Last post for a while but advice sought

[Snookclops]

Sorry to keep flooding but I need help!

I’ve tried very hard to progress in this game, at points 10-15 hours per week.

I’ve had 2 sessions with coaches. The only two active in my area didn’t seem to want to work with me.

One guy said he would tell me if he thought I could go anywhere in the game and kind of said he wouldn’t bother trying and wasn’t keen to rebook.

The other just gave some basic potting advice but didn’t seem impressed.

I’ve come a long way, I’ve made I think 39 in practice, usually get a 30-35 off a line up session and in match best is 27. I prob make a 10-15 most frames.

Given coaches don’t seem that interested and I think they want to work with prospects - i am 35, should I just give up?

It’s killing me but I can’t move forward.

If any coach in south west thinks they can do it come forward.

I saw frank Adamson in Bristol who kind of said I didn’t have a lot to work with and Bob Hill who didn’t say this, but got the feeling he’d rather concentrate on better players - but perhaps that’s my reflection...I was hoping for video analysis etc but we just played a few balls and he gave some routines.

On the cusp of concentrating on golf but I love snooker, despite getting beaten often - not by much, but potting breaks down and too inconsistent.

Are some people just not able to pot consistently?

[guernseygooner]

What are you expecting? It's a tough game and the majority of decent players would've started pre-teens and played for hours every day.

I play golf maybe twice a year and because of that would be chuffed to score in the high eighties and get 2 or 3 pars.

Put a video up here and the resident experts will help out

[Snookclops]

Right, will do it.

[snookerdad]

I'm just outside the South West, in Southampton, and specialise in working with beginners and players of your standard.

But you won't get any video analysis from me. For that, you'd need to go to Terry Griffiths or Nic Barrow.

All you'll get is good basic advice on technique, etc, which some players don't actually want to hear.

Players around your standard often think there is some kind of magic wand that will move their games forward but I believe most issues at your level can be sorted by technique improvements.

I get as much satisfaction from seeing a player of your standard make their first 30 break in tournament play as I do when a whizzkid makes his first century.

No, you should not give up. But you may be trying too hard. Perhaps you practise too much in comparison to the amount of competition time you get.

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)

[audiandy]

Yes some people are not able to pot consistently or we would all be on TV but no reason to give up if you enjoy the game. There is an old boy who comes in our club, a nice guy but you just don't want to play him as games take ages if you don't have a good potting game. He has been playing for 50 years and apparently hasn't got any better or worse. He misses the ball completely at least 6 or 7 times a game lucky to pot more than 1 ball at a visit. The thing is he loves the game!!
As for you to see a coach to help you and they're not interested is a bit poor as you are paying them for help, not help to make you a ton break builder ever visit but help on improving your game i am thinking?
What are you asking the coaches for? If you are asking that you want to make a ton regularly then that is why they will not be bothered as it will not happen.
What will you be happy with you need to ask yourself? If you are looking for the impossible then you will end up falling out with the game, if you just want to get the basics to help you get the odd break and enjoy the game its possible but need to let the next coach know that's all you want.
I tried a coach a few years ago as believe it or not I forgot what to do??? I used to be a good average player with a 40+ most games with 50's, 60's and 70's thrown in then gave up for 14 years due to work, came back to it joined a team in a new town that I moved to expecting to do the same. Struggled with the odd 20 break in months.
Couldn't do it was standing wrong stabbing at the ball (think this is because i played odd games of pool in the 14 years?) had 5 sessions with a coach only to get me back to the proper basics of starting the game again which it did but i wasn't looking to be getting big breaks just enough to enjoy the game again. I play about 15 frames a week now knocking in a few 20's 30's and a couple higher but I am enjoying it which at 50 is all I can ask for. What I am saying as above is look what your limits are, don't expect to much start of with getting enough right to enjoy the game not look for knocking in tons as you will be very disappointed.
I hope this helps and the waffle didn't put you off........

Andy

[Mark187187]

Snooker is a very difficult game. I played to a reasonable standard during my teens and 20's, but ultimately started playing less, because I wasn't playing often enough to improve. I took up pool instead, and until a couple of months ago exclusively played US 8 and 9 ball. Because potting is that much easier, I found my positional and tactical play improved very quickly. I was running back to back racks in a matter of months. Now, this was massively satisfying.

I've now taken up snooker again, as well as english 8 ball. I was surprised how much my game improved after such a long break. It's difficult to work on your snooker game when you're not consistently potting, and for me moving to a game where potting was much less of issue meant the rest of my game was able to progress quicker.

Sometimes, if you're frustrated to the point of quitting, a break is good. If you're that much in your own head about being able to pot the balls, you're not giving yourself a chance. I for one play a lot better when I get to the place where i'm playing on autopilot. You obviously love snooker, so if you quit for golf you will only end up coming back and being frustrated again. From my experience, if you love snooker, you're probably going to love pool too, and that may be a change that will improve your snooker game in the long run.

[Mark187187]

Another advantage for me now is, if I turn up to the club for a practice with a few cues, I can always find a game if i fancy one. Having a club with snooker and pool tables, and being able to play all these different cue sports, opens up much more opportunities to test your play competitively

[the lone wolf]

Sorry to keep flooding but I need help!

I’ve tried very hard to progress in this game, at points 10-15 hours per week.

I’ve had 2 sessions with coaches. The only two active in my area didn’t seem to want to work with me.

One guy said he would tell me if he thought I could go anywhere in the game and kind of said he wouldn’t bother trying and wasn’t keen to rebook.

The other just gave some basic potting advice but didn’t seem impressed.

I’ve come a long way, I’ve made I think 39 in practice, usually get a 30-35 off a line up session and in match best is 27. I prob make a 10-15 most frames.

Given coaches don’t seem that interested and I think they want to work with prospects - i am 35, should I just give up?

It’s killing me but I can’t move forward.

If any coach in south west thinks they can do it come forward.

I saw frank Adamson in Bristol who kind of said I didn’t have a lot to work with and Bob Hill who didn’t say this, but got the feeling he’d rather concentrate on better players - but perhaps that’s my reflection...I was hoping for video analysis etc but we just played a few balls and he gave some routines.

On the cusp of concentrating on golf but I love snooker, despite getting beaten often - not by much, but potting breaks down and too inconsistent.

Are some people just not able to pot consistently?

Just PM'd you

[alrocco]

Roy of Snooker Secrets.

[Snookclops]

Thanks all, will read pm and be back soon, at work presently.

Issue is my 27 was like 3 years ago and I am just stuck. I do stupid things and don’t know what to do at some points.

I play a mate who played a lot as a kid. It’s always super close, but I lose 95% of frames.

I have done SO much work on technical. I bought nics book, even my playing partner says I look textbook.

I just want to see some improvement, I probably have, but perhaps being good enough to string a few breaks together. 9/10 I pot a good red and miss a colour.

I also seem to leave my opponent in the balls, yet even when he makes errors, I am on cush with a difficult pot. I just don’t get chances like the ones I give away. I miss pots by a fraction.

This is turning in to a moan, but given how much I’ve learned, I should be moving forward. I made a big leap forward about 3 years ago and haven’t really improved, despite practice.

The coaches just told me things, like getting down on shot straight, slow backswing, follow to chest etc, but I know the theory. I know it inside out and back to front. I perhaps need a plan.

I know I’m not going to hit tons without 20+ hours per week for years, but getting more 10-30s would be great. Some frames I barely make a break! I just have long pots miss or mess ups safety and end up seeing my opponent mop up easy balls, balls I could probably clear I just only ever get a long pot, not an easy chance. Often these are from complete errors from opponent yet I never end up in the middle with a pot on, and then I’ll miss it.

This game really is hard

[Terry Davidson]

It sounds to me as if there was some kind of personality problem with Frank as he is a good and patient coach according to those who have had training with him (I haven't but he coached Nic Barrow way back before time began).

My advice would be to book a 4hr lesson with Nic Barrow. He is in Milton Keynes and he has done a lot of work with beginners and right up to top pro level. Then go away and practice what he tells you. I can't speak for 'snookerdad' as I've never met him and as for Roy, please read the string regarding his coaching, I'll not make a comment one way or another.

[Snookclops]

I think it was Frank, he’s an elderly gentleman and extremely nice chap. I think about 75-80 ish?

He said he would assess if there was anything worth working with before lesson and be honest if it wasn’t a game I could progress in.

He didn’t say anything at the end of the lesson and didn’t try to rebook so I guess that was the answer.

Extremely knowledgable guy and good bloke but that is what happened!

[Derek P]

Thanks all, will read pm and be back soon, at work presently.

Issue is my 27 was like 3 years ago and I am just stuck. I do stupid things and don’t know what to do at some points.

I play a mate who played a lot as a kid. It’s always super close, but I lose 95% of frames.

I have done SO much work on technical. I bought nics book, even my playing partner says I look textbook.

I just want to see some improvement, I probably have, but perhaps being good enough to string a few breaks together. 9/10 I pot a good red and miss a colour.

I also seem to leave my opponent in the balls, yet even when he makes errors, I am on cush with a difficult pot. I just don’t get chances like the ones I give away. I miss pots by a fraction.

This is turning in to a moan, but given how much I’ve learned, I should be moving forward. I made a big leap forward about 3 years ago and haven’t really improved, despite practice.

The coaches just told me things, like getting down on shot straight, slow backswing, follow to chest etc, but I know the theory. I know it inside out and back to front. I perhaps need a plan.

I know I’m not going to hit tons without 20+ hours per week for years, but getting more 10-30s would be great. Some frames I barely make a break! I just have long pots miss or mess ups safety and end up seeing my opponent mop up easy balls, balls I could probably clear I just only ever get a long pot, not an easy chance. Often these are from complete errors from opponent yet I never end up in the middle with a pot on, and then I’ll miss it.

This game really is hard

Thats a problem with shot selection and your long game if your letting guys in all the time your just beating yourself.

Snooker is a hard game as others have said, don't think just cos you are 35 you can't improve your game that's nonsense but yeah realistic goals are important. I'm 37, I played since I was 8 and got to a reasonable standard in my teens of making 30-40 breaks nothing spectacular in my late 20s i really fell in love with the game all over again and spent a year working with one of Glasgow's best coaches and former ex professional Jim Donnely he really helped my game and after a break from the game for a few years I'm back working with Jim and every time I see him he brings my game up another notch I also get out there and play the best players i can find and pick the 100 breakers brains on this forum daily you probably have seen my posts.

I can make 70-80 breaks semi regularly but I would say my most consistent kind of break is still in the 40s and 50s, anyway my point is with my level I don't expect to be turning pro as a middle aged guy with limited amatuer ability but i do fancy improving my game and maybe being good enough to represent my country at the european championships so you absolutely can improve at any age and any level.

For you I think your goal should be to get a good coach you can work with and then set yourself some targets like winning your local league making your first 50 break etc give yourself a realistic time frame for this 12-18 months of hard work probably then you be on your way and be even hungrier for the game dont get down about it this is what snooker is about its a tough sport only the most determined characters and mentally strong people can get to the top of this game so don't sell yourself short with enough work you could be hitting hundred breaks in a few years time.

[Snookclops]

Totally agree, but my first goal was to beat my friend after he beat me many times.

I must have done 15 hours a week and obsessively researched the game for about a year. I got better but my friend still beat me, almost every frame.

Once I had done about 3 hours a day for a week and he turned up, drunk, and still beat me. With no practice.

This is why I am here,

Perhaps it’s mental. I usually get in the lead in the first frame, get a few in offs and do a stupid shot and lose narrowly. Then I lose it completely and I can’t pot a ball. However, he reaches a level I don’t, he might make 20s more regularly but they are nearly always close games.

Driving me mad. I’ve succeeded at everything I’ve tried with practice. I am super disciplined when I tried but losing over and over just broke me, I can’t beat this guy and as soon as the bull**** starts, the flukes he seems to get over and over (he admits I am unlucky), plus my stupid decisions....usually an in off etc, I weaken and can’t get into it. I’d still say he’s a better player but one would think I’d win 30% of frames, given most are finished on blue, pink or black. Rarely am I beater before colours.

[DeanH]

I can recommend snookerdad, he is located in Chandlers Ford if that is any easier for you