Coaching priority

[jono*]

Hi

I'm looking to see a coach to work on several aspects of my game. However there is a limited amount you can do in time and money. If I had to priorities the different parts of my game into the things which should be covered first regardless of ability on each, what should I see to first?

Here are things I need to work on. Hope I can get some advice.

1- Choppy cue action. Can get a ball moving well but it's not consistent and can often miss when I expect to pot
2- Break building. Playing the right shot.
3- Rest play.
4- Mental strength
5- Consistency.
6- Use of side.
7- Control of cue power/ positional play


How should I put these in order in terms of importance. Or should I really master my cue action before touching anything else?

Thanks all.

[nrage]

I spent almost a year concentrating almost solely on my cue action and technique (by myself, not with a coach). It had no effect on my high break. What I did wrong, was neglect my potting, angles, positional play, break building, screw, stun, top and side, etc. I do not recommend doing that. I think you need to keep a balanced approach and work on most aspects of the game all at the same time.

That said, some things do deserve more time than others. For example, how many rest shots do you reckon you'd play in a typical frame? It does depend but some frames you play none, and others you might play several. On average I think it's probably 1 or 2 per frame. So, if you play 50 shots per frame and 1 or 2 are rest shots it stands to reason you should practice normal shots 25x more often than rest shots.

Also, without a solid base of technique you will find it hard to make progress with some aspects, especially building any sort of break when you're missing easy pots due to bad technique. So, there is an argument for some focus early on on technique, at least to get rid of the biggest problems or kinks.

Any decent coach will be able to tell you what you should focus on so I would leave it up to them to decide TBH. It all depends on your current level of play and what's actually holding you back, which is something that requires seeing you in person to determine.

FYI: I am not a coach and my HB is only 26

[snookerdad]

Agree. Technique first. Then potting and positioning.

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)

[Ethanat]

Nrage,
Can't quite believe your hb is only 26.
Your postings have always been informative n interesting to read.

[sberry]

1 & 5 first, 7 & 2 second, then 3 & 4 and finally 6, assuming you are a beginner

[nrage]

Nrage,
Can't quite believe your hb is only 26.
Your postings have always been informative n interesting to read.

Thanks. Like I said in my post I concentrated far too much on technique, so I've read a lot and tried far too many different things out. I really just need some solid hours of practice to improve and I'm finding that hard to come by. One day, one day..

[CoachGavin]

A solid, consistent cue action and then build your game around that.

[rovnos]

you have to start with a solid foundation. Everything else will improve much more readily with a smooth consistant cue action. If i may, i would like to offer you the following advice to get you started.
1) LINE THE SHOT UP WHILE STANDING DIRECTLY BEHIND IT
20 (assuming your right-handed) STAND ON THE LINE OF THE SHOT, FEET SHOULDER WIDTH APART, IN A COMFORTABLE SOLID STANCE.
3) KEEP EYES ON THE LINE OF THE SHOT WHEN GOING DOWN AND PLACING THE BRIDGEHAND.
4) WHILE FEATHERING, KEEP CUE IN CONTACT WITH CHEST AND CHIN (if possible, everyone is different) THIS WILL KEEP CUE ON A CONSISTANT PLANE.
5) AFTER DOING FEATHERS (assuming you do, not everybody does) ON YOUR FINAL DRAWBACK, MAKE IT REALLY SLOW AND EXAGGERATED. MAKE THE LENGHT OF IT MATCH THE POWER THATS NEEDED. YOU DONT NEED TO DRAE BACK TO YOUR BRIDGE 'V' FOR SHORT SHOTS !
6) START THE SHOT AS SLOWLY AS YOU CAN FOR FIRST COUPLE OF CM,S TO HELP PROMOTE ACCELERATING THROUGH THE BALL.
7) EXCEPT CUE ARM, KEEP EVERYTHING AS STILL AS A ROCK !

If you practice following these guidelines each time you play a shot and i would suggest you have a few practice sessions on your own to really engrave it into your game, then i think you will become alot more consistant quite quickly. Once it becomes second nature, the rest will be a lot easier to master (easier, not easy !).

I offer these tips as there what im following at the minute and im find great improvements in my game. Hope it helps.

[jono*]

thanks for all the advice. i have deliberately paused before my final drawback and after, and it has really helped my rhythm and cueing, so i will be keeping up the change and hopefully get used to it so that it becomes natural.