help with my game.

[justin-swansea]

hey guys ive gpt a good tactical game but when i get my chance im not good enough to take them out i always end up losing concentration and missing an easy ball,anyone got any tips that could help me raise my game ?,thanks

[mooneyy]

Maybe three things to begin with...

1. While waiting for your chance, do not concentrate on what your opponent does, that's not helpful at all - count sheep or something. As you said, your concentration should be at it's highest possible level when you take that one easy shot. Unfortunately, we simply can not hold a very high level of concentration for a long time, so we have to concentrate on the most important thing at the most important time. In order to do so, we must kind of shut down between visits.

2. Know the shot before taking it. Decide on every factor of the shot while standing behind the cueball.
. What do I want to do with the cueball?
. What do I want the object ball to do?
. Where do I have to hit the cueball to achieve this?
. How hard do I have to hit the ball?
. Where is my line of aim?

Once you have answered all these questions: Chalk your que, get down on the shot and

3. Be consistent.
That means:
. Do always the same amount of "feathers" while looking at the cueball
. Always make the same pause, at the same time of the shot
. Now look at the object ball
. Keep your que going smoothly through the cueball
. Or basically, do everything exactly the same on every shot (as much as possible of course)

[Neil_sussex_pool]

Maybe three things to begin with...

1. While waiting for your chance, do not concentrate on what your opponent does, that's not helpful at all - count sheep or something. As you said, your concentration should be at it's highest possible level when you take that one easy shot. Unfortunately, we simply can not hold a very high level of concentration for a long time, so we have to concentrate on the most important thing at the most important time. In order to do so, we must kind of shut down between visits.

2. Know the shot before taking it. Decide on every factor of the shot while standing behind the cueball.
. What do I want to do with the cueball?
. What do I want the object ball to do?
. Where do I have to hit the cueball to achieve this?
. How hard do I have to hit the ball?
. Where is my line of aim?

Once you have answered all these questions: Chalk your que, get down on the shot and

3. Be consistent.
That means:
. Do always the same amount of "feathers" while looking at the cueball
. Always make the same pause, at the same time of the shot
. Now look at the object ball
. Keep your que going smoothly through the cueball
. Or basically, do everything exactly the same on every shot (as much as possible of course)

Good advice!

I never just go for a clearance unless i can see a clear path, or if i can play some development shots enabling me to do so.

I think a lot of players don't think about the hardest ball, or they leave it for the end. I always take the hardest ball first if i can.

Keep practicing but don't keep playing frames. Have a look on youtube etc for some practice routines which will help your potting and positional play.

Good luck!

[Neil_sussex_pool]

Try this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRUzY-hKQi0

:snooker:

[mooneyy]

So what you are saying is that one should start with the hardest possible ball when coming to the table? Are you talking about pool?

Your goal should be to stay at tha table and have your opponent watch for as long as you possibly can. And clearly, the easiest way to achieve this, is to play the easiest shot possible - even if it's a safety. Of course your opponent will have a go afterwards, but next shot you are in charge again. If your safety has been good enough, that is.

Always keep it as simple as you can!

[pottr]

Yeah, he's referring to pool where if you go for the clearance you should really know how you're going to play each shot before you attempt the finish.

Completely different to snooker. Just keep things as simple as possible, don't try and use side and work on your cueing. Eventually, if you practice enough, you'll see a natural progression. Practice, practice, practice. Best advice available I'm afraid.

[Neil_sussex_pool]

Yes i was talking about pool.

[mooneyy]

Oops... mea culpa. What else should you talk about in the pool section. Sorry for that.

[mrbluejay]

hey guys ive gpt a good tactical game but when i get my chance im not good enough to take them out i always end up losing concentration and missing an easy ball,anyone got any tips that could help me raise my game ?,thanks

As the chaps have said, map out the clearance before your first visit, but be flexible - if you run out of position, don't be afraid to change your plans.

For me the golden rule with 8 ball, is get your bad balls out early. Nothing worse than seeing someone clear 5 and planning on shifting the bad ball on the 6th, only to mess up.

[rovnos]

When playing friendly games, just try to pot everything ! go for every shot in the book. you might win so many games but you'll naturally improve your potting plus learn much more (such as angles) besides. You know your tactical game is sound so practice on your weakness.

[rovnos]

regardless of how many balls i have on the table when going for a clearence, i know every shot im gonna play down to the black ! i know which pocket every ball is going in and every position im going to try to leave the cue ball. i also know every shot that will be needed to achieve this. It's not to difficult to plan all this as you can look down on the whole table. Just picture it all in your mind. It wont always go to plan but you will feel great when it does. you know what practice makes !

[justin-swansea]

thanks for advice mate ill take it all in and hopefully ill raise my game

[wideride96]

hey guys ive gpt a good tactical game but when i get my chance im not good enough to take them out i always end up losing concentration and missing an easy ball,anyone got any tips that could help me raise my game ?,thanks

Hypnosis, everything's a state of mind

[Chris'The Cobra'Crook]

when I go tactical and I have my colours covering pockets risky as it may sounds I would put the black over my colour so the opponent will be pressured into playing a foul snooker or hitting the black potting my colour then it will be a shake his hand see you later kinda thing. if your in a 2 shot situation get the hardest ball 1st 90% of players in my league never think about it. but with a clearance practise is the best advice anyone can give you

[Grifter]

Maybe its the pattern you choose to take when clearing. Go in the order that requires the least amount of white ball movement after each pot.
Nothin fancy