Difference between practice and match thinking?

[Belloz22]

Im posting this on behalf of a friend who has no internet access....

How do you differientiate the thinking between practice and match play? I know during match play you shouldnt think about technique, but rather the shot at hand, however, in practice, what do you think of? For example, if your practicing a line up, would you think about making a high break, or constantly think about the part of your technuque your practicing, I.e., relaxing your grip? The reason I ask is because if I think bout the technique, I more often than not miss the shot, is this because my body needs to accomidate the technical changes? Also, if im practicing technique, should I work on single ball potting instead of line ups, that way it doesnt matter if I miss?

Do you think about your technique for the entire shot when you practice and not worry about missing?

[Terry Davidson]

It's not a very good idea to think about technique when playing a match, although I think we all do it (even Ronnie mentioned once he changed his grip during a match and started playing better).

In solo practice you should be thinking about your technique if you're trying to correct or improve something. The biggest mistake almost everyone makes is to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. The secret is to just think about ONE thing, like perhaps keeping the grip relaxed rather than keeping the grip relaxed, slow backswing, rear pause, smooth delivery, accelerating through the cueball and driving the hand to the chest. However, a lot of players will do that (me included sometimes).

My own belief is you should practice something like the line-up in solo practice BUT you should think 2 balls ahead. so when on a red you should be thinking what position you need on the colour to get on your next chosen red. It doesn't always work out as you may over-hit or under-hit the cueball on the first red so on the next shot you revise and think what position on this colour do I need on the red to get on the next colour.

This game is a combination of good technique which means a player delivers the cue consistently straight and also concentration since the player has to determine the power and height on the cueball for his next pot. It is by no means easy.

Terry

[Deepscrew]

Practice - go for everything and anything.

Match - get a quick 8 points and GET OUT OF THERE!

[CoachGavin]

I think it depends on how far you are with the technical changes. If I am trying something completely new like a new grip I just set up a few simple pots and then I can concentrate solely on the technique. As I get more comfortable with the new technique I may do something like the line up but my thoughts will still be on getting the technique right. Eventually I hope to get the new technique so that it becomes habit and in matches I can just concentrate on winning the game.