Pain

[Sidd]

Sidd:

I wonder how many changes you made in your snooker technique in order to try and get rid of the shoulder/neck pain and if any of those corrections have become permanent.

You just might have to tinker some more to get back to where you are more natural in your set-up and technique (although I really hate to tell you that!)

Terry

Well indeed Terry. I know how it sounds but this bridge arm shoulder pain started and I was pretty much sure that i was doing something wrong and that caused it. But luckily enough I still remember the path that I took to correct it in my opinion:

- I consulted you and Nic Barrow and was pretty much sure I was being too forward on the shot and hence started to find a way to get it eased out. I was square on at that time. Hence what I did was to stand a bit closer to the table and sort of lean back on my straight leg and I remember the pain was gone after a few days and I was sure I have corrected it.

- That pain came back when I switched to boxer's in order to get my body down on the bed of the table. It worked right for a few days but the pain was back again.

- Now that it is in both shoulders I know for a fact its my office environment.

Having said that, I will try to go and figure out how to stand comfortably again and try to sort out my comfortable position. I think, only think, having half way boxer's i.e. bent leg just a bit ahead of the straight coupled with leaning back a bit should be ok with me. But I will have to try and experiment for a few days before finalising things...

Will keep you updated and ask for help if needed.

Sidd.

[Sidd]

Oh Terry, what have you done.

Mate... for some people... like me... they say... ces't la vie

[Sidd]

Last but not the least; I have changed my club. I just dont want to go to that club again where there are police raids and what not. So I went in to play at my old club Breakers and guess what- they have renovated it. The tables are kind of OK and table number 1 is really better. This club is much much better. A bit far off from my home i.e. about 20 mins drive and is pretty full and you can hardly find chance to play but I went in yesterday and did the following, something you guys would like and prefer:

I have decided not to play daily. I will now only play 3-4 days a week i.e. from Wed to Sat only. On Saturdays I have set up an arrangement and through that I will go early afternoons and they will book me a table for solo practice. That is great, isnt it.

This way I will be able to do solo practice and improve myself and also in this club I will be able to shoot a video soon and have it shared here.

I have decided to learn snooker in a structured manner so from now on I shall do solo on weekly basis and make my improvement and polishing my snooker skills rather structured.

Adios

[Terry Davidson]

Sidd:

It's the 'leaning back' you mentioned that gives me a little trouble. I have always found if you have the straight leg foot under the grip hand with grip arm vertical and the bridge arm nearly straight and with around 12" (or so) hanging out past the 'V' of the bridge then both myself and my students fall into the correct stance and set-up naturally and comfortably by just swiveling the hips to the bridge hand side (left in my case, right in yours) and that puts the centre of gravity directly over the feet which is how it should be I would think. comfortable and naturally balanced.

There is no conscious effort to push the weight forward or back. I use the modified square stance with my left foot perhaps 3-4in ahead of my right and with both feet turned outwards a bit and I find that comfortable and even at my advanced age and stiffness I can practice for 4-5hrs per day and not get any discomfort (mind you I have 'flat feet' as a gift from the military so I wear orthopedic shoes for arch support).

Terry


Terry

[Sidd]

Sidd:

It's the 'leaning back' you mentioned that gives me a little trouble. I have always found if you have the straight leg foot under the grip hand with grip arm vertical and the bridge arm nearly straight and with around 12" (or so) hanging out past the 'V' of the bridge then both myself and my students fall into the correct stance and set-up naturally and comfortably by just swiveling the hips to the bridge hand side (left in my case, right in yours) and that puts the centre of gravity directly over the feet which is how it should be I would think. comfortable and naturally balanced.

There is no conscious effort to push the weight forward or back. I use the modified square stance with my left foot perhaps 3-4in ahead of my right and with both feet turned outwards a bit and I find that comfortable and even at my advanced age and stiffness I can practice for 4-5hrs per day and not get any discomfort (mind you I have 'flat feet' as a gift from the military so I wear orthopedic shoes for arch support).

Terry


Terry

You are right Terry. I went in tonight and played a few frames. Was trying to get hold of this new table. Seemed a bit funny but I know I will get used to it within a couple of days. I observed something tonight that was that I had automatically stopped leaning back for some reason. Maybe it happened subconsciously to get me to my comfy position. I used to intentionally lean back as since I had it in mind tonight I observed this thing in particular and noticed I was not leaning back anymore... Played like that for some time and did not feel pain or discomfort really

I tried the drill to ascertain my cue beyond the V and found out on almost all shots I had some 10 or 11 inches so I was relaxed. I now try to have a slight boxers stance and try to get my bridge arm straight and that gives me a solid position to stand.

After gripping the cue just an inch above the butt end, my accuracy seems to be improving. Had a miini break of 31 as well... We kept playing doubles as the club was jam packed.