Hello

[amsjcm]

Hello every one, I have recently become a member and thought it might be appropriate to introduce myself. My name is Jean-Clément, a Frenchman living in the Netherlands. I've been playing the great game for almost 17 years now. I used to play 4-5 hours a day (these were the days!), I know only play once a week or so. My best break (1998) is 105 in practice, 98 in local competition. I might post a thread in the near future, although I tend to be rather a proactive than an active member. This is a very good board indeed with knowledgeable members! Cheers, Jean-Clément

[jrc750]

Bonjour Jean-Clément (please don't respond in French - thats me out )
You sound like a good player, welcome to TSF

[amsjcm]

Thanks for that mate! I used to be reasonably good, hit four centuries in total. I was runner-up in the French championship in 1998 (whatever it is worth!). But then again: snooker is all about practice and I was practicing like a mad man at the time. Now I am a lawyer, married with three children, and I find it difficult to find time. And my motivation is not what it used to be... What about yourself, do you play a lot?

[jrc750]

...What about yourself, do you play a lot?

Only twice a week at the moment, once with my playing partner (who is more into playing squash) and once on my own for practice. Altho only yesterday had a few frames with a very good player at my club who very kindly wandered over to tell me where ime going wrong lol - he teaches all the young kids in the club so couldnt help himself in coming over. Told me ime quite a good potter BUT with a lot of problems (highest break of 48) He said he will help me out whenever he's around, so i may go again today to put into practice a few things.

[amsjcm]

In my experience advice from better players can be very helpful: some times it is difficult to discover yourself what you are doing wrong. Good luck with that! I got some coaching (from Bill McGregor, based in Chard, Somerset) in both 1997 and 1998 and that did improve my game dramatically! For me, the main points of improvement were (i) introducing a clear pause before delivery; (ii) reducing the distance between my hand and the tip end of the cue (particularly on short and middel-range shots) and (iii) pulling the cue less far back before delivering it (the reason for that is that in order to put spin or side on the cue ball, the most important thing is to ensure that your cue arm produces the maximum acceleration when your tip goes through the cue ball; the mechanics of the human arm are such that this maximum acceleration is produced at the start of the delivery...). Cheers, J.C.

[jrc750]

Your point (ii) is exactly one of the things he told me to shorten, i was overhitting almost every shot because of building up too much momentum in the backswing - off soon to get my first half century lol

[amsjcm]

The more "compact" your cue action is (or becomes) the less things can go wrong! At least that is what I reckon... Some changes can take a bit of time to get used to, but implementing them is worth it on the longer term. Good luck, J.C.