The feeling of defeating yourself....... ???

[Belloz22]

cool, obviously let us know how it goes - good luck

Il make sure I continue with the diaries im doing - hopefully will see some progression then

[lesedwards]

fork out some money and hire a coach instead of asking people on an internet forum for free advice

I did that exactly found myself one of the best. World Champion and once #1 in the World Cliff Thorburn.
Played in our Qualifier last weekend lost 4 straight. Met with Cliff Thorburn on Monday for a 2 hour coaching session. Spent 2 hours a night all week practicing and really worked hard potting blacks from all angles making 75% of them. Then today I played three best of 7 matches loosing 12 games straight. I have a whole different outlook on my game the minute a real game starts which even includes playing a game against friends for fun. I get over a shot with the attitude I cannot make it and 9 times out of 10 I miss. If I do happen to make it then I have no shape on a colour. Just sad and very frustrating. This has become a mind game. Its not that I cannot pot a ball. When it comes to practicing I pot balls with a stroke that is so solid and positive. When I play games I pot balls with a very hesitant stroke with nothing but negative thoughts.

[jrc750]

I did that exactly found myself one of the best. World Champion and once #1 in the World Cliff Thorburn.
....

Has Cliff got any coaching credentials ???
Sure he was good, but can he coach ???

[mythman69]

I did that exactly found myself one of the best. World Champion and once #1 in the World Cliff Thorburn.

What did you do during the 2 hours of coaching? Was Cliff a good coach? Friendly?

[lesedwards]

What did you do during the 2 hours of coaching? Was Cliff a good coach? Friendly?

Great Coach and super Guy. From the minute I met him he made me feel like I had known him for years.

He started me off by scattering balls and observing me just potting balls and made notes. He then stopped me and told me my take away was perfect but I was putting un intentional right hand side on the cue ball which he had me correct and then I started to pot everything.

[mythman69]

He started me off by scattering balls and observing me just potting balls and made notes. He then stopped me and told me my take away was perfect but I was putting un intentional right hand side on the cue ball which he had me correct and then I started to pot everything.

Apart from that did he give you anything to practice? When is your next lesson? Value for money?

[lesedwards]

Apart from that did he give you anything to practice? When is your next lesson? Value for money?

Black balls from lots of angles. Black off its spot and the cross.

[lesedwards]

Apart from that did he give you anything to practice? When is your next lesson? Value for money?

Black balls from lots of angles. Black off its spot and the cross.

[mythman69]

Black balls from lots of angles. Black off its spot and the cross.

What is the cross? 15 reds around the pink ball?

[alabadi]

i don't think a coach can stop anyone making silly mistakes, sure they can advise you on how to approach a shot, give advice on technique and how to correct them, and also help with shot selection...etc.etc

however the mental side, and why do players let it get the better of them is a hard aspect to correct, it takes lots of mental exercises maybe a qualified psychologist too, but overall a mentally strong person to overcome them.

Belloz i think you already know your problem, and you have mentioned it, its the doubt which causes anxiety and this causes tension, which of cause introduce body movement.

this is one of my problems that i am trying hard to solve, concentration and focus with no fear.

if you have an opportunity i recommend this book to read "the Inner Game of Golf" by W.Timothy GALLWEY. its fascinating and goes into the mental blocks and how doubt anxiety cause performance errors. although its about golf it lends itself nicely to snooker and other sports too.

Alabbadi

[lesedwards]

Yes I agree, how can I pot great shots in practice, make positive strokes with perfect shape but go into a game like I have never played before? My mental part of the game is all over the place. Lack of concentration, hands sweaty, anxiety, negative thoughts and I could go on and on. Now how to figure out how to control all these mental things. I know when I am practicing I talk out loud for example red to black. I would say okay lets play a soft stun shot, hit the cue ball just below center and you will be down for the black but you want to make sure you stay on the high side of the black. I then play the shot perfectly. That is true concentration. Now the same shot in a match I probably would not walk in on it then I would hit the cue ball high and too hard and might make the red but no shape on the black or I might not even make the red.