Transferring practice form to frames

[Beastier]

Hopefully some of you guys can help with this....

I've been playing for just over 15 months and mostly I tend to practice on my own (largely because I enjoy it), however recently I have been making more effort to play more frames.

Whilst I appreciate that the balls are never going to nicely align themselves up as they do in a line-up etc, I can't play to anywhere near the same standard as I do when I'm practicing on my own - such as missing the type of shots I know I would easily gobble up when practicing and not having anywhere near the same cueball control or "feel" of the ball.

I higher standard player has suggested it's likely because of the pyschological element of when you're playing in a frame the feeling that you "must" make the pot whereas a miss in a practice session doesn't really carry any consequences. He suggests that I should aim to spend 50% of my playing time in frames with opponents rather than such a heavier bias of practicing on my own.

It's really frustrating, I even managed an 85 break a few weeks ago on the line-up (this is good for my standard...) but when it comes to frames I seem to struggle to string to pots together.

If any of you guys have some advice on how I can address this it would be greatly appreciated.

[Cue crafty]

First thing to accept mentally is that for ANY standard of player, finding say 65% of your practice form in matches is about average if you manage 85% then that's very good. It will help with the frustration levels once you accept that as normal. There's a huge difference from it being your shot every time with little pressure involved.

Then of course, play more opponents more regularly - that's really the only way. Keep the solo up and try to add some pressure into the routines by pretending it's against someone.

Draw Confidence from the pots and scoring achieved whilst doing it but DO NOT expect it or even hope too much for it just accept it and keep going and your match form will improve over time.

[Beastier]

First thing to accept mentally is that for ANY standard of player, finding say 65% of your practice form in matches is about average if you manage 85% then that's very good. It will help with the frustration levels once you accept that as normal. There's a huge difference from it being your shot every time with little pressure involved.

Then of course, play more opponents more regularly - that's really the only way. Keep the solo up and try to add some pressure into the routines by pretending it's against someone.

Draw Confidence from the pots and scoring achieved whilst doing it but DO NOT expect it or even hope too much for it just accept it and keep going and your match form will improve over time.

Thank you - your comments seem to make good logical sense

[Cue crafty]

Thank you - your comments seem to make good logical sense

I remembered this old thread, you might find useful too. 😉

https://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/bo...he-match-table

[Quackers]

In my opinion/experience solo practice is good for many things - familiarity with shots, getting perfect position from the stun/screw/run through shots, even for finding out how softly you can hit shots whilst still achieving the desired position and confidence in doing all of these things well. It's a great cue action groover.
But there is no substitute for playing other people. Nothing else comes close to sharpening your play up (or making you corpse!). You'll be disappointed at times and even disillusioned.
Keep doing what you're doing and play on and it will get better.

[Beastier]

In my opinion/experience solo practice is good for many things - familiarity with shots, getting perfect position from the stun/screw/run through shots, even for finding out how softly you can hit shots whilst still achieving the desired position and confidence in doing all of these things well. It's a great cue action groover.
But there is no substitute for playing other people. Nothing else comes close to sharpening your play up (or making you corpse!). You'll be disappointed at times and even disillusioned.
Keep doing what you're doing and play on and it will get better.

Brilliant thank you