Just to share progress and ask about a tweak

[Sidd]

OK So now I have been playing with a decent amount of consistency over the last few weeks and I am absolutely delighted and happy about it. No big breaks yet but wins and wins and even on matches lost I have been to the deciders on almost every occasion. I had to strive hard to achieve this state but that's how it is in this game :watermelon: I used to play well due to a relaxed and nice grip but could not be consistent due to not having a pre-shot routine and others things so i came to this forum and learnt a hell of things in terms with technique and started to correct mine based on what i learnt and that took me through a painstaking exercise of working with my technique (I guess most of you know so as i have taken you through my travels) and that costed me almost well 2 years of ruined game frustration and other things. The problem was that after knowing all that stuff and coming to this forum I altered my grip to search for a proper one and hence all the time I was gripping with pressure hahaha I kept on gripping that way and kept thinking my stance is not correct, then off to elbow wrist bridge body weight and all other things and that even caused me shoulder tendinitis but then I came accross a post (I have shared that life saver post last week on the forum) in which Terry had explained the grip from the scratch... I went through it practiced it and soon realised something that was as simple as ABC but I was overlooking it.... So that gave me my confidence and consistency back.

Up side of this hard 2 year long tiresome journey... I have corrected many aspects of my technique and I have now got something to rely upon and trust in. So I am not unhappy at all at this ordeal that has given me results as well. now when I play I have a good solid technique and can time the ball properly on most occasions... I have a nice relaxed grip nice cue action a good follow through and other things...

We know once has to ocmplete a shot and that is to have the grip hand finishing in the chest in order to have a follow through now here is this small question... Terry used to tell me to have a sweet thought in mind i.e. to imagine hitting the OB as if the CB isnt there as it lets you drive through the white better.... now that i think I am driving through the white correctly without a problem should i still have this sweet thought in mind or not? If not then i guess its about time for me to only have the element of positioning in mind while taking a shot... or perhaps keeping the head still ??? which I think I normally do to a good extent.

Just a thought.... !!!

Regards,
Happy Sidd.

[Terry Davidson]

Sidd:

Your sweet though should be about whatever you believe you are not doing consistently every shot. For me I am inconsistent with accelerating through the cueball and also I have some upper body movement on my backswing.

I've found if I stay absolutely still on the shot the rest takes care of itself and I pot a lot more consistently so my swing thought has now changed from trying to hit the object ball with my tip over to just keeping my head still on the shot.

Terry

[Sidd]

Sidd:

Your sweet though should be about whatever you believe you are not doing consistently every shot. For me I am inconsistent with accelerating through the cueball and also I have some upper body movement on my backswing.

I've found if I stay absolutely still on the shot the rest takes care of itself and I pot a lot more consistently so my swing thought has now changed from trying to hit the object ball with my tip over to just keeping my head still on the shot.

Terry

Thanks for the kind response Coach. well understood.

I went in yesterday all joyous and happy but could not play well. But this time I kind of knew what was happening. Nothing in the technique this time and that makes me happy even if I played bad Because I know if your mind is caught up in technique factor and you play bad then you open a pandora's box for yourself... I have been doing so during the past two years but those were my learning years (even now I am learning and am a student) but then I am pretty confident its not the technique... i gather I am over-stating this but the method you posted long ago about grip configuration and pressure really really gave me back my grip and confidence and ended my 2-yr long struggle... Would never be able to thank you enough for that.

I think keeping the head still sweet thought is great because I do now drive the white on almost all shots having the grip hand finish in the chest and always have 6 or more than 6 inches follow through really. I have noticed that at times I do not feel the chin brushing on the cue effect on delivery and hence this means i am also lifting my head... Never on the backswing but on the delivery. So i shall keep that in mind and try to have it as my single sweet thought.

I also realised something yesterday. I wasnt playing well and I know the reason (not technique I promise) the reason simply was not enough sleep and being tired after a day's work. On one simple short range pot in the centre after taking two blacks I missed the red; it was a baby pot and a mate told me that I did not finish the shot as I normally remain down on the shot till the OB pots or CB comes to rest... He said I was in a hurry and took the shot and suddenly got but when the red was half way through to the pocket.... I realised two things i.e.

1 I was lifting my head.

and most importantly

2. I realised that when I am not playing well due to not being relax or being tired or not doing EOB etc... I tend to miss out something in the cue action. Like i would either become hasty and not remian on the shot till the Ob pots or CB comes to rest I might not do a slow backswing or other things of that sort or might rush the shot etc.... I think this is where nerves come in to action. If not playing well you tend to feel that pressure and as a result do skip something from the overall setup.

Does that happen to others ? Pros and us mortals alike ?

[armstm]

try drinking a couple bottles of water, it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.
also accepting that form fluctuates helps, you forget about bad shots easier.

[j6uk]

Yeah, If the water don't work try a couple bottles of something stronger and if your still having shot-flashbacks, then trash the hotel room! Always works

try drinking a couple bottles of water, it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.
also accepting that form fluctuates helps, you forget about bad shots easier.

[nrage]

try drinking a couple bottles of water, it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.
also accepting that form fluctuates helps, you forget about bad shots easier.

Relaly? That makes me want to pee.. and then I can't concentrate on anything!

[armstm]

Relaly? That makes me want to pee.. and then I can't concentrate on anything!

well there is that.

[throtts]

Specially wanting a pee and then coupled with the wind.

Actually, I am sure a pro many year back ( was it he ) once farted on the shot in a televised match which created movement, he missed and messed.

[armstm]

Specially wanting a pee and then coupled with the wind.

Actually, I am sure a pro many year back ( was it he ) once farted on the shot in a televised match which created movement, he missed and messed.

maybe that should be your swing thought "don't fart, don't fart"

[throtts]

maybe that should be your swing thought "don't fart, don't fart"

Haha, maybe that would be good for our Sidd, to make sure he "follows through"..

[willtyson]

Believe it was Big Bill hahaha :snooker:

[throtts]

Believe it was Big Bill hahaha :snooker:

You are correct. From what I recall he got off the shot and said something like "did you hear that", haha. Probably on youtube somewhere.

[DandyA]

You are correct. From what I recall he got off the shot and said something like "did you hear that", haha. Probably on youtube somewhere.

I don't remember him farting (although he no doubt did) - I think you may be thinking of the time he split his trousers ... it used to be on youtube but I can't find it at the moment - very funny and in full view of the TV cameras ...

bless Big Bill, may he rest in peace ...