Going to write a Coaching guide

[Belloz22]

hi, i am used and read many many coaching books and dvds on the subject of snooker, however, i get the feeling that they don't cover every part of the game, and it leaves many people asking questions afterwards, this is especially previlant with the ametur players who already have a good idea of the game in general, but are looking to develop the finer aspects of their game, and they find the coaching books only seem to deal with the beginnings of the game.

I main aim is to write a guide that attempts to cover every aspect of the game, technique, mental, practice, etc, i want it to be a definitive guide. I have spent my life watching and enjoying the game of snooker, and with out sounding to self praising, i feel that my knowledge of the game is very high, not in the sense of the history of the game, but the coaching of the game. I do not have any coaching qualifications, and to me, i dont feel these are necessary, it is not important to have a certificate to prove how good you are, but rather the results you achieve. I have coached many of the players in my local club, from people who have never picked up a cue, to players who have been playing for 20+ years, and i feel, and they feel they have recieved an improvement as a result. I have never charged for my help, my benefit is seeing people enjoying the game more, i know that snooker can be the most fustrating game in the world, and the enjoyment comes from making those breaks and recieving those goals. It is a nice as a player feeling that you have achieved something.

My dad has even benefitted from my teaching lol

My philosophy does not entirely rely on changing the persons technique, their approach to the game or anything, i dont believe that every player should copy any other player, everyone has their own individual approach to the game, and that is what makes the game it is, otherwise we would all be a row of steve davies and the game would be boring. I believe that the best in a player can come from finding the best approach to the game for that persons indivdual technique, so they can feel comfortable, but still approach the game like any professional. In the end the game i believe is 75% mental 25% technique, with exceptions to beginners.

What i would like is any ideas for areas the game people would like to have covered or talked about, and i mean anything. Any ideas would be extremely appreciated and would give me a good guide and frame to start my guide. I want you to think of which parts of coaching that other guides miss, so i can cover it.

I will aim to include as many of my practice routines as possible, so it allows the player ways of improving their area of the game.

Thanks for reading

Michael Bello

[trevs1]

hi, i am used and read many many coaching books and dvds on the subject of snooker, however, i get the feeling that they don't cover every part of the game, and it leaves many people asking questions afterwards, this is especially previlant with the ametur players who already have a good idea of the game in general, but are looking to develop the finer aspects of their game, and they find the coaching books only seem to deal with the beginnings of the game.

I main aim is to write a guide that attempts to cover every aspect of the game, technique, mental, practice, etc, i want it to be a definitive guide. I have spent my life watching and enjoying the game of snooker, and with out sounding to self praising, i feel that my knowledge of the game is very high, not in the sense of the history of the game, but the coaching of the game. I do not have any coaching qualifications, and to me, i dont feel these are necessary, it is not important to have a certificate to prove how good you are, but rather the results you achieve. I have coached many of the players in my local club, from people who have never picked up a cue, to players who have been playing for 20+ years, and i feel, and they feel they have recieved an improvement as a result. I have never charged for my help, my benefit is seeing people enjoying the game more, i know that snooker can be the most fustrating game in the world, and the enjoyment comes from making those breaks and recieving those goals. It is a nice as a player feeling that you have achieved something.

My dad has even benefitted from my teaching lol

My philosophy does not entirely rely on changing the persons technique, their approach to the game or anything, i dont believe that every player should copy any other player, everyone has their own individual approach to the game, and that is what makes the game it is, otherwise we would all be a row of steve davies and the game would be boring. I believe that the best in a player can come from finding the best approach to the game for that persons indivdual technique, so they can feel comfortable, but still approach the game like any professional. In the end the game i believe is 75% mental 25% technique, with exceptions to beginners.

What i would like is any ideas for areas the game people would like to have covered or talked about, and i mean anything. Any ideas would be extremely appreciated and would give me a good guide and frame to start my guide. I want you to think of which parts of coaching that other guides miss, so i can cover it.

I will aim to include as many of my practice routines as possible, so it allows the player ways of improving their area of the game.

Thanks for reading

Michael Bello

Hi,

I would start by losing the thought that the game is 75% mental and 25% technical. This kind of goes against the idea that technical coaching is ever likely to improve more than 25% of any given players game, and, that's surely not going to be good for any concise book on coaching is it?

I would place a bet that the technical aspect of the game is well above 25% value, well well above. If you look at virtually 'any' of the game's pro's, you'll see consistant technical correctness (give or take a little). There are the exceptions like Joe Swail (with the elbow across the back) but they are the 'tiny' minority.

The most important factor without doubt is talent. This cannot be 'taught' but can be schooled and polished. I've seen dozens upon dozens of players that could play for a thousand years and would 'NEVER' get beyond a certain standard. The 'ingredient' is just not there and never will be....it's there for all to see.

That's not to say they are unable to enjoy the game every bit as much as players making regular 100's, of course they can. This leads me to the second point I'd like to make about you post. It's not necessary to make sizeable breaks to enjoy snooker more, far from it. There are many things on offer to gain pleasure from playing, not only making big breaks or receiving any 'goals'. There is the thrill of competing, and the anticipation of victory or defeat, the struggle against yourself and an opponent. If anyone reading this thread who has played competitvely asks themselves: "what else in the experiences of my life has given me a feeling like I get from competitive tension? Not much I'll bet for many people, especially when it's a match that 'really' mattered. It's a great feeling just being involved, feeling that tightness in your body....it's fantastic.

I remember that feeling well from many competitions I've played in and can honestly say that I've got memories of victories and defeats that are equally enjoyable to look back at. I've made many many century breaks in the years I've played snooker, but now, I've got no interest at all in playing. I can honestly say some of the best fun I had playing was when I was no-where near as proficient at the game as I eventually become, so as for enjoyment, it's not all about what many think it's about.

If you're enjoying your snooker, whatever your level, that's what counts most.

[Belloz22]

ok... i was just given my own view, ok i may be a bit unrealistic with my percentages, but alot of people have mentioned to me how much their game improves when they take a mental look to the game, it is all well and good having the most prefect technique, but if you do not have the mindset to utilise it to its maximum then it is just as good has having the worst technique.

I am not saying my views are the only view, please respect my opinions, and i will respect yours, in the end the enjoyment from snooker comes from the diversity of people who play the game.

[trevs1]

ok... i was just given my own view, ok i may be a bit unrealistic with my percentages, but alot of people have mentioned to me how much their game improves when they take a mental look to the game, it is all well and good having the most prefect technique, but if you do not have the mindset to utilise it to its maximum then it is just as good has having the worst technique.

I am not saying my views are the only view, please respect my opinions, and i will respect yours, in the end the enjoyment from snooker comes from the diversity of people who play the game.

I'm not trying to be smart here, just giving my opinion also, after all, it is an open forum is it not?

Thos who 'DO' have an almost perfect technique actually do tend to be extremely good players. This is because to establish and develop to the point of acheiveing a very sound technique, takes time and effort (normally), and so, this time spent playing, coupled to good technical ability will lead to a level of competence on the table. I totally do not agree with your statement of a great technique being rendered virtually as useless as the worst technique if a player does'nt have a certain mindset, that's nonsense, sorry.
Neither do I think you have to have 'ANY' mindset to maximise your technical ability to 'ENJOY' playing.

The emphasis was on this enjoyment in my original reply, stating that it's the enjoyment at 'ALL' levels that we play for, unless you are doing it to earn your living. Your last comment also, about 'enjoyment'. I don't agree that it comes from the diverse people who play the game, rather it tends to be whatever the individual player 'FEELS' which gives them any satisfaction or enjoyment. Ultimately, people can be very different, from anywhere with 'ANY' mindset, but.....the game itself is what they'll have in common, and it's this which they enjoy..."THE GAME", not the diversity of the people who play it.

All my opinion of course, I guess I might be talking crap, who knows.

[Belloz22]

ok, i understand your opinion, but i really believe, and may professional coaches have stated that with out the right mindset towards the game, you will never improve. Alot of people do have good techniques, and will regulary make 40s, but without approaching the game with the right state of mind, you will find it hard to prove, you have to be able to get into the state, known as 'the zone.' Why do you think ronnie o'sullivan is very inconsistent, i really believe ronnie is one of the best players to grace the game, but his inability to win tournament after tournament is because he does not have the right mental state, on the other side, stephen hendry has one the games greatest temperments in the game, ok, he does not have the same flair as ronnie, but his ability to get into the zone' when he needs to has made him the games greatest ever player. 7 world titles, etc...

My opinion on the diversity of the game has been backed up by many people i have spoke to, alot of the players i play with have said how the game of snooker has allowed them to socialise with so many different people. Ok, this idea is limited if your goal is to become a professional, you enjoy the game more for other reasons.

My aim of my guide is to write a guide that helps ever type of player, if you approach the game wanting to be the best (not necessarily a professional) you will improve, there are plenty of tournaments for ameturs to win, even local leagues, being able to play to a fair standard will give you the ability to compete on a good level.

I understand your opinions, however i believe your ideas lie with people who just play the game as a bit of fun, i would like to approach the game in a serious way, my aim is to improve players with the tools they already have, rather than change them completely. Ok, if a player wants to become a professional, he may need a better technique, but not every player who picks up a cue, wants to turn professional, but still want to play the game at a fair standard.

[trevs1]

ok, i understand your opinion, but i really believe, and may professional coaches have stated that with out the right mindset towards the game, you will never improve. Alot of people do have good techniques, and will regulary make 40s, but without approaching the game with the right state of mind, you will find it hard to prove, you have to be able to get into the state, known as 'the zone.' Why do you think ronnie o'sullivan is very inconsistent, i really believe ronnie is one of the best players to grace the game, but his inability to win tournament after tournament is because he does not have the right mental state, on the other side, stephen hendry has one the games greatest temperments in the game, ok, he does not have the same flair as ronnie, but his ability to get into the zone' when he needs to has made him the games greatest ever player. 7 world titles, etc...

My opinion on the diversity of the game has been backed up by many people i have spoke to, alot of the players i play with have said how the game of snooker has allowed them to socialise with so many different people. Ok, this idea is limited if your goal is to become a professional, you enjoy the game more for other reasons.

My aim of my guide is to write a guide that helps ever type of player, if you approach the game wanting to be the best (not necessarily a professional) you will improve, there are plenty of tournaments for ameturs to win, even local leagues, being able to play to a fair standard will give you the ability to compete on a good level.

I understand your opinions, however i believe your ideas lie with people who just play the game as a bit of fun, i would like to approach the game in a serious way, my aim is to improve players with the tools they already have, rather than change them completely. Ok, if a player wants to become a professional, he may need a better technique, but not every player who picks up a cue, wants to turn professional, but still want to play the game at a fair standard.

I'm not saying for one moment that the correct mental approach to snooker is anything but positive, but, that's for the individual to decide on and to discover what it is they want from the game.

As for professional coaches, well, I'm not too sure that any player should take as gospel all or anything they say, I've seen and heard enough to be able to state that. Some are very good, but many leave much to be desired.

This thing 'THE ZONE' as you call it, what is that exactly??? How do you define it??? In my opinion, it's a bit of a myth really. High levels of concentration and confidence is how I'd describe it, and lets be honest, how many do that regularly???

The bit about Ronnie and Hendry I'm not even going to get into, it sounds to me like you're repeating what no end of people say on that score, so I'm going to pass on it.

As for diversity, as I said earlier, it's the 'GAME ITSELF' people have in common, at least initially, though they might find they have more in common as they become more aquainted. This is no doubt an area anyone can get enjoyment from (meeting new people), though it's been acheived through a shared interest in a particular sport which has brought it about.
Many of the professionals I know very personally, did'nt start playing snooker with the sole intention of being pro one day, so to say that their experience of mixing with people can be limited or different is nonsense, it's exactly the same as anyone else's experience. As for enjoying the game for other reasons also, I can tell you that there are a good number that I know would likely never play the game again if they were'nt doing it for a living and that's a fact.

Lastly, my opinions are applicable to everyone, at all levels to be honest and not just those 'knock about Charlies' that could'nt give a stuff how they play.
My views are formed through 25 or so years of playing, and, at what many would believe to a fair old standard. I've been friendly with, competed against, discussed with, socialised with many pro's and top amateurs alike for much of that time, so I might have a little knowledge of what I'm saying here, but it is just my opinion at the end of the day.

I'd say that to write any worthy concise book or guide on a sport, the author would need extensive knowledge of the subject. In this case, I'm not too sure you have that from reading your posts. The facets of the game of snooker are many, from technical to commitment to determination to motivation to aspiration, are you sure you're able to cover 'all' that effectively? The thing is, I feel that you have your opinions, they may be good sound ones, BUT, to be able to offer something you can share with others as definitive advice or guidance, you firstly need the tools to do it.

Maybe you need to ask yourself whether you have the necessary ones, and, the experience required to the job.

[Belloz22]

you cant sit there, and say that my knowledge of the game is limited because you have lived alot longer than me, i know of many people in different areas of the sport who have more knowledge of the game, than older players who have played alot longer.

In the end, you are only judging my views against your own, and i respect your opinions, god, i am doing a law degree and have to respect every argument conceivable.

thanks anyway - i dont want this turning out to become an argument

[trevs1]

you cant sit there, and say that my knowledge of the game is limited because you have lived alot longer than me, i know of many people in different areas of the sport who have more knowledge of the game, than older players who have played alot longer.

In the end, you are only judging my views against your own, and i respect your opinions, god, i am doing a law degree and have to respect every argument conceivable.

thanks anyway - i dont want this turning out to become an argument

Hi again,

I'm not 'judging' your opinions as such, I'm merely pointing out that there are obvious flaws to some of your ideas mentioned in the thread you've started here. I'm saying it appears very questionable as to whether you've got the necessary experience to write what you've described as a book covering 'every aspect of the game'.

I'd completely agree that you do not have to be 'older' to have more knowledge or experience of something. I have/had no idea how old you are, it's nothing to do with that. My views were shared because you asked for views in your original post, about what you might need to consider or for people to make suggestions on what to consider.

That is what I've done.

I'm not looking for any 'argument' either, as I said, I'm just pointing out what I see as clear deficiencies in your knowledge.

Good luck with it anyway.

[Belloz22]

ok, thanks for your intrest in my post anyway - at least it seems like there are still people in the world who have a heart for snooker, and i comend you for that

thanks

[Green Baize]

Here, here Trevs1.

[ADR147]

christ thats a heated post !! - i am not going to stick the boot in, mainly because i am too lazy to type, but also because i would like to see the results. although i would have to say as trevor has pointed out that i am not sure its possible for you, or anyone else for that matter! to achieve what you describe. its also 100% impossible to write one that is definitive because the game has always and will always evolve, 50 years or so ago the number of players that could make a ton or more could have all got together in my garden for a BBQ now there are century breakers in most clubs. but i would like if possible to have a read of your guide.

[Q Ball]

Guys

My personal standard has been up and down over the years, where 14 years ago i hit a centrury, and these days its maybe a 70 or 80. I am in agreement with you both. To play the game of snooker you need to have something inside you that can be developed, this is called natural ability ( when we learn to ride a bike, you dont suddenly lose the ability to do that if you didnt get on it for a few years). I had always believed as a youngster that the mental part of the game was very low and it was all about technical ability, this has proved to be both wrong and right.
If i had to say guess the percentages, i would say its an even 50-50. I have played league snooker for the last 14 years and was taught to play by a pro coach and referee by the name of Harry Lancashire (probably wont of heard of him, but i was told he taught Tony Knowles). This guy was in his late 50's when i was 14 and his knowledge of the game was fantastic. When i was playing in tournaments like the uk under 19's and 21's many many years ago in Blackpool, this guy was still teaching me then and when i was having an off game or tournament, i used to call him and would meet him for an hour. Within that hour he could tell me where i was going wrong, could it be my cue arm,raised butt, not playing the ball through etc.
Sorry to have bored you with this, but practice and mental attitude makes a great player greater. As mentioned, people like Joe Swail have a totally different technique and it works, if you striaghtened his arm, would he be better or worse..Who knows !

Q

[Q Ball]

ps... i noticed a couple of spelling mistakes in my last post, if i had practiced my spelling, it would of been better....lol

[Belloz22]

see Q, if you believed you could spell right, you would of done it right lol

- Like many pro's say, in players who are only just learning the game, it is about 80% technique and 20% mental, this is because the player needs to take alot more notice of their technique so they can improve it, however when you come to have a consistent standard, you do not need worry as much about your technique or how you play the shot, this is why the mental side of the game is more important in better players (however this is only in tournament games, friendlies require not as strong a mental approach)

The thing is, not having a great mental attitude can limit you as much as not having a good cue technique, in my opinion any player can learn to develop their own technique to suit them, their is no perfect technique, doing some basic things do help, but alot of it is in the belief that you can play well with the resources you have got, unless you believe you will play well, you most likely wont

In my opinion you will rarely find a player win a tournament who has not portrayed any kind of a strong mental attitude, im not saying there is not exceptions though

[DeanH]

Did anything come from this exercise?
Anything that can be shared with the forum?