What is yourtechnique to help you concentrate during a match?

[R1ncewind]

Thanks damien!The thing with the dummy sounds like a good idea to me and I definately will try it. To check the preshot thoughts pre shot is a thing I have to keep in mind...good advice,thanks

[damienlch]

Thanks damien!The thing with the dummy sounds like a good idea to me and I definately will try it. To check the preshot thoughts pre shot is a thing I have to keep in mind...good advice,thanks

No problem at all... Have fun practising!! Cheers...

[thelongbomber]

Here are a few tips I have gleaned/invented/stolen:

1. When you leave the table, rest your cue against a chair/wall/rack. This mentally disconnects you from the game, and let's you clear your mind between shots. Do something other than sitting/standing and staring at points being gobbled up. Participate in your opponent's game, but don't get distracted by it.

2. When you approach the table, look at the score, and then the table conditions (where the balls are), and devise a strategy in your head on how to work into a frame winning break. Even if you don't have the skill, you exercise the concepts of breakbuilding in your head which is a starting point and that is focused energy that helps you.

3. Work hard in practice, and by asking others about cue action. It's the holy grail of good results and the more you know about the mechanics of cueing, the better you will become. In game, you use the knowledge about cueing as your focus point, which helps you focus and concentrate on the job at hand. Snooker is as much about nerves, tension, and remaining calm as it is about attaining a near flawless cueing action.

When I first played snooker, I didn't have a clue about cueing other than the results I was achieving - potting everything in sight, and often at distance (thus my nickname). Now, I'm a much more refined player and I have never quit on my quest to learn more about cueing and cue action. I can now replicate most of the pros both in cue action, and in pausing, and I can with near certainty recognize why they pause, and why the do what they do during cue delivery.

For example, Shaun Murphy took me a while to figure out. He has a one-two pump in feathering a pause, a slow backswing, and an excellent delivery. I couldn't figure out how he would make both long and short range shots with that same one/two pump in feathering. Most players have to feather until they "feel" it. Through understanding cue action and hand/eye coordination, I'm now able to replicate that action, and I can actually tell why he does what he does (he actually aims and torques on the slow backswing). This is all through learning/experimenting with cueing, pausing, stance, feet, grip, bridge, eyes, and all the other intricate parts of cueing and cue delivery.

All that work on learning/experimenting with cueing is very useful. For example, I can usually walk into the club, start a match without hitting a single ball in practice, and knock in a 30 break on my first go. I can usually get into form instantly. That's not gifted skill, it's just because I understand the mechanics of cueing and stance and it pays off.

[R1ncewind]

Thanks Longbomber!these are some useful tips and I will definately try to bear them in mind.
its an intersting idea to analyse the cueaction of the pro and trying to replicate them will tell you alot.
I‘m sure it is only a temporary problem that I overthink the shots atm.I will try to evolve some kind of method or routine to prevent it. You guys had some great ideas.
thanks alot

[thelongbomber]

Thanks Longbomber!these are some useful tips and I will definately try to bear them in mind.
its an intersting idea to analyse the cueaction of the pro and trying to replicate them will tell you alot.
I‘m sure it is only a temporary problem that I overthink the shots atm.I will try to evolve some kind of method or routine to prevent it. You guys had some great ideas.
thanks alot

If you want world class results, do what world class finishers do. Snooker, unfortunately, isn't like some other activity - pros don't generally share their intricate thought process cause it's too fast and has developed over years of refining just for their own benefit. If you want to run a business, there are plenty of books on the subject but if you want to master snooker, the hand/eye coordination is something you have to develop on your own (and with the help of a coach otherwise you reach a plateau).

Take Hendry for example. If you watch any snooker, you know he cocks his head sideways when standing before he gets down. I'm fairly convinced it's a kink he developed in his cueing routine to realign his eyes and to get his body into position because I tried it myself one day. It works and he stuck with it and so it's part of his routine now. I found an easier way to ensure good alignment: rotating my cue around my body and hinging it at my right waste (right handed) without doing what Hendry has to do.

Focus on cueing and your own routine, and stress/tension will take care of itself.

[ABCsnooker]

Damien's approach is very good. Every top player concentrates on different parts of their action at different times then repeats the process. Concentrating on your action in a match is a great way to focus and also distracts you from negative thoughts. If your action is good enough it will see you through and stop you worrying so much if you have complete confidence in what it can do. The real test is never really when they are going in, but more when they aren't. It's then where you find out if you can still focus on your action ond not the fact you just missed three sitters int he last frame.

[damienlch]

Thank you ABCsnooker... I try to walk the talk though many times it's easier said than done, especially when sitting in the lonely chair.

Thelongbomber's tips are very insightful and practical. One can tell he is a very experienced player and has obviously put in a lot of thought on how to improve his game. I always look forward to reading his posts as there is always something useful I can pick up.

Thanks for sharing, Longbomber!!

[joe.l]

keep it simple , 4 things to think about ...1. what do i have to do to play good on this shot ? 2. what is the contact point on the object ball ? 3. where do i have to hit the cue ball? 4. how hard do i have to hit the cue ball ............Joe

[Mfinkelstein3]

I'm a pool player, but in a serious match, I never take my eyes off the table. I keep myself totally in the game.