky, shooting usually straight in shots for the "fullest hit and sensation".

I use the right hand (if right handed) because kinesthetically it's the most important "body part" because it is directly Connected to the cue and gives you the most "feed back". I believe it's important to understand where you get the most sensitivity in your hand and why.
Click to expand...

Would this be different if you changed your grip, grip placement on the cue, or speed of each shot?

Best,
Mike
 
you'll learn some things about your own grip/stroke doing this that may be profound

Yes, and to explain this would take more time than I have at the moment.

Let me give you something to experiment with that will teach you far more than any words or descriptions:

Set up an easy "straight in shot" about three feet apart and three feet from the pocket.

First, grip your cue as you normally do and put your index finger's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the "line of the shot" (center to center in this case) and shoot the shot firmly. You should feel the shot more in your index finger than anywhere else.

Now, go to your second finger's knuckle, then "ring finger" knuckle, then your little finger knuckle, each time putting THAT FINGER's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the line of the shot (then simply turn your hand and shoot the shot from that position).

What you'll find is you have more sensitivity for your game/stroke in one particular finger (sometimes two), so to maximize your touch and feel for the game you must take this into account while developing YOUR most effective grip.

There's more to this, however, this is an ideal place to start and you'll learn some things about your own grip/stroke doing this that no one could ever communicate. We're all different in our styles, however, understanding better how our own fingers, hands and wrists produce leverage in the stroke is crucial to playing at your highest levels of performance.

"Experience is the Teacher' - TheGame


Mikjary said:
Would this be different if you changed your grip, grip placement on the cue, or speed of each shot?

Best,
Mike
Click to expand...
 
CJ Wiley said:
Yes, and to explain this would take more time than I have at the moment.

Let me give you something to experiment with that will teach you far more than any words or descriptions:

Set up an easy "straight in shot" about three feet apart and three feet from the pocket.

First, grip your cue as you normally do and put your index finger's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the "line of the shot" (center to center in this case) and shoot the shot firmly. You should feel the shot more in your index finger than anywhere else.

Now, go to your second finger's knuckle, then "ring finger" knuckle, then your little finger knuckle, each time putting THAT FINGER's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the line of the shot (then simply turn your hand and shoot the shot from that position).

What you'll find is you have more sensitivity for your game/stroke in one particular finger (sometimes two), so to maximize your touch and feel for the game you must take this into account while developing YOUR most effective grip.

There's more to this, however, this is an ideal place to start and you'll learn some things about your own grip/stroke doing this that no one could ever communicate. We're all different in our styles, however, understanding better how our own fingers, hands and wrists produce leverage in the stroke is crucial to playing at your highest levels of performance.

"Experience is the Teacher' - TheGame
Click to expand...

You're losing me. Are you saying that I should first shoot the shot while holding the cue with only my index finger with the knuckle directly on the line, and then move to my middle finger, and so on...each time cradling the cue with only one finger at a time?
When you say 'simply turn your hand', are you saying to then cock your hand like you would if you were going to strike with a hammer?
 
CJ Wiley said:
Yes, and to explain this would take more time than I have at the moment.

Let me give you something to experiment with that will teach you far more than any words or descriptions:

Set up an easy "straight in shot" about three feet apart and three feet from the pocket.

First, grip your cue as you normally do and put your index finger's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the "line of the shot" (center to center in this case) and shoot the shot firmly. You should feel the shot more in your index finger than anywhere else.

Now, go to your second finger's knuckle, then "ring finger" knuckle, then your little finger knuckle, each time putting THAT FINGER's knuckle DIRECTLY behind the line of the shot (then simply turn your hand and shoot the shot from that position).

What you'll find is you have more sensitivity for your game/stroke in one particular finger (sometimes two), so to maximize your touch and feel for the game you must take this into account while developing YOUR most effective grip.

There's more to this, however, this is an ideal place to start and you'll learn some things about your own grip/stroke doing this that no one could ever communicate. We're all different in our styles, however, understanding better how our own fingers, hands and wrists produce leverage in the stroke is crucial to playing at your highest levels of performance.

"Experience is the Teacher' - TheGame
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip CJ.

Took your recommendation to the table for about an hour. My ring finger seems to be more sensitive to the cue and weight of the cue ball.

John
 
This is a simple exercise that gives you insight and better touch

No, hold the cue as usual and put that knuckle or finger directly behind the shot line....then shoot the shot and the sensitivity will be magnified in that particular finger. It's much easier to show this in person (obviously) and it's a big wake up call for those that have "gripping issues".

Also, when I say turn the hand, just turn your hand from holding the cue perpendicular to the line of the shot to put it directly on the line of the shot.

This is a simple exercise that gives you insight on where your touch is centralized in your hand/fingers....then, with this info you can alter your grip accordingly.



tim913 said:
You're losing me. Are you saying that I should first shoot the shot while holding the cue with only my index finger with the knuckle directly on the line, and then move to my middle finger, and so on...each time cradling the cue with only one finger at a time?
When you say 'simply turn your hand', are you saying to then cock your hand like you would if you were going to strike with a hammer?
Click to expand...
 
CJ Wiley said:
No, hold the cue as usual and put that knuckle or finger directly behind the shot line....then shoot the shot and the sensitivity will be magnified in that particular finger. It's much easier to show this in person (obviously) and it's a big wake up call for those that have "gripping issues".

Also, when I say turn the hand, just turn your hand from holding the cue perpendicular to the line of the shot to put it directly on the line of the shot.

This is a simple exercise that gives you insight on where your touch is centralized in your hand/fingers....then, with this info you can alter your grip accordingly.
Click to expand...

OK.....Thanks!!
 
we can draw the cue ball 18 feet with apparent ease

It pays off to know exactly how your hand and fingers create acceleration and turn your cue into a "lever" - the amount of force and energy you will be able to generate is incredible.....how else do you think we can draw the cue ball 18 feet with apparent ease?

'The Game is the Teacher'


tim913 said:
OK.....Thanks!!
Click to expand...
 
it's preferable to feel the connection of the shoulder to the tip

Yes, actually it's preferable to feel the connection of the shoulder to the tip. This isn't difficult and can be incorporated into anyone's pre-shot routine during a 3 week process.


center pocket said:
I get it. I try not to think about it in words but sensations I feel when i am stroking correctly. My grip hand is hypersensitive to what I am doing with the cue and allows me to park that cue ball where i want it consistently
Click to expand...
 
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