Standing further away from table, should it help?

[DaveE 124]

Noticed when using the mini extension a big improvement in sighting and stability of stance, probably due to the fact that my left arm is fully stretched and body that little bit lower to the table. Hence im thinking of getting a slightly longer cue (57" at the mo), im 5 ft 10" meaning my bridge will be that little bit longer and body further away from the shot. Presently holding the cue right at the end and also gained a bad habit of playing / dropping my shoulder into the shots, pariculary on soft shots. Do you think getting a longer cue or moving that bit further away will help?

[RGCirencester]

Can't hurt getting a longer cue imo, because even if you find it does not help you can just hold it farther up and you won't be holding the cue right at the end anymore.
Best thing would be to find a cheap cue, like a 58" rack cue and see if you feel more comfortable with that before spending money.
Could also visit a showroom, craftsman in Leeds, greenbaize etc. and try a number of cues and see if you find any improvement.

[DaveE 124]

Thanks for taking the time to answer RG, all info helps, and valid points mentioned.

[1lawyer]

I always find that if my snooker starts going bad then standing about two or three miles away from a snooker table for a week or two helps.:snooker:

[lee brett]

the most important part of every shot is standing back and walking into the ball, you then can come in on the correct line and sight the ball properly.

[the montrealer]

the most important part of every shot is standing back and walking into the ball, you then can come in on the correct line and sight the ball properly.

hi lee brett are you still in canada hope you are doing fine met you in montreal last year good luck in your coaching leonard from montreal quebec canada

[lee brett]

hi lee brett are you still in canada hope you are doing fine met you in montreal last year good luck in your coaching leonard from montreal quebec canada

Hi leonard,

how are you? im coaching in the uk at the moment, a few of the top 9 ball players there mechanics, raj hundal, karl boyes.

im also working for rileys, a big snooker club chain here, until i do the tv show in the states, which im waiting on the start date for, hope your well and maybe see you again sometime.

lee

[vmax4steve]

Noticed when using the mini extension a big improvement in sighting and stability of stance, probably due to the fact that my left arm is fully stretched and body that little bit lower to the table. Hence im thinking of getting a slightly longer cue (57" at the mo), im 5 ft 10" meaning my bridge will be that little bit longer and body further away from the shot. Presently holding the cue right at the end and also gained a bad habit of playing / dropping my shoulder into the shots, pariculary on soft shots. Do you think getting a longer cue or moving that bit further away will help?

That's a definate yes, it worked for me. I'm six foot two and use a cue that's 61 inches long. Shorter players unconciously hold the cue at the very end for long shots, to help with sighting, and about four inches from the end for close shots. For a tall player to do this a longer cue is needed. I got a carpenter friend to splice some ebony on to the butt of my cue to extend it, the balance isn't affected at all and it plays beautifully. Go for it.

[cantpotforshíte]

Noticed when using the mini extension a big improvement in sighting and stability of stance, probably due to the fact that my left arm is fully stretched and body that little bit lower to the table. Hence im thinking of getting a slightly longer cue (57" at the mo), im 5 ft 10" meaning my bridge will be that little bit longer and body further away from the shot. Presently holding the cue right at the end and also gained a bad habit of playing / dropping my shoulder into the shots, pariculary on soft shots. Do you think getting a longer cue or moving that bit further away will help?

I'm only 5'11" but for the last few weeks I've been trying to stand a little further back on the shot, and I find it helps sighting enormously. If I aim with my eyes too close to the cue tip, everything becomes crossed over and blurred.
Another thing that I've noticed .. you know that feeling we all get when we are down on the shot but can't see a thing and don't know what's going on?
Obviously we are told by the text books and coaches to get back up and get down again - that's common sense, but it sometimes doesn't make any difference and we feel silly doing it three or four times, especially in a match.
However I've found that getting back up, stepping back, and getting down to the shot with your eyes a few inches further back seems to make everything a bit clearer.
I wouldn't say that, at 5'10", you need a longer cue, unless you are very long armed or broad shouldered, but just straighten your bridge arm a little, and, as you and I already do, hold the cue at the end.