Does height affect how you play?

[wayync]

I've heard that being tall is a big advantage in snooker due to the fact that you have a better sight on the ball angles....

Is being shorter a handicap to the game or does anyone think that it doesn't make a difference? Like say does anyone think that someone below average height can make it to the top 16?

[dcrackers147]

I've heard that being tall is a big advantage in snooker due to the fact that you have a better sight on the ball angles....

Is being shorter a handicap to the game or does anyone think that it doesn't make a difference? Like say does anyone think that someone below average height can make it to the top 16?

Not at all, most of the best players in the world are not that tall. I have always found that short players have very solid compact cue actions, and are extremley good with the rest and whilst being tall is not a disadvantage i have seen alot of tall players look quite awkward.

[dcrackers147]

But have you seen any short players actually win any major tournaments?

The shortest pro that I have seen is probably ali carter, everyone else on the top 16 i'm pretty sure is definately over 5'10"

of course i go down Ali's Club sometimes to see his old coach John Waskett, and id be suprised if Ali's even 5 10 ken doherty is really short and he was Wrold champion john higgins is not that tall Ding is not that tall either. Graham Dott is tiny and was also world champion it really doesent matter trust me.

[dcrackers147]

it really does not matter if your good your good snooker is one of few sports that strength speed height does not stop you why are you so concerned anyway?

[dcrackers147]

well how old are you what kind of breaks are you making and what do you want to achieve from snooker.

[Alex0paul]

I am 6 foot 5 and I struggle to see balls when going for long pots because I cannot get down into a comfortable position. I found it a lot easier when I was shorter as I could sight shots better.

[Terry Davidson]

Being short (to certain limits) is definitely not a disadvantage at snooker as long as a player can cue over the cushions which are usually 2ft9in to 2ft10in from the floor.

However, when players are very young and only around 4ft6in in height they have a difficult time cueing normally and end up looking like Joe Swail, with their elbow tucked into their back so they can cue over the cushions.

While most players correct this as they grow, Joe Swail did not and it might be costing him some now but he is not willing to correct his cue arm to be more orthodox.

I need to know how old you are and what is your exact height in feet and inches please

Terry

[dcrackers147]

Being short (to certain limits) is definitely not a disadvantage at snooker as long as a player can cue over the cushions which are usually 2ft9in to 2ft10in from the floor.

However, when players are very young and only around 4ft6in in height they have a difficult time cueing normally and end up looking like Joe Swail, with their elbow tucked into their back so they can cue over the cushions.

While most players correct this as they grow, Joe Swail did not and it might be costing him some now but he is not willing to correct his cue arm to be more orthodox.

I need to know how old you are and what is your exact height in feet and inches please

Terry

Very true such a shame as joe swail is good to watch and has alot of flair but was never going to maintain any kind of consistancy with that cue action. There are alot of players i have come across who have what appears to be awful technique but they pot very well. However they all seem to crumble under pressure as thats when you really need your technique to fall baack on.

[Terry Davidson]

wayync:

At 5ft4in you should be able to cue normally and you should be using a 57in cue unless you have a good cuemaker custom make you one at 55in or 56in where the balance point is still 16-17in from the butt and the taper on the cue suits the length (cutting down a 57in cue means the taper is not correct for the length).

Also, at 26yrs old, I hate to say this, but you are starting out a little too late. I mean, Terry Griffiths did it back in the old days along with Spencer and Reardeon but nowadays players start when they're 8-10 years old, so you are behind the 8-ball already.

Unless of course, your 'big tournament' is the provincial championships or the Canadian Championships and not a professional tournament. In order to turn pro you would need enough money so you don't have to work, go to Britain and compete in the PIOS series, compete in your provincial qualifiers for the Canadians and then win the Canadians and then win the World Amateur.

You would have to practice 8hrs a day, every day for at least 4 years and also would need more money to hire a full-time good coach.

No problem with shooting for the stars and if you live in southern Ontario I can certainly help you at least achieve some of those goals

Terry
Certified IBSF Master Coach
President, OBSA

[missneworleans]

One man in our club is 2 m height and seems everything disturbs him
He plays about 10 years...but plays quite poorly for this years
Ps. However he never needs the rest

[brendan147]

Terry,

I am 5'3" and 28years old. And I don't think I can grow higher anymore. Any problem with this? Should I wear high heel man shoes?

Anyway, I thought J.Higgins is the shortest PRO atm? How tall is he actually? He won WSC title 3 times already...!!!

[dcrackers147]

john higgins is not that short about 5 10 he is certainly taller than ali carter.

[missneworleans]

Higgins is about 1.80 he may look small cos of weight

[xander]

im 5'7" most of the people i play are taller than me but i can hold my own i sliped a disc in my back about 6 months ago which makes it hard to stretch for some shots so im using the rest much more and im getting better with it. i think hight just means you play differently if your short you use the rest more

[checkSide]

Higgins is about 1.80 he may look small cos of weight

How rude!