The Art of Break Building rather then nonsense of Safety Play

[lesedwards]

Here we go carried on from where Tedsbill left off.

What's going on then, Les? You been putting lots of hours in and just struggling?

Yes that's it exactly.... But I play tough as I was told by my opponents. One thing great players hate is the Black n Pink tight on the bulk cushion. Last weekend I ran a 64 player Round Robin with two advancing from each of the eight groups to this weekends Ontario Championships. I won games off of four players in my group that are capable of running centuries. In fact one represented Canada at the Worlds last year. Good players get frustrated when the colours are all screwed up. My high break for the weekend was 19 but yet I won four frames. I lost all the first frames against the guys I beat trying to play normal snooker. The one ran an 89 on me and one ran a 68 so the second games the tactics changed.

I hate to play this way as I want to be that guy that runs 50' & 60's at the drop of a hat.

[markz]

One thing for certain Les is your not going to be the guy running 50s and 60s by putting the pink and black on the baulk cushion. That sort of play might keep you a little more competitive in your tournaments but it's not going to improve you as a player. You would be better off watching the good players in the tournament and asking their advice about your game. Practice to improve and play to improve. Doesn't matter about winning the odd frame when your out of your depth in these competitions.

[itsnoteasy]

We all want to be that guy as well Les, but I know I won't and can't do it with the blue pink and black in the baulk end or on cushions
It can't be any fun for you when you do get a chance and it's a red and that's it because the tables a mess.
Sorry took that long typing and typed the same answer lol. I like the thread title though.

[Tommykiid]

The Art of Break Building rather then nonsense of Safety Play

a lad I play always ties up the colours just voids all my practice it's head wrecking

[itsnoteasy]

There are a couple of players in our club like that , they play every frame like its a crucible final , if they ask for a game I will only play them if we play highest break wins the frame, no scores just who ever makes the the highest break wins the frame, it forces them to play a bit more aggressive .

[Tommykiid]

The Art of Break Building rather then nonsense of Safety Play

that's a pretty good idea

[lesedwards]

One thing for certain Les is your not going to be the guy running 50s and 60s by putting the pink and black on the baulk cushion. That sort of play might keep you a little more competitive in your tournaments but it's not going to improve you as a player. You would be better off watching the good players in the tournament and asking their advice about your game. Practice to improve and play to improve. Doesn't matter about winning the odd frame when your out of your depth in these competitions.

Terry emailed me a few minutes ago and told me maybe I would be better to start playing frames against myself and every time I get the colours out of whack pick them up and put them back on their spot. Forget about playing safe against myself just start potting balls. My problem is I can practice till the cows come home but nothing takes the place of a few good frames a week and that just does not happen living in my location.

[itsnoteasy]

what kind of breaks do you make during practice Les, not your highest but if given a reasonably open position what would you expect to score?

[markz]

Terry emailed me a few minutes ago and told me maybe I would be better to start playing frames against myself and every time I get the colours out of whack pick them up and put them back on their spot. Forget about playing safe against myself just start potting balls. My problem is I can practice till the cows come home but nothing takes the place of a few good frames a week and that just does not happen living in my location.

I know plenty of players that think like you Les. They would rather play frames against each other every day just knocking balls around the table and never learning anything about the game. You get consistent at this game through your practice, when you realise this you might start thinking like a player that can knock in the 50 and 60s. Start enjoying the game, have a laugh, forget about competition. If you can't do it in practice you won't do it in a friendly game and definately not at a tournament.

[lesedwards]

what kind of breaks do you make during practice Les, not your highest but if given a reasonably open position what would you expect to score?

I really have not played many frames against myself but I would think some where in the mid 20's

I know plenty of players that think like you Les. They would rather play frames against each other every day just knocking balls around the table and never learning anything about the game. You get consistent at this game through your practice, when you realise this you might start thinking like a player that can knock in the 50 and 60s. Start enjoying the game, have a laugh, forget about competition. If you can't do it in practice you won't do it in a friendly game and definately not at a tournament.

Ted I put numerous hours into running these tournaments for two reason, one to promote the game of Snooker in our province and the other because it is the only chance I get to play a real game. I really do enjoy the myself and maybe that's the problem. To me it is a friendly game and maybe I don't concentrate enough on what I am doing other then trying to get Snookers. The rest of the time is spent on my match table with my Challenge routine book laid out practising. If I give up playing in the tournaments then I will give it up completely. Nic Barrow told me you should spend the same amount if hours playing other players as you do practicing. So if I spend 10 hours a week practicing you should spend the same time playing matches.

[markz]

Les, it doesn't matter what Nic Barrow says about doing the same hours a week in practice and games. You have not got the opportunity to do that so you got to do it another way.

[lesedwards]

Les, it doesn't matter what Nic Barrow says about doing the same hours a week in practice and games. You have not got the opportunity to do that so you got to do it another way.

Yes and that's why TD says to just keep playing matches against myself.,

[jonny66]

Some would say breakbuilding is the essence of the game, but it's not called breakbuilding, is it? I'm playing Devil's advocate a bit here, but you need to enjoy all aspects of the game, if someone wants a safety battle, give them a safety battle. Just accept the fact that you won't be making your highest break here, but you might play a brilliant safety shot, and make sure to play the miss rule if they want that kind of pish.

[tedisbill]

The player that can make 50-60 at the drop of a hat, is a pretty consistent century break player. Years of work right there, playing probably (at least) 3 hours a day, 4 times a week.

[Terry Davidson]

The player that can make 50-60 at the drop of a hat, is a pretty consistent century break player. Years of work right there, playing probably (at least) 3 hours a day, 4 times a week.

I'm going to agree with tedisbill here Les. You just cannot improve any aspect of snooker (or any other sport for that matter) unless you get a LOT of practice. Before I got sick I was putting in at least 4 hours per day, mostly by myself and I used to play matches against myself, practicing all aspects of the game.

And at that I was mostly staying about level and not really improving at all. When you were an awful lot younger and learning to play golf I bet you spent a lot of time on thecourse and the range but now that you're older you have to factor in the problem of not being able to learn as quickly as you could when you were 25 or so.

I know golf season is coming up, or already here in fact, but if you want to improve at snooker you are going to have to put in the hours.