Need to stop worrying

[ExtinctSKB]

Hi,

I've been lurking on this forum for a while now, sucking up information. First of all something about me : I've been playing for 1 year now and am starting some competition play. I'm 42 so a late starter and am 6'6" tall. This is very nice if I have to reach over the table but also means that I have to play with an extension all the time and have to have both legs bent to be in a comfortable position.

I'm struggling lately with my potting and I think I'm focusing too much on technique, thinking too much about where my arm, tip, finger head, etc... is. My highest brake is 39 and 33 and 32 for 2nd and 3rd place. But these days I can be happy if I can get 20. And in matchplay my game is going to pieces, I get frustrated and this of course makes things even worse. I actually always had the impression that I play better if I don't take too much time on the pot itself, even reducing the feathering to a minimum. I finally recorded some video and tried to analyse it but I realise I need some help. Basically I need to know if my technique is solid enough to stop worrying about the pot and start focusing on the game.

On to the video! (sorry for the quality)

First video shows analysis of cueing. What I see is that delivery seems to be straight but that my tip is a bit far for aiming and maybe the cue/table angle is a bit large. It also seems that I hit the CB where I'm aiming (last part)
https://youtu.be/cMYaMYaBoZc

In the second video you can see a warm up exercise I like to do. (not too much thinking, just potting, getting the feel of the table). All seems to go well up until the 1:50 mark where I'm suddenly unable to pot a ball. Even the easy ones.
https://youtu.be/i9IY7_2XrIY

So long story short, all tips are appreciated

[Leo]

You need to use some chalk fella

[tomwalker147]

I think you're doing really well considering you've played for such a short period of time, well done.

My advice would be to keep practising, stop worrying about your technique. This forum is fantastic for people who have the odd question but be careful who you listen to, there are a lot of 'experts' who will fill your mind with so many opinions you won't know who to listen to!

You cue nicely, you hit the ball well. Yes your stance isn't perfect but you're 6'6, changing your stance will most likely be uncomfortable. Keep playing the game, practice with other players and enjoy yourself. Set yourself some short term targets 'to make a 50 break' etc.

Good luck!

[Byrom]

Most of it is not bad however you are not consistent getting down to the shot - sometimes hesitant sometimes noticed there is movement left and right as you settle down and into the shot - Find the line before you get down cue then body to cue - I would recommend either swooping down on the line of the shot - or dropping straight down or stepping back then in - cut out hesitantly stopping or moving and try attack the shot. Whatever you do decide stick to it and do it constantly and use some chaulk

[ExtinctSKB]

Wow, that's weird. I normally chalk every 1 or 2 shots, and nearly didn't chalk at all during this video. May explain some of the misses.

[jrc750]

Maybe you need to buy a longer cue ?

[MrRottweiler]

The first vid shows you deliver the cue and follow through nicely but there doesn't seem to be a lot of feathering so I would try bringing the cue further back when feathering. I agree that cue looks like it might be too small for you which will affect your cuing and where you grip the butt. The cue should come to just above your shoulder so if your current cue is too short you could get a cue doctor to add a few inches to it if you don't want to change it.

Something else from the first video is the follow through looks straight but it looks like it twists as you follow through (I could be wrong but it looks like the grain on the cue moves) This results from gripping too hard so make sure you're only gripping the cue with the thumb and index finger as it strikes the cueball and your fingers or wrist movement isn't making the cue twist. It adds spin and I spent a long time experimenting with twisting the cue on delivery to see if it helped my game and I realised it was a big no no. Any spin I want should be applied from where I aim on the cue ball and nothing else. When I addressed this and concentrated on keeping my wrist rigid it helped my consistency improve almost overnight so it might be worth looking at.

The second video shows you pot some nice balls but one thing that stands out is how little chalk you use and it looks like you could apply more spin to the cueball to get the position you want. This needs chalk so I chalk between almost every shot especially if I'm putting on a touch of spin. Even centre ball striking needs chalk as a bad contact can still cause you to miss the shot.

After a year you look like you have a solid game developing so it's just a case of getting in a routine of plenty of solo practice combined with some coaching and matches. It will be worth spending time with a coach who can help finetune the basics of stance, bridge and grip and make sure your height and fact you have to have both legs bent isn't causing unwanted movement. I had an hour with Karen Corr once (although she gave me about 90 minutes) and my game was never the same again.

[ExtinctSKB]

Thanks for all the replies. My new handmade cue has been ordered and should be ready in the next few weeks (length: 164cm or 64"1/2). Most of all I hope it helps to get a better feel of what I'm doing because my extension (where I grip) is several mm less than the butt.

[j6uk]

Thanks for all the replies. My new handmade cue has been ordered and should be ready in the next few weeks (length: 164cm or 64"1/2). Most of all I hope it helps to get a better feel of what I'm doing because my extension (where I grip) is several mm less than the butt.

my cue is 145cm an im 6'4". i think going for such a long cue is looking in the wrong direction for improvment. it may even stunt your growth as a player
this is me playing with a 145/57 cue, its not my playing cue but a cue i made.
its really about cue-action and timing the white

[Ramon]

64.5" cue ???????
LOL ,, what u gonna do with it ?? catch a fish ??

[ExtinctSKB]

Well it wasn't only my decision. It was measured during the order. I've got broad shoulders and when I stand the cue upright it will come up to my shoulders. It's only 2 cm more than my current cue with extension but at least the balance and weight will be right.
Anyway It's easier to shorten a cue than having to resplice.

[Ramon]

It's ur game my friend !!
I've to say , I do agree with J6 and what he said about timing !!
But at the end of the day , ur the one who has to play the game !!
If u think , ur game gonna improve this way , then go for it . Whay Not !!!
Btw , ur right !! In case it does'nt work ,, u can always cut a few CM off !!
Hope u enjoy ur game !!

[ExtinctSKB]

I know the cue isn't going to perform miracles. But at least I won't be able to blame the cue any more :-)

And I know it's about mental state and timing. Hence the main topic of this post. I think I'm over thinking the pot itself. Like I said things tend to go better if I switch to autopilot but then I don't have enough experience to make the correct shot selection. Either I don't think about where the white's going or try to do too much with the CB.

[j6uk]

I know the cue isn't going to perform miracles. But at least I won't be able to blame the cue any more :-)

And I know it's about mental state and timing. Hence the main topic of this post. I think I'm over thinking the pot itself. Like I said things tend to go better if I switch to autopilot but then I don't have enough experience to make the correct shot selection. Either I don't think about where the white's going or try to do too much with the CB.

hi man,
i feel for you an i know where your at. my highest break was once the same, an i also extended my old cue to 61", knees bent an so on, albeit when i was a teenager... whats the length of your current cue?
for me the max would be 150cm foe any player, an my ideal cue would be 148/9
you might want to check out the thread cueing in the coaching zone

[ExtinctSKB]

Current cue is 63,5" with the extension. Anyway I'll let you know how it feels when I get it. The cue isn't the problem. It's all in the head.