Very simple piece of advice here: Buy a magnetic chalk holder, or one of those APA pocket chalker thingys. The problem with keeping the chalk on the table is that people are lazy, or get stressed sometimes in critical moments. Picking up the chalk from the table puts you too close to the table to get a full view and may disturb your psr. Keeping the chalk in the pocket is also possible. I don't like it because I have to wear dress slacs in tournaments and the chalk stains them. Also it creates fumbling, which puts me off, concentration vise. I want every movement to be necessary and simple.
The best thing is to chalk up standing some distance from the table, put the chalk in the holder and then step into the line and shoot.
Lots of people don't even step into the shot, they sort of slide sideways. Or they step back, then realize they haven't chalked their tip, then pick it up from the table and then step sort of lazily or sloppily back and just shoot. Sometimes that will work, but it doesn't give the consistency needed. Always look at the shotline from a certain distance away. Always go down on the line the same exact way. When you have your chalk on you, you don't have to step back to the table to pick it up, so nothing can interfere with your routine. Also you get the same view every time, which helps build a "database" of shot pictures.
If you go to ANY instructor, especially snooker ones, the first things they'll tell you is to step into the line of the shot. Yet you'd be surprised at how sloppy people are with this. Even GREAT players, but why not give yourself every advantage? Here is a video by Lee Brett on this topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYRygaWcJp8&t=139s
All the things he's saying are correct, but to me he's so high-energy and fidgety, so it's hard to get a good view of how it's supposed to go. I belive slow, steady, simple movements help calm me (and possibly you) down. I combine that with calm breathing.
The best thing is to chalk up standing some distance from the table, put the chalk in the holder and then step into the line and shoot.
Lots of people don't even step into the shot, they sort of slide sideways. Or they step back, then realize they haven't chalked their tip, then pick it up from the table and then step sort of lazily or sloppily back and just shoot. Sometimes that will work, but it doesn't give the consistency needed. Always look at the shotline from a certain distance away. Always go down on the line the same exact way. When you have your chalk on you, you don't have to step back to the table to pick it up, so nothing can interfere with your routine. Also you get the same view every time, which helps build a "database" of shot pictures.
If you go to ANY instructor, especially snooker ones, the first things they'll tell you is to step into the line of the shot. Yet you'd be surprised at how sloppy people are with this. Even GREAT players, but why not give yourself every advantage? Here is a video by Lee Brett on this topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYRygaWcJp8&t=139s
All the things he's saying are correct, but to me he's so high-energy and fidgety, so it's hard to get a good view of how it's supposed to go. I belive slow, steady, simple movements help calm me (and possibly you) down. I combine that with calm breathing.
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