Pulling your game apart.

[Byrom]

Right just wondered have any of you ever stopped what you where doing - pulled your game apart and started again from scratch -

What did you correct and why?

Are you more Self aware?

Is your technique better?

Was it easy to do or did old habits die hard?

Are you a better player now?

[ace man]

From scratch? Not really. Unless you count my attempts to use my opposite (left) hand.
My goal is to finally stop making tweaks altogether and use technique that is truly mine, rather than using some bits and pieces which are poorly copied from various pro players and coaching manuals. Easier said than done.

[Terry Davidson]

I went to see Nic Barrow in 2008 to get certified as a Master Coach and also to take some one-on-one lessons for 2 days because I felt my game over the preceding 3 years was total crap.

Nic came up with 11 faults or things that needed improvement and I've been working on these for the almost SEVEN YEARS. Old habits die very hard and I can attest to that. I was moving on the shot, had a very tight grip, not driving through the cueball, not keeping my eyes on object ball, no front or rear pause and the list goes on and on. I believe I have managed to get all of these sorted except for the rear pause thing which I can't master and also the longer backswing which Nic recommended but which I have a little trouble with as my backswing is still too quick and thus not straight enough.

I am trying to remember what technique I played with in the late 80's when I was a half-decent player and it's (VERY) slowly coming back to me but I know time is running out for me so that also causes a bit of panic. Age is more than just a state of mind.

[biffer]

I think it makes a difference in regards to your standard. A new player going to a coach would expect to find faults. That's the job of a coach. A good player starting from scratch, I would think would hurt his game, let alone the mental side of breaking your game down. I would tread carefully

[Csmith]

Yes, and it's the worst. I mean, I'm always a better player for it when I take things a part cut out what's unnecessary. That said, during the rebuilding process it's VERY tempting to go back to what is comfortable, especially when you are in the early stages and you are playing far worse with the adjustments. You just have to struggling through it until the new approach becomes automatic.

The main thing for me was eliminating the upwards elbow movement on the backstroke. I don't think it's 100% gone, but much better than before. I've also done worked a bit with my alignment, but for the most part I've decided to leave that alone until I can get some proper lessons.

[OmaMiesta]

A couple months ago I was messing about with random nuances (Chest pressure, dominant eye, stroke length, grip, etc) and was really inconsistent to say the least. But ever since I got my own table I've managed to establish a solid technique and noticed an improvement in break building right away. I know many people will probably disagree but ever since I started using my left (dominant eye) I no longer shoot across the ball as often and find straight pots way easier. I also found that having tighter chest contact for long pots help me cue much straighter and using a longer stroke while dropping my elbow helps me deliver the cue easier and produce much more cue action with less effort. The grip I'm still experimenting with but I find if I don't think about it at all and just focus on the pot naturally it produces the best result.

[Ramon]

I think The main problem of each player ( Or the most of them ) , is consistently !!!
Most of time you can do sum about ur techniqe . You can find ur way to play the game !!!
But to keep doing that every time , with every shot , every game , every match ,, is the key !!!!
Imo ,, if you wanna be a good player , find a way to be consistent and find a way to deal with pressure in ur own level !! Be able to enjoy the game . many players do believe that enjoying the game means laughing during playing the game !! I wish it was that simple !! you enjoy the game only if you are able to accept your own level and not mentally punishing yourself . Just be able to forget about the shot you just played and get on with the next one !!!! Haveing Said that ,, is all easier said than done , lol !!!!

[CoachGavin]

Pulling your game apart.

I think you have to always keep in mind are you doing a change to improve accuracy/consistency or to look better. I have messed about a lot with my own game over the last 20 years. It has helped my experiences as a coach but destroyed my own game as I changed some natural parts of my game just because they were unorthodox.

[bolton-cueman]

I think you have to always keep in mind are you doing a change to improve accuracy/consistency or to look better. I have messed about a lot with my own game over the last 20 years. It has helped my experiences as a coach but destroyed my own game as I changed some natural parts of my game just because they were unorthodox.

a question as an extension to what you said...

how far should you go to remain natural, ie enhance what you have naturally, or should you introduce a more rigorous, technically correct approach?

I've basically gone back to basics over the past 3 months to overcome a serious flaw that had come into my game. My coach has got me cueing pretty straight again, but has started to modify my natural cue action.

This more technical address, feather, backswing, pause then deliver just doesn't feel right. I know what he's asking me to do is right - I wouldn't ever question his suggestions - but I'm finding it too mechanical. Should I persevere until it becomes 'natural' or should I take elements of this technical approach and integrate them with my natural cue action?

Kind of a rhetorical question - I don't think there is a definitive answer otherwise we'd all adopt 'the' answer and make tons all day

[Leo]

My approach and address position is awful, I lean to far back my left foot is pointing outwards as I'm right handed and I feel so comfortable this way and it doesn't effect my game at all. I wouldn't change for any coach

[Terry Davidson]

Much the same as Gavin, I have tinkered with my technique to try and get it to the more 'ideal' however I am now discovering there has to be a good balance in what you do. If you are able to correct those flaws which cause you to miss pots (like maybe moving on the shot, grip too tight, backswing too fast and crooked, delivery acceleration too abrupt) then these should be removed or corrected.

But the natural elements of a player's technique should be left as they are if that player has adopted them and they have become natural to him. These will be his natural timing and rhythm, sighting and set-up. If the elbow is hanging out or in or if the straight leg foot is not exactly on the line of aim of the cue you should look at that and see if a change brings any improvement but these things should be of little concern as the brain will work everything out naturally and unconsciously IF YOU KEEP THE TECHNIQUE THE SAME ALL THE TIME.

When a player looks into this there are some very bad dangers. These are trying to change or correct more than one thing at a time and also changing the basic technique all the time by making constant adjustments. As Gavin said it is constant adjustments which will be the downfall of many players.

[CoachGavin]

Pulling your game apart.

Bolton-cueman. natural is just what we do by habit so if you practice a methodical action that will become your natural action. I think you will find that you will incorporate your coach's ideas into your natural game as you get used to them.

[j6uk]

unless your a take the next offer who likes a gabba, then all you'll be doing is show your skids whilst propping up the bar

Bolton-cueman. natural is just what we do by habit so if you practice a methodical action that will become your natural action. I think you will find that you will incorporate your coach's ideas into your natural game as you get used to them.

[CoachGavin]

Pulling your game apart.

never did understand English.

[Terry Davidson]

never did understand English.

Me either. Does anyone know what that means?