What am I doing wrong?

[Leo]

Geez, if they were fighting over a pair of undies, they must have been killing each other in the shoe department.

We don't have 'Black Friday' here in Sydney, instead people go crazy for more garbage the day after Christmas (Boxing Day Sales). I can't think of anything worse than going shopping when I am hung over. Hell, I don't like it at the best of times.

Hmmm, maybe if Trevor White was giving away cues I would camp out overnight.

I found the other crowds more entertaining, those who were fighting over 40" Blaupunkt & Polaroid LEDs. I mean come on I wouldn't put one of those in my house if they were giving away free. Load of junk and the supermarkets must of been laughing their heads off.

[jonny66]

We didn't have Black Friday here until yesterday, I have no idea why it's been so readily adopted, we don't get Thanksgiving to offset it. Seems like just another way to fleece the plebs for crap they don't need, but are more than happy to fight over.

[luke-h]

What really gets me is the people that go to spend money then later sell the stuff on fb at a premium. eugh. there was a lady in my area selling baby toys that she had gotten in the sale, who buy's baby stuff to fleece other parents?.

[itsnoteasy]

if you lose there is forfeit - which you must do though - evil laugh

You lucky boy ,I lipped out a blue today, screwed back off the brown thought it would hit the cush a few inches below the pocket but the White stopped right on the edge of the pocket(think I must have potted the brown into the side of the bag) also got to the green once(never really on it) and had a few 13-15 red attempts, I'm with Ted I think I'm going to do it, famous last words lol.
On another note I kept my grip nice and relaxed today, made a hell of a difference when the pressure was on, and I have always felt a bit Selby esk in the hips, I have asked folk if they see them move and no one can see it but I feel it, today a dropped my right hip a lot more and sat on the left one, much much more solid, I feel I'm ready ,I have everything set in my mind now.

[Byrom]

well at least you are getting to eat or drink something if you get to the colours a few times - if you are following those rules correctly - remember any ball you miss you set up the shot again and pot three times before you are allowed to do another line up - stick with the rules man - what are you doing on here by the way ? I said early nights no internet lol-thanks for the update though

Not a bad effort though for day one - I was nearly posting you a present - but don't count your chickens Mr confidence - missing on the blue might as well be the first ball it is still a fail - not good enough for me - must try harder - keep doing the colours five times before you finish your practice sessions - keep taking ten minutes out each hour to rest and relax - go back to the table refreshed each hour and focus your efforts calmly.

[Byrom]

Try to get in the habit of doing these things I suggest about getting enough sleep - or taking the right breaks and stuff in practice - treat the game with respect don't get lazy with your practice - do it right and you can succeed or fail but you will be proud of yourself knowing that you did everything right - don't get lazy thinking you will get it tomorrow do it now there is no tomorrow.

[tedisbill]

I conpletely bottled two great chances for tons again today.

I was on 79, 4 reds left, all perfect, missed red to the middle that I could have potted left handed.

Then I was on 67, two reds left, nothing safe, missed pink to the middle.

Thanks!!! So frustrating!!!!!!!

[itsnoteasy]

You are on fire just now though Ted, getting great breaks every session, I bet this time next year you will have had so many centuries you will have stopped counting.

[tedisbill]

You are on fire just now though Ted, getting great breaks every session, I bet this time next year you will have had so many centuries you will have stopped counting.

Cheers mate. I hope so!

[cyberheater]

What a fantastic thread this is turning into. I'm glued and inspired.

[Byrom]

I conpletely bottled two great chances for tons again today.

I was on 79, 4 reds left, all perfect, missed red to the middle that I could have potted left handed.

Then I was on 67, two reds left, nothing safe, missed pink to the middle.

Thanks!!! So frustrating!!!!!!!

Well tons are hard to come by for us mere club players they depend on a few things and as our playing conditions are not perfect position and cue ball control is not consistent with these conditions - what stops you I think is your mindset - keep calm and focus on the line of the shot and the position and keep in your natural rhythm that you started the game with - keeping everything consistent from the first ball to the last - this includes the way that you feel and think. Currently you are allowing yourself to get anxious - but admitting it is the first step to curing it.

I missed a ton on 84 last week - difference was with me I did not bat an eyelid when I under hit my last positional shot on the brown. It don't bother me as I have no targets now really and I am happy plodding along knocking 50 plus breaks in like yours and the odd big one.

My advice to you is this - rather than thinking numbers setting a target of making a ton - change your target -
Try setting yourself a target of keeping calm and in control and focused throughout a break or a game and try even a session of snooker good or bad - even when you miss. Keeping calm and focused throughout therefore is your personal target - forget the numbers and breaks for a while - they will come more often and higher once you master this. Settle into your rhythm of playing and stick with it and be at one with a smooth consistent cue action.

You must know that it - the ton - will come you had them in practice - your mind is not under pressure when on your own - feel that you are on your own at one with the table and focus on the rhythm you play at and with that focus that you play on a ton in practice don't stop or hesitate to think except when you are up assessing the table and if you do stop learn to regain focus on the task at hand quickly by doing that assessing of position and let that inner commentator guide you around - until you are down and in position and back in that rhythm and flow.

Good luck to you too - I hope this advice allows you to relax and enjoy your snooker more like I do - let me know how it goes

[tedisbill]

Thanks Byrom.

All noted again. I feel absolutely fine up until 70 odd. Then I look at the table, there are no hard balls, and I explode. It must stop. I'm having three or four 70+ breaks a week and several 50+ every session. I'm more that capable and my stupid mind holds me back.

I'll definitely try and take on board all the things you're saying. Thanks.

[itsnoteasy]

Ha I'm like that Ted but a step down, I get to thirty odd, look at the table and say there is an easy sixty or seventy on here, MISS. I don't think I play anywhere near enough frames against other players as when I do get a chance I turn it into a big deal in my head.

[tedisbill]

Mad isn't it what we do to ourselves haha!

[ace man]

I feel absolutely fine up until 70 odd. Then I look at the table, there are no hard balls, and I explode. It must stop. I'm having three or four 70+ breaks a week and several 50+ every session.

I think you probably start thinking more about what your body is going through, rather than about situation at the table. The adrenalin must be off scale. Nothing unusual, I am like that as well. It is very difficult to keep a smooth cue action under those conditions, seems impossible. But it can be done of course, as professional players continue to demonstrate time after time.
Just think...if you didnt experience any special emotion while approaching a ton mark or your personal record, that would mean that you are already so good that century means absolutely nothing to you, or that you simply do not care...neither is the truth of course...
From these numbers, your level seems very high, but you will simply need to get even better. There is nothing wrong with your mind, nothing unusual about collapsing under pressure at all.
Myself I have bottled many times when I got over half ton mark with many available reds still. I used to think that I was mentally behind...moron...etc... No. It seems I need a higher level of play. It is as simple as that.