rest play

[glen]

Having trouble using the rest.... I keep cutting across the white and it's affecting my play so much that I tend to over stretch for shots and miss anyway or play a more difficult shot to avoid using it.
Any help or training methods would be greatly received

[sberry]

Practice, practice, practice. Try clearing the colours with the rest starting with white a foot from the yellow and straight so screwback required, replay every shot till you get it. Is this a new problem or has it always been awkward?

[nrage]

Nic Barrow has a good video on using the rest.

Sign up here:
http://www.thesnookergym.com/

Then you can login here:
http://www.thesnookergym.com/login.php

The web site is a bit odd, IMO, but here is how to navigate to the video you want:
1. Click "Red level" in the 3rd layer of the menu
2. Click "Technique" in the newly created 4th layer menu
3. Click "Step A" in the 5th layer menu
4. The 3rd video listed "DVD001CH13.flv" is the one you want.

If you're cueing across the white then you have a problem with the stroke and pushing your grip hand across the line of aim. If you follow Nic's tips on how to stand, how to hold the cue, etc and if you practice the rest stroke first slowly, then faster, without a ball, then by adding a white and so on, until you're comfortable with it.

Then, when you need to play with the rest you should be a lot more comfortable and confident. Play the shot with purpose, driving right through the white, don't rush it, don't try to put too much power into it (usually from the shoulder), don't jab at it, snatch the shot, etc, it should be smooth and as Nic says the feeling you are after is of the "cue pulling the hand, not pushing the cue".

[glen]

Lads thanks a lot for the advice. I'll be down the club tomorrow with videos on my phone and am going to get stuck into practice.

It has been an ongoing thing where I've always been reluctant to use it so hopefully this will help

[LittleMissAlexa]

screw shots are always the hardest with the rests because you always worry about fouling as the ball comes back to the rest