Improving In Your Thirties

[luke-h]

i agree with you on this one, bad shot choices restrict high breaks.

op i was quite good in my youth and have started up again a couple of years ago early thirties and can honestly say its been harder this time round than it was when i was younger, the concentration just isnt like it was, and i always find myself tinkering with my routines, when i was younger i didn't have to...although i would say im probably nearer to that elusive ton this time round

[magicman]

Something that is often over looked is choice of shot - and this is what often prevents players from improving. I can remember a couple of instances.

Firstly, a player whose highest line up score was 56 and he was talked through a 'line up' practice by a good player and he promptly made 102

Secondly, I talked a friend through a break and he made 58.............his previous best was 36.

Original Source: http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...#ixzz2TCGFl5ie
- TSF - TheSnookerForum.com

I couldn't agree more. I talked a guy through a century who'd never had one. I was asked for help by another, whose highest break had been 92 for 5/6 years, and within a week he had his first ton and within two years had a tc of 130+. Most players with 50/60+ breaks are capable of centuries but fail owing to poor shot choices.

[Gallinho]

It gets more difficult to learn new skills or tune up old skills as you get older for sure. The other problem you'll have is you're thinking more about technique now and that is interfering with your unconscious mind running the show.
Terry

This for sure! In my teens I was a single handicap golfer and now, even if I haven't played for a couple of years, a month of practice and I'll be playing well again. I think it's because I learnt the technique to play to a good standard when I was young.
In snooker, however, I didn't learn to play to a good standard when I was young and now it's like starting again, re-learning technique and for sure it dominates my thinking when addressing the cueball. I find this makes me less relaxed about the shot but it's neccessary and hopefully it will become ingrained.

[Gallinho]

48 [/B]and in practice 67. most of my improvement has been made in the last 8 months or so, and i can contribute this to joining a league, from playing different players some better skilled than me i have had to learn strategy and shot selection and match play which has helped with my practice too.

i am probably still not satisified and i believe that i will one day make a ton, either in practice or a match, this is my ultimate goal, it may take time as with my age 48 now, my progress will be slower than that of a teenager, but my eyesight is strong and i have upped my practice to 4-5 times a week.

so i would say anyone can improve as long as they are didicated and practice with purpose, it may be slow but it will come in the end.

This is very encouraging, well done, hopefully I can improve as well as you have done. I've been asked to play in a league next year and I suppose that's why I feel I want to get better at the game.
Really good points and advice here, thanks alot! (keep it coming)

[alabadi]

This is very encouraging, well done, hopefully I can improve as well as you have done. I've been asked to play in a league next year and I suppose that's why I feel I want to get better at the game.
Really good points and advice here, thanks alot! (keep it coming)

Don't be afraid to lose, you learn the most when losing.

I lost my first 6 league matches and then won 4 of my next 6. Once u get use to the nerves and how to control them u will get better. After all it's a game and it should be enjoyable.

I know losing is not enjoyable however the experience is. Playing different players at different venues under different table conditions give u experience to face any situation.

Keep it up , you will improve as long as you put the effort in.

[Rane]

I´ve started playing quite regularly again after about 20 years where I only played seldom. I´ve gained some new experience from beeing able to watch more snooker than when I played more serious, and read a lot of advices in here, so I would say I feel I´m better today than I was back then. For instance I´ve always felt uncomfortable playing with streched backleg, but I gave it a go last year and really feel comfortable about it now, and for sure feels it has improved my balance at the table. Another thing is that I´ve become a little more relaxed about winning or losing today, which I also put down to age, and that results in that i´m putting less pressure on myself. So I think it´s possible to improve if you put the required time in.

[lesedwards]

I played a lot as a child because we had a table at home. Then when I moved out I stopped. Now I am 49 and I purchased a 5x10 Snooker Table last fall. I bought the Snooker Gym and have been going thru chapter by chapter which has really helped out. Last Friday I decided it was time to get some coaching so I spent 3 hours with Terry Davidson at his coaching facility. Terry was able to show me through video analysis some of the things I was doing wrong and gave me lots to work on. I will go back to see Terry late summer. I suggest anyone that is really serious to find a coach and if you are in Canada I would look up Terry Davidson.

[j6uk]

So you must have been making tones for fun in the mid 80's? Then to make the max, so you must of picked up a few trophies? You were a pro?

j6uk:

I made my first ton in 1979 when I was 34yrs, first 147 in 1986 and had a 117 (in practice) about 2 weeks ago. .

Terry

[Terry Davidson]

At the time the pro ranks were closed down. We all played on the pro-am circuit which was quite active in those days. I'd have to check my scrapbook but I believe I won 4 or 5 tournaments and also the Leicestershire County Champs in 1986.

The WPBSA held 3 tournaments a season called 'pro ticket' tournaments and the top 8 from them got to play the bottom 8 pros for their tour tickets. The likes of Steve James, David Roe, Martin Clark, Gary Wilkinson, Mark Johnson-Allen, Ronnie O'Sillivan (as a kid) and quite a few other very good players made it to pro through this system. Best ranking I achieved was 12th so I didn't get to play a pro for his ticket plus I was over 40yrs of age.

When I was about to leave England in 1988 and come back to Canada to get a real job I received a letter from the WPBSA offering me a pro ticket for 575GBP and they opened it up and had about 500 pros over the next few years but it was too late for me. Iwas ranked 30 to 35 in the top 100 amateurs list run by SnookerScene magazine with results counted for all amateur tournaments over a season.

Terry

[Tiger800]

Just as a point of interest, fine motor skill learning drops off dramatically in your early 20's so it's all up hill from there
Terry, could you drop me a pm when you get a chance, thanks.

[Terry Davidson]

Tiger800:

I can't as you need at least 10 posts to send/receive PMs. My email is 'terrydavidson45(at)gmail(dot)com' if you want to ask some questions.

Terry