The Les Edwards Snooker Challenge Thread

[markz]

Yea I know this one was stupid for me but I want to play. It's not about trying to win the money for me it's about having a game. Like I said below I had to pay to get a game.

At the level you are currently at Les matches are going to be of little use to you except the social interaction. Snooker is a game where you increase your ability on the practice table. You should be taking advantage of the great snooker room you have and practicing as much as you can.

As I said in my previous post my aim when I started again was to improve, try to win frames in fewest visits and make a century. I play 95% solo myself and just frames when someone wants a game. I got to my goal of making a century in a game 112 after three and a half years of constructive practice 4-6 hours a week at snooker club I use.

The game is all about repetition, the more you put in and learn the easier it becomes. I always try to be positive and not think of excuses, that just brings negative thoughts in to your mind and always harder to play then.

[lesedwards]

At the level you are currently at Les matches are going to be of little use to you except the social interaction. Snooker is a game where you increase your ability on the practice table. You should be taking advantage of the great snooker room you have and practicing as much as you can.

As I said in my previous post my aim when I started again was to improve, try to win frames in fewest visits and make a century. I play 95% solo myself and just frames when someone wants a game. I got to my goal of making a century in a game 112 after three and a half years of constructive practice 4-6 hours a week at snooker club I use.

The game is all about repetition, the more you put in and learn the easier it becomes. I always try to be positive and not think of excuses, that just brings negative thoughts in to your mind and always harder to play then.

4-6 hours is pretty good with no table at home. I average 15 at least a week but I have always been the type to advance much quicker by playing instead of practicing. I never took a lesson playing golf and I never hit balls I just kept playing with better players until one day I realized I was the best winning the Club Championship by 12 shots. I was playing better two years ago when my oldest son was living with us because we would always have at least a best of 3 every night.

[markz]

4-6 hours is pretty good with no table at home. I average 15 at least a week but I have always been the type to advance much quicker by playing instead of practicing. I never took a lesson playing golf and I never hit balls I just kept playing with better players until one day I realized I was the best winning the Club Championship by 12 shots. I was playing better two years ago when my oldest son was living with us because we would always have at least a best of 3 every night.

Only trying to help you on this thread mate but you must see that your not going to get the game time so it's time to adjust the way you think about the game to another way that might get you progressing or your never going to get the improvement you want.

What are your goals Les? Improve, make a century, win a tournament, win the Canadian title. Just realise the level you are at and work towards getting better. I know you were good at golf but it has nothing to do with picking up a snooker cue. Similar mentioning your 6 red game and your opponents good luck, flukes etc. You can't do anything about his game so concentrate on your own, keep positive thoughts instead of being negative and having excuses in your head.

[lesedwards]

Only trying to help you on this thread mate but you must see that your not going to get the game time so it's time to adjust the way you think about the game to another way that might get you progressing or your never going to get the improvement you want.

What are your goals Les? Improve, make a century, win a tournament, win the Canadian title. Just realise the level you are at and work towards getting better. I know you were good at golf but it has nothing to do with picking up a snooker cue. Similar mentioning your 6 red game and your opponents good luck, flukes etc. You can't do anything about his game so concentrate on your own, keep positive thoughts instead of being negative and having excuses in your head.

Yes I agree the attitude has to change. As far as goals well let's start slow I would like to be running the odd 30's in our tournaments by the end of this season as 30's will win a lot of matches and a half century break in a match by end of year would be great. I need to keep up my game in the summer if only 5 hours a week. I end up talking about the same thing about this time every year. As I know someone posted here we go again.....

[markz]

Yes I agree the attitude has to change. As far as goals well let's start slow I would like to be running the odd 30's in our tournaments by the end of this season as 30's will win a lot of matches and a half century break in a match by end of year would be great. I need to keep up my game in the summer if only 5 hours a week. I end up talking about the same thing about this time every year. As I know someone posted here we go again.....

I think you are going to have to make up a great training regime to get from your current game to being a 30-50 break tournament player. Nice to set goals but from what you are telling us you are miles away from that. Tournaments are of no use to you at the moment, I hope the penny drops and you move on and start learning the game. As other members have said, walk before you can run. Good luck Les.

[Terry Davidson]

In my opinion if Les took just 60% of his practice game to tournaments he would be winning more matches. The last 2 times in tournaments I would guess Les has about 10% of his practice game. This is strictly in the head and I believe is a result of negative thinking. In fact Les might be better off to go for everything just to develop a positive attitude.

I just can't explain how a player can lose so much in match play. Yes, we all lose some and even Hendry always laments in interviews he wished he could take his practice game to the match table. Well, we should all ask ourselves what the difference is. I have never seen Hendry practice but I'm willing to bet he goes for everything and doesn't worry about leaving anything so there are no negative thoughts in his head. I really think Les should try at least one tournament playing this way as it will banish all those negative thoughts.

I mean, how bad can it be? He's already losing matches anyway and recognizes he needs to place that brain in neutral.

[lesedwards]

In my opinion if Les took just 60% of his practice game to tournaments he would be winning more matches. The last 2 times in tournaments I would guess Les has about 10% of his practice game. This is strictly in the head and I believe is a result of negative thinking. In fact Les might be better off to go for everything just to develop a positive attitude.

I just can't explain how a player can lose so much in match play. Yes, we all lose some and even Hendry always laments in interviews he wished he could take his practice game to the match table. Well, we should all ask ourselves what the difference is. I have never seen Hendry practice but I'm willing to bet he goes for everything and doesn't worry about leaving anything so there are no negative thoughts in his head. I really think Les should try at least one tournament playing this way as it will banish all those negative thoughts.

I mean, how bad can it be? He's already losing matches anyway and recognizes he needs to place that brain in neutral.

I have been going through the PJ Nolan Snooker Mind Fitness. Everything it talks about is completely true in my case. I can't believe how I get off track during a match thinking of loosing and all the excuses I start thinking of not to mention my thoughts during shots. Doubt is an under statement. If you think you are going to miss 99% of the time you will. I remember playing in a Professional Golf Tournament years ago and my parents came to watch but did not know a thing about golf. I was playing a par 4 and was standing in the middle of the fairway about 160 yards out and my Father asked me what would happen if you hit in the pond over there. This pond was so far left it did not even come into play but where did I hit my 7 iron dead center of the pond. The power of negative thinking......LOL I never forgot about that shot. Now I have a new thought when my mind wonders during a game in o get me back on track. "I AM GOOD" a positive thought. Then when I am over the ball I CAN & I WILL MAKE IT"

[markz]

You will be seeing a hypnotist next Les lol. Positive attitude is great for snooker but you still need to put the hours in on the practice table so you are used to playing any shot that comes up during a game. 50s in line ups and small breaks in frames are relatively easy to get. Maybe better off if Terry, Floydd and Cliff would tell you that you need to work hard and get better rather than saying your cueing is good and well done on a 16 break. I'm not being nasty just want to help and try get you to learn the game, sooner you do the more you will improve and be more positive.

[lesedwards]

You will be seeing a hypnotist next Les lol. Positive attitude is great for snooker but you still need to put the hours in on the practice table so you are used to playing any shot that comes up during a game. 50s in line ups and small breaks in frames are relatively easy to get. Maybe better off if Terry, Floydd and Cliff would tell you that you need to work hard and get better rather than saying your cueing is good and well done on a 16 break. I'm not being nasty just want to help and try get you to learn the game, sooner you do the more you will improve and be more positive.

I put three hours in this afternoon. Worked on some of my challenges from Ted.

[markz]

I put three hours in this afternoon. Worked on some of my challenges from Ted.

Good to hear Les, hope you will be getting close to century or even clearing line ups soon and improving your overall game.

[GeordieDS]

Yes I agree the attitude has to change. As far as goals well let's start slow I would like to be running the odd 30's in our tournaments by the end of this season as 30's will win a lot of matches and a half century break in a match by end of year would be great. I need to keep up my game in the summer if only 5 hours a week. I end up talking about the same thing about this time every year. As I know someone posted here we go again.....

Even though you like to play golf in the summer it shouldn't really stop you from having 20 minutes on the table every night just to keep the arm going, it's a massive advantage having your own table in your house

[lesedwards]

Even though you like to play golf in the summer it shouldn't really stop you from having 20 minutes on the table every night just to keep the arm going, it's a massive advantage having your own table in your house

I totally agree. But not taking advantage of it in the summer puts me right back at square one in the fall. I must stay on the table next summer.

[sharkster63]

`I also dont get any match play, I practice daily, few hours and even 4 and 5 some times. I am working now but still make time to practice. I enjoy doing it. I cant seem to take my practice to a match but know that it will come with time... I try not to get too dissapointed in loses or poor play. I am trying to keep my chin down and effort to a max. I know it will pay out ..... I enjoy it and that is the most important part.... I would love to become a major contender but know that this is not acheived by will alone.....

[sharkster63]

Les, I hope all falls into place and the balls fall for you....

[alabadi]

I have plucked up the courage to play in a tournament next month, its a local tournament i think its 4 rounds to the finals, a knockout cup competition best of 5 played over several months.

I thought what the heck, i have been playing in the league for three years now and i have gained enough experience to move on to the next level. my form isn't bad this year i have played 9 won 7 and lost 2 one frame matches.

so i think its time to test myself over more frames now. at least it will be a new experience and will be an indicator where my game is, i'm looking forward to it. my first opponent is of higher standard and plays 2 divisions above mine so i will get a handicap.

i'm just hoping i play to my level and if so it should be a good game.