Maintaining concentration and consistency.

[humperdingle]

I have a problem with this...

Yesterday, for example, I played a 3 hour solo session - mostly line up.

First 5 minutes I was awful until getting into the swing of things.

10 minutes in, I got my 2nd highest line up break of 72. Dowhill gradually from there, with a few 40s and 50s thrown in, But with many 3,4 or 5 ball breaks in between.

Is this normal? I'd have thought I should be getting at least 40 every go, as everything is ideally placed.

Or am I trying to improve too rapidly and that's causing problems? (Only broke the 40 barrier a few weeks ago)

Didn't help that I chipped the Kamui tip a couple of times and it was almost down to the brass

[luke-h]

I have a problem with this...

Yesterday, for example, I played a 3 hour solo session - mostly line up.

First 5 minutes I was awful until getting into the swing of things.

10 minutes in, I got my 2nd highest line up break of 72. Dowhill gradually from there, with a few 40s and 50s thrown in, But with many 3,4 or 5 ball breaks in between.

Is this normal? I'd have thought I should be getting at least 40 every go, as everything is ideally placed.

Or am I trying to improve too rapidly and that's causing problems? (Only broke the 40 barrier a few weeks ago)

Didn't help that I chipped the Kamui tip a couple of times and it was almost down to the brass

You have to break practice up into meaningful slots, i just went to play for a couple of hours and i was the same.

break your play up by doing line up, colours of the spots, all blacks and see how many you can do.

and drink plenty as that always help with my concentration

[Byrom]

I would vary the practice routines - try looking for an Irish coaching website by JP Nolan and down load his practice pdf's or get some from this forum if you can find any. Then add a few different ones on areas of weakness as well as the areas you are strong in.
Get a notebook, keep a record of each routine out of 10 goes and you will come up with your average score - be honest include the ones you missed the first ball lol. should have an average score after ten line ups and also a record high break at the line up routine.

These are your targets - try and beat the previous high scores and averages and map your improvement each time.

You can do this for every routine and it helps keep you focused because you have a target to beat and you are not just hitting it wildly you are trying.
The other benefit to doing this is that if you keep a record of your averages - if you change something in your technique - say grip for example - you can find out by taking an average score if the new technique is more suited to your game or not.

hope this helps.

[humperdingle]

I would vary the practice routines - try looking for an Irish coaching website by JP Nolan and down load his practice pdf's or get some from this forum if you can find any. Then add a few different ones on areas of weakness as well as the areas you are strong in.
Get a notebook, keep a record of each routine out of 10 goes and you will come up with your average score - be honest include the ones you missed the first ball lol. should have an average score after ten line ups and also a record high break at the line up routine.

These are your targets - try and beat the previous high scores and averages and map your improvement each time.

You can do this for every routine and it helps keep you focused because you have a target to beat and you are not just hitting it wildly you are trying.
The other benefit to doing this is that if you keep a record of your averages - if you change something in your technique - say grip for example - you can find out by taking an average score if the new technique is more suited to your game or not.

hope this helps.

I've tried the average score thing before and it was interesting. Was playing against someone else at the time, but might do that one again.

Bloody annoying when you put a couple of 'red only' in there...destroys the aggregate!

[Byrom]

Sorry i meant PJ Nolan my bad.

Here is a link to some junior routines for you to print off if you get bored of just doing line up

http://www.dunns-cues.com/pics/Junior.pdf


here is link to some senior ones

http://www.dunns-cues.com/pics/Senior.pdf

remember it is important to try your best to concentrate and try to play properly as 1 or 2 hours of good hard solid practice is better than 5 hours of messing around.

[Sidd]

Well its not really about variation in practice or setting targets trust me (however, that is a must for long term improvement but is not suitable for short term consistency). There are other things at play. I can be the best person to talk about this given that I am a big sufferer of this problem myself. So I shall tell you how to battle with this area.

When I play matches normally I would be super excellent in the opening two to three frames ... then I play bad and lousy in the next few frames and then in the end I would end up bad or if I get a good target to follow like being 2 frames down or in one frame 50 points behind... I really play well again just like opening frames.

While there are many reasons for this problem and many cures I would like you to consider the following to improve consistency and concentration during your solo sessions:

1. Have you considered taking breaks during your sessions? Do it for 2 hours max and then take a 15 min break. Go out take some fresh air and come back and refocus again. You will be surprised with the results.

2. I have personally noticed that during the break washing the hands and face with fresh water removes the dullness. It really is helpful.

3. Do a lil bit of the breathing exercise to refocus after every break.

4. To remain light headed for snooker no too much tea and no big meal.

Et cetera et cetera... !!!

Hope this helps.

[SonicWave]

Think of your 72 as the new world record.. (for you) Athletes will break the world record, but, they don't always run there.. That takes time..

[Csmith]

I have a problem with this...

Yesterday, for example, I played a 3 hour solo session - mostly line up.

First 5 minutes I was awful until getting into the swing of things.

10 minutes in, I got my 2nd highest line up break of 72. Dowhill gradually from there, with a few 40s and 50s thrown in, But with many 3,4 or 5 ball breaks in between.

Is this normal? I'd have thought I should be getting at least 40 every go, as everything is ideally placed.

Or am I trying to improve too rapidly and that's causing problems? (Only broke the 40 barrier a few weeks ago)

Didn't help that I chipped the Kamui tip a couple of times and it was almost down to the brass

You may be expecting a bit too much, especially if you only hit your first 40 a few weeks ago. When I practice line up, I do so until I make at least one century, which can take 10 min or over an hour, depends on the day. But I still get the odd 16-24 break, it happens. I remember hearing top professionals make a century almost every attempt at line up (YIKES).

As for playing awful the first 5 minutes, you should always expect a warm up period. Pretty much every physical activity requires a warm up to ensure you play what you are capable of. For example, as a guitarist I do 15 minutes of scales and exercises at increasing speed until my fingers feel loose. Before that, my hands feel comparatively stiff.

I agree with the others, get some other routines to mix it up. I love the Pj Nolan routines, especially because each one has targets for each skill level. The professional targets are just scary for some of them. But more than anything, these routines are designed to simulate match scenarios and give you practice at them. My favourites are the ones that have making a break off just one colour.

Finally, yes get that tip changed. It won't hurt you too much on centre ball striking, but anything with the white tight against the cushion will be very tough.

[humperdingle]

Cheers, folks. I can usually 'snap out' of what I'd call a poor patch by just gathering my thoughts and putting external annoyances to the back of my mind.

The 1st few minutes of crappiness is probably just eagerness to get going.

I did change that tip. An Elkmaster went on, and trimmed it slightly larger right at the tip instead of straight or tapered (i'd seen a pic on here of something similar) which might help compensate for a slender 8.5mm tip.

I got my 2nd critique video break with this new tip.