The Les Edwards Snooker Challenge Thread

[j6uk]

the power screw-stun/ stunback is a good move to have down

[tedisbill]

the power screw-stun/ stunback is a good move to have down

Yeah, nice shot.

[lesedwards]

Home from the tournament and played very well until the colours. My mental game sucks. First game I am up 19 with 22 on table and I miss an easy pot on the brown and he runs out. Second game up 6 with 18 on table and cannot make the blue if my life depended on it. Third game down 2 with 22 on table and again same story. Just cannot close the door. Colours in all three games where not even close to their spots so that is not the problem. It is all in my head and I need to get it out. I feel I go into some nervous protect mode where I try to steer it / wish it in the pocket instead of firing it in. Any suggestions for some poor Smuck like me. Floyd says I will get there you need to be match tough and I am just not there yet. I think one thing that I am lacking is matches. I spend my nights practising by myself and very seldon get a game with anyone other then Floyd or Terry and they are not matches as both of them could spot me 50 and beat me. Waiting for next challenge but will be working daily on past two challenges.

[cyberheater]

I think you beat yourself up too much Les. You had the guts to actually compete. That's great.

It seems to me that there are two aspects of solo practise.

1. Getting the game mechanics right. Good cue techniques, learning stuff like stun and side etc... I do all that. I can pot some fantastic shots in practise.

2. Simulating match play conditions. That one's hard. The only way I know of how to keep yourself under pressure is set yourself goals. Now I don't allow myself free fun times on the snooker table (just spreading the balls and potting away) unless I've completed the 4 red/black and clearance challenges.
I'm going to step this up by making sure I have to complete the 15 red challenge as well.
This means I don't have any fun time unless I've completed:-

4 red/blacks.
15 red challenge.
Clear the colours x 2.

This creates pressure and a goal. There will be times where I will not succeed. Which is similar to match play.

[Byrom]

Home from the tournament and played very well until the colours. My mental game sucks. First game I am up 19 with 22 on table and I miss an easy pot on the brown and he runs out. Second game up 6 with 18 on table and cannot make the blue if my life depended on it. Third game down 2 with 22 on table and again same story. Just cannot close the door. Colours in all three games where not even close to their spots so that is not the problem. It is all in my head and I need to get it out. I feel I go into some nervous protect mode where I try to steer it / wish it in the pocket instead of firing it in. Any suggestions for some poor Smuck like me. Floyd says I will get there you need to be match tough and I am just not there yet. I think one thing that I am lacking is matches. I spend my nights practising by myself and very seldon get a game with anyone other then Floyd or Terry and they are not matches as both of them could spot me 50 and beat me. Waiting for next challenge but will be working daily on past two challenges.

You ever heard me say you learn more from your defeats?

You did - you learnt that you feel pressure near the wining line - it makes you steer the ball rather than cue through it - you felt like you where using someone else's arm - you reason that you need more match play - more practice and you need to learn to deal with the nerves and pressure more.

On the positive note you got to the colours and your expectations rose - Now then Mr Edwards - everyone has been where you are - this is not unusual - learning to take defeat is one thing snooker teaches you - the ones that progress learn from defeat and use it as a motivator for improvement - you place a lot of importance on wining or playing well at this little tournament no-one over here has every heard about because you care too much to get better and get the win. Your own mind not your ability stopped you this time - well you are not alone everyone has been here plenty of times - its called playing under pressure.

Steve Davis said something once that is often quoted - learning how to play like it means nothing when inside it means everything -

Pressure is just a state of mind we put ourselves under - You will somehow have to chill out basically and learn to try and enjoy it - treat it like another day at work and not your first day on the job - but it is all new to you so you will have to go through it - eventually those big days will be just another big day and you will settle down. You will get a few wins under your belt against good players and your confidence will improve - but this is a long road - many have tread before you and will again - so just keep going and play this stupid game you love - get practising so eventually you win or play well and enjoy it more - hate it when you play bad who does not? - this is THE most frustrating game in the world - but also a rewarding one - My mind used to think negatively like you mentioned - over trying thinking the wrong things - I only need this ball go in GO IN - what if I miss blah blah blah - now I think of it like a practice test and I enjoy the challenge - more like a test of my ability to keep calm and focused on the shot in front of me really - keeping in my routine and trying to hold down my rhythm of play and choose the right shots and sometimes I manage it and sometimes you twitch or make the wrong shot selection and let the other guy in lol - More now though I can say I actually enjoy being behind and wining those games more than being in front - I think BRING ON THE PRESSURE - I LOVE IT - makes me play better sometimes - like upping it a gear in a car - obviously sometimes you are just driving a fiat panda and you try and put your foot down and nothing happens and on those days you feel so flat you could not overtake a one wheeled moped but I do love those good days - what a buzz this is when you do click into destroy mode and press that pedal to clear up with some great shots and controlled position from 50 behind and then pinch it on the black ball re-spot.

You have a lot more practice to do and games to play to feel like this and understand what I mean Mr Edwards - you are the impatient type - I like that about you as I find it quite funny - but I bet you don't even read this advice as it is a bit long and detailed but Les there are not many short cuts around snooker improvement and I know it irritates many others on the forum who know about the thousands of hours they put in to get down the path where you have yet to go.

Work on your thought process as well as the snooker practice Les - this game needs both - and arguable which is more important - you need both to progress for sure.

[Leo]

Les I mean no malice by my post whatsoever, but for me you're still not at the stage IMHO where clearing even the colours will come naturally to you. My theory is your determination and 'will' to improve maybe taking over your enjoyment of the game. You need to have the correct composure when playing whoever you are and one of the key attributes is not only focusing on your play but relaxing at the same time where these feed off each other so to speak.
Getting worked up is only part of the game but you should learn from this, you will get better but it will take time Les as snooker is no easy fix.
Keep at your practice table Les and we can say what to do or how to do it until the cows come home but it's upto you Les in the end and for me try and take your next comp as a practice routine rather then going their to win, a bit of reverse reverse psychology.

[lesedwards]

Thanks for all the great posts. It was a pleasure reading them and I understand what you guys are saying. Like Floyd said I will get there and when you do you will have a different mind set after that. I know in golf a lot of guys go through the same thing, even par with three holes to play and finish double, double double. I use to thrive on the last three holes to win. I finished birdie, birdie, birdie more times then I can ever remember. Mainly because I had the confidence in my game to allow that. I will be back on the practice table today. What's the next challenge.

[itsnoteasy]

For me if , why not try both together, four reds with colours go up for yellow and clear the table, do that and you don't need anymore coaching, you just need to practice.

[lesedwards]

For me if , why not try both together, four reds with colours go up for yellow and clear the table, do that and you don't need anymore coaching, you just need to practice.

Holly S........T I am not Floyd... talk about a tough one. A real confidence booster.

[Leo]

Holly S........T I am not Floyd... talk about a tough one. A real confidence booster.

It's your challenge day today so let's see what Ted brings to the bible this evening

[itsnoteasy]

Sorry I didn't think that was a great leap lol, you can do both challenges, all you are adding is one positional shot from last colour to yellow then you have put them together. If you did it once in a week imagine the achievement and pride you would have. I suspect it won't be this though.

[cyberheater]

For me if , why not try both together, four reds with colours go up for yellow and clear the table, do that and you don't need anymore coaching, you just need to practice.

Let's think now. 4 reds and blacks = 32. Add in the colours which is 27 and that's a break of 59. Not bad.

If I get a chance this week I'll give it a go.

[lesedwards]

It's your challenge day today so let's see what Ted brings to the bible this evening

Yes, looking forward to it. Now question for all of you. I want to continue with the other challenges also trying to perfect them as this will also build confidence. For me what is a reasonable amount of tries to do the first challenges such as once in five tries. I figure this will put added pressure on too. Must be realistic that's where I figure five but maybe it should be higher like a million.....

[tedisbill]

WEEK THREE: Pot 4 reds with either pink or black *NEW FORMATION

Your mission this week, is to clear 4 reds with either pink or black. The reds have been moved this week into new positions. The two reds either side of the pink will make this exercise slightly trickier to complete.

I have attached a picture showing the starting positions. You may start with the cue ball wherever you like.

Good luck everybody!

les excercise.png

[lesedwards]

G

WEEK THREE: Pot 4 reds with either pink or black *NEW FORMATION

Your mission this week, is to clear 4 reds with either pink or black. The reds have been moved this week into new positions. The two reds either side of the pink will make this exercise slightly trickier to complete.

I have attached a picture showing the starting positions. You may start with the cue ball wherever you like.

Good luck everybody!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17545[/ATTACH]

This a good one as Cliff gave me this excersise which he likes to practice but with 4 reds between and two both sides of pink. The T Routine. Still looking for an answer on how many tries to make previous challenges for me.