Wrist action and wrist angle ?

[ronscuba]

Curious what instructors feel about wrist action and wrist angle.

I'm not talking about side to side movement or wrist curling. What I mean is the wrist hinging back and forth straight with the cue. My initial thought is less moving parts is better, but I do see some high level players use a lot of wrist action.

I also have a question about wrist angle. I can stroke with minimal wrist hinging, but what about wrist angle ? Wrist hangs straight or hinged slightly angled back ?

 

[randyg]

I think that in a Pendulum Stroke the wrist should be straight and relaxed at time of contact. This will enable the wrist to complete a perfect strike and then continue on to it's HOME base.

randyg

 

[ronscuba]

Thanks Randy. I do have a pendulum like stroke.

Something interesting sometimes happen on my draw shots. Sometimes I severely overdraw. What is supposed to be a medium length draw turns into super draw, even though I don't hit it hard. Last night I realized what is happening on these shots. My wrist is hinging back on the pull back stroke. I guess this is making my tip go down, which explains the draw, but the strange thing is am also really accurate with these shots too.

I wonder if the hinged back wrist position is helping my stroke.

 

[randyg]

Thanks Randy. I do have a pendulum like stroke.

Something interesting sometimes happen on my draw shots. Sometimes I severely overdraw. What is supposed to be a medium length draw turns into super draw, even though I don't hit it hard. Last night I realized what is happening on these shots. My wrist is hinging back on the pull back stroke. I guess this is making my tip go down, which explains the draw, but the strange thing is am also really accurate with these shots too.

I wonder if the hinged back wrist position is helping my stroke.

It might be. You would have to be special careful but sounds good.

randyg

 

[ronscuba]

Searching the board I found a huge thread about the wrist in the main section started by CJ. A lot of information in that thread.

I think I am going to experiment with a fixed pre-cocked wrist for critical precise shots and using wrist snap when I need extra action.

 

[randyg]

Searching the board I found a huge thread about the wrist in the main section started by CJ. A lot of information in that thread.

I think I am going to experiment with a fixed pre-cocked wrist for critical precise shots and using wrist snap when I need extra action.

I don't believe that a wrist snap adds anything but trouble to the stroke.

randyg

 

[ronscuba]

I don't believe that a wrist snap adds anything but trouble to the stroke.

randyg

Makes sense Randy. A snap and/or more moving parts can add difficulty to timing and keeping a stroke straight.

I experimented last night. Used wrist snap on the break. Definitely an increase in speed and more powerful break.

On non break shots I used a pre-cocked wrist and tried to maintain the wrist position through the whole stroke. It worked well and seems to reduce or eliminate any shaft wobble.

As a hobbyist who cannot put in the table time to groove a perfect stroke, simple and low maintenance sounds like a good idea. Are there negatives to using a fixed wrist ? A pre-cocked wrist feels like it has less hinging than a neutral wrist.

 

[FranCrimi]

Curious what instructors feel about wrist action and wrist angle.

I'm not talking about side to side movement or wrist curling. What I mean is the wrist hinging back and forth straight with the cue. My initial thought is less moving parts is better, but I do see some high level players use a lot of wrist action.

I also have a question about wrist angle. I can stroke with minimal wrist hinging, but what about wrist angle ? Wrist hangs straight or hinged slightly angled back ?

I think a well-timed wrist flick can definitely give you more power and I think it works well for breaking and certain power shots.

Regarding wrist angle for all other shots, I think that as you stray away from your natural anatomy for prolonged periods of time, you can risk injury over the long-run, such as things like chronic tendonitis, etc. Then there is the issue of working against your anatomy. I think there are certain things that happen when you do that, one being --- restricting natural movement. It could have an effect on timing and arm swing in general.

I can 't prove it regarding wrist position, but I've seen other instances, like in stance, for example, where players have developed chronic issues from being off balance and out of alignment. We've also seen issues of carpel tunnel syndrome related to other various tasks.

 

[CJ Wiley]

practice with this position for a few minutes and see if it's better or not.

Searching the board I found a huge thread about the wrist in the main section started by CJ. A lot of information in that thread.

I think I am going to experiment with a fixed pre-cocked wrist for critical precise shots and using wrist snap when I need extra action.

To form the ideal wrist angle, just stand with your arm relaxed by your side and suddenly make a fist (without moving your arm), then notice the angle of your wrist. This may appear to be more "cocked" than usual in your stroke, but practice with this position for a few minutes and see if it's better or not.

There's nothing wrong with experimenting with your grip. Show me someone that doesn't and I'll show you someone that's not improving in other parts of their game. 'Game is the Teacher'

 

[CJ Wiley]

a motion, not a "snap" or anything other than a smooth transfer of energy

I don't believe that a wrist snap adds anything but trouble to the stroke.

randyg

I would never recommend a "wrist snap" although it leans that way on the break.

The Hammer motion is just what it says..(when hammering nails you don't "snap," your wrist, you transfer energy to the head of the hammer with a controlled force)......a motion, not a "snap" or anything other than a smooth transfer of energy in your hand/cue to provide the accurate, and most precise "cue ball targeting" possible.

'Game is the Teacher'

 

[BilliardsAbout]

There are six motions the wrist and wrist/lower arm can make. Ulnar and radial deviation (straight line movement) are fine for most shots:

Arm And Hand Motion In The Classic Stroke

A relaxed wrist that responds to the mass of the cue stick will do plenty of motion on shots when required. Sometimes a bit of snapping wrist is used on power strokes.