A secret to snooker?

[Byrom]

Sean Murphy said this about snooker recently -

"You become like a mad scientist," says Murphy, "coming up with all these different ideas, looking for a secret, and when you find it you want to tell everybody. But I've decided it's probably best I keep the secret to myself."

Is there a secret do you think or is he having a giraffe?

Do you have one yourself or you not saying?

Biggest thing to help your game?

What's your standard?

[tedisbill]

There's no secret. Just millions of hours practice. Then as you get better, you try different things, have a good day and then think you've cracked it. But the real truth is, you're good because you're good, and it's as simple as that.

[tedisbill]

Just to add, there's loads of things that better players do, but not one massive secret.

[Byrom]

Just to add, there's loads of things that better players do, but not one massive secret.

care to elaborate - or is it a secret

[guernseygooner]

No secret apart from plenty of meaningful practice. Constant tinkering and I have been guilty of it in the past is a road that leads to nowhere. It appears it happens in the pro game too - I heard Steve Davis recently say that he started trying all sorts when his game started to decline.

I had a ton in a match recently. It's been a while and to be honest I didn't think I would get another as these days I only get to practice a couple of hours a week. My secret? I stopped worrying about anything technical and made my 2 hours a week worth something that I enjoyed and looked forward too.

[inevermissblue]

First things first. Get yourself on a match fit table. With pro pocket openings and top grade fast cloth. Then compare your ability to that on your 'regular' table. You will almost certainly realise that your game isn't as solid as you thought. These 'pro' tables are the most effective way to learn about your game in a shorter space of time.
I am currently playing on mega tight tables which are truly demanding! Already I have had to re-address certain areas of my game, because 'normal' tables had lead me up many a garden path!!!

[Ramon]

Sean Murphy said this about snooker recently -

"You become like a mad scientist," says Murphy, "coming up with all these different ideas, looking for a secret, and when you find it you want to tell everybody. But I've decided it's probably best I keep the secret to myself."

Is there a secret do you think or is he having a giraffe?

Do you have one yourself or you not saying?

Biggest thing to help your game?

What's your standard?

According to his coach (Chris HY), believe is the basise of action!!
What do you think about his advice ? should we accept it ?? OR you was on to sum kind of other secret ?? lol !!!

[Csmith]

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of good or great players have found their own 'secret'. Something that really propelled them forward, but is likely specific to them since it addressed an issue that was holding them back.

[Byrom]

According to his coach (Chris HY), believe is the basise of action!!
What do you think about his advice ? should we accept it ?? OR you was on to sum kind of other secret ?? lol !!!

what do you or Henry mean Ramon - >>?

[inevermissblue]

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of good or great players have found their own 'secret'. Something that really propelled them forward, but is likely specific to them since it addressed an issue that was holding them back.

Very true. Although there are probably 3 or 4 other elements that are either overlooked or just missing. I have had a new lease of life since playing at my local club since they got their tables brought up to match conditions. Made me realise what 'exactly' my approach should be. Most advanced players can still knock in tons on 'normal' tables and have an effective level of form regardless of how little they're playing or practising and their form can be floating around. Until they test themselves on a tight match table as this is where glaring errors show up the most. Its a painful journey but very rewarding afterwards!

[Byrom]

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of good or great players have found their own 'secret'. Something that really propelled them forward, but is likely specific to them since it addressed an issue that was holding them back.

Yes - I think for me there is something linked to timing and sighting - I often wonder how so many players can just click straight away - especially the top level - I know I have days where it all feels good right from the get go and I don't miss much and feel comfy knocking in regular 50 plus stuff all the time I know its going in and then there are days when I set off and it does not feel right from the first ball and games I just cant do it - no timing and sighting out of kilter - cant find the line.

For me its not just playing all the time and practice - there is something else missing - something simple linking finding the potting line - angle - to picking the position and timing the shot - sometimes its all there right away and it clicks without much thought and I know they are going in and sometimes on some days I'm guessing and it can take a while to come to me - can anyone else relate to what I am saying here?

[Ramon]

what do you or Henry mean Ramon - >>?

what he says , you have to believe in yourself. is the main thing to play snooker Well !!! and I mean nothing !! I ask you a question. is that a good advice ?? Or u have something better on ur mind !!!

[tedisbill]

Yes Byrom! That's snooker though. I really don't think there's any 'secret' fix for that. Some days you feel good, others it just doesn't feel "right" when you're down on the shot. I have found the better I became, the more I can feel crap but still get results. I can knock in 50-60 and someone think I'm playing well and I feel terrible on the shot.

I talk a lot to my mate who's an incredible player. He gets exactly the same thing. He'll often knock in a high ton and then tell me he felt absolutely terrible during the break. I used to think he was having a giraffe, but the better I got, I realised that it's just normal. Sometimes I feel normal, sometimes I feel terrible, and sometimes the game feels pretty easy.

That's why Murphy completely collapsed against Ronnie at the worlds, because there is no secret. Some days he'd play Ronnie and completely fancy the job. Everything feels right and he'll give as good as he gets. Other days, he just won't feel it's in him to win. So he's got no secret

[Byrom]

Mmmmm he says some quirky things does Chris - I think that is good advice. Confidence comes from belief. A lot of players even the good ones can doubt themselves and the doubt can hold them back so - I see where he is coming from.


I was thinking something else - linked to sighting and timing - sometimes I see the shot quicker I pick out the potting angle quicker I drop into the shot and I know its going in before I hit it - I play the shot in my mind and see it before I do it - other times I am guessing where to hit and my timing feels off.

It takes a bit to click when this happens - I don't know why this happens - just thought I would ask if anyone else has felt this way during a game - and if so how do they cure it?

[Ramon]

Mmmmm he says some quirky things does Chris - I think that is good advice. Confidence comes from belief. A lot of players even the good ones can doubt themselves and the doubt can hold them back so - I see where he is coming from.


I was thinking something else - linked to sighting and timing - sometimes I see the shot quicker I pick out the potting angle quicker I drop into the shot and I know its going in before I hit it - I play the shot in my mind and see it before I do it - other times I am guessing where to hit and my timing feels off.

It takes a bit to click when this happens - I don't know why this happens - just thought I would ask if anyone else has felt this way during a game - and if so how do they cure it?

there is the answer to my question then !! Okey !! Many thanks .