Im seriously losing my sanity with this game !!!! HELP !!!!

[throtts]

Dear Belloz,
Hope all of the bollocks above helps in some way !

haha,

Snooker is like a lover, they dont like it rough. They like a nice gentle stroke, just like the balls...

Nice post, Sidd.....

[nrage]

.. and then the black off its spot. This is where everything goes wrong, I am lucky if I can run 5 and most times 3 then my confidence goes and then I cannot make anything.

Try this. Play some blacks off the spot, starting with straight in (white 1/2 way to the cushion), start with low power, just roll it in. Don't worry about positioning the white - concentrate on the pot only. Repeat until you make 5/5 then move the white 1 ball width straight up the table, make 5/5 from the new position, and repeat. You can mark the white ball position with chalk.

When you start to miss often, reset to straight in and start again. Count how many attempts it takes from each position to get 5 in a row, and try to beat it next time you reset.

Being methodical like this feeds consistent information into your brain and will help you improve faster. Take your time with each pot, perform your complete aiming and walk in routine each time, don't rush - rushing will ultimately only delay the improvement.

While you do this, make absolutely certain you are aiming the black to the correct spot on the pocket opening, a lot of players are aiming too close to the top cushion and don't realise there is a fair amount of side cushion you can hit and still pot, especially at the lower speeds.

To find the range of error that you actually have, place the white on the black spot and place a piece of chalk on the side cushion of the pocket opening, play the white slowly into the pocket at that point. If it drops, move the chalk up the side cushion and repeat until it will no longer drop (Important; keep the speed the same each time).

Now, place a red on the table at the last point it will drop, and place one just touching the top cushion where it curves into the pocket. These are the two extreme edges of the "pottable range" at the speed you were using. Find the central point between then, that is where you should be aiming on every black off the spot.

[mythman69]

Try this. Play some blacks off the spot, starting with straight in (white 1/2 way to the cushion), start with low power, just roll it in. Don't worry about positioning the white - concentrate on the pot only. Repeat until you make 5/5 then move the white 1 ball width straight up the table, make 5/5 from the new position, and repeat. You can mark the white ball position with chalk.

Thanks nrage for the info . . . I will practice this and let you know how I go.

[Belloz22]

Thanks for all the advice. My main problem and what fustrates me most is that ive made the changes to my technique etc, ive worked hard on learning to cue straight etc, but I can not understand why I have such a problem with consistently. Sure if your technique is reasonably good you shouldnt be missin 10-12 easy shots every frame. If I try to fully concentrate, take my time etc, I play even worse. I have to play quickly because if I give myself time to think I know il miss. To me it feels like every few shots my brain decides to switch off and forget everything and I end up doing something stupid. It does feel like im constantly fighting the stupidity side of me :s

My dad plays, and I dont criticise people often, but his technique is horrendous, yet he does not suffer the same inconsistencies as me. I work hard on my technique and cannot trust myself to pot 2 balls in a row. God this game irritates me

[vmax4steve]

Just have to see how things go - went back down for practice on my own today and concentrated on keeping eyes on BOB and keeping grip very loose etc - and i potted brilliantly - no doubt tomorrow be back to rubbish though lol

Then it's clear that this is indeed what you should be doing but anxiety of playing in matches is making you forget these simple basics.
You have to ask yourself why you have this anxiety in matches.

Answer these questions

1. What do you get out of the game when you win
2. What do you get out of the game when you lose
3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose
4. What do you get out of the game when you play badly but win
5. Before starting a match what are your thoughts/expectations/wishes
6. When actually playing in a match and at the table what are you thinking

Answering these questions should give you an insight into the anxiety you feel when involved in a match situation that gives you conscious thoughts that overide your subconscious and make you play badly.
Lose this anxiety and you should be able to relax and concentrate only on the one thing that keeps everything together, looking at the contact point on the object ball when lining up the shot, when getting down into the stance and when striking the cue ball.

[TexasTrev]

Too much paralysis of analysis goin on in your head.Just grip it n rip it!

[vmax4steve]

Yes and me too. This game is driving me nuts. I have a tournament this weekend and I have been putting in at least 1 to 2 hours in every night practicing. I start with up and down cue balls to the tip until I hit 10/10 then long blues minimum 7/10 then pinks off the spot minimum of 10 in a row and then the black off its spot. This is where everything goes wrong, I am lucky if I can run 5 and most times 3 then my confidence goes and then I cannot make anything. Played a best of 3 against my son that is not a good player and he takes 2 to 1. What are the chances of making a black when you have the ability to see it missing before I make my shot. The black ball is slowly bringing my entire game to the point of no return. I really have no one to play against and all my practice is on my 5x10 which I sometimes wonder if this is where the problem lies. Look at me venting my frustration. This game is very addicting and very frustrating at the same time. HELP

Stop these straight potting exercises as it's clear that your cue action is fine. Simply spread all the balls all over the table and practise your potting, but don't play the easier straightish ones all the time, go for the cuts as you need to learn angles, and keep your eye on the contact point of the object ball both when aiming, when getting down into the stance and when striking the cue ball. Keep your head still and follow the object ball into the pocket with your eyes only before getting up from the stance.

[Belloz22]

Then it's clear that this is indeed what you should be doing but anxiety of playing in matches is making you forget these simple basics.
You have to ask yourself why you have this anxiety in matches.

Answer these questions

1. What do you get out of the game when you win
2. What do you get out of the game when you lose
3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose
4. What do you get out of the game when you play badly but win
5. Before starting a match what are your thoughts/expectations/wishes
6. When actually playing in a match and at the table what are you thinking

Answering these questions should give you an insight into the anxiety you feel when involved in a match situation that gives you conscious thoughts that overide your subconscious and make you play badly.
Lose this anxiety and you should be able to relax and concentrate only on the one thing that keeps everything together, looking at the contact point on the object ball when lining up the shot, when getting down into the stance and when striking the cue ball.

Quite funny that im actually off work at the min due to anxiety lol

[Sidd]

Then it's clear that this is indeed what you should be doing but anxiety of playing in matches is making you forget these simple basics.
You have to ask yourself why you have this anxiety in matches.

Answer these questions My answers in blue

1. What do you get out of the game when you win Joy happiness satisfaction
2. What do you get out of the game when you lose Sadness dissatisfaction
3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose Joy relaxtion enjoyment happiness
4. What do you get out of the game when you play badly but win No happiness at all, anguish anger frustration
5. Before starting a match what are your thoughts/expectations/wishes to beat the opponent, make a big break, be on top of my form and clean sweep my opponent crush him
6. When actually playing in a match and at the table what are you thinking he has a lead of 30 i need a few blacks or big colors cant let him beat me cant miss if i do he will win cant miss dont miss dont miss lead goes to 50 its getting out of hands ..... if i have the lead ok lead is 30 he is behind cant catch up easily (i tend to relax) if he comes from behind I get a bit worried and go directly under huge pressure...

Answering these questions should give you an insight into the anxiety you feel when involved in a match situation that gives you conscious thoughts that overide your subconscious and make you play badly.
Lose this anxiety and you should be able to relax and concentrate only on the one thing that keeps everything together, looking at the contact point on the object ball when lining up the shot, when getting down into the stance and when striking the cue ball.

Kindly do let me know what it tells you about me and what things to focus/improve upon.... Thanks as always mate.

[pottr]

1. What do you get out of the game when you win?
I feel resolved.

2. What do you get out of the game when you lose? Sadness dissatisfaction
Depends on the manner of the defeat.

3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose?
Not possible. If I play well, it means I haven't made a mistake. If I don't make a mistake... I win.

4. What do you get out of the game when you play badly but win?
I feel massively relieved then delighted. Feels great to play bad and still win, if you play well, you win anyway.

5. Before starting a match what are your thoughts/expectations/wishes to beat the opponent?
Don't make an error. No missed pots, short safetys. Don't push the boat out if you get bored, play the table.

6. When actually playing in a match and at the table what are you thinking?
Where do I want the white? The rest takes care of itself.

Belloz... Chin up brother. All this advice will most likely just weigh on you and make you feel desperate as you frantically try to correct problems that may not be there.

You likely are having a bad patch. Remember that you play this game and wish to improve because you enjoy playing it. You didn't start playing the game because you thought you'd be great straight away.

Don't take it to serious. Play the game, don't let it play you.

[nrage]

1. What do you get out of the game when you win?
Depends on the situation but generally satisfaction and a sense of achievement or accomplishment.

2. What do you get out of the game when you lose?
Depends on the situation, my performance and my expectations beforehand. Generally some disappointment but I always strive for acceptance.

3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose?
Acceptance and a desire to get better. "the best man won"

4. What do you get out of the game when you play badly but win?
"I thank my lucky stars" but I am briefly annoyed at myself and endeavor to do better next time.

5. Before starting a match what are your thoughts/expectations/wishes to beat the opponent?
I generally want to play well and win. I expect that the player who plays the best snooker (selects the right shots, makes the breaks) will win. I do not assume I will lose to a "better" player, because I have beaten plenty of those (in handicapped matches) nor do I assume I will win to a "worse" player, because I have lost to plenty of those too.

6. When actually playing in a match and at the table what are you thinking?
Focusing on selecting shots based on the situation, judging whether to take risks and what the probable outcome might be. When there is a chance for a break I am concentrating on potting and making position and unless I run out of position and leave a risky pot, I am not worried about leaving my opponent in.

[alabadi]

3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose?
Not possible. If I play well, it means I haven't made a mistake. If I don't make a mistake... I win.

it is possible to play well and lose, you can even not miss a shot and still lose. you might pot a few then get unlucky going into the pack or a canon that goes wrong, you play a safety and your opponent pots a long red from tight on the baulk cushion.

you might play someone who is better than you are equally as good when they are at the table, you have no control they can clear up and win.

its nice to have confidence, but sometimes we have to accept that no matter how good we play we can still lose a game, that's what makes this game fascinating.

[pottr]

it is possible to play well and lose, you can even not miss a shot and still lose. you might pot a few then get unlucky going into the pack or a canon that goes wrong, you play a safety and your opponent pots a long red from tight on the baulk cushion.

Nope, if you stick a long red up and your opponent knocks it in, you have made a mistake.
If you play a cannon that goes wrong then you made a mistake.
If you play into the pack and land on nothing, you then have to play a decent safety. If you don't, that's a mistake.

you might play someone who is better than you are equally as good when they are at the table, you have no control they can clear up and win.

Yes, that's correct. But, it will only be a mistake from yourself that leads to them getting to the table.

The only situations that eliminates your involvement are if your opponent flukes a ball or you get a kick in the balls.

its nice to have confidence, but sometimes we have to accept that no matter how good we play we can still lose a game, that's what makes this game fascinating.

It's nothing to do with confidence. It's statistics. If you miss no balls, allow no chances, only bad luck (kicks, flukes) can cause you to lose.

What makes the game fascinating is that it's hard to replicate your best performance day after day.

Don't mean to argue, perhaps nowadays I only consider myself to be playing well when I am in top gear.

[alabadi]

Come on Pottr , you are taking it to extremes. There's is not a living snooker player who doesn't make mistakes, even the great Stephen Hendry in his hay day did. Otherwise he and every other pro would have won every frame they played.

Which is impossible because someone has to lose.

[vmax4steve]

3. What do you get out of the game when you play well but lose?
Not possible. If I play well, it means I haven't made a mistake. If I don't make a mistake... I win.

Some good answers there pottr except for this one mate. No one, not even Ronnie plays faultless snooker in a match, mistakes are always made and if your opponent plays equally as well as you there is a damn good chance that you will be beaten. I'm pretty sure this must have happened to you at some time.
Answer the question as it was meant to be answered as it's intention is to find out what you feel when you lose when at your best, for even at your best there is always a pot missed or a safety go wrong at some stage.

BTW if you get a kick in the balls carry on through the pain