Anyone Have Success Using a Wrist Brace?

3kushn said:
Years ago there was a brace just for pool. Back then I was exploring lots of things and bit on it.
I used it long enough to realize flexing the wrist doesn't add much if anything.
Being deliberate is what matters.
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I owned one of those devices years ago. I believe it was called the "Sure Shot". The problem with it was that you could still twist your wrist when wearing it. I sold it to someone I was working with that had the twisting issue. He seemed to like it and it did help him. My only issue with wearing a brace such as one used in bowling would be the possible restriction of the wrist as it snaps through for certain shots as in the draw.
 
dardusm said:
I owned one of those devices years ago. I believe it was called the "Sure Shot". The problem with it was that you could still twist your wrist when wearing it. I sold it to someone I was working with that had the twisting issue. He seemed to like it and it did help him. My only issue with wearing a brace such as one used in bowling would be the possible restriction of the wrist as it snaps through for certain shots as in the draw.
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Your observation, and comment about the restriction of the wrist movement for draw when using a bowling wrist brace is correct.
That’s one thing you have to keep in mind when you use it in play, that some of your ability to move. The cue ball around the table will be restricted.
But that’s not the purpose for why you were wearing it
you’re using it to try to illuminate risk curl
and for that I think it’s very effective
 
bbb said:
Your observation, and comment about the restriction of the wrist movement for draw when using a bowling wrist brace is correct.
That’s one thing you have to keep in mind when you use it in play, that some of your ability to move. The cue ball around the table will be restricted.
But that’s not the purpose for why you were wearing it
you’re using it to try to illuminate risk curl
and for that I think it’s very effective
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I agree it can be a useful tool but to wear it all the time could lead to control issues.
 
bbb said:
Why/how do you think it would cause control issues?
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While more stable and better at producing a str8 stroke, the control issues would come in the feel and speed control department as fluidity and a supple wrist aid these greatly.
 
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ChrisinNC said:
I didn’t [post video] , I don’t know how.
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If you post, you may get better feedback. As one guy mentioned, a wrist curl in and of itself is not a stroke flaw that needs fixing if you still stroke it consistently.

In general, without a video, you might be interested in these few facts:
1. The biceps primary role in the arm is not elbow flexion, it is suppination of the forearm/hand (aka wrist curl). So, if you use you biceps to power your stroke, you are using a muscle that tries to turn the hand over.
2. If you get in a fully pronated position (most commonly taught grip postition with thumb-down, palm facing away from target), because of how it connects to the forearm, the biceps will be mostly 'turned off' and just the brachialis, which doesn't also turn the wrist when it flexes the elbow, can power your stroke (IF you power your stroke from within the arm....some don't which always comes as a surprise to those that do).
3. The amount of wrist curl is affected by your stance angle. The same grip (one that is prone to turning over) will def turn over when more square, but as you angle your body more and the elbow comes away from the body, that same grip will not want to turn over nearly as much and may just not turn over at all depending on your body and why the wrist curl is occurring for you to begin with .
 
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I've used a wrist brace to help my fundamentals. It worked for me because I was doing just about everything wrong (and with 25 years of ingrained experience!) and so I didn't even know what a pure stroke felt like. I wasn't able to become very good with it on because I found the brace itself bulky and distracting, but it helped for drilling in what a straight stroke with no twisting/turning/etc felt like. Then I could take the brace away and work on my stroke and game knowing what correct really was. I recommend it.
 
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bbb said:
Why/how do you think it would cause control issues?
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It can restrict the use of the wrist during the stroking motion. To get extreme draw, snapping the wrist through the shot helps vs just using a static vertical wrist action (if that makes sense?). I guess you could get used to it and adjust over time.
 
dardusm said:
It can restrict the use of the wrist during the stroking motion. To get extreme draw, snapping the wrist through the shot helps vs just using a static vertical wrist action (if that makes sense?). I guess you could get used to it and adjust over time.
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How often does the need for “wrist snap” come up?
btw for that shot you are right
i found it is restrictive
but again its a practice tool
 
ChrisinNC said:
I recently saw a video of my stroke from behind and I realized immediately I have a bad habit of twisting my wrist and cue butt inwards on the forestroke through the CB impact zone and follow through.

I’m thinking of ordering a wrist brace to try to prevent my wrist from turning either way through the follow through. My thoughts are to use it just during practice sessions, although there’s no reason I couldn’t use it all the time if it works.

Anyone have any thoughts on this or any experience having tried this to keep the wrist from twisting through the stroke? All opinions are welcomed - thanks.
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Try one...see how you like it. I'm a twister also. I realize it and cannot break the habit. I consider using a brace also. Sometimes I think a cast might be the answer.
 
bbb said:
How often does the need for “wrist snap” come up?
btw for that shot you are right
i found it is restrictive
but again its a practice tool
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Maybe on shots that a require a little extra "umph" but as a practice tool it might have value to someone that twists their wrist. I still think you can twist your wrist in the device unless you have it so tight that you can't even move it. It reminds me of players that listen to music when playing but what happens when that isn't allowed? Use it as a tool but don't become dependent on it is my take.
 
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Wrist braces feel unnatural in a pool stroke. Try an shortened Ace adhesive bandage in a 2” width.
For a more rigid support, you can insert something on the top of your wrist, even small cardboard.

The purpose of this aid is not to prevent you from turning your wrist but makes it easier not to do it.
The elastic bandage helps keep your wrist perpendicular & even a slight bend becomes noticeable.
 
GoldCrown said:
Try one...see how you like it. I'm a twister also. I realize it and cannot break the habit. I consider using a brace also. Sometimes I think a cast might be the answer.
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Then remember what they said about Lee Trevino’s golf swing……Jim Furyk…….Doug Sanders…….Julius Boros.
Even a poor golf swing can become a great golf swing if you do the same thing all the time…..repeatability is great.

Why? Because when you are always doing the same thing on every stroke, it becomes trustworthy & dependable.
So just allow for it….plan it will happen……adjust for it in your aim……become comfortable with it or else change.
 
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Bavafongoul said:
Wrist braces feel unnatural in a pool stroke. Try an shortened Ace adhesive bandage in a 2” width.
For a more rigid support, you can insert something on the top of your wrist, even small cardboard.

The purpose of this aid is not to prevent you from turning your wrist but makes it easier not to do it.
The elastic bandage helps keep your wrist perpendicular & even a slight bend becomes noticeable.
Click to expand...
I'd go about it as a therapeutic drill, using only the stick in a slow linear piston fashion.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Wrist braces feel unnatural in a pool stroke. Try an shortened Ace adhesive bandage in a 2” width.
For a more rigid support, you can insert something on the top of your wrist, even small cardboard.

The purpose of this aid is not to prevent you from turning your wrist but makes it easier not to do it.
The elastic bandage helps keep your wrist perpendicular & even a slight bend becomes noticeable.
Click to expand...
I would consider it a reminder... like tying a string around a finger to remember.
 
GoldCrown said:
Try one...see how you like it. I'm a twister also. I realize it and cannot break the habit. I consider using a brace also. Sometimes I think a cast might be the answer.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I ordered a wrist brace and just got it yesterday, but I haven’t tried it out yet. My last few practice sessions, I experimented with holding my wrist in a more cupped position through the stroke.

I seem to be able to hold my wrist angle in that position through the stroke and not twist it inwards towards my body on the follow-through. I may continue to see if that works, before I resort to trying the wrist brace.
 
ChrisinNC said:
Thanks. I ordered a wrist brace and just got it yesterday, but I haven’t tried it out yet. My last few practice sessions, I experimented with holding my wrist in a more cupped position through the stroke.

I seem to be able to hold my wrist angle in that position through the stroke and not twist it inwards towards my body on the follow-through. I may continue to see if that works, before I resort to trying the wrist brace.
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Why strive to maintain a “ cupped” wrist angle
When you can strive to have a neutral angle?
 
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