Left shoulder left ear

[denja]

RIGHT HANDED PLAYER Should the left shoulder be as close as possible to the lower side of the ear and chin when bridge arm is thrust forward ?

[Terry Davidson]

Yes, it should be over near the cheek as far as is comfortable BUT it should also be down as low as possible and I mean low, basically almost sitting on the rail/cushion

Terry

[denja]

Yes, it should be over near the cheek as far as is comfortable BUT it should also be down as low as possible and I mean low, basically almost sitting on the rail/cushion

Terry

Thanks Terry you are a real asset to Snooker Forum Question ? Why is my long potting of a good standard the guys at the club remark on some of my long shots (I AM NO BIG HEAD) but when I get close in among the balls I make a complete hash of things silly misses around the black e,c,t,, my regular playing partner says I look like I sort of tense up, Why do I feel better at distance if only I could balance my game between the two I would be a happy bunny. The guys say I am a complete contradiction most people struggle with long shots (I dont mean I get every long shot that would be to much to hope for but a good %.

[rimmer10]

could be because of something called the parallax error. basically what that means is that you don't sight correctly (i.e. don't run your dominant eye exactly over the cue if you have a dominant eye that is) which makes the angle appear to be wrong. the parallax error gets more profound the closer the objects are to the observer therefore it is less of a problem on longer shots. there are a few good videos on youtube that can explain it a lot better

[Terry Davidson]

denja:

Can't say for sure about the parallax error as I've never heard of it.

When a player is having difficulty with those short and low power shots it's normally because he doesn't use his normal technique when hitting the ball...i.e. - the player will shorten the backswing and also shorten the follow-through and decelerates the cue through the cueball.

The way to correct this is to ensure you drive the grip hand all the way through to the chest, even on low power shots. This is why players who use a longer backswing all the time are much better on this type of shot because with a longer backswing it's almost impossible to clutch the cue (as long as the grip remains relaxed).

Another thing you can try is to force yourself to use a looser grip and these low power shots and concentrate on not tightening it AT ALL when driving through the cueball.

Terry

[denja]

denja:

Can't say for sure about the parallax error as I've never heard of it.

When a player is having difficulty with those short and low power shots it's normally because he doesn't use his normal technique when hitting the ball...i.e. - the player will shorten the backswing and also shorten the follow-through and decelerates the cue through the cueball.

The way to correct this is to ensure you drive the grip hand all the way through to the chest, even on low power shots. This is why players who use a longer backswing all the time are much better on this type of shot because with a longer backswing it's almost impossible to clutch the cue (as long as the grip remains relaxed).

Another thing you can try is to force yourself to use a looser grip and these low power shots and concentrate on not tightening it AT ALL when driving through the cueball.

Terry

Think you may be on the right track Terry, my long pots feel like they sort of FLOW ! but I feel that on short close up pots I feel sort of choked and constricted and I get jabby it dont flow if you know what I mean.

[rimmer10]

To Terry
something I came across reading up on golf where you would'nt think eye dominance would play a big part if any. However it has a rather significant effect when it comes to putting. Since then I did a bit of research on it (cant help myself, i'm an engineer by trade) and found it quite a fascinating subject.
Look into it and tell us what you think. Your opinion on it would be highly valued by me and i'm sure by the rest of the snooker community.
Cheers Rimmer

[Terry Davidson]

denja:

It sounds to me like you are more accurate with longer pots where you would use a longer backswing and most likely you drive through the cueball better. The secret for you may be (no guarantees here) to use a longer backswing for the low power close shots too and decrease the rate of acceleration but always remembering to drive the grip hand to the chest and keeping the rate of acceleration the same throughout the shot until the hand hits the chest.

If you stay absolutely still on the backswing and keep the grip loose throughout the delivery and are able to control the rate of acceleration you would be doing what the majority of the top pros do (ROS, Selby, Higgins, Murphy, Hendry, etc.)

If you decide to experiment with this in solo practice, start with dead easy shots like the pink off spot but ALWAYS play the cueball with a set target in mind like position on a 3/4 black. Then change to a stun shot on the pink to get the black 3/4 to the same pocket and then a run-through pink coming off the side cushion for a black in the opposite top pocket. This will make the practice disciplined and with a set objective and is much better than just practicing potting the easy pink.

Terry

[Terry Davidson]

rimmer:

I know what parallax error for close in targets is in relation to naval gun fire control systems however I had never thought about it in relation to snooker. If I can ever find the time I might do a little research on it but right now I'm busy trying to sort out what the hell I'm doing wrong with my technique as I can't blame it all on just old age.

Terry

[rimmer10]

Terry: Good luck mate, wish I could help you out on that one!
There's an idea, why don't you start a new thread where people on here try to help you for a change. It's about time we gave something back to you after all what you have done for us. I'm sure a lot of people would jump at the chance!

[j6uk]

Why don't you upload a video?
So we can see what the old dog is up to

If I can ever find the time I might do a little research on it but right now I'm busy trying to sort out what the hell I'm doing wrong with my technique as I can't blame it all on just old age.

Terry

[Sidd]

Why don't you upload a video?
So we can see what the old dog is up to

I am with you, j6uk, on this...
Do that Terry and perhaps if we cant help you improve ... you videos can make us learn a lot from them.

Regards,
Ever greedy for learning snooker- Sidd.

[Terry Davidson]

I'll upload a video after two things happen. The first is the time to make the video but the second is to learn how to upload a video directly into here or onto youtube.

And j6uk...I will upload a video once you do so yourself. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!

Terry

[j6uk]

Are you getting competitive?!
I have done already but yes will do.. I'll video myself all day and choose the best one

Btw how far did you get in the navy hierarchy again?

And j6uk...I will upload a video once you do so yourself. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!

Terry

[Terry Davidson]

j6uk:

It was Lieutenant-Commander, Combat Systems Engineer. Retired in early 1985 but had accumulated about 6 months leave so actually left late 1984 and moved to Glasgow to join my (now) wife while she completed her degree in physiotherapy.

I tried searching for your video but as you have over 1,000 posts I couldn't find it. Could you please post a link to your video?

Thanks,
Terry