Saying stuff it and just playing

[greatwhite]

For the last 2 yrs all ive thought about in snooker is my technique i had a coach early on who showed me the basics, the walking in and the line of aim etc,
ive practices hard for a few months gone easy for a few months always trying to change something trying to make me a better player, when im not playing well ,thoughts of am i doing this right or that right, do i need to cue under my master eye or not, the ronnie grip or terry griffith grip? Square on the shot or boxer stance, i have had some good form over this period i have had a 90 in a match cleared the line up loads of times, loads of 50 and 60 breaks , then some days cant make 10
i took 3 months off completely because it was driving me crazy, then i started back thinking just pick something and stick with it, knocked in a few 50 breaks, then i was playing crap again and getting peed off!!!
Then i thought when i played when i was younger i loved the game and did not think about all this stuff. I just played simple as that, so thats what im doing, and my improvment over the last month has been more than i could ever has expected, i have had 3 tons in practice games,every day im knockin in 50 60 in games against players at my club, the other night i had 54 58 63 and a 72 ,my practice routines are so much easier now,im not thinking just playing
i use practice the white up and down the spot long blues and question my technique when things didnt go to plan, now i dont care, yes i miss sometimes really easy ones but i dont stand there thinking about my technique now i just play and think stuff it,
and i love it!!!!
I hope this helps some of my fellow snooker players because i know how hard and upsetting this game can be!!!

[Phil C]

I play exactly as you do and always have since I started.

Not caring when a ball is missed and taking the 'Oh well I'll get it next time'

Playing is so much more enjoyable and I pot more than I miss.

Good thread

[Wayne G]

I play exactly as you do and always have since I started.

Not caring when a ball is missed and taking the 'Oh well I'll get it next time'

Playing is so much more enjoyable and I pot more than I miss.

Good thread

I probably miss more than I make but I love the game. I quit beating myself up finally. I play to please myself, not to impress anyone else. I play to win but I don't get upset when I lose. I don't practice, therefore I accept that you get out of it what you put into it.

I played in a league this season that was way out of my class. I knew that I would be a weak link, so be it. I left my ego at the door and enjoyed the opportunity to play some of the best players around.

[DandyA]

I left my ego at the door and enjoyed the opportunity to play some of the best players around.

wise words ... also a great original post by greatwhite and reply by phil c ...

I only play UK 8ball pool these days but much the same applies ... once you start worrying about losing, you put far too much pressure on yourself and hence will probably lose ... I believe Steve Davis was the first to say "try to play each shot as if it means nothing even if it means everything" ...

[Byrom]

I remember playing my best and someone said to me what where you thinking about?

Nothing really -

I suppose I mapped the table - played position that's all really

[tony9ball68]

I think you can definitely analyse your own game too much. I used to play every day, trying different things and putting so much pressure on myself. Hardly play these days and it shows, i try to enjoy it, but once your game drops to a certain level, enjoyment stops. The most frustrating game in the world.

[Hatcherjob]

If you want to play to a standard approaching professional, then playing with the right technique is essential. However, as a player far from that standard, I am really going through a dire spell having tried to improve my cue action. I'm actually finding it hard to cue straight and am playing with no fluency and it feels unnatural, its horrible, and I now can't remember how I used to play, because I never used to put great thought in to it. Thus, the only way I can play is to say what the title on this thread suggests "stuff it". If I go around potting quickly without any thought and doing all the wrong things like lifting my head on the shot and not properly sighting it or feathering it, I play much better, because I'm just playing with years of unconscious ability. It is not a good long term plan, but if I had to play for my life right now I would have to play like this.

[markz]

If you want to play to a standard approaching professional, then playing with the right technique is essential. However, as a player far from that standard, I am really going through a dire spell having tried to improve my cue action. I'm actually finding it hard to cue straight and am playing with no fluency and it feels unnatural, its horrible, and I now can't remember how I used to play, because I never used to put great thought in to it. Thus, the only way I can play is to say what the title on this thread suggests "stuff it". If I go around potting quickly without any thought and doing all the wrong things like lifting my head on the shot and not properly sighting it or feathering it, I play much better, because I'm just playing with years of unconscious ability. It is not a good long term plan, but if I had to play for my life right now I would have to play like this.

Depending on standard of play I think it's best just to try and enjoy the game and learn at your own pace. If a player is struggling with not knowing what a good technique is, how can he possibly change or improve it unless he goes to a professional coach. I think players over analyse the game sometimes and it confuses the issues even more, best is just to keep things as simple as possible.

[Hatcherjob]

Depending on standard of play I think it's best just to try and enjoy the game and learn at your own pace. If a player is struggling with not knowing what a good technique is, how can he possibly change or improve it unless he goes to a professional coach. I think players over analyse the game sometimes and it confuses the issues even more, best is just to keep things as simple as possible.

Yeh you're probably right, I'm the best player out of the mates I play with and I have no plans to play at any other level than that, I just wish I could get my old memory muscle back. I suppose its worth saying that there have been a few pros that play uncoached snooker, like Jimmy White.

[markz]

Yeh you're probably right, I'm the best player out of the mates I play with and I have no plans to play at any other level than that, I just wish I could get my old memory muscle back. I suppose its worth saying that there have been a few pros that play uncoached snooker, like Jimmy White.

Jimmy would have put thousands of hours in to hone his natural talent. I mention coaching because at any level a coach is more likely to spot your mistakes and weaknesses so you can work on them without confusing yourself. I agree with muscle memory, that's how I base my game. Snooker is about repetition, trusting your technique and keeping negative thoughts away.

[CoachGavin]

Saying stuff it and just playing

yeah. although Jimmy didn't start with any coaching he has seen coaches throughout his career. To be honest I have tinkered far too much with my own game and as a result I have lost all confidence and consistency in my cueing. On the other hand it had given me experience trying different grips, bridges and cueing styles so it had helped my coaching. I think the key is to get a good technique that you use without thinking. If you are thinking about your technique then it is not natural enough and needs practising until it's like riding a bike or driving a car.