Stuck in a rut :(

[ctomo]

Hey all!

First time posting so do apologise if questions/statements have been made like this before, but I am just looking at any advice anyone can give in order for me to get a good consistency to my game? I have been playing 4 years and I can't seem to improve past the level I am at, in fact I think I am going backwards!

I have friends at my local snooker club giving me advice but it's all a little half arsed, all they care about is how well they are playing themselves. So, my biggest problem is my stance, I can't seem to get the same stance consistently. i.e. potting the blue off the spot into middle bag screwing white into opposite bag, I cue across and miss or cue straight and miss because the alignment of my body is off. I have abit of a physical problem with my hip which makes my stance a little weird and not "textbook" but if Selby can move like Michael Flatley and still pot it must be possible?!

Another problem I have is my grip, again, not consistent. I think I am holding the cue too tight, and as I haven't actually been told how to grip a cue properly I am most likely getting this wrong!

There are lots of other niggly things but these are the main two that I am most concerned about. This year has been particularly bad...25 highest break :upset: I almost snapped my cue (again) out of frustration and nearly giving up with the game, I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice to help?

Regards,

Craig

[tetricky]

I'm no expert....but you seem to have self-diagnosed!

If you're cueing across because your stance isn't consistent, you need to work on your stance. If you have a problem with your grip, you need to experiment, and practice until you are coming through straight and consistently from delicate, to power shots.

If I was you I'd probably be hitting across the baulk line, until I was hitting straight without putting on unintentional side, then up and down the spots the same. Then I'd move to stunning in straight shots....first short, then mid-range, then long. After that the same shots with screw (making sure everything stays in line).

Then I'd try that blue into the middle, and you should find that a lot easier.

There is a tendency, particularly if there is a lack of time for practice, to soldier on repeating faults. There is a host of difference between inconsistency, and continuing to play with a flawed technique. When we do that, we shouldn't expect to get better.

[Master Blaster]

Some ideas:

1. Do a close-up video your play, stance, bridge, grip etc so one of the coaches on here can look at it and advise. This is free, so you're quids in there. You put it up on youtube and drop a link into the editor here and ba bum, folk can see it and advise.

2. Go and see a coach, it's worth every quid. They will see things you can't or videos don't show. There's a coach database on here and coaches on here can advise who to see in your area.

3. Buy Steve Peter's book 'The Chimp Paradox' and improve your mindset, attitude and approach. If he can make someone who is as difficult as Ronnie into a great player again, his advice can help us all. (a lot of people suffering from emotional hijackings should read this book! lol)

4. Buy Nic Barrows video course, this is full of great advice. He's coached top pros so you're in good hands.

[ctomo]

Think I probably have but I'm just unsure on how to adjust it, was missing thin, changed stance and approach a little but then missing thick, back to thin etc etc I think as you say I am repeating faults. On occassion I make some good long pots, good cueing, feathering etc but next shot I miss over the bag. Just frustrating not knowing what to do!

[ctomo]

Some ideas:

1. Do a close-up video your play, stance, bridge, grip etc so one of the coaches on here can look at it and advise. This is free, so you're quids in there. You put it up on youtube and drop a link into the editor here and ba bum, folk can see it and advise.

2. Go and see a coach, it's worth every quid. They will see things you can't or videos don't show. There's a coach database on here and coaches on here can advise who to see in your area.

3. Buy Steve Peter's book 'The Chimp Paradox' and improve your mindset, attitude and approach. If he can make someone who is as difficult as Ronnie into a great player again, his advice can help us all. (a lot of people suffering from emotional hijackings should read this book! lol)

4. Buy Nic Barrows video course, this is full of great advice. He's coached top pros so you're in good hands.

Ill try he video upload...did not know that was an option!
I did see a coach a couple times but it seemed very unprofessional and not really helpful at all, I think there is a good coach near me (Wolverhampton) but unsure of who/where.

Ill give the book and video course a whirl, wont hurt will they Thank

[tetricky]

I use the basics on the Frank Callan website (as I've rather repetitively said before). These might help you.....they might not, but having these thoughts in mind, and practising them, seems to help me.

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi...the_stance.htm

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi...p/the_grip.htm

You might also find it useful to develop, or refine, your 'drill'.

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi.../the_drill.htm

YMMV

Of course whatever you do, you will do it better with more practice. There is no replacement for that.

[ctomo]

I use the basics on the Frank Callan website (as I've rather repetitively said before). These might help you.....they might not, but having these thoughts in mind, and practising them, seems to help me.

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi...the_stance.htm

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi...p/the_grip.htm

You might also find it useful to develop, or refine, your 'drill'.

http://fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching/basi.../the_drill.htm

YMMV

Of course whatever you do, you will do it better with more practice. There is no replacement for that.

Having a first glance at that I've already picked up on a few things that need addressing...mainly my leading eye is my right and not even sighted as I thought haha Thanks for that link bud