Line-Ups

[Tom Read]

Hi. With line-ups, I'm not entirely sure what I should be doing. I mean, I know I'm practising, but...

Take this for example:
___________________________________________
¦
¦
¦
¦
¦o o o O o o o o o O o o o o o o o O
¦
¦
¦

With o being reds, and O's being black, pink and blue.

When I miss a red, what should I do? ...

- Leave it where it lands and start a new break from there
- Put the red back to where it was and try again
- Or set the line-up up again from scratch

I did a combo of these today but would like to know what you do, and what is most beneficial. Missing some reds puts them on a cushion or in an awkward position, so it this worth trying to play, or is it better to put it back in the line-up.

Hope that makes sense! Cheers.

[jrc750]

When I miss a red, what should I do? ..

- Leave it where it lands and start a new break from there - too messy
- Put the red back to where it was and try again - yes and learn from your mistakes
- Or set the line-up up again from scratch - too frustrating, unless your a pro

thats what i do anyway - but obviously once you miss you have to start counting your break again

[BoBnoGG!n]

Hi. With line-ups, I'm not entirely sure what I should be doing. I mean, I know I'm practising, but...

Take this for example:
___________________________________________
¦
¦
¦
¦
¦o o o O o o o o o O o o o o o o o O
¦
¦
¦

With o being reds, and O's being black, pink and blue.

When I miss a red, what should I do? ...

- Leave it where it lands and start a new break from there
- Put the red back to where it was and try again
- Or set the line-up up again from scratch

I did a combo of these today but would like to know what you do, and what is most beneficial. Missing some reds puts them on a cushion or in an awkward position, so it this worth trying to play, or is it better to put it back in the line-up.

Hope that makes sense! Cheers.

i normally put the red back, and start another break from there, but depends which drill im doing. becase itd b hard if you get position for a color, and the red misses, and the spot whre it goes back is nowhere near a where youve landed, and youre doing the drill where u dont touch the cushion. i sumtimes just put the red back, and the white back, but i start a new break, and if its near the end of the break (1 red left) i will just try n clear the rest of the balls, and the colors in 1 break.

either way as long as your taking your time doing the shots, its gonna be valuable practise. but its pointless leaving the missed red ball wherever it lands IMO when doing the line up.

[snookerdad]

Hi Tom

There are many varied ways of doing the line-up. And everyone will have their own opinions.

Personally, I’d advise resetting all the balls after a miss and starting each attempt from scratch.

However, what I think benefits most players of your standard is to record the score achieved at each attempt. After 20 goes, add them up and work out an average.

This gives you a target to beat.

But be careful – it is addictive.

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)

[Tom Read]

Thanks Tim.

Adding them up and taking an average is a good shout, as one time a may get a 50, and the next an 8 for example. Having a target of the average will probably be more beneficial.

[snookerdad]

Spot on, Tom.

But you must be ruthless. A missed first red because of a diabolical kick is zero.

[Tom Read]

Haha I was thinking about that. I'm not one to cheat though, that would only be cheating myself too.

Now I've turned 18 I've joined the local club where I play (beforehand I could only go with my dad as you had to be 18 to go by yourself!) I'm going to be playing lots more. I'm going today for a few hours before the England game and I'm not entirely sure which line-ups would be most beneficial for someone of my ability. Any pointers?

I've had a look here: http://www.fergalobrien.ie/practice.html

I average a break between 30 and 50 per match I play with dad... mainly due to him going for silly shots it has to be said and leaving me in! Practising yesterday I had around 3 or 4 40s in practise. So I'm not the best player, but not the worst, so I don't want to be doing difficult line-ups.

Could you point out a few on that site that you think would be good?

[thinsy]

I like to use the line-up for just getting my arm and body flowing and into a rythmn...

To do this I actually spread the reds out a bit more than your diagram.... I usually put them like this:

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

It doesn't leave any really hard shots (even if your position is out) so although it's not very difficult it builds confidence!

[snookerdad]

Place the colours on their spots. Place 15 reds in a straight line down the middle of the table - two above the blue, seven between blue and pink, five between pink and black and one below the black. Ensure they are evenly spaced and that the pink pots into four pockets. Start from wherever you want.

The important thing is that whatever format you use, you stick with it. Then the test is consistent.

Tim

[vmax4steve]

There is a fourth option, and that is to just to carry on as if the red wasn't missed. Put it into the pocket with your hand and carry on the break and carry on counting as if you potted it. Obviously doesn't count as a practise break or line up break, but those numbers in your head won't pressure you as much should you reach them again legitimately.
Besides, it can get a bit wearing replacing the balls or starting again if you're a bit off form.

[Quackers]

When I was playing every day I used the line-up every day. I was ruthless in applying the rule that a missed pot meant replacing the balls and starting again. It hurts at times but it sharpens the concentration too.
I can see, though, that it wouldn't be suitable for everybody.

[thinsy]

Place the colours on their spots. Place 15 reds in a straight line down the middle of the table - two above the blue, seven between blue and pink, five between pink and black and one below the black. Ensure they are evenly spaced and that the pink pots into four pockets. Start from wherever you want.

The important thing is that whatever format you use, you stick with it. Then the test is consistent.

Tim

I used to do it this way too but decided to move one red from between pink and black, put it between the black and cusion so there was 2 reds there... I always start by playing the red directly below the black though!

I like these set ups compaired to cramming all 15 reds between the blue and black!!! I think this forces you into playing continuous screw shots!!

[bongo]

Whatever you do make sure that you learn from your mistakes!

[Acrowot]

You have looked at the Fergal O'brien site, so why not give it a go. Just do the easiest ones to start with, or try potting just blacks of the black spot and see how many you can do.
:snooker:

[Terry Davidson]

With my coach's hat on I would recommend when doing the line-up to re-set a missed shot and try it again until you get exactly the position you want and make the pot of course, as that way you'll be learning.

However, stop counting the break at that point if you're doing the averaging thing.

In addition, with the line-up, ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose your next target ball 2 shots ahead, i.e. - when on a red choose the next red and decide what angle on the coloured ball you will need to reach that red. It doesn't always work out and sometimes you have to change your mind but it gets you thinking ahead.

Also, if you decide to replace missed shots and try them again then do that until you've cleared the table as this will also give you valuable practice in clearing from the last red and all the colours, which re-setting all the balls when you miss will not give you.

Terry