I hoped my bit of photoshopping might raise a smile but no... :sorry:
Request for CJ Wiley
- Thread starter Gilbertfan81
- Start date
Tip dvd
CJ can you post when the TIP video is available on DVD..the TOI video was great and has helped me a lot, got more from that DVD then any other I've purchased before..Thanks!!
Thanks, I have several road trips with Omaha John and Weldon Rogers that I haven't written about that have some of my favorite stories - will do that as soon as we're completely finished with the TIP Banking Video.
We also have a web site under construction at www.thegameistheteacher.com if you want to check it out. My training facility is now finished in Dallas/Ft. Worth and I'm giving private lessons teaching a variety of techniques including 'The Touch of Inside' and the 'Stroke of the Samurai'
We have our first draft of the new TIP video, I'm looking forward to introducing it very soon.
Play Well, icucybe
the game is the teacher . com
CJ can you post when the TIP video is available on DVD..the TOI video was great and has helped me a lot, got more from that DVD then any other I've purchased before..Thanks!!
Thanks, I have several road trips with Omaha John and Weldon Rogers that I haven't written about that have some of my favorite stories - will do that as soon as we're completely finished with the TIP Banking Video.
We also have a web site under construction at www.thegameistheteacher.com if you want to check it out. My training facility is now finished in Dallas/Ft. Worth and I'm giving private lessons teaching a variety of techniques including 'The Touch of Inside' and the 'Stroke of the Samurai'
We have our first draft of the new TIP video, I'm looking forward to introducing it very soon.
Play Well, icucybe
the game is the teacher . com
Thank CJ! I am taking that offer you have this week on your webpage. Looking foward to watching the DVD and see what I can add to my game. Would be nice if you were closer to Maryland or me to Texas. I never been coached but can play very good when in the zone. I learn mostly on my own wacthing people play, reading, watching videos, and playing non stop since I was 13 to around early 25 8 & 9 ball for small money. I won some tournements in Puerto Rico when I lived there.
I moved to Maryland three years ago. I been playing almost everyday for a year now. I fell in love with the game all over again and I playing better than ever and with a lot of motivation to keep getting better.
If you come around this area for the Billiards Expo or anything let me know. Would be awesome to meet you!
We'll get my sword technique out soon - 'Stroke of the Samurai'
Yes, at some point I will, this has been requested several times. I'm learing a lot from working with so many private lessons lately. Using the sword and showing exactly how the wrist/forearm and hand works has been very effective with some reasont clientes.
How the wrist creates power/speed to the cue is still one of the most misunderstood thing in pool (that I've seen), and the most rapid way to improvement. Hitting the cue ball accurately with accelleration is an essential part of any champion's game, and of course anyone else that wants to play at a higher level.
We'll get my sword technique out soon - 'Stroke of the Samurai' has a nice ring to it.
the game is the teacher.com
Yes, at some point I will, this has been requested several times. I'm learing a lot from working with so many private lessons lately. Using the sword and showing exactly how the wrist/forearm and hand works has been very effective with some reasont clientes.
How the wrist creates power/speed to the cue is still one of the most misunderstood thing in pool (that I've seen), and the most rapid way to improvement. Hitting the cue ball accurately with accelleration is an essential part of any champion's game, and of course anyone else that wants to play at a higher level.
We'll get my sword technique out soon - 'Stroke of the Samurai' has a nice ring to it.
the game is the teacher.com
'Stroke of the Samurai' SOS-I like it!!!! and yeah the wrist action is huge. as a matter of fact i could use a lession there , years ago i didnt play as good as i do now but i did have better wrist action, i kinda have let that fade into the past. would be a good tool for me now.
Yes, at some point I will, this has been requested several times. I'm learing a lot from working with so many private lessons lately. Using the sword and showing exactly how the wrist/forearm and hand works has been very effective with some reasont clientes.
How the wrist creates power/speed to the cue is still one of the most misunderstood thing in pool (that I've seen), and the most rapid way to improvement. Hitting the cue ball accurately with accelleration is an essential part of any champion's game, and of course anyone else that wants to play at a higher level.
We'll get my sword technique out soon - 'Stroke of the Samurai' has a nice ring to it.
I was screwing around going back and forth between my old grip and CJ's hammer/wrist action/athletic grip. I was having some trouble with TOI recently and CJ posted a response to my rant basically saying to use this grip. About two weeks ago, I decided to commit to his grip. Once you get this down, I dare you to miss-hit the CB. You can't. You have to stroke straight, because the "groove-slot" forces you to. You're anchored. At first you'll feel like you can't work the CB as much, but that passes quickly. I actually can do more with it now (and believe me I could really juice it before). I also like the feel I get with all five fingers instead of just a couple...my touch is a LOT better. I'm a convert!:thumbup:
"See these, it's all in the hands.....and I've got a great pair of hands!!!"
You're exactly right, my man, having "The Stroke of the Samurai" very crucial part of anyone's game.
I was with Earl Stickland one time and someone came up to him and said "you're the greatest player I've ever seen, you can make any shot and do anything with the cue ball, what's your secret???"
Earl looked at the guy and beamed, holding his hands out, displaying them proudly.
"See these, it's all in the hands.....and I've got a great pair of hands!!!"
I laughed about that for an hour and ribbed him about eating...was all in the hands....golf....was all in the hands....getting girls....was all in the hands. etc.etc. :thumbup:
Say what you want about Earl, he's a brilliant pool player and pretty darn profound (at times).
You're exactly right, my man, having "The Stroke of the Samurai" very crucial part of anyone's game.
I was with Earl Stickland one time and someone came up to him and said "you're the greatest player I've ever seen, you can make any shot and do anything with the cue ball, what's your secret???"
Earl looked at the guy and beamed, holding his hands out, displaying them proudly.
"See these, it's all in the hands.....and I've got a great pair of hands!!!"
I laughed about that for an hour and ribbed him about eating...was all in the hands....golf....was all in the hands....getting girls....was all in the hands. etc.etc. :thumbup:
Say what you want about Earl, he's a brilliant pool player and pretty darn profound (at times).
You're exactly right, my man, having "The Stroke of the Samurai" very crucial part of anyone's game.
I was with Earl Stickland one time and someone came up to him and said "you're the greatest player I've ever seen, you can make any shot and do anything with the cue ball, what's your secret???"
Earl looked at the guy and beamed, holding his hands out, displaying them proudly.
"See these, it's all in the hands.....and I've got a great pair of hands!!!"
I laughed about that for an hour and ribbed him about eating...was all in the hands....golf....was all in the hands....getting girls....was all in the hands. etc.etc. :thumbup:
Say what you want about Earl, he's a brilliant pool player and pretty darn profound (at times).
all BS aside Earl is a sharp guy, you cant be that good at anything and not be smart about it.
you've learned one of my closely guarded secrets (of the past obviously)
Yes, you've learned one of my closely guarded secrets (of the past obviously) of hitting the cue ball straight as an arrow. The "slot/groove" you speak of is what keeps the cue from deviating left or right, therefore is MUST go straight. This is a huge advantage for your confidence, especially under pressure.
When I was gambling all the time I knew my stroke would produce straighter shots for longer periods of time. There were other players like Efren, Buddy and Sigel that played the game fundamentally better than me, however I made up the difference with the way I stroked the ball. They were favored in races, but probably not in long, "ahead" sets.
Especially off the rail, with the TOI it doesn't matter how far you are from the object ball the shots are practically the same. Johnny Archer commented he started using the TOI on long shots {off the rail} a few years ago and never hit them better than he does now.
I've been teaching this technique quite a bit lately and I'm amazed with a student I worked with last week. He is an expert carpenter, so when I showed him how the wrist, hands, and fingers work like a "hammer motion" he took to it better than anyone I'd ever seen. He reads these posts, maybe he'll comment on his experience one of these days. At the end of our 12 hour series he was hitting the Break Rak as well as an advanced player and started out as an "advanced beginner". I was extremely impressed. The credit goes to the greatest teacher...... 'The Game is the Teacher'
Yes, you've learned one of my closely guarded secrets (of the past obviously
) of hitting the cue ball straight as an arrow. The "slot/groove" you speak of is what keeps the cue from deviating left or right, therefore is MUST go straight. This is a huge advantage for your confidence, especially under pressure. When I was gambling all the time I knew my stroke would produce straighter shots for longer periods of time. There were other players like Efren, Buddy and Sigel that played the game fundamentally better than me, however I made up the difference with the way I stroked the ball. They were favored in races, but probably not in long, "ahead" sets.
Especially off the rail, with the TOI it doesn't matter how far you are from the object ball the shots are practically the same. Johnny Archer commented he started using the TOI on long shots {off the rail} a few years ago and never hit them better than he does now.
I've been teaching this technique quite a bit lately and I'm amazed with a student I worked with last week. He is an expert carpenter, so when I showed him how the wrist, hands, and fingers work like a "hammer motion" he took to it better than anyone I'd ever seen. He reads these posts, maybe he'll comment on his experience one of these days. At the end of our 12 hour series he was hitting the Break Rak as well as an advanced player and started out as an "advanced beginner". I was extremely impressed. The credit goes to the greatest teacher...... 'The Game is the Teacher'
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CJ,
Could you please elaborate on this "slot/groove" you refer to and describe it?
Thanks,
Randy
Could you please elaborate on this "slot/groove" you refer to and describe it?
Thanks,
Randy
This slot/groove is done with pressure that's generated by an effective release
I teach this with a hammer, a sword and a Break Rak.....the hand/wrist action is much like using a hammer, the wrists uncock DOWN as they come through the ball. This can't be pickup up be the casual observer, however if you watch a top player shoot with an "open bridge" you will notice that the cue stays connected to the bridge after contact.
This slot/groove is done with pressure that's generated by the effective release of the wrists. Many players think the wrist action is coming "Up" however, if this were true the cue would fly up after contact with an open bridge.
To create a groove/slot/track it's like a train staying on the tracks, it simply CAN NOT deviate outside it's tracks.....I suggest you train your stoke the same way if this is an area you want to improve right away.
When I get a chance I'll put something together on video, I've had many request to do so, but I have to get this TIP Banking video completed before taking on another project.
The Game is the Teacher.com
I teach this with a hammer, a sword and a Break Rak.....the hand/wrist action is much like using a hammer, the wrists uncock DOWN as they come through the ball. This can't be pickup up be the casual observer, however if you watch a top player shoot with an "open bridge" you will notice that the cue stays connected to the bridge after contact.
This slot/groove is done with pressure that's generated by the effective release of the wrists. Many players think the wrist action is coming "Up" however, if this were true the cue would fly up after contact with an open bridge.
To create a groove/slot/track it's like a train staying on the tracks, it simply CAN NOT deviate outside it's tracks.....I suggest you train your stoke the same way if this is an area you want to improve right away.
When I get a chance I'll put something together on video, I've had many request to do so, but I have to get this TIP Banking video completed before taking on another project.
The Game is the Teacher.com
Yes, you've learned one of my closely guarded secrets (of the past obviously
When I was gambling all the time I knew my stroke would produce straighter shots for longer periods of time. There were other players like Efren, Buddy and Sigel that played the game fundamentally better than me, however I made up the difference with the way I stroked the ball. They were favored in races, but probably not in long, "ahead" sets.
Especially off the rail, with the TOI it doesn't matter how far you are from the object ball the shots are practically the same. Johnny Archer commented he started using the TOI on long shots {off the rail} a few years ago and never hit them better than he does now.
I've been teaching this technique quite a bit lately and I'm amazed with a student I worked with last week. He is an expert carpenter, so when I showed him how the wrist, hands, and fingers work like a "hammer motion" he took to it better than anyone I'd ever seen. He reads these posts, maybe he'll comment on his experience one of these days. At the end of our 12 hour series he was hitting the Break Rak as well as an advanced player and started out as an "advanced beginner". I was extremely impressed. The credit goes to the greatest teacher...... 'The Game is the Teacher'
Thanks CJ, that was the best 12 hours that I ever had.
The "hammer" technique along with the sword forces my cue to stay in the groove creating a much needed straight stroke. My game is developing more and more each day, not to mention the added boost in my confidence. Your teaching techniques are superb. I would recommend to anyone who needs a "stroke adjustment" to come and see you.
Also, CJ, I would be interested in purchasing the Break Rak. Send me a pm or give me a call on this.
it's MUCH easier to play pool well than to play it poorly.
Thanks my friend, I must admit you were an incredible student and you really wanted to improve. Anyone that can hammer a nail can learn a pool stroke quickly, and effectively, and you proved that beyond any doubt.
I really wish we had a "before and after" of your stroke progression in those 10 days. It was amazing and I'm glad you were given the tools to acquire that boost in confidence.
I told you at the beginning it's MUCH easier to play pool well than to play it poorly. The game is "difficult to make easy, and easy to make difficult".
I'll send you the information on the Break Rak right away, I've been talking to the owners quite a bit lately, I really think they have a "diamond in the rough".
Play Well
Thanks my friend, I must admit you were an incredible student and you really wanted to improve. Anyone that can hammer a nail can learn a pool stroke quickly, and effectively, and you proved that beyond any doubt.
I really wish we had a "before and after" of your stroke progression in those 10 days. It was amazing and I'm glad you were given the tools to acquire that boost in confidence.
I told you at the beginning it's MUCH easier to play pool well than to play it poorly. The game is "difficult to make easy, and easy to make difficult".
I'll send you the information on the Break Rak right away, I've been talking to the owners quite a bit lately, I really think they have a "diamond in the rough".
Play Well
It's interesting about this "hammer grip".
I tried "the hammer" for one night when I first started picking up TOI. And in that one night, I was playing in a non-league tournament (it was a non-league night....obviously.....but all the regular league players were there, so it was familiar, stiff competition for me).
Well, I made it to the "hot seat" for the first time ever in that room. I made it there as the lowest rated player in the tournament. And yes, it was handicapped. But, I'd never had this much success against these guys before, and I'd been in this room for well over a year, without too much to show for it. That night, however, not only was I winning, but I was winning by outrunning the handicap.
I had to beat a multi-time state champion to get there. He's rated a Master level 10, which is the highest we have in our league. That player might get upset by me saying this, but I'd probably rate him as juuuuust under a true "shortstop" (yes, CJ, I know you have your opinions about that term :wink: ), but he's an extremely, extremely strong amateur, with tons of tournament stamina and experience. The longer he plays, the stronger he plays. And he's just.......relentless, really.
Well, I used "the hammer", along with my infancy in TOI, and beat him in a short race 3-1. He didn't shoot quite as well as he normally does, but the thing is, his "off night" is still beyond my normal playing scope. Hell, I had never, ever beaten him in any sort of race up till that night. He was 5 LEVELS ahead of me, for Pete's sake. The thing was, I just didn't let him get to the table much. It's funny how often you can win, if you just run out when you're supposed to.
It was almost unsettling at first, as I wasn't accustomed to that much success against the guys in this room. They're pretty much all decent to very good players. No bangers in the bunch. Again, I was the bottom rung on the totem pole. After the first two racks, he did something against me he had never done. He STOPPED free-wheeling. He began to get tentative and realized that I was "on" that night. But, even when he tried to lock me up, I stayed calm and worked my way out of it.
Back to "the hammer". It really did feel weird in the beginning. Then I started to feel it "lock" my stroke into that groove and well, stuff happened. And in such a good way. Part of the way through the tourney, I realized I really couldn't miss like this. It was just an odd feeling of serenity.
Now, as the night wore on, and due to the fact that I had honestly only learned about it earlier that day....and it was the first time I had ever even tried it.........my wrist started to get tired. By the time I was warming up, on a side table, to play in the finals.....against the Master player I had beat in the finals of the winner's bracket.......well, my wrist was plain aching.
I ended up starting off well in that finals match with a quick lead, but left myself frozen on the rail, and straight in diagonally, across the table for the 9 in the corner at one point. Well, I dogged it. If I had made that shot, I was going to be on the hill. Instead, with the miss, he gets out and I just crumbled. I wanted to end it with a clean sweep of the tourney, but my wrist hurt, I was tired.....and I just wasn't strong enough to beat this guy. Like I said, he's relentless when he smells blood. He double-dipped me. HOWEVER, I got a great 2nd place finish and was proud of myself.
When everything was over, I talked a bit to the Master player that had beaten me. We're friends. He said I played really well and just kinda let it get away from me at the end. Which was true.
But, I observed something during the tournament. Something I had actually noticed before, but didn't really realize what I had been looking at. That Master player uses "the hammer". So, I told him that I was trying something new and had HE noticed what I was doing different? He said he didn't know what I was doing differently. So, I set up a shot and told him to watch my back hand. I shot a few and asked him what he saw. He said he didn't really see anything. I told him that I was using the exact same hammer grip that he was using and I had noticed it before, as it was unique.....until I read CJ's writings over it and watched some clips of him. The Master player just kinda shrugged and said, "I didn't realize I was doing that. I've just always kinda shot that way." He's a smart pool guy. Trust me. It's just that he's been doing this for so long, it never occurred to him that this method put his stroke into a slot. It was something he had been doing for years because it worked for him.
Fast forward to the the next day. My wrist HURT. Bad. Day two. The same thing. Stiffness and pain. About day 3, the discomfort started to go away. Within a week, I was right as rain.
But, I've never returned to "the hammer". I think I'm going to work on it this weekend. Either I was putting a bit too much pronation (or is it supination?) and overworking my wrist......or I need to just gut it out and force my wrist to get stronger.
Your thoughts, CJ?
I tried "the hammer" for one night when I first started picking up TOI. And in that one night, I was playing in a non-league tournament (it was a non-league night....obviously.....but all the regular league players were there, so it was familiar, stiff competition for me).
Well, I made it to the "hot seat" for the first time ever in that room. I made it there as the lowest rated player in the tournament. And yes, it was handicapped. But, I'd never had this much success against these guys before, and I'd been in this room for well over a year, without too much to show for it. That night, however, not only was I winning, but I was winning by outrunning the handicap.
I had to beat a multi-time state champion to get there. He's rated a Master level 10, which is the highest we have in our league. That player might get upset by me saying this, but I'd probably rate him as juuuuust under a true "shortstop" (yes, CJ, I know you have your opinions about that term :wink: ), but he's an extremely, extremely strong amateur, with tons of tournament stamina and experience. The longer he plays, the stronger he plays. And he's just.......relentless, really.
Well, I used "the hammer", along with my infancy in TOI, and beat him in a short race 3-1. He didn't shoot quite as well as he normally does, but the thing is, his "off night" is still beyond my normal playing scope. Hell, I had never, ever beaten him in any sort of race up till that night. He was 5 LEVELS ahead of me, for Pete's sake. The thing was, I just didn't let him get to the table much. It's funny how often you can win, if you just run out when you're supposed to.
It was almost unsettling at first, as I wasn't accustomed to that much success against the guys in this room. They're pretty much all decent to very good players. No bangers in the bunch. Again, I was the bottom rung on the totem pole. After the first two racks, he did something against me he had never done. He STOPPED free-wheeling. He began to get tentative and realized that I was "on" that night. But, even when he tried to lock me up, I stayed calm and worked my way out of it.
Back to "the hammer". It really did feel weird in the beginning. Then I started to feel it "lock" my stroke into that groove and well, stuff happened. And in such a good way. Part of the way through the tourney, I realized I really couldn't miss like this. It was just an odd feeling of serenity.
Now, as the night wore on, and due to the fact that I had honestly only learned about it earlier that day....and it was the first time I had ever even tried it.........my wrist started to get tired. By the time I was warming up, on a side table, to play in the finals.....against the Master player I had beat in the finals of the winner's bracket.......well, my wrist was plain aching.
I ended up starting off well in that finals match with a quick lead, but left myself frozen on the rail, and straight in diagonally, across the table for the 9 in the corner at one point. Well, I dogged it. If I had made that shot, I was going to be on the hill. Instead, with the miss, he gets out and I just crumbled. I wanted to end it with a clean sweep of the tourney, but my wrist hurt, I was tired.....and I just wasn't strong enough to beat this guy. Like I said, he's relentless when he smells blood. He double-dipped me. HOWEVER, I got a great 2nd place finish and was proud of myself.
When everything was over, I talked a bit to the Master player that had beaten me. We're friends. He said I played really well and just kinda let it get away from me at the end. Which was true.
But, I observed something during the tournament. Something I had actually noticed before, but didn't really realize what I had been looking at. That Master player uses "the hammer". So, I told him that I was trying something new and had HE noticed what I was doing different? He said he didn't know what I was doing differently. So, I set up a shot and told him to watch my back hand. I shot a few and asked him what he saw. He said he didn't really see anything. I told him that I was using the exact same hammer grip that he was using and I had noticed it before, as it was unique.....until I read CJ's writings over it and watched some clips of him. The Master player just kinda shrugged and said, "I didn't realize I was doing that. I've just always kinda shot that way." He's a smart pool guy. Trust me. It's just that he's been doing this for so long, it never occurred to him that this method put his stroke into a slot. It was something he had been doing for years because it worked for him.
Fast forward to the the next day. My wrist HURT. Bad. Day two. The same thing. Stiffness and pain. About day 3, the discomfort started to go away. Within a week, I was right as rain.
But, I've never returned to "the hammer". I think I'm going to work on it this weekend. Either I was putting a bit too much pronation (or is it supination?) and overworking my wrist......or I need to just gut it out and force my wrist to get stronger.
Your thoughts, CJ?
Sure enough, my back the next day (yesterday) loosened up
Anytime we use muscles differently we will experience pain, that feeling is the "dog" coming out of us. I have some hand strengthening exercises that may help, I'll PM you and describe some of them and how to combine them to maximize effectiveness.
I just had an experience that is interesting to me. The way I teach and play EVERYTHING is connected to the cue in one way, shape or form....I have 4 major points that connect me to the cue and used as feedback in various ways before and during the shot. This is a "begin with the end in mind concept that applies very well.
Here's a system I teach to connect to the cue to maximize feedback:
1) Hand holding cue on my hip (for measuring distance and a constant "base")
2) Bridge Fingers touching tip {once briefly} in the Pre Shot Routing (to connect to the TIP)
3) Cue Angle pre set EXACTLY straight and level using body/hand/table connection
4) Eyes/TIP connection briefly Above the shot - to pre set visual connection to TIP
My lower back on the right side had been "knotting up" and was hurting every time I played for awhile and I thought it must be my stance. I tried different things, and convinced myself that it was something else, my stance was the same as ever.
I watched a video of my playing when I was on top of my game and noticed that I was pre setting my cue slightly angles differently than I have been lately. I made the change and immediately it improved my stroke and I felt a "release" of tension....somewhere in my body, and didn't know where...yet.
Sure enough, my back the next day (yesterday) loosened up and I just got done playing with Chris, {a CPA friend of mine} and it' feels terrific again. No pressure, all because of a minute change of angle in my wrist. Don't ever take the wrist/hand/fingers for granted, some awesome improvements can be made in your game through your hands.
Here's an example of the video that woke me up to what I was doing differently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9m-QjCcfpc
It's interesting about this "hammer grip".
I tried "the hammer" for one night when I first started picking up TOI. And in that one night, I was playing in a non-league tournament (it was a non-league night....obviously.....but all the regular league players were there, so it was familiar, stiff competition for me).
Well, I made it to the "hot seat" for the first time ever in that room. I made it there as the lowest rated player in the tournament. And yes, it was handicapped. But, I'd never had this much success against these guys before, and I'd been in this room for well over a year, without too much to show for it. That night, however, not only was I winning, but I was winning by outrunning the handicap.
I had to beat a multi-time state champion to get there. He's rated a Master level 10, which is the highest we have in our league. That player might get upset by me saying this, but I'd probably rate him as juuuuust under a true "shortstop" (yes, CJ, I know you have your opinions about that term :wink: ), but he's an extremely, extremely strong amateur, with tons of tournament stamina and experience. The longer he plays, the stronger he plays. And he's just.......relentless, really.
Well, I used "the hammer", along with my infancy in TOI, and beat him in a short race 3-1. He didn't shoot quite as well as he normally does, but the thing is, his "off night" is still beyond my normal playing scope. Hell, I had never, ever beaten him in any sort of race up till that night. He was 5 LEVELS ahead of me, for Pete's sake. The thing was, I just didn't let him get to the table much. It's funny how often you can win, if you just run out when you're supposed to.
It was almost unsettling at first, as I wasn't accustomed to that much success against the guys in this room. They're pretty much all decent to very good players. No bangers in the bunch. Again, I was the bottom rung on the totem pole. After the first two racks, he did something against me he had never done. He STOPPED free-wheeling. He began to get tentative and realized that I was "on" that night. But, even when he tried to lock me up, I stayed calm and worked my way out of it.
Back to "the hammer". It really did feel weird in the beginning. Then I started to feel it "lock" my stroke into that groove and well, stuff happened. And in such a good way. Part of the way through the tourney, I realized I really couldn't miss like this. It was just an odd feeling of serenity.
Now, as the night wore on, and due to the fact that I had honestly only learned about it earlier that day....and it was the first time I had ever even tried it.........my wrist started to get tired. By the time I was warming up, on a side table, to play in the finals.....against the Master player I had beat in the finals of the winner's bracket.......well, my wrist was plain aching.
I ended up starting off well in that finals match with a quick lead, but left myself frozen on the rail, and straight in diagonally, across the table for the 9 in the corner at one point. Well, I dogged it. If I had made that shot, I was going to be on the hill. Instead, with the miss, he gets out and I just crumbled. I wanted to end it with a clean sweep of the tourney, but my wrist hurt, I was tired.....and I just wasn't strong enough to beat this guy. Like I said, he's relentless when he smells blood. He double-dipped me. HOWEVER, I got a great 2nd place finish and was proud of myself.
When everything was over, I talked a bit to the Master player that had beaten me. We're friends. He said I played really well and just kinda let it get away from me at the end. Which was true.
But, I observed something during the tournament. Something I had actually noticed before, but didn't really realize what I had been looking at. That Master player uses "the hammer". So, I told him that I was trying something new and had HE noticed what I was doing different? He said he didn't know what I was doing differently. So, I set up a shot and told him to watch my back hand. I shot a few and asked him what he saw. He said he didn't really see anything. I told him that I was using the exact same hammer grip that he was using and I had noticed it before, as it was unique.....until I read CJ's writings over it and watched some clips of him. The Master player just kinda shrugged and said, "I didn't realize I was doing that. I've just always kinda shot that way." He's a smart pool guy. Trust me. It's just that he's been doing this for so long, it never occurred to him that this method put his stroke into a slot. It was something he had been doing for years because it worked for him.
Fast forward to the the next day. My wrist HURT. Bad. Day two. The same thing. Stiffness and pain. About day 3, the discomfort started to go away. Within a week, I was right as rain.
But, I've never returned to "the hammer". I think I'm going to work on it this weekend. Either I was putting a bit too much pronation (or is it supination?) and overworking my wrist......or I need to just gut it out and force my wrist to get stronger.
Your thoughts, CJ?
Anytime we use muscles differently we will experience pain, that feeling is the "dog" coming out of us.
I have some hand strengthening exercises that may help, I'll PM you and describe some of them and how to combine them to maximize effectiveness. I just had an experience that is interesting to me. The way I teach and play EVERYTHING is connected to the cue in one way, shape or form....I have 4 major points that connect me to the cue and used as feedback in various ways before and during the shot. This is a "begin with the end in mind concept that applies very well.
Here's a system I teach to connect to the cue to maximize feedback:
1) Hand holding cue on my hip (for measuring distance and a constant "base")
2) Bridge Fingers touching tip {once briefly} in the Pre Shot Routing (to connect to the TIP)
3) Cue Angle pre set EXACTLY straight and level using body/hand/table connection
4) Eyes/TIP connection briefly Above the shot - to pre set visual connection to TIP
My lower back on the right side had been "knotting up" and was hurting every time I played for awhile and I thought it must be my stance. I tried different things, and convinced myself that it was something else, my stance was the same as ever.
I watched a video of my playing when I was on top of my game and noticed that I was pre setting my cue slightly angles differently than I have been lately. I made the change and immediately it improved my stroke and I felt a "release" of tension....somewhere in my body, and didn't know where...yet.
Sure enough, my back the next day (yesterday) loosened up and I just got done playing with Chris, {a CPA friend of mine} and it' feels terrific again. No pressure, all because of a minute change of angle in my wrist. Don't ever take the wrist/hand/fingers for granted, some awesome improvements can be made in your game through your hands.
Here's an example of the video that woke me up to what I was doing differently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9m-QjCcfpc
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Looking forward to those exercise techniques. I do feel like I have relatively weak wrist/hands.
The only bone I've ever broken is my right wrist, but that's my bridge hand.
The only bone I've ever broken is my right wrist, but that's my bridge hand.
a coiled spring, or like an archer bow that is pulled back, ready to release with...
The Wrist/Hand/Fingers MUST be set correctly before you get down on the shot.
Try dropping your cue down below your hip and press it EXACTLY level pressed on the table's rail (this establishes "shot height").....so it's level with the rail...then lock that wrist position with your hand and leave it there as you do your pre shot routine.
This assures the cue is exactly level for max. impact, like an arrow or spear flying through the air, it must be level.....this enables you to get more out of your stoke, yours is prob. not quite level....close, but close doesn't count near as much, it must be perfect, or close.
The cue gets so much more impact and moves the cue ball around easier when it's exactly level, THEN you angle it by pulling up your shoulder slightly to create the correct "cue angle". This creates a tension that stores energy that is like a coiled spring, or like an archer bow that is pulled back, ready to release with acceleration (these are metaphors, stressing how the kinetic energy is created for the stroke)
Prepare, and you have something to release into the cue ball with VERY little effort. 'The Game is the Teacher'.com
The Wrist/Hand/Fingers MUST be set correctly before you get down on the shot.
Try dropping your cue down below your hip and press it EXACTLY level pressed on the table's rail (this establishes "shot height").....so it's level with the rail...then lock that wrist position with your hand and leave it there as you do your pre shot routine.
This assures the cue is exactly level for max. impact, like an arrow or spear flying through the air, it must be level.....this enables you to get more out of your stoke, yours is prob. not quite level....close, but close doesn't count near as much, it must be perfect, or close.
The cue gets so much more impact and moves the cue ball around easier when it's exactly level, THEN you angle it by pulling up your shoulder slightly to create the correct "cue angle". This creates a tension that stores energy that is like a coiled spring, or like an archer bow that is pulled back, ready to release with acceleration (these are metaphors, stressing how the kinetic energy is created for the stroke)
Prepare, and you have something to release into the cue ball with VERY little effort. 'The Game is the Teacher'.com
I worked at the table for about 4 hours tonite. Tried varying versions of the hammer grip. Sometimes I could feel the slot a lot better than others. And when I did feel the slot, it was like a laser. Now, when I didn't.....well, I just know I need more work and probably an actual hands-on lesson covering it.
I'll take those latest tips, that you just posted, to the table tomorrow and see what I can do with them.
Thanks, again.
I'll take those latest tips, that you just posted, to the table tomorrow and see what I can do with them.
Thanks, again.
When you have the right motion you can hold the cue lightly OR hold the cue firmly
Understanding how the wrist creates acceleration is a vital key to pool. I'm surprised it's so widely "miss" understood, it makes everything work correctly.
When you have the right motion you can hold the cue lightly OR hold the cue firmly. This is a personal preference, and if you can't do either one with your current grip chances are you aren't utilizing your wrist 100%, and that makes a difference in all aspects of your game. "develop a great stroke, you won't have to poke, and your game will be no joke". :thumbup:
The Wrist/Hand/Fingers are the engine that drives the stroke, so it's worthy of a "tune up". 'The Game is the Teacher'.com
Understanding how the wrist creates acceleration is a vital key to pool. I'm surprised it's so widely "miss" understood, it makes everything work correctly.
When you have the right motion you can hold the cue lightly OR hold the cue firmly. This is a personal preference, and if you can't do either one with your current grip chances are you aren't utilizing your wrist 100%, and that makes a difference in all aspects of your game. "develop a great stroke, you won't have to poke, and your game will be no joke". :thumbup:
The Wrist/Hand/Fingers are the engine that drives the stroke, so it's worthy of a "tune up". 'The Game is the Teacher'.com