Your personal goals for the new season???

[RocketRoy1983]

Dont put too much pressure on yourself. Just realise that one day it WILL all come together and youll beat your HB.

[DandyA]

Dont put too much pressure on yourself. Just realise that one day it WILL all come together and youll beat your HB.

excellent advice RR ... that is dead right and I'm trying to do that ... I don't play competitive snooker but I have just been co-opted to the local pub pool team and it's a bit strange playing with all those beady eyes watching you - knowing you'll be criticised if you "blow it" ...

but I'm finding, as I start to relax, I'm thinking more and more to myself, I know I'm a reasonable player, I know they'll moan at me if I miss this (difficult) shot but, in my mind, that is the right shot to play so I'm going to play it and I'm really not too bothered if I get it or not - it's the right shot ...

as I think Steve Davis once said ... "try to play every shot as if it means nothing even if it means everything" ... wise words if you think about it ...

PS, I'm won 2 lost 2 for the pool team ... lost one because I failed to lay an easy snooker (my fault) ... lost the second against a player called Sefton Payne - Google him, I was pleased to keep him under control for about 4 visits ...

[RocketRoy1983]

Yes play the game as though it means nothing..when it means everything. Your best snooker is played once you totally relax and let everything flow and come to you 2nd nature.

[quintahunter]

I want to start practising regularly, around 10 hours a week, to improve my potting, positioning, gain confidence... I started playing three months ago just for fun, now I want to win some matches in my club and feel the improvement.

By the way, why is everyone so "obsessed" with the highest break? I mean, I find obvious that a 50, a century or a maximum can be a goal to achieve, but putting the HB as a measure of improvement I find it counterproductive. It's obvious that a player with a 30 can be far better than one with a 50, am I right? It's all about consistency on your game, not a one-time success.

[bongo]

By the way, why is everyone so "obsessed" with the highest break? I mean, I find obvious that a 50, a century or a maximum can be a goal to achieve, but putting the HB as a measure of improvement I find it counterproductive.

I think the reason why we are all so obsessed with it is that it is what we all aim for in reality. You can work all you like but if you aren't making any breaks when you are playing then you will find it more difficult to win. It's just something that we all want as a reward for practicing.

[spike]

Yes play the game as though it means nothing..when it means everything.

Famously said by Steve Davis at one of his press conferences during the 88 Championship. It's true, but it's one thing saying it it's another putting it into practise..

[crucible77]

a break of 30 or higher ... although since my HB is currently 25, I'd be dancing on the ceiling if I got 26 ...

You and me both have the same target

[cantpotforshíte]

To actually finish one whole frame of snooker (match or practice) without 'throwing a quick one in'

[bongo]

Remember whatever target or goal you have you must know exactly what you need to do to achieve it and when you want to achieve it by.

My target is for my snooker team to finish in the top 5 of the league. Of course, you don't have control of how the other players play but you can control how you perform.

The most important thing is to enjoy the game. Enjoyment is key.

[renniwevarb]

Yes play the game as though it means nothing..when it means everything. Your best snooker is played once you totally relax and let everything flow and come to you 2nd nature.

Totally agree with that Roy, I always tell myself to be "focused yet relaxed"... most often it's either I over-focus and get too tensed, or over-relax and lose focus. So it's when you get the balance then you'll perform. I always wonder how i get my high breaks, as I seem not to really remember in detail which colours I potted, only to remember the easy pot I missed to discontinue the break (shows that i'm taking 1 pot at a time?)

I want to start practising regularly, around 10 hours a week, to improve my potting, positioning, gain confidence... I started playing three months ago just for fun, now I want to win some matches in my club and feel the improvement.

By the way, why is everyone so "obsessed" with the highest break? I mean, I find obvious that a 50, a century or a maximum can be a goal to achieve, but putting the HB as a measure of improvement I find it counterproductive. It's obvious that a player with a 30 can be far better than one with a 50, am I right? It's all about consistency on your game, not a one-time success.

Yup consistency is the key. So my target is to be able to breakthru to get a half-century, and then be able to consistently get 50+ breaks (then I'll have a reason to get a new cue? maybe a TW or MW to pamper myself? )... having said that we don't just aim and hope to make it, need loads of solo practice to master the different shots you need to build a break ya... so in a sense the target HB will be productive if you keep in mind that you need an arsenal of shots in your bag to be able to hit HBs (like cannons, breaking a pack etc...)