Of late I seem to have picked up some bad habits. So much so that it seems to have completely altered my stroke. So when I got a call from my old intructor today saying he was in my neck of the woods and wanted to knock a few balls in on the snooker table I jumped at the chance.
Long story short he picked up on 3 key things that had gone astray;
Timing of my stroke
Thought process
Grip + wrist
The timing of my stroke was something I was aware of completely but never did anything about it. I'd lost the 'pause phase' in my stroke which before was at the CB then a longer pause at the end of my backstroke. Lately its been non existent and I had forgot the benefit of having a pause. It helps massively with the timing, so applying spin, up, down, left and right becomes easier because it forces you to accelerate through the CB. Secondly he noticed these "big old back swings" as he put it. Feathering the CB should be just that he said; soft and gentle to ensure you are lining up on the CB where you want. With bigger back strokes the tip goes away from the CB so you get less time looking at where its lined up on the ball.
Thought process - this was something I wasn't aware of at all. Its a result of playing lots of pool and not enough snooker. I was thinking and planning ahead like a 9 ball player would and regularly went all around the snooker table to gain position on either baulk colours or blue, and even the pink at one stage. Even though I could do it, he couldn't emphasise enough trying to limit CB movement. He said if I run out of posistion then settle for the colour that involves the least CB movement and ensure you get good on that, and then get back into shape from there. Points difference between yellow and pink is 4 points, so it won't lose you the frame settling for the yellow but trying to go 4 or 5 cushions will. Something that in pool, especially rotation is a must sometimes and 3 rails positional shots are the norm. I think this can transfer into my pool game too. Make sure I get the right angle with limited CB travel than trying to go all Efren on the layout. Take a longer shot with the right angle than getting closer and not having the right angle.
Grip + wrist - I've adopted a a rather "wristy" back hand because of having to juice the CB in pool. But because of bringing the pause and bettering the timing of my stroke I shouldn't need to have a lot of wrist movement. I went back to a snooker style grip with my wrist cocked towards the CB. Very much like the 'hammer' CJ employs. It felt more comfortable since I've used this for 10+ years in snooker so it wasn't an effort to go back to it.
I couldn't wait to try this out oat home on my table so as soon as I got in I took on the 10 ball ghost. Ghost didn't stand a chance. I won 15-2. Not dealt that kind of punishment out in a while. So yeah, I thought I'd post my days events in the hope it helps a player or two out.
Long story short he picked up on 3 key things that had gone astray;
Timing of my stroke
Thought process
Grip + wrist
The timing of my stroke was something I was aware of completely but never did anything about it. I'd lost the 'pause phase' in my stroke which before was at the CB then a longer pause at the end of my backstroke. Lately its been non existent and I had forgot the benefit of having a pause. It helps massively with the timing, so applying spin, up, down, left and right becomes easier because it forces you to accelerate through the CB. Secondly he noticed these "big old back swings" as he put it. Feathering the CB should be just that he said; soft and gentle to ensure you are lining up on the CB where you want. With bigger back strokes the tip goes away from the CB so you get less time looking at where its lined up on the ball.
Thought process - this was something I wasn't aware of at all. Its a result of playing lots of pool and not enough snooker. I was thinking and planning ahead like a 9 ball player would and regularly went all around the snooker table to gain position on either baulk colours or blue, and even the pink at one stage. Even though I could do it, he couldn't emphasise enough trying to limit CB movement. He said if I run out of posistion then settle for the colour that involves the least CB movement and ensure you get good on that, and then get back into shape from there. Points difference between yellow and pink is 4 points, so it won't lose you the frame settling for the yellow but trying to go 4 or 5 cushions will. Something that in pool, especially rotation is a must sometimes and 3 rails positional shots are the norm. I think this can transfer into my pool game too. Make sure I get the right angle with limited CB travel than trying to go all Efren on the layout. Take a longer shot with the right angle than getting closer and not having the right angle.
Grip + wrist - I've adopted a a rather "wristy" back hand because of having to juice the CB in pool. But because of bringing the pause and bettering the timing of my stroke I shouldn't need to have a lot of wrist movement. I went back to a snooker style grip with my wrist cocked towards the CB. Very much like the 'hammer' CJ employs. It felt more comfortable since I've used this for 10+ years in snooker so it wasn't an effort to go back to it.
I couldn't wait to try this out oat home on my table so as soon as I got in I took on the 10 ball ghost. Ghost didn't stand a chance. I won 15-2. Not dealt that kind of punishment out in a while. So yeah, I thought I'd post my days events in the hope it helps a player or two out.
)
:sorry:
