Ronnie O'Sullivan calls his shot. 147 with a twist.

sfleinen said:
softshot:

Mike Sigel does this as well, even with his index-overlapping-middle finger closed bridge, albeit Mike does this with his ring finger. There could be a couple reasons for this behavior:

1. Ronnie is "reminding" himself to keep the weight of the bridge hand on the outer perimeter of the bridge hand tripod (i.e. the index finger, and the ring/pinky combination). He could be "ensuring" that the tripod formed by his bridge is truly resting on its outermost "legs" (index + ring/pinky) to spread the weight out for maximum stability. I find myself doing this from time to time, and like you, I asked "why do I do that?" Then, when I caught myself doing it one day, I discovered that I was unconsciously "ensuring" the tripod was made up of its outermost legs (spreading the bridge's contact with the table out) to ensure stability. It's actually a great thing to add to your pre-shot routine.

2. Ronnie's middle finger is his "shot divining rod" -- as he's down on the shot and going through his practice strokes, making little adjustments, the middle finger waggles as sort of a "ding-ding-ding -- yeah, that's it, that's the line of aim!"

Ok, ok, I was kidding on that second one. :D

Hope this helps!
-Sean
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I also find myself doing this sometimes and it is not intentional.

It is just a result of the way snooker players form their bridge. The classic way they are taught is to spread the fingers of the bridge hand as wide as you can and then really grip the cloth with the finger tips. Then move the thumb in to make a V

If you try doing this (on any flat surface) you should find that the finger tips of 3 of the 4 fingers are tight against the bed: If you lift any of these 3 fingers up with your other hand, you will find that it is tense - it snaps back when released. But with the 4th finger is loose - it lifts up quite easily; and sometimes it lifts up off the bed of its own accord.

This combination of 3 tense fingers and one loose one often results in the characteristic bobbing. If you can find an old video of Tony Meo playing snooker you will see it in spades.
 
TheThaiger said:
Recently won the canadian amateurs, apparently.
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http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26112009/58/kirk-stevens.html

Stevens worked his way through a succession of casual jobs: construction work, landscape gardening, lumberjacking and - what he portrays as the nadir - a role as a car salesman for two years from 1993. Broke and unemployed, he went back to playing snooker, albeit on the Canadian circuit, where he progressed from the amateur scene to become nnational champion three times in five years.
 
Siz
OMG what a blast from the past that is Tony Meo! I remember, it must have been the early or mid 70's and I was so glad I missed Jimmy White in the draw. However I got paired against Tony and got my butt severly kicked like never before or since. Tony was a fantastic player but never really got the titles or even recognition he deserved IMO. But he came up in an era most of us will never forget, Steve Davis, Jimmy White and eventually the emergence of Stephen Hendry!

When I look back at those days and remember who played in tournaments like the Pontins Open's (when they amateurs) can you imagine that these days, I think not unfortunately. They all played, Davis, White, Meo and a host of others.
 
Georgia Boy said:
Siz
OMG what a blast from the past that is Tony Meo! I remember, it must have been the early or mid 70's and I was so glad I missed Jimmy White in the draw. However I got paired against Tony and got my butt severly kicked like never before or since. Tony was a fantastic player but never really got the titles or even recognition he deserved IMO. But he came up in an era most of us will never forget, Steve Davis, Jimmy White and eventually the emergence of Stephen Hendry!

When I look back at those days and remember who played in tournaments like the Pontins Open's (when they amateurs) can you imagine that these days, I think not unfortunately. They all played, Davis, White, Meo and a host of others.
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Yes, when White and Meo turned pro, I remember that most thought that Meo was the better player although Jimmy's play was more eye-catching. Certainly he had a more rounded game. But it just didn't work out for him.

Anyway, not wanting to hijack the thread :o , I agree with what others have said about Ronnie O, but I am not sure that he makes the game look easy.

Steve Davis in his prime made the game look easy. Ordinary club bangers could watch Davis and start to believe that they could do what he was doing. And that is a great testament to Davis's ability.

But there sure aren't many guys who can watch O'Sullivan and believe that they can do what he does. I don't think that he makes the game look easy. He just looks freakishly good.

It is a real shame that he can't get his head together though. I wonder whether it is because he always found the game so easy that he never learnt the mental discipline that other mere mortals have had to.

Or perhaps it is just because he rarely feels challenged in the sense of having to go into a match deep down feeling that he has to really concentrate and perform well to get through. (It is noticeable that when he has come up against players in the past he rates very highly, like John Higgins or Steven Hendry, he often starts the match at the very top of his game.)

I get the impression that he often starts off a match playing with a lack of focus - almost relying on something to happen that will spark him off. But if you start off not really concentrating it is notoriously difficult to get that focus back later. Even if you start losing and are under threat of going out of the tournament ("if you hustle, the balls never forgive you"). I suspect that this happens to O'Sullivan; and when it does he gets frustrated, not knowing what is really going on or what to do about it. :(
 
I've lost count of the number of times I have heard Ronnie say he lacks confidence, hard to believe with someone of his ability. Hendry has also said the same, even harder to believe of a seven times world champ and most successful player ever. Ahh the mind, sure is a complicated place :)
 
I started to play snooker about a year ago and love it. He is just amazing to watch. To get shape on the last 2 reds was a great shot. He really is the best player in the world. JMO Thanks for sharing
 
mr8ball said:
I started to play snooker about a year ago and love it. He is just amazing to watch. To get shape on the last 2 reds was a great shot. He really is the best player in the world. JMO Thanks for sharing
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Hmm, I'm not so sure about Ronnie any more. I'm reluctant to call busted flush, but his star is definitely on the wane. The pundits are still raving but there's been a shift in pecking order recently, with Robertson charging clear of the pack; Ding close behind.

The bottom line here is Ronnie misses easy balls. Plenty of them.
 
From the video it appears he may be a bit of a jerk.The interview after the match confirms it.

That was a great 147.Snooker at the highest level is amazing.
 
sfleinen said:
softshot:

Mike Sigel does this as well, even with his index-overlapping-middle finger closed bridge, albeit Mike does this with his ring finger. There could be a couple reasons for this behavior:

1. Ronnie is "reminding" himself to keep the weight of the bridge hand on the outer perimeter of the bridge hand tripod (i.e. the index finger, and the ring/pinky combination). He could be "ensuring" that the tripod formed by his bridge is truly resting on its outermost "legs" (index + ring/pinky) to spread the weight out for maximum stability. I find myself doing this from time to time, and like you, I asked "why do I do that?" Then, when I caught myself doing it one day, I discovered that I was unconsciously "ensuring" the tripod was made up of its outermost legs (spreading the bridge's contact with the table out) to ensure stability. It's actually a great thing to add to your pre-shot routine.

2. Ronnie's middle finger is his "shot divining rod" -- as he's down on the shot and going through his practice strokes, making little adjustments, the middle finger waggles as sort of a "ding-ding-ding -- yeah, that's it, that's the line of aim!"

Ok, ok, I was kidding on that second one. :D

Hope this helps!
-Sean
Click to expand...

my middle finger using an open bridge... curls up and under... I have the pressure you mention on all my other fingers...but my middle finger doesn't have a job... so it simply curls under.....

I played around with it today... and putting a deliberate twitch into my finger was felt the entire length of my forearm.. and was all around distracting and uncomfortable.... and I couldn't shoot for shit that way either....


it must be involuntary.. because doing it on purpose is a waste of time LOL;):thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Cant get enough of Ronnie's genius. That was like pointing to the outfield then hitting a home run where he pointed. Genius.
 
Ronnie would embarass everyone on a pool table at any game within a few months if he took it seriously, not even close

make that carom too

guys like Appleton, Peach and Drago win majors, do the math...
 
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