A problem keeping the cue on the line

[royboy]

Hi all,

I've been playing snooker for around 10 years at a fairly average standard - i can usually knock in a 30 break on a good day. Starting out I was an excellent natural potter, though I've developed a bad habit with the approach to the table which causes me to cue across the line of the shot.

In a nutshell, as I put my bridge hand on the table, I have a tendency to pull my cue arm in to my body which means the cue is lining up across the line. The result is a jabbing action and unwanted side.

I've tried several different stances and approaches, though no luck fixing the problem! It's frustrating because I'm playing at about 50% of my ability.

If anyone has experienced a similar problem, or could offer any suggestions it would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[dannyd0g]

One practice drill that i have heard of, that is meant to help straighten cueing, is to spend time practicing cueing into a bottle. I guess the idea is to train your body to the feel of cueing dead straight.

This can be done at home on a surface of the right height, and can be practiced using ever narrower bottles. I cant personally recommend it, as ive never spent much time on this, but in theory i can see how it might help.

[macbeth]

If you have a look at how the professionals line up a shot you will notice that they lay the cue down on the line of the shot and then move the body to the cue, rather than the cue to the body. You could try out this approach.

[royboy]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think the problem is mostly with the approach to the table... I think laying the cue down on the line then moving into position might help... will definitely give it a try!

Cheers.

[Bendy]

one exercise that Frank Callan came up with is to cue at an imaginary cue ball across the baulk line, play the shot and see if the cue ends up either left or right of the line.

I used to use this for a bit , but find the imaginary cue ball a bit off putting, so i used to put the cue ball on the green spot and place an object ball against the opposite cushion so it would give a half ball contact, as the attached image shows..

I could then play the shot, follow through without fear that the object ball would come back and hit my cue and then check if I'd gone either left or right of the baulk line.

I think Sean Murphy is the player who most obviously does the cue down first, body around routine...

Mark

[royboy]

Cheers Bendy,

Looks like a great way to check for straight cueing.

I've seen a few pros that approach the shot by putting the cue on the line first... they all make it look so natural and easy!

[Rod]

Hi, I've had coaching coming up for 3 years now, and I do that sometimes cue across coach says I'm not pausing on the backstroke and another bad habit I accelerate to the cue back and not through it makes a big difference to my cueing when doing it correct.

As well as a coach other information is good http://www.maximumbreak.com/ this site has a coaching and tutorials I have only just joined you can subscribe to free, next time I play I'm going to try what it says in part 3, some of it written below:

So this is one for you to experiment with - for right handed players, the right leg is in line with the path you intend the cueball to follow.

[C-J]

Mmmm,same problems all over the world.I had(have) the same problem for years and "solved" it with hard work(concentating on seeing the line off the white and keeping the cue straight.Here's a side that will help:http://www.sightrightuk.com/accuracy.htm

[Rod]

Hi, have you tried one of these sightrights yourself?

[C-J]

I haven't yet but i am planning to.I am a bit stubborn,always wanted to master the game on my own.But if even the top pro's still benefit from it,it must be good.

[royboy]

Thanks guys.. will check out those links.

I've spoken to one of the best players at my club and he reckons I'm 'sliding' into the shot instead of standing back and stepping in straight down the line.

I'm keeping the cue upright alongside my right hip as I step in. It forces me to place the cue directly on the line and seems to be working OK.

Cheers