Any Problems If Using Snooker Fundamentals To Play Pool??

[Calgaryplayer]

I know the Break are big differences between Snooker and Pool. But beside that, would there be any problems if using / learning 100% Snooker techniques to play pool?? (good or bad)

What do you think?

 

[Cameron Smith]

I know the Break are big differences between Snooker and Pool. But beside that, would there be any problems if using / learning 100% Snooker techniques to play pool?? (good or bad)

What do you think?

You can change your stance for your break, alot of pool players do anyways.

But as was mentioned in the snooker forum, snooker mechanics place a high premium on accuracy which can only be a good thing.

As I also mentioned, snooker players do generate a lot of power. So it's not like we're feathering the ball around the table.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Lest see I think some of the Current Lady Greats got there training playing Snooker, and I sure as HE** would love to play as well as Alison Fisher!

 

[Calgaryplayer]

You can change your stance for your break, alot of pool players do anyways.

But as was mentioned in the snooker forum, snooker mechanics place a high premium on accuracy which can only be a good thing.

As I also mentioned, snooker players do generate a lot of power. So it's not like we're feathering the ball around the table.

Tony Dargo was a former snooker player. For women side, some greatest names are from Snooker field too.

 

[MasterClass]

Steve Davis is an incredible Snooker player.

His fundamentals helped him attain measurable success in pool too. I remember he did quite well in a few world championships.

Never hurts not missing a ball.

 

[greyghost]

I know the Break are big differences between Snooker and Pool. But beside that, would there be any problems if using / learning 100% Snooker techniques to play pool?? (good or bad)

What do you think?

you'll play better pool than most pool players. If your of a snooker background then your probably learned a correct stance and have a good base. Pool players are all over the place, they learn in the bar b/c you can fit a 7' table in there...you can't fit too many 10/12' tables in them tho lol.

The only thing your going to have to change which was mentioned was your stance possibly when breaking, or when having to jack up and such....when you stand square with the ball (snooker) and have to jack up then your body gets in the way so you have to adobt that more 45deg-ish pool style stance to get the body out of the way of the stroke.

Same goes for the break, since many have such a long follow through or move their weight you will probably find breaking from the 45deg-ish stance easier since your already standing forward.

Thats how I play...general shooting in a snooker style stance w/ head/body square with the shot. I turn my body and have that more closed stance on breaks, jumps, jack up shots such as masse'. ( meaning stanced more into the direction of the shot as opposed to squared up with it snooker style)

hope that helps,
Grey Ghost

 

[Geometry]

Cue action is cue action. There is not a 'pool way' or a 'snooker way'. There is only correct and incorrect. Not all shots are shot the same way as your stock technique.

 

[searcyD]

you got a long way to go buddy. I can't imagine trying to move the rock with a snooker cue.:rotflmao1:

How would you play one pocket? You guys play with an open bridge right?

 

[greyghost]

Cue action is cue action. There is not a 'pool way' or a 'snooker way'. There is only correct and incorrect. Not all shots are shot the same way as your stock technique.

Yes there is actually two distinct stance styles b/t snooker and pool in general.
No not all shots will be the same but the majority of general shots should be.

If you watch snooker players the biggest general diff in shooting stance is that they are generally in square with the shot, pool players are generally forward stanced and have a more closed position in regards to the relation of the cue stick and the body/stance.

 

[Jason Robichaud]

Cue action is cue action. There is not a 'pool way' or a 'snooker way'. There is only correct and incorrect. Not all shots are shot the same way as your stock technique.

Hahaha, I take you probably have never even watched a game of snooker and have never tried the game. You are 100% wrong on this one. In snooker you 'MUST' have a perfectly straight stroke and put balls in the heart of the pocket. I have played great pool (8-9ball) at times and have a high break of 142 with many more over 100 practicing snooker. I have way more movement in my pool stroke than snooker. This movement allowed me to play better pool and generate more cue power to move the CB. To compare the two, it would be like taking rally car racing and indy car... sure they are both racers but one takes the line tight and the other loose.

 

[greyghost]

Hahaha, I take you probably have never even watched a game of snooker and have never tried the game. You are 100% wrong on this one. In snooker you 'MUST' have a perfectly straight stroke and put balls in the heart of the pocket. I have played great pool (8-9ball) at times and have a high break of 142 with many more over 100 practicing snooker. I have way more movement in my pool stroke than snooker. This movement allowed me to play better pool and generate more cue power to move the CB. To compare the two, it would be like taking rally car racing and indy car... sure they are both racers but one takes the line tight and the other loose.

great post jason! do you think that the looser driving of the pool side is a proponent why most pool players stand toward the shot with the body more closed(foot forward like in what some call 45deg stance)? So they see more across the shot but get a broader field of view maybe b/c of it? Where as in snooker your trying to play more exact lines leading to the more square view and better pinpoint precision?

Also the foot forward will help better for forward weight distribution and power wouldn't it?

 

[Jason Robichaud]

great post jason! do you think that the looser driving of the pool side is a proponent why most pool players stand toward the shot with the body more closed(foot forward like in what some call 45deg stance)? So they see more across the shot but get a broader field of view maybe b/c of it? Where as in snooker your trying to play more exact lines leading to the more square view and better pinpoint precision?

Also the foot forward will help better for forward weight distribution and power wouldn't it?

Yes on the weight forward. I closed my stance (45) in pool so I could get more length on the stroke. It places me in more of a ready position for power (if needed) and keeps my stroke smooth. I added about 6" of stroke in this stance. By standing square in snooker, I find my cue arm is on more of a rail or a guide to keep my stroke straight. I see the table the same as far as view goes.

 

[Tokyo-dave]

I have often wondered however, that if the snooker form is considered to be superior (as many think) why is it that you don't see many pool players emulating snooker form? And, why don't you see any snooker players with the form of a pool player?
My main question concerning the grip in particular. It appears to me that snooker players grip the cue with their whole hand or fist. And it appears to be a fairly firm grip as opposed to the pool players. And in pool, we're constantly reminding ourselves to let the cue rest in your hand rathar than actually gripping it. I would assume that the looser relaxed grip results in better action when putting juice on the ball. And although in snooker, there is some juicing of the CB, I don't see as much??
dave

 

[mrinsatiable]

also keep in mind the snooker table is much taller than a pool table and much larger. so the stance changes due to the height of the back swing or stroking arm. snooker players are more accurate at shot making but lack the skills that pool players have more experience doing based on the game and size of the table.

for example: in 9 ball rotation the mastery of english and multiple rail patterns are required to be successful. This knowledge and part of the game is the difficult challenges that snooker players face when switching from world class snooker to world class 9/10 ball matches.

there are many great snooker players who have switched to the world of 9 ball.

But the top guns in 9 ball, 10 ball, 8 ball are majority pool players. i.e. SVB, Mika Immonen, Efren, Ralf, Alex Pagulyuan,

 

[9 ball]

I have often wondered however, that if the snooker form is considered to be superior (as many think) why is it that you don't see many pool players emulating snooker form? And, why don't you see any snooker players with the form of a pool player?
My main question concerning the grip in particular. It appears to me that snooker players grip the cue with their whole hand or fist. And it appears to be a fairly firm grip as opposed to the pool players. And in pool, we're constantly reminding ourselves to let the cue rest in your hand rathar than actually gripping it. I would assume that the looser relaxed grip results in better action when putting juice on the ball. And although in snooker, there is some juicing of the CB, I don't see as much??
dave

I don't know what kind of snooker you have been watching, to come out with a statement saying that snooker players don't get much "juice" on the cb is ridiculous because going into the pack of reds off a colour (proper sp) demands power in order to execute a successful frame winning chance, so the above statement about juice on the cb is totally obsolete.

 

[jay helfert]

also keep in mind the snooker table is much taller than a pool table and much larger. so the stance changes due to the height of the back swing or stroking arm. snooker players are more accurate at shot making but lack the skills that pool players have more experience doing based on the game and size of the table.

for example: in 9 ball rotation the mastery of english and multiple rail patterns are required to be successful. This knowledge and part of the game is the difficult challenges that snooker players face when switching from world class snooker to world class 9/10 ball matches.

there are many great snooker players who have switched to the world of 9 ball.

But the top guns in 9 ball, 10 ball, 8 ball are majority pool players. i.e. SVB, Mika Immonen, Efren, Ralf, Alex Pagulyuan,

This is the best answer I have seen on here so far. Snooker and pool are two vastly different games requiring different skill sets. The equipment that is used is dramatically different as well. The only thing similar is that they are played on slate tables with round balls. Bottom line - very different games with a totally different path to playing well.

It is true that many snooker players have become good pool players. Their accurate shot making abilities transfer well to pool, but that is about all. There is a long learning curve for snooker players to cross over to pool. In pool just about everything is different. He or she must now play with a different cue, develop a different stance and stroke, and use totally different strategy.

You may have noticed that most snooker players who become pool players, adjust their stance, bridge and cueing early on. Of course they change cues also. Allison does not play anything like she did fifteen years ago. She does still get down low on the ball, but that's about all. Her stance and stroke have changed dramatically. Even her break position is very different from what it was.

Basically you have to develop an approach to pool that works for this game. And a snooker mind set will NOT make you a good pool player.

 

[mosconiac]

I have often wondered however, that if the snooker form is considered to be superior (as many think) why is it that you don't see many pool players emulating snooker form? And, why don't you see any snooker players with the form of a pool player?

IMO, the "pool stance" is a more natural way of approaching the shot...hence people just fall into it. The "snooker stance" is learned from instruction or emulation.

The "snooker stance" is a bit peculiar because (for a righty) your right leg is stiff (toes pointed 45* to the right) and your left leg is only slightly forward & bent (toes straight forward). The left shoulder is tucked in into the left ear, which requires a slight twist of the hips & spine. This takes some flexibility & is not something you just fall into. Women tend to feel self-concious in the snooker position as they are bent over more & are forced to push their butt out.

Pool players tend to push the left foot more forward & bend both legs (a more casual position) and the hips & shoulders are kept nearly straight. Many pool player's have both feet at 45* to the right.

Although the snooker stance is more square to the shot line, the shoulders are not. This twist makes it unatural & uncomfortable for many. Pool players stance more sideways (both in feet position & shoulders) because it is more natural & comfortable for many.

Also, snooker players let their weight flow forward onto their bridge hand. Pool players like to maintain a balance between left & right feet, which lessens weight on the bridge hand. This is why you see Alison sort of step out of her stance after shooting. She needs to regain weight on her left foot.

 

[Andrew Manning]

This is the best answer I have seen on here so far. Snooker and pool are two vastly different games requiring different skill sets. The equipment that is used is dramatically different as well. The only thing similar is that they are played on slate tables with round balls. Bottom line - very different games with a totally different path to playing well.

It is true that many snooker players have become good pool players. Their accurate shot making abilities transfer well to pool, but that is about all. There is a long learning curve for snooker players to cross over to pool. In pool just about everything is different. He or she must now play with a different cue, develop a different stance and stroke, and use totally different strategy.

You may have noticed that most snooker players who become pool players, adjust their stance, bridge and cueing early on. Of course they change cues also. Allison does not play anything like she did fifteen years ago. She does still get down low on the ball, but that's about all. Her stance and stroke have changed dramatically. Even her break position is very different from what it was.

Basically you have to develop an approach to pool that works for this game. And a snooker mind set will NOT make you a good pool player.

I disagree. Allison has not changed her stance or stroke, she still uses textbook snooker fundamentals.

I would challenge anyone to actually watch an entire match of snooker (many are available on youtube), and then say that you can't generate enough power or english using snooker fundamentals. Those guys generate tons of both, just not all that often. I think many pool players statements about snooker are comparable to watching a short clip of 14.1 and then claiming John Schmidt can't play multi-rail position or play spin shots. John Schmidt won the US Open 9-ball, and thus by definition has all the stroke he needs to play top-level 9-ball, but you won't see it often when he's playing 14.1. You have to watch for a long time.

You think they don't play multi-rail position? Wait until you get to the end of a close frame when there are 3 colors left and one player needs a snooker to win. They'll play 4 rails and nearly freeze to the back of a ball, quite consistently.

They'll draw the ball 9 or 10 feet with apparent ease as well. You just have to wait long enough to see one of them end up dead straight on the black after potting the last red, with the yellow on its spot.

Snooker fundamentals are what pool fundamentals would be if it were necessary to stroke that straight in order to pocket a pool shot. The reason a pool stroke is different is not because the pool stroke requires things that the snooker stroke won't provide. The pool stroke is different because the advantages the snooker stroke provides aren't really needed in pool, and certainly not worth the amount of training snooker players do to achieve those fundamentals.

-Andrew

 

[Philthepockets]

This is the best answer I have seen on here so far. Snooker and pool are two vastly different games requiring different skill sets. The equipment that is used is dramatically different as well. The only thing similar is that they are played on slate tables with round balls. Bottom line - very different games with a totally different path to playing well.

It is true that many snooker players have become good pool players. Their accurate shot making abilities transfer well to pool, but that is about all. There is a long learning curve for snooker players to cross over to pool. In pool just about everything is different. He or she must now play with a different cue, develop a different stance and stroke, and use totally different strategy.

You may have noticed that most snooker players who become pool players, adjust their stance, bridge and cueing early on. Of course they change cues also. Allison does not play anything like she did fifteen years ago. She does still get down low on the ball, but that's about all. Her stance and stroke have changed dramatically. Even her break position is very different from what it was.

Basically you have to develop an approach to pool that works for this game. And a snooker mind set will NOT make you a good pool player.

I don't buy this at all. You don't have to change the mechanics you just need to change your thinking.

 

[mikepage]

[...]
Snooker fundamentals are what pool fundamentals would be if it were necessary to stroke that straight in order to pocket a pool shot. The reason a pool stroke is different is not because the pool stroke requires things that the snooker stroke won't provide. The pool stroke is different because the advantages the snooker stroke provides aren't really needed in pool, and certainly not worth the amount of training snooker players do to achieve those fundamentals.

-Andrew

Try this experiment with an unsuspecting pool player.

Put an object ball repeatedly on the foot spot.
First ask the pool player to make a spot shot, i.e., with the cueball at the headstring.

With any luck your pool player will use a closed bridge and adopt a "pool" stance.

Have the player repeat the shot several times moving the cueball 8 inches toward the object ball each time.

Eventually the player will grab a bridge to make the shot.

But look at the shot just before the bridge was grabbed--the previous shot. I think you will find the player standing square to the table and using an open bridge.

The snooker style is the preferred style for anyone who needs to reach for a shot. And statistically more of the snooker table involves a reach. So the style gets generalized.

just a thought...