Eyes-Switch alteration during Solo- need assistance

[Sidd]

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is playing snooker. The weather has finally taken a pleasant turn and its getting colder here, finally after the long summers. I am in my element in this weather given that I love winters. Living in Pakistan, one has to. So I have finally been able to get rid of the jean n t-shirt code and finally back to dress trousers and formal shirt with a sleeveless sweater attire, which is my fav even in terms of playing snooker So the snooker season is back in full swing here which means no more sweat towel needed and cleaning of my snooker glasses every frame or two Thank goodness.

But this is not what I wanted to ask of course. So here it is then: I have finally been able to find some time for solo. Not much really not much at all but still much much better than not doing solo at all. during my last solo something came to my mind and then it decided not to leave me and hence I have another thing to look in to. I had decided that I won't do so but still this thing is not leaving me. So its better to ask you all and have a decision upon it so I can let my mind free. But before that I need to tell you something good too. I finally got a solution to my age old bridge arm tendinitis. I had started having it again since last few weeks but this time I figured out how to remove it. What I did was to bend my bridge arm a bit and allow the forearm to lay on the bed of the table from the wrist to the elbow and also widen the gap between my feet in allowing my bend leg to bend a little more. I noticed that with this I felt ease in pain and comfort in stance. So those who suffer from this can try this out and improve their stance to aid in getting rid of the tendinitis.

Now off with the actual reason for this post.. finally

I have always played like this. I look at CB and OB while down and then look at CB on front pause and then switch eyes to OB right then, after that I keep looking at OB during backswing and delivery. This has worked best for me and this is how I have been playing for all of the time. However, while doing this I can't figure out the amount of backswing needed for the shot (I know full backswing is best but I have started using alternating backswing length per shot according to the power required as I think I am in more control once within the balls. However, I can't easily determine the amount. So during my solo I tried this- I would look at CB on front pause then look at the cue coming back and on back pause switch to the OB. This helps me in two things:

1. I can know and be aware about the length of backswing needed as I can see the cue coming back.
2. While at the end of the backswing if I switch my eyes to OB it also gives me enough time to have a good pronounced back pause.

Now this is not easy to do in the first place but I am ready to take the plunge however I will practice this in solo till I get used to it. Or do you think I should carry on with my switching eyes at front pause, which is hat I have natural done till now and totally forget about the backswing length and back pause and let my subconscious dictate this for me and have faith in the fact that I am doing everything properly and improve.

With my current method and less thoughts I am regularly back to 30 odd breaks in the 4-5 player format. I am trying to get time for singles too, so lets see.

Cheers,
Sidd.

[j6uk]

any chance of a vid sid?

[Terry Davidson]

Don't worry about your eye rhythm and use whatever you find normal because messing with your own natural rhythm will really screw up your game

I think Jason believes you are a movie star, always asking for videos

[vmax4steve]

Sidd mate, the length of a backswing is determined by how much one opens the grip, your arm should move forwards and backwards as your grip opens and closes; short backswing for a gentle roll up and grip opens a little, long backswing for power and the grip opens all the way and all variances inbetween.

Like Terry says,DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR EYE RHYTHM, it took you long enough to realise that you forget to look at BOB sometimes, messing with your eye rhythm will make it ten times worse.

[Sidd]

any chance of a vid sid?

Although this element cannot be captured in a simple way, yet for general analysis I shall put up one soon.

[Sidd]

Don't worry about your eye rhythm and use whatever you find normal because messing with your own natural rhythm will really screw up your game

I think Jason believes you are a movie star, always asking for videos

All right Terry. I will not mess up with it. I shall switch my eyes on front pause as that is my natural method. However, on another note my bridge arm tendinitis is back. It is there for the last few days and I am worried if I don't something about it, it will get worse like last time.

I do not know how I got rid of it the last time but it has creeped back in somehow. I am sure I am doing something wrong and thats why its back. Any ideas to try out in solo ... it is stance related and shows I am putting too much pressure on my bridge arm shoulder.

Cheers.

[Sidd]

Sidd mate, the length of a backswing is determined by how much one opens the grip, your arm should move forwards and backwards as your grip opens and closes; short backswing for a gentle roll up and grip opens a little, long backswing for power and the grip opens all the way and all variances inbetween. Yes this is true and I know that however I have been playing with longer back swing for long and hence now when I am using alternating backswing as per power required, I find it hard to ascertain how much of it to do on backswing given that my eyes go to OB on front pause. This must then be done subconsciously I am sure. Might need a lot of practice for this then.

Like Terry says,DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR EYE RHYTHM, it took you long enough to realise that you forget to look at BOB sometimes, messing with your eye rhythm will make it ten times worse. Yes indeed I shall keep this in mind and try to play naturally otherwise I will keep revolving in a circle of technique as usual. I shall switch my eyes to OB on front pause and I think you do that too and many other players might do the same. And for all of them and you alternating backswing length s per power required is a subconscious business

I do hope however that I get some solo time and practice these things and get them over with once and for all and then stick to something I can pick up with confidence. I shall try not to change anything now and just concentrate on the thing called- FOCUS !