Cueing

[itsnoteasy]

My mantra would be: 100% into the pot, hit from the elbow, stay down and don't move!
After shot completion and Ive potted the ball, an instant check list would popup in my mind like:
Was the pot clean?
Did I play the shot as imagined and get my desired position?
How did the shot feel technically?
What's the pace of the table?

I would build on this shot by shot, generate momentum and assess my form. Try and stay on the table when I'm in and compliment it with nice safety:snooker:

Nice post J6, an after shot routine isn't talked of much, but has to be a good thing.

[throtts]

Nice post J6, an after shot routine isn't talked of much, but has to be a good thing.

Should be automatic for any player, imo...

[Terry Davidson]

sydneygeorge:

I think I would have a hard time trying to measure the thickness of contact by using tip width. I think the secret is in the word 'KISS' (keep it stupid simple).

You likely have realized early in your snooker learning that you must get the cueball into the plant position on the object ball in order to pot the ball. One method is to select that contact point on the object ball (called 'BOB' meaning Back Of Ball) however I find I have a hard time imagining a spot on the object ball and I prefer to use the 'ghost ball' method which I believe is the most natural method of aiming.

The first rule is you must do all your aiming (selecting the line of aim of the cue) while standing behind the shot. Pointing the nose at the object ball is a good thing and here you should try an imagine a ghost cueball in the plant position on the object ball and aim the cue to the centre of that ghost cueball.

The next rule is while keeping your eyes (keeping the nose on is the easiest method) on that spot on the object ball or where the imaginary cueball is placed drop your head (nose if you prefer) STRAIGHT DOWN and assume the address position. When you initially drop down into the address position keep the cue still and almost against the real cueball and check if your line of aim is to the centre spot of the ghost cueball. Do your feathers and then a final front pause just before the final backswing to check again if everything is how you want it.

Backswing and deliver and on delivery accelerate THROUGH AND BEYOND the cueball and do not tighten the grip until well after the time of strike. If your upper body stayed still through this process then you should have been on the line of aim you calculated while standing behind the shot which is where you get the best perspective of the line of aim.

It's also important to place the straight leg foot on the line of aim of the cue. I recommend the arch of the foot (or the laces) and the foot should be pointed outwards a bit and not straight down the line of aim as that is hard on the ankle, knee and sometimes the hip joint. The bent leg foot can be anywhere you find comfortable with about a shoulder width between the heels of the feet. Some prefer a dead square stance with both feet level but for players a little older I recommend a partial boxer's stance with the bent leg foot slightly ahead of the straight leg foot.

Terry

[j6uk]

Thanks Itiseasy
I'll try to keep up the good work.. enjoy

Nice post J6, an after shot routine isn't talked of much, but has to be a good thing.

[DandyA]

... I think the secret is in the word 'KISS' (keep it stupid simple).

that's a typo by Terry ... as he knows, KISS stands for "keep it simple, stupid!" ... ie don't over-complicate things more than you have to ...

[sydneygeorge]

Thanks Terry.