Little tiny things that made Hendry great?

[thelongbomber]

I have for many years tried to dissect seemingly pointless aspects of this wonderful game. For the longest time, Hendry's success intrigued me. Of course I know of the obvious like his superb break building skills and superb potting and long balls. I also know he is a huge competitor and hates losing. I also know that he played in a different era, and how some of his competitors weren't able to match him. Recently in commentary, and interviews, he mentioned how he was extremely positive and never thought of losing and that this was his mental approach when playing.

What I'm interested in finding out are the little tiny things Hendry did that made him so great.

One thing I noticed watching some of his old videos was that he would often take his eyes OFF the table and look at himself chalking his cue as he walked around the table. Is this small habit just a coincidence? Or a contributing cause to his success? Curious if you think this was meaningful or not.

If you have other things you observed about his game that are rarely mentioned, please do share.

[Stupree]

Can you give us an example of Hendry shifting his focus off the table?

The movement of players eyes whilst not down on the shot can tell us a lot about their thought processes and feelings at that time. Are you familiar with Eye Access cues?

[cuemaxx]

I think he was the best physically. Best cue arm and stands. fully stretched out on every shot. It looked like he was one with the cue.

[thelongbomber]

Can you give us an example of Hendry shifting his focus off the table?

The movement of players eyes whilst not down on the shot can tell us a lot about their thought processes and feelings at that time. Are you familiar with Eye Access cues?

Finding it difficult to find videos showing it. You see it in spurts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFlB5i-w-4c.

Thinking more about it, Hendry seems to be one of very few that takes his eyes off the table between shots.

As a test, I actually tried this on the practice table and it was the very strangest sensation. After each shot, I would walk around the table, chalk my cue, and not look at my next shot. In fact, I would even say it was a little unnerving because I really WANTED to look at the table but I resisted. I'm on the fence if it's useful or not as I haven't tried it long enough.

[itsnoteasy]

Has he ever mentioned that he knew he was doing this? If he wasn't aware it doesn't matter, as it's just a habit he has, if he is aware and does it say to refocus, or to have a little internal chat, then it might mean something, but without that information we will never know.

[dcrackers147]

Hendry was playing the game to the current top standard amongst a field of competitors that werent capable of it. It was only when the likes of Ronnie, Higgins and Williams became established experienced pros Hendry had players who could not only match him but were capable of doing to him what he was doing to everyone else. He began winning less and less as he hadnt had the need for a safety game until then and it messed his head up. You only have to spectate a few frames and the positive thinking goes out of the window. You are thinking if I take this on I need to get it and the blokes gonna clear up not make 30 or 40. there is your answer origional poster dont hurt your head trying to find a magic answer that doesnt exist.

[Stupree]

Has he ever mentioned that he knew he was doing this? If he wasn't aware it doesn't matter, as it's just a habit he has, if he is aware and does it say to refocus, or to have a little internal chat, then it might mean something, but without that information we will never know.

That is what Eye Access Cues help to identify. You may never know what someone is saying to themselves but it can signify if they are in dialogue with themselves, remembering something they were told, or visualising a shot.

[biffer]

In my opinion he was just consistent, in every aspect of the game. That’s what made him the best, every shot he played, was just as important as the last, every shot was given his full and uninterrupted attention. And each shot was treated with respect and as though it was the frame ball.

[jb134]

Never noticed him doing that, I was away from the game for much of his peak but I wonder if consciously or unconsciously it allowed him to take each shot as a single entity and always approach the shot the same way.

[thelongbomber]

Never noticed him doing that, I was away from the game for much of his peak but I wonder if consciously or unconsciously it allowed him to take each shot as a single entity and always approach the shot the same way.

Thats what I'm thinking.

[ADR147]

total lack of fear has got to be a huge part in it.

[Dave Walton]

Ultimate belief in his own ability was his biggest strength, losing never ever crossed his mind

[GeordieDS]

Hendry was playing the game to the current top standard amongst a field of competitors that werent capable of it. It was only when the likes of Ronnie, Higgins and Williams became established experienced pros Hendry had players who could not only match him but were capable of doing to him what he was doing to everyone else. He began winning less and less as he hadnt had the need for a safety game until then and it messed his head up. You only have to spectate a few frames and the positive thinking goes out of the window. You are thinking if I take this on I need to get it and the blokes gonna clear up not make 30 or 40. there is your answer origional poster dont hurt your head trying to find a magic answer that doesnt exist.

So when he was 14-8 down against Jimmy White in the final why didn't he lose? trying to second guess what Hendry was thinking makes me laugh so hard I could rupture a spleen

There were plenty instances where the above players put him under pressure and he stepped up and beat them i mean his head wasn't that messed up when Ronnie kept him in his chair and he made a 147 in the deciding frame did it!

So don't hurt your head thinking of total and utter rubbish to devalue how good Stephen Hendry was.

[Ramon]

I have for many years tried to dissect seemingly pointless aspects of this wonderful game. For the longest time, Hendry's success intrigued me. Of course I know of the obvious like his superb break building skills and superb potting and long balls. I also know he is a huge competitor and hates losing. I also know that he played in a different era, and how some of his competitors weren't able to match him. Recently in commentary, and interviews, he mentioned how he was extremely positive and never thought of losing and that this was his mental approach when playing.

What I'm interested in finding out are the little tiny things Hendry did that made him so great.

One thing I noticed watching some of his old videos was that he would often take his eyes OFF the table and look at himself chalking his cue as he walked around the table. Is this small habit just a coincidence? Or a contributing cause to his success? Curious if you think this was meaningful or not.

If you have other things you observed about his game that are rarely mentioned, please do share.

So, Hendry could play well because he walked around the table after each shot??? OK man!! . learned something new. ( thanks ).

[dcrackers147]

So when he was 14-8 down against Jimmy White in the final why didn't he lose? trying to second guess what Hendry was thinking makes me laugh so hard I could rupture a spleen

There were plenty instances where the above players put him under pressure and he stepped up and beat them i mean his head wasn't that messed up when Ronnie kept him in his chair and he made a 147 in the deciding frame did it!

So don't hurt your head thinking of total and utter rubbish to devalue how good Stephen Hendry was.

I didn't state that he couldn't beat these players I simply mentioned once they established themselves he won less and less. He may have still put in the peformances but it happend less often. Jimmy white bottled it pure and simple. I am not trying to discredit Hendry's achievments however I am stating the key to his success was the fact he played the game in a style that nobody else did until ROS that is. He was ahead of his time much like Davis. So run along pal x