Number One Tip For Players

[belfast141]

Wud be interested if everyone cud post their one top tip for new players.. mine wud have to be look around you and know what u want to do with the cue ball b4 u hit it , dont just get down and think the balls goin - go and have a look and make sure.

[jimbo]

My number 1 tip would be only work on your cue action or technique in practice sessions (on your own)... never when you're playing a game with someone - even if you start to play badly!

jimbo

[whirlwind87]

push the cue through in a straight line......

[dannyd0g]

make sure you keep down on the shot as long as possible during and after the shot. The technically correct might reccomend staying down until the object ball is in the pocket, but i havent figured out how to do this on straight screw back shots, as the instinct is to jump out of the way of the recoiling white asap.

I'll watch and learn from the pros during the next televised tournament.

[Cessy143]

Dont miss ..................and dont ever get too big for yer boots

[belfast141]

Boots...

Dont miss ..................and dont ever get too big for yer boots

I have size 9 feet.. and wear size 8 boots....nice and snug..

[thinsy]

Sorry, I will break the rule and give two tips:

Pause

I believe the pause before your contact with the cueball is vital not only for perfect cue action but also to produce perfectly straight cueing.


'preparation'...

Prepare yourself for the shot physically and mentally. If you approach into the shot is not aligned the pot will be missed. If you appraoch the shot thinking you will miss you probably will.

[MrRottweiler]

Some very valid pointers here. I'm two weeks away from turning 30 and its only in the last few months that I've been concentrating on pausing before the shot. As Thinsy says its absolutely vital as its gives you a last chance to makes sure everything is set up and encourages you to cue straight through.

The preperations one is also vital. Rory McLeod once said to me that before every shot you need to think along these lines 'This shot is easy. I WILL pot it.' Confidence in your own ability is crucial which brings me to something else important which has been mentioned by Jimbo.

Practice, practice, practice.

On your own play as much as you can and experiment. Eveyone has to go through the 'Snooker apprentiship' where you learn the angles off the balls and cushions. There is no shortcut to this. It takes blood, sweat and tears and seperates the centuary breakers from the 'occasional 50 breakers'

Last Christmas day I decided I was going to play on my own to improve my game and every chance I get I'll spend 3 or 4 hours on my own potting balls. Its hard work and I do lack motivation sometimes and think I have offended a few people by refusing a game in favour of solo practice but I really don't care. My breakbuilding has improved in the last few months than the last 20 years of playing all together.

Practice on your own wherever possible and concentrate on the pause and straight cue delivery. When you do play an opponent try to play someone who is much better than you and aim to give them a good game. Sure you wont win a single frame probably but it will make you a better player.

[Cue_147]

Enjoy playing

[sticky]

2 or 3 really good tips for every one make sure you have a cue and snooker table with a set of balls always helps you play better

[Juza]

"Success comes before work only in the dictionary!"

[craigslater]

i found that playing with people who are better than you makes you improve, also i think confidence is also a major factor.
always try and be confident around the table

[MrRottweiler]

Yes confidence is everything in Snooker. All players need a set of balls. Hypothetically speaking.

[icantplay]

This is a tough one . . . it varies with how you are currently playing I think . . . but in general, I would say look at that object ball during the shot, or at least, when you are playing against someone. I never know whether or not you should look at your cue, when focusing on technique during solo practise, does anyone have any definite answer to this please?
I agree strongly with 'jimbo''s reply.
Quoting . . ."I can play better, I never have but I can!" - that's a good saying!

[thinsy]

Looking at your cue during practice is wrong!!!

The idea of practice is to train yourself to play how you want to play.

You are trying to create a routine that helps you to perform to your best ability, an essencial part of this is focusing on the object ball when playing the shot...

Therefore this should be part of your practice