Concentration

[steve clarke]

Its strange how you feel and play great when practicing alone but as soon as you play someone you start to think about all sorts of things , then you become a totally different player . Your outlook on the game is totally different and you start to complicate things .

I think it shows that you need to play snooker in all types of environments, eg friendly with banter, serious solo practice, matches etc.

[Giggity1984]

I think it shows that you need to play snooker in all types of environments, eg friendly with banter, serious solo practice, matches etc.

Agree with this. OP, Perhaps betting slightly more money then you can afford on yourself to win would make you concentrate more! Lol.

[nrage]

I got down, I played the shot without fear, and just assessed the angle and cued through the ball. I think I thought to myself, oh well, who cares if I miss it, it's ridiculously hard anyway, anything is a bonus. It's a strange game sometimes.

This either happens freakishly often with me, or I just remember the hits more than the misses. I have made a couple of amazing clearances in situations where I should have felt a lot of pressure, and felt nothing but optimistic and "good". I believe it's because in those situations I had accepted that whatever was going to happen would happen and all I could do was my best. I wasn't worried about the result, I was positive about what I was going to (try to) achieve and I just got on and did it. I think if you can focus on the task in a positive manner, regardless of the consequences of failure - putting them completely out of your mind, then you're more likely to feel in the "zone" and to perform to the best of your ability. It's all about being positive and confident.

[Particle Physics]

This either happens freakishly often with me, or I just remember the hits more than the misses. I have made a couple of amazing clearances in situations where I should have felt a lot of pressure, and felt nothing but optimistic and "good". I believe it's because in those situations I had accepted that whatever was going to happen would happen and all I could do was my best. I wasn't worried about the result, I was positive about what I was going to (try to) achieve and I just got on and did it. I think if you can focus on the task in a positive manner, regardless of the consequences of failure - putting them completely out of your mind, then you're more likely to feel in the "zone" and to perform to the best of your ability. It's all about being positive and confident.

No fear is the phrase, play your own game and enjoy it. If losing doesn't bother you, nor even winning that much, one simply plays in one's own bubble apparently. As Steve Davis said, you have to play as if it means nothing to you, even if it means everything.

[throtts]

Hi Guys,

Great replies, thanks.

The posts are spot on and the one regarding colours tied up on the cushions etc etc is spot on, we all know those frames because we all have been there when we started out down the old smoky club.

The family game I was relating to was played yesterday evening and yes the balls were everywhere. I really had to work the cue ball to compile really small breaks. However, I missed one or two sitters on colours after playing such good power stun positional shots to achieve position on them, I was pissed to say the least. Also, with these casual knocks I think i have learnt it is important to still score your points, that in itself should keep one on his toes if scores get close. Without the score board active I think I am finding it hard to keep true to my technique, so next time regardless who I am playing ( even grandma ) I will activate the score board.

I remember watching Rory M and John H in one of the tournaments and Rory was missing shots here there and everywhere, next minute so was John, so the poster that mentioned rhythm is also a very true one. And with rhythm comes timing so it all fits in like a big puzzle, not to mention the damn chatting.

Kind of puts me off casual knocks, sad but true.

[pottr]

Morning mate. Is a lack of desire/ambition stopping you? I'm not having a dig btw. I know a lot of pros hate practice, but the ones who get to the top do it regardless, because of ambition. How badly do you want it? Have you tried reminding yourself before, during and after practice of your the future standard you want to be?

What's knocking me at the moment I suppose is since I got my own table, I genuinely haven't had the opportunity to knuckle down and have a practice.
I've had two weeks at work where my old boy was away so it was 12/14 12 hour shifts.
Then my cue broke, then the repaired joint broke... So I'm at this point cueless. The floor's still a couple of weeks away from being able to have carpet, that will help because the noise of the barefloor winds me up too.

As to the level I want to be, I really don't think I'll be able to improve any further. You need to be playing in high standard comps and leagues to do that and I am a single parent with two young children 4 and 7. It's pretty much the reason I built the snooker room.
I would like to get a bit more consistent though and I feel this poor application in practice id what's hindering me.

Sorry to hijack the thread a touch Throtts.
I get what you mean, but just try to play the table and stay relaxed, it will all come good in the end if you're practicing hard. There's no other outcome.

[Particle Physics]

What's knocking me at the moment I suppose is since I got my own table, I genuinely haven't had the opportunity to knuckle down and have a practice.
I've had two weeks at work where my old boy was away so it was 12/14 12 hour shifts.
Then my cue broke, then the repaired joint broke... So I'm at this point cueless. The floor's still a couple of weeks away from being able to have carpet, that will help because the noise of the barefloor winds me up too.

As to the level I want to be, I really don't think I'll be able to improve any further. You need to be playing in high standard comps and leagues to do that and I am a single parent with two young children 4 and 7. It's pretty much the reason I built the snooker room.
I would like to get a bit more consistent though and I feel this poor application in practice id what's hindering me.

Sorry to hijack the thread a touch Throtts.
I get what you mean, but just try to play the table and stay relaxed, it will all come good in the end if you're practicing hard. There's no other outcome.

Find a practice partner, one who is a bit better than you, one who would appreciate some free table time, meet up once a week or more, and practice to be able to get to his level and beat him. It doesn't even have to be someone better than you, it could be someone worse. The most important thing is that you have someone to practice with who also wants to improve, who is a positive person, friendly, and of the same mindset. Egg each other on, try and build each others game, help each other.

[pottr]

Without a cue?

I play some pretty good players PP, the majority are ton+ players and a few of them are ex pros.

I play fine when I'm playing them, I just can't seem to focus when I play on my tod.

[Particle Physics]

Without a cue?

I play some pretty good players PP, the majority are ton+ players and a few of them are ex pros.

I play fine when I'm playing them, I just can't seem to focus when I play on my tod.

Get 'em round to your gaff mate, get the kettle on! Get the barbie on, have a snooker day once a week if you can get a sitter. You can get a cue right now off TSF that will see you through to when your customs turn up. Bust a move bud.

[Particle Physics]

Without a cue?

I play some pretty good players PP, the majority are ton+ players and a few of them are ex pros.

I play fine when I'm playing them, I just can't seem to focus when I play on my tod.

Get 'em round to your gaff mate, get the kettle on! Get the barbie on, have a snooker day once a week if you can get a sitter. You can get a cue right now off TSF that will see you through to when your customs turn up. Bust a move bud.

[roykay]

It's hard but try to play each shot like it is a match and give it your best effort.
It is easy in meaningless games to get casual which means you are practicing poor play.
Try hard or don't bother.
Roy Bacon

[roykay]

It's hard but try to play each shot like it is a match and give it your best effort.
It is easy in meaningless games to get casual which means you are practicing poor play.
Try hard or don't bother.
Roy Bacon

[throtts]

Sorry to hijack the thread a touch Throtts.
.

No probs, mate.

Jeeps, it must be hard to find time to practice when you have your hands full with the kiddies, fair play to you..

[Reptile1]

The pros can do this, it's mind training, that they or their coaches have built. I've ordered Dr. Steve Peters book. I'm going to read it, and do a review for TSF. He's coached all the Olympic champions, tour de france cyclists, ROS, and all the top sports stars we can mention. I'm on the case.

Yesterday: The pink was near the yellow spot, the cue ball towards the yellow pocket. I potted the pink in the bottom right pocket and screwed the ball. This is a <10% completely blind shot and it didn't touch the sides. I got down, I played the shot without fear, and just assessed the angle and cued through the ball. I think I thought to myself, oh well, who cares if I miss it, it's ridiculously hard anyway, anything is a bonus. It's a strange game sometimes.

Hi PP,

The "Dr. Steve Peters book" is it The Chimp Paradox?

Sounds like it might be worth a read....between shots...lol!

[Particle Physics]

Hi PP,

The "Dr. Steve Peters book" is it The Chimp Paradox?

Sounds like it might be worth a read....between shots...lol!

Yes buddy, that's the book. £7 incl. delivery from Amazon. Peters is the guy was behind Ronnie's at this years Worlds. He's also behind much of our talented Olympic squad.