Visualize BOB

[itsnoteasy]

The best line I have seen written on this forum is paralysis by analysis, and I think that's what Golferson is on about Ramon, not no technique, but filling our heads with so much info that's not needed we can't do the basic things anymore because we are thinking too much.

[Ramon]

Well,, then in this case, I was right Itsnoteasy !!!!!. His advice is indeed a good advice!!!!!!
btw,, this info that you're talking about. Is there. Just because you or me, can't do it does'nt mean that this guide do not exist.
someone like ROS do'nt have to think about this info. Because his level is high. an amateur can'nt edit this info, not because they don't exist. But because he isn't a good snooker player !!!!

[itsnoteasy]

Yes the info is out there, but it's the over analysis of it that stops you getting better, just for example ,take the grip, the main thing is hold the cue lightly and don't tighten it , but there are pages and pages and pages of how you go about it, this finger that finger , two fingers three fingers , pointing fingers, cock the wrist, straight wrist, locked wrist ,flicky wrist,it's all too much, and that's just one thing to think about, now add in line of aim ,walk in , eye movement, elbow drop or not, feet placement, there are reams and reams of theory about all of this stuff on here, how can you take all that in and then expect to deliver the cue straight?, I don't know but I would guess any decent player isn't thinking about any of this when playing.

[golferson123]

ramon just by the tone of your reply i can imagine what your practice session would look like, trying one thing after another and not truly understanding what you are trying! and yes to your first statement i did eventually find the game fairly easy but only after many years of practicing and certainly not looking for short cuts and easy fixes of internet forums.as to the level of your game i have no idea what it is but my point being if you cant aim a cue and then see that you either hit it fat or hit it thin and draw your own conclusions as to what just happened then all the theories in the world ain't going to help you

[Ramon]

Yes the info is out there, but it's the over analysis of it that stops you getting better, just for example ,take the grip, the main thing is hold the cue lightly and don't tighten it , but there are pages and pages and pages of how you go about it, this finger that finger , two fingers three fingers , pointing fingers, cock the wrist, straight wrist, locked wrist ,flicky wrist,it's all too much, and that's just one thing to think about, now add in line of aim ,walk in , eye movement, elbow drop or not, feet placement, there are reams and reams of theory about all of this stuff on here, how can you take all that in and then expect to deliver the cue straight?, I don't know but I would guess any decent player isn't thinking about any of this when playing.

Itsno,,,Compare a 20 year experienced driver with someone who can'nt drive at all. Someone who can'nt drive at all and want to learn driving, for the first time, says exactly the same thing. (Is too much info for me).
But a 20 year experienced driver does'nt need to think about this (too much info). Everything goes by itself. But this does'nt mean that a skilled driver has ignored this info !!!!!

As for other things. This is a forum and members saying always their opinion.
You can and you are smart enough to choose wther you hold your cue with 2 fingers OR 4 !!!!! that is a matter of personal preference.

[Ramon]

ramon just by the tone of your reply i can imagine what your practice session would look like, trying one thing after another and not truly understanding what you are trying! and yes to your first statement i did eventually find the game fairly easy but only after many years of practicing and certainly not looking for short cuts and easy fixes of internet forums.as to the level of your game i have no idea what it is but my point being if you cant aim a cue and then see that you either hit it fat or hit it thin and draw your own conclusions as to what just happened then all the theories in the world ain't going to help you

I give you compliment and thank you for your advice and you bite my head off!!! no need to be upset .
Thanks again for your advice and good night !!!!

[DandyA]

Itsno,,,Compare a 20 year experienced driver with someone who can'nt drive at all. Someone who can'nt drive at all and want to learn driving, for the first time, says exactly the same thing. (Is too much info for me).
But a 20 year experienced driver does'nt need to think about this (too much info). Everything goes by itself. But this does'nt mean that a skilled driver has ignored this info !!!!!

that's a very good point Ramon ...

[Ramon]

that's a very good point Ramon ...

Comes from a very poor snooker player!!! But I do enjoy the game!!! That is for sure !!!!!
thanks My friend !!!!

[Leo]

Not sure if it's just me,but i doubt it very much.i know I've said this story a few times about how i didn't leave the club etc etc until I cleared a line up and all that,this was 25yrs ago when I was 17 where youtube didn't exist,ordering handmade cues didn't exist, Nic Barrow and his space station of analysis didnt exist, it was just me a few others a couple of machine spliced cues and the odd barracuda laying about.
My point is just enjoy the game practice and stop thinking about visualizing this or hitting there or point of contact here.

[guernseygooner]

Same here Leo. 25 years ago nobody cared about a cues appearance, chevrons etc. Analysis consisted of the club manager telling me to keep still and don't rush.

I wouldn't allow myself any tea until the line up was cleared. It certainly trained the mind when you were still there 3 hours later, perfect on the yellow and starving!

[Leo]

Same here Leo. 25 years ago nobody cared about a cues appearance, chevrons etc. Analysis consisted of the club manager telling me to keep still and don't rush.

I wouldn't allow myself any tea until the line up was cleared. It certainly trained the mind when you were still there 3 hours later, perfect on the yellow and starving!

Spot on mate

[ace man]

I think many people are looking for shortcuts when there aren't any.
This games requires as much dedication as any regular physical sport out there.
To improve significantly, you have to be completely crazy about it, practise like mad with borderline obsession, and you absolutely need to have lots of free time at your disposal. Anything less than that turns you into a social and hobby player. Nothing wrong with that, you can still be sort of good-ish player, but I think you must have at least semi-realistic expectations as to what can you get from the game.

[vmax4steve]

Itsno,,,Compare a 20 year experienced driver with someone who can'nt drive at all. Someone who can'nt drive at all and want to learn driving, for the first time, says exactly the same thing. (Is too much info for me).
But a 20 year experienced driver does'nt need to think about this (too much info). Everything goes by itself. But this does'nt mean that a skilled driver has ignored this info !!!!!

Hand and eye co-ordination is something that is innate to all human males due to evolution. We all have it, some better than others of course.

You can have all the knowledge about snooker technique in the world but applying it will be out of reach unless you look at what you are trying to hit before you get down into your stance (it's this that puts the cue on the line of aim to start with) and again on the strike (It's this that keeps it there).

The why's and wherefore's of this don't matter a damn and shouldn't even be thought about, knowing that it's true is enough, don't ever doubt it, do it all the time and you will be rewarded; but be warned it isn't easy if it doesn't come naturally and you may have to learn it by rote and if that's the case that will be extremely difficult to do.

Fine tuning your snooker technique can only come once this is adhered to and potting becomes second nature.

First learn to hit the ball, then learn the game, than get your head together (Peter Alliss)

[jonny66]

If you think there's too much theory on aiming technique on here then you should have a look on some American pool forums, there's some crazy stuff on there using diamonds and mathematical theories, some good stuff on cueball control though.

There's also an interesting thing about adrenaline, it makes you use both your eyes, boosts your secondary eye. Since aiming is done mainly by one eye, this messes up your aim and you (might) miss. You might notice this on a blackball game or on the cusp of your highest break, aiming seems a little harder for some reason. Your brain is telling you that you're being chased by hungry Wolves and you need to see them from every direction as you run away, unfortunately running away as fast as you can won't win you a blackball game.

The problem I find is everytime I play I seem to focus on one thing, staying relaxed, loose grip, getting down straight and slow etc. etc. then I forget about something else and I miss and my mind goes, I probably just need to practice more till it becomes like driving as Ramon said above. I used to drive for 8 hours a day, if only someone would pay me to pot balls for 8 hours a day I would probably be quite good

[itsnoteasy]

For me, I don't think you are given too much information when you start to drive, you are given the bare minimum to get you going, the only reason you can't do it is because you haven't practiced enough, same as snooker. Someone who has driven for twenty years is good because they have twenty years practice and do the basics correct without over thinking things.