whats your routine

[Smeeagain]

So you approach the table, look at whats on, walk in to the table and down to the stance. You have cue in hand bridging and lining up cueball. Do you have a mantra that you say over in your head or a mental checklist "aim, feather, cue, feather, backswing, cue, look at cue ball, look at object ball, look at cue ball backswing, pause then strike (not saying any of that it correct or in the correct order just asking what you do when you're down on the shot?

Smee

[tedisbill]

I think different things depending on the shot really.

Sometimes it's important that you don't under-hit a shot. Sometimes it's important that I really follow through. Sometimes I'm just saying "keep still". But I'd say my actual thinking on every shot is not the same. It changes depending on the type of shot I'm playing.

[Byrom]

Order drinks - go to table and thank the lord I'm not sat at home with the Mrs watching strictly or any of that nonsense that passes for TV these days -

Sorry seriously good question -

Lets see er - yes - without talking about technique as we all have our own - this is something like what I am thinking -

chalk cue - assess options map table ahead - as if there is like a snooker commentator in my head speaking and telling me what I need to do - I single out my shot and intended position for the next shot and sometimes for the one after.
The shot strength and line worked out whilst stood behind the cue ball occasional walk around to work out what balls go in what pockets - what balls I need to clear to open up options to other pockets - if I need to finish high or low stuff like that. I like to do this on easy shots as you know you wont miss them and it generally frustrates the other fella who's thinking why not just play the ball over the pocket although I don't do it for that reason specifically.

Continually re-assessing as I go and once into it I keep to a nice steady rhythm of play when things fall into plan - don't think of anything much when on it or try not to. If I do freeze or tense up say on a match ball or something I use a few trigger words to make me focus on driving through straight.

I focus perhaps on keeping still keeping down and try and cue smooth and consistent on each shot and try to stick with the rhythm I started the frame with. before approaching the shot in the balls I tend to back off from the table because this helps pick out the line easier - don't matter on a long shot because you are already far away but I used to just get down and pot the easy ones side on and stuff and realized I had not found the line right. Try your best is all you can do so I keep calm - mostly and try keeping focus when the other guy is at the table which can be hard for me - I have taken to chalking with my left hand at this point and if I feel I'm thinking technique or any nonsense at any time I imagine a repetitive tune to myself or my favorite song at the time which helps keep me in a rhythm.

They say you should be be confident around the table as you walk - as if with a purpose - getting down positively - too many players are hesitant trying to be perfect, some are too quick trying to be faster than the rocket- I can attack the game to play quicker once it is won but I think I play better at a nice even pace. A lot to think about and still practice a lot of what you ask all the time =

Your own pre-shot routine serves a purpose to make you consistent to how you play your best snooker - very important for your own consistency to develop a good one and stick with it.

These are some of the things that help me -cheers - p.s if that all fails I just smile and go back to the bar - tomorrows another day

[itsnoteasy]

Don't tighten my grip, don't tighten my grip, keep locked on ,keep locked on ,oh bugger I tightened my grip and took my eye off the ball,same thing every session.

[mythman69]

Order drinks - go to table and thank the lord I'm not sat at home with the Mrs watching strictly or any of that nonsense that passes for TV these days -

. . . p.s if that all fails I just smile and go back to the bar - tomorrows another day

I have the same routine

[cyberheater]

Good stuff Byrom.

Here's what it's normally like when I play my mate who only plays once a week.

Look at the table in utter dismay. The balls all scatter to the cushions. None of the colours on their spots. This is only 5 mins into the frame.
Curse at the awkward position my opponent has left me in again. Mutter under my breath. Ask him to please stop talking to me while I'm on my shot. Again mutter.
Wonders why he never ever plays for position unless there is a easy red over the pocket.
Chalk my cue. Ask him again to stop talking to me.
Shake my head a few times.
Find a 2 out of 10 shot that might leave me in some sort of position. Address the cue ball. Think to myself 'stay still on the shot'. Observe my mate wandering off to watch the tv at the bar or see him twirl his cue like a majorette. Ask him to stop doing stuff like in my eye line.
Once again address the ball. Miss the ball but because my position is much better then his is, leaves him on a relatively easy read that allows easy position on the black.

Goes and gets another drink.

Yes. That just about sums it up.

[mythman69]

Good stuff Byrom.

Here's what it's normally like when I play my mate who only plays once a week.

Look at the table in utter dismay. The balls all scatter to the cushions. None of the colours on their spots. This is only 5 mins into the frame.
Curse at the awkward position my opponent has left me in again. Mutter under my breath. Ask him to please stop talking to me while I'm on my shot. Again mutter.
Wonders why he never ever plays for position unless there is a easy red over the pocket.
Chalk my cue. Ask him again to stop talking to me.
Shake my head a few times.
Find a 2 out of 10 shot that might leave me in some sort of position. Address the cue ball. Think to myself 'stay still on the shot'. Observe my mate wandering off to watch the tv at the bar or see him twirl his cue like a majorette. Ask him to stop doing stuff like in my eye line.
Once again address the ball. Miss the ball but because my position is much better then his is, leaves him on a relatively easy read that allows easy position on the black.

Goes and gets another drink.

Yes. That just about sums it up.

LOL - we have 'players' at our club that use the same tactics.

You forgot to mention . . .

Goes for another toilet break (i.e. smoke)
Goes for a quick flutter (on horses, dogs, trots, Keno, poker-machines, etc)
Phone rings (AGAIN)
Asks "did you put my one up before"?

Geez, I could go on and on.

[Byrom]

Good stuff Byrom.

Here's what it's normally like when I play my mate who only plays once a week.

Look at the table in utter dismay. The balls all scatter to the cushions. None of the colours on their spots. This is only 5 mins into the frame.
Curse at the awkward position my opponent has left me in again. Mutter under my breath. Ask him to please stop talking to me while I'm on my shot. Again mutter.
Wonders why he never ever plays for position unless there is a easy red over the pocket.
Chalk my cue. Ask him again to stop talking to me.
Shake my head a few times.
Find a 2 out of 10 shot that might leave me in some sort of position. Address the cue ball. Think to myself 'stay still on the shot'. Observe my mate wandering off to watch the tv at the bar or see him twirl his cue like a majorette. Ask him to stop doing stuff like in my eye line.
Once again address the ball. Miss the ball but because my position is much better then his is, leaves him on a relatively easy read that allows easy position on the black.

Goes and gets another drink.

Yes. That just about sums it up.

Ha ha ha - that tickled me cyberheater been there done that - however although in joke I do actually see this as a major problem for you because I think you have mentioned it before - so I will treat it as such and here is my experience of it.

- Right now there is one lad who keeps playing me once a week - He can pot anything at distance but is useless at playing position or in balls and he keeps getting beat 10 or 15 nil against me me keeps going - he rarely plays position properly never plans ahead other than the shot in front of him or maybe tries in the balls to get on the next one but often looses the white. He goes for shots with no value and chances position and forever knocks colours off the spots and all over the place which is annoying to me.

I tend to find it used to annoy me as he never seems to learn - and when he flukes balls or position it also annoyed me to high heaven, especially as I continually play or try to play the right shot - After taking a lead I then maybe attacked the game too much taking liberties rather than playing the right shot myself and then because I had not stayed patient I missed a low percentage shot played position and left him in to pick me off sometimes - however I saw this as a weakness in me as you should always play the right shot really.

He is not as deliberate as your playing partner with his naughty tricks but he has that habit of telling me what shot he should have played after he has missed and during my shot or telling me what shot I should do. I decided to see this as a test of patience and found a way to overcome this with focus - like I said earlier above with the humming a tune to myself I found was the thing I do. If he scrapes the odd frame or two this is allowed I say as I can play or loose the odd scrappy one now and again against him.

Luckily I don't play him all the time but I see learning to adapt to these following types of players - slow - negative - talkative - fluky - fast - overly attacking - positionally inept. Is vital to improve myself. Keeping concentration and focus on my own game and not there's - and I realized keeping in my own little rhythm doing this is vital to my own game which is why I see these types of players as a good test now when playing - rather than a frustration like I used to do.

I can smile it off more now the more I understand how I think myself think about these types of club or league players. #note if he is a friend it is harder to do this as you are in a routine of allowing it but even if he is a friend - try and treat the game you are playing with more respect.

Keeping focus in your own thoughts on your game - timing and pre-shot routine is vital for me - if the other guy is trying to disturb this - rather than point out he is getting to you by reacting to him - don't give him the edge and point it out by reacting or he will keep doing it to disturb your thoughts - smile it off and try other things to keep your own fluency and consistency in this pre-shot routine you develop for yourself and try harder to focus on your own game not his.

If he rants twirls his cue or whatever - take time out focus on the balls on the table rather than his antics - try to map it out on the table and regain your focus on the table and the situation and balls in front of you - his attentions will turn to what you are doing when he sees you walking around like a pro doing this.

Imagine a screaming child throwing a tantrum in the lounge trying just to get your attention whilst you are cooking in the kitchen - if you keep running around after them they keep doing it and you might loose your focus and burn your chicken - if you ignore them and carry on pottering around in the kitchen - eventually they shut up and wander in to see what you are doing.

Allow yourself to fail now and again - and smile it off - if you do this I guarantee your results and breaks improve and you loose less and enjoy it more.

Failing this plan B drink more get past caring and stay happy - tomorrows another day.

[cyberheater]

Thanks Byrom for that detailed post.

I should say that for a while I did start to play properly and effectively shut him out for the entire frame and normally won all the frames in a evening and then he started to say that he wasn't enjoying it anymore and didn't want to play snooker so I was kind of forced to relax and let him in.

Occasionally I put me head down and really demolish him in the frame. Get 40 or more points in front when he hasn't potted a ball and then the next frame I try to not make it too obvious that I'm giving him a chance.

- Right now there is one lad who keeps playing me once a week - He can pot anything at distance but is useless at playing position or in balls and he keeps getting beat 10 or 15 nil against me me keeps going - he rarely plays position properly never plans ahead other than the shot in front of him or maybe tries in the balls to get on the next one but often looses the white. He goes for shots with no value and chances position and forever knocks colours off the spots and all over the place which is annoying to me.

Yep. Sounds like my mate. No positional shot on the black so will try to double it into the middle bag so it ends up at the table. Pots a long pot and says 'shot of the match' as he jams the white on the cushion. Again.

Sometimes I look at the state of the table and think I can't be arsed with this. It's impossible to get some sort of break together. All in all quite frustrating.

[Byrom]

yes - I been there - keep cool and laugh it off and ignore it - try and see it as a challenge for yourself - hope the advice helps

If Ronnie or a pro or good player he did not know turned up to play him would he be the same way or would he be quiet as a mouse in awe as the pro or good player walked round owning the table and mapping it out?

Players do things like this because they are familiar with us and we let them get away with it - like my screaming child whilst cooking analogy if you ignore it and don't let it detract your focus it will stop eventually.

Anyway that's the end of my serious stuff - going back to some slightly daft postings now - nearly Christmas and my fingers hurt - all the best cyberheater

[itsnoteasy]

Cyber try and find someone good to play, apart from learning how they do it another plus is it's far easier to play well when you play someone who will keep the table tidy, or if you muck up they are good enough to tidy the table up for you so when you do get a chance you have more chance of scoring, also when they miss you have more of a chance of being on something, it also concentrates the mind, as if you don't take some chances you may not get others.

[cyberheater]

Anyway that's the end of my serious stuff - going back to some slightly daft postings now - nearly Christmas and my fingers hurt - all the best cyberheater

Thanks mate.

Cyber try and find someone good to play, apart from learning how they do it another plus is it's far easier to play well when you play someone who will keep the table tidy, or if you muck up they are good enough to tidy the table up for you so when you do get a chance you have more chance of scoring, also when they miss you have more of a chance of being on something, it also concentrates the mind, as if you don't take some chances you may not get others.

Thanks itsnoteasy. I'm lucky enough to play a couple of other fellas from time to time who are much better then me. 50 break makers. They keep me on my toes and I've learnt a huge amount from them about safety and shot selection so it doesn't bother me that much now days when I play my mate.

[bolton-cueman]

3 words from the mighty Frank Callan: "remember the backswing"

[jonny66]

This slightly annoying opponent sounds a lot like my Dad

[itsnoteasy]

3 words from the mighty Frank Callan: "remember the backswing"

Meaning?..