One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever got was from CJ Wiley… “The game is played in the wrist!” This understanding has transformed my game and I believe is heavily overlooked. Many subscribe to the “Wrist is loose”. It works for a lot of players. However, after learning how the wrist works to snap the stroke at the end from CJ, I start to see it in most profession players. It is often subtle. He calls it the Hammer Stroke others, like Barry Stark, and Cory explain it well just no special name. Look at Filler, Shaw and Shane. Their wrists are not passive. The wrists do the work. If you look for it, you will see. Here is a good example from Shane --- (22:22)
It does two things. It sets the stroke in the “groove” keeping the stroke straight and provides and acceleration just before and at the CB. This is the hidden power in a professional stroke. Nothing new, just something to share for those that want it. Mike
The Game is Played in the Wrist
- Thread starter mjdoutdoors
- Start date
This might go without saying but "the game" being the hustle, the wrist can be a very subtle throttle.
This is true. For example working on my stance has gained me improvement along with other areas. However, understanding the wrist action and putting it in action is the one thing that markedly improved my game after many years of playing. Something I wish I learned when I started.
Geosnookery
Well-known member
I never think about it.
Actually, I never think about 95% of what everyone else has running through their mind when they play billiards.
Guys like CJ Wiley were winning championships at a young age before they decided to analyze their wrist action and market new techniques and systems.
Sure , wrist action is important. I just question whether anyone really has a clue as to all the subtleties involved.
Actually, I never think about 95% of what everyone else has running through their mind when they play billiards.
Guys like CJ Wiley were winning championships at a young age before they decided to analyze their wrist action and market new techniques and systems.
Sure , wrist action is important. I just question whether anyone really has a clue as to all the subtleties involved.
Don't forget the hands. Having strong powerful hands can make a huge difference in pool and in other sports as well.
JoeRandom11
Member
I am definitely not a pro, but I think i can identify subtleties in my stroke and even with others. Subtleties that, when watching other players, can identify as weaknesses in their game. Those weaknesses make it easier for me to identify safety opportunities, even if those safety opportunities leave the object ball open to contact. If I can accurately analyze my opponents subtle stroke irregularities and lack of fundamentals, I can identify what shots he/she can and cannot make.
Tension in any part of the arm/hand/wrist can twist the cue off line. There are many techniques that add spin and english without a wrist twist or snap, but a loose wrist can only help.
If you ask me, a good stroke is there the tip hits the cueball on delivery exactly where it was addressed and with the exact velocity intended.
I can’t imagine trying to put the old “HiiiiYa” on the ball with my wrist and not sacrificing control. If I want more velocity in the stick at the end, I’ll get that there more smoothly with acceleration at the beginning.
I can’t imagine trying to put the old “HiiiiYa” on the ball with my wrist and not sacrificing control. If I want more velocity in the stick at the end, I’ll get that there more smoothly with acceleration at the beginning.
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I wish I could find a happy medium between a grip that allows more wrist action and one without so much. I've struggled with this forever. My usual and favorite grip is just letting the cue rest on my middle and ring finger with a relaxed grip. I am very accurate this way but it takes a bit of effort to move the ball around the table, after some time it feels like I'm pushing a log. I will then switch to my index finger and thumb and for quite a few weeks I'm consistently running 50's and 60's without much effort, just a touch easily moves the CB to where I want it to go next. Eventually I start missing more, and feel that the loose grip is contributing to more deflection, and switch back to pushing logs. I used to fight it but now I just go with what's working at the time. I've heard some tennis, baseball, and other players in sports requiring a 'grip' use a different one depending on what they want to do with the ball in their sport, so I'll just do the same.