Lineup is a waste of time

[humperdingle]

I have sometimes thought why didn't you play pool Terry, when you were in the states but to be honest I don't think I would if the snooker hall shut down, it just doesn't float my boat, I take it you were the same.
That is some list of playing partners there, even I have heard of half of them lol, must have been great days.
A quick question for the great players on this thread, is competitive play essential to improve, I struggle to get someone better than me to play against, not that I'm good just that they hardly come in, or when they do ,they come in together, so I'm still on me Jack, they probably wouldn't want to play me anyway lol.

I'm going for a couple of hours' pool next week... Well, maybe less and decide to go onto snooker depending on how I get on.

I've only ever played on a 6x3 pub table. Dare say it's a different game altogether on a 9' American table.

[j6uk]

Yeah you can spot the bluffers within the first few shots. Can tell by a players technique what kind of breaks they have made, also positional play and shot selection is a big give away.
You can't kid someone who's done the work.

i agree and think the line yp should be a main practice routine for all players in what ever form suits there current standard. its also a good judge of a players ability. many many players claim the ton when they havent had one because it sounds good but just watching them play will give them away. when you know its a lie it must not feel too good either, cant fool yourself.

[ace man]

Yeah you can spot the bluffers within the first few shots. Can tell by a players technique what kind of breaks they have made, also positional play and shot selection is a big give away.
You can't kid someone who's done the work.

This is very true, however, strange things do happen. Many people have fluked their high breaks. They just don't realize it, but instead think that they have suddenly reached some kind of milestone...LOL. I know a few characters like that at my club.
Sometimes I wonder how a player X could ever score a break of Y points. I know that they are not lying since we keep a high break chart. It just doesn't seem possible, given the obvious lack of skill level when you look at him playing the game. But one should never underestimate brute force, i.e. hours spent at the table...even with poor technique, lack of positional knowledge and criminal shot selection...miracles are possible...

[luke-h]

This is very true, however, strange things do happen. Many people have fluked their high breaks. They just don't realize it, but instead think that they have suddenly reached some kind of milestone...LOL. I know a few characters like that at my club.
Sometimes I wonder how a player X could ever score a break of Y points. I know that they are not lying since we keep a high break chart. It just doesn't seem possible, given the obvious lack of skill level when you look at him playing the game. But one should never underestimate brute force, i.e. hours spent at the table...even with poor technique, lack of positional knowledge and criminal shot selection...miracles are possible...

you forgot to add some outrageous rubs of the green lol

[lesedwards]

Thanks Terry, I had Terry down to my place today for a 2 hour coaching session and we worked mainly on pre shot routine and my grip which was real bad. I defiantly feel better about my game. Hard to believe I was even stepping into the shot with my wrong leg. Well I have lots of practice to do but will be well worth it in the end.

[j6uk]

I know what you mean, Ive witnessed this and have had these characters knock in crazy 60 breaks against me a few times..
Its beyond imagination though to make a ton + that way. If you know of anyone who's fluked one with all the luck in the world and it was videoed then, I'd pay to watch it

This is very true, however, strange things do happen. Many people have fluked their high breaks. They just don't realize it, but instead think that they have suddenly reached some kind of milestone...LOL. I know a few characters like that at my club.

[itsnoteasy]

Thanks Terry, I had Terry down to my place today for a 2 hour coaching session and we worked mainly on pre shot routine and my grip which was real bad. I defiantly feel better about my game. Hard to believe I was even stepping into the shot with my wrong leg. Well I have lots of practice to do but will be well worth it in the end.

Good luck Les, proper shot routine is a big help i think, when form dips it gives you a point to rewind to and start again.
P.S it has to be every shot, even the ones six inches from the bag, as i have found to my cost on occasion. To get back to the original post the line up is good practice for getting this drilled into you.

[Terry Davidson]

j6uk:

I would never consider my navy career to be a waste of time. In those days (1962) there just was no snooker to speak of except for gambling, at least in Canada plus you had to move to Toronto and as a 17-yr-old with no education I couldn't afford that.

I got a university degree for free from the Navy and on full salary to boot along with an electronic technologist course and experience so never wasted and I'm certain I made more money being in the navy than trying my hand at snooker...for sure!

Terry

[vmax4steve]

1. Yes I agree I think my pre shot routine needs help.
2. My bridge hand will always look wrong for one reason, I had my arm smashed when I was 4 and only have 10% movement in my arm which makes for a crooked bridge arm and a very awkward looking bridge.

I can see the problem with your right arm Les, my uncle Terry had a similar problem after a building site accident and his arm was set so that he couldn't straighten it. It is going to be a real problem to find a set up up that will work well at snooker with your bridge arm that bent and so far away from the cue ball.
I would look at some videos of Cliff Thorburn and try to emulate his style if I were you. It was very compact with a bent cue arm and he bridged away from the cue ball with his cue arm well behind the vertical, as you do, so playing to a high standard with that style is not out of the question.
The problem you are going to have with your pre shot routine though is the lack of space you have around your table which is preventing you from being able to walk into the shot when the cue ball is near to the cushion. Your pre shot routine will change depending on where on the table the cue ball is, just how close to the wall you are when standing behind the shot, which will affect whether you can step into your stance or whether you have to get straight down without stepping forward.

Something for you and Terry to think about next time he calls.

[itsnoteasy]

This may well be stupid, but can't you just play with a shorter cue Les, you can then have your usual set up but have an inch or two less hanging over the bridge.

[lesedwards]

Yes my thoughts exactly. I ordered a shorter cue from Stu Green at Greeb Baize should be here on Monday. I cannot wait. Just down stairs practicing my new routine and new very loose grip man it is really working. Long blues with stun run through following blue right in the same pocket. then screw back almost into other corner pocket which is up the nap and 6' of screw. Feels good.

[itsnoteasy]

Now thats impressive Les, keep it up.

[Terry Davidson]

Les:

That's really good news. I think once you have the pre-shot routine and the loose grip mastered you will be well on your way.

For the others:

It was amazing. I went to Les' place on Friday and although I know I say only work on one thing at a time I decided to get Les doing a proper pre-shot routine (he was stepping into the shot using his right foot and he's a LEFTY!) and at the same time I went to work on his grip where he sort of had a Willie Thorne grip with the wrist bent forward and the cue right up into his palm.

The instant change with those two corrections was amazing. The pockets on his table are presently cut bad with the balls hitting the wood at the edges of the fall but after a few practice shots Les was able to punch in a long blue and screw back 3ft or more and his table is not super fast.

I would say once he gets the shorter cue from GB and gets the cue action a little more compact he will be on his way. He's still cueing up a little too far from the cueball and still has a bit too much cue hanging out there but I think the new shorter cue will help with that.

(I had made up a 53" cue for him when on the side cushions because of the wall behind and Les tried that and noticed an improvement so I have high hopes for the shorter cue.)

Terry

[itsnoteasy]

Well done Terry, being shown those basics can change your game, Les will be more online with his approach sorted out.

[dieselman147]

there is no substitute for match play. one hard match can be better than hour spent practising on yourown. but when you do practice on your own it needs to be structured or its a waste of time. dont go throwning a load of balls up and potting them ( unless youre playing a new tip in that is!). and you should always try and play better players than yourself if possible...