Pre shot routine

[Snookclops]

Hi,

I have heard a lot about pre-shot routines. Is there a thread on this as I am not sure how to create one.

I guess I just stand above and move my head about a bit to get a feel for the angle.

Then I just settle into what I feel is the line dropping head down, pause, feather and strike.

How do you use one? Do you consciously think of it? Do you repeat words to remember things?

Could anyone give me an example?

I feel like making a mechanical process could negatively impact the flow of potting.

Obviously if the consensus is that a PSR is essential, I will devote hours to it but obviously don't want to dial in a bad process.

One thing I know from experience is that over feathering and timidly waiting for the shot ruins everything.

Thoughts?

[culraven]

You could try these 2 threads.
http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...t=Walking+shot http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...t=Walking+shot

[MrRottweiler]

I think a mechanical approach is good provided your technique and sighting are sound. I always breath in as I get down on the table and slowly let it out of my nose while I feather and strike. The idea is that it causes less movement during the critical part so that has become a habit. Something else I always do is rest a finger on a small dent on the butt of my cue so I know it's facing the right way before I get down on the shot. I don't like getting down on the shot and then twisting the cue because it causes the butt hand to move from side to side wrecking the line of the shot I had just set up. I like to know it's facing the right way up before I bend down so I can keep everything as still as possible when I'm down on the shot. I never have a set number of feathering eather and just play it by ear. I don't like to over think a shot so the feathering is usually about about 3-5. Just enough time to make sure I'm hitting the right part of the cueball. A pause is also important for being consistent but has always been a weak part of my game.

[Snookclops]

You could try these 2 threads.
http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...t=Walking+shot http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...t=Walking+shot

Thanks but it doesn't quite nail it

[vmax4steve]

As you stand behind the shot look at the cue ball, then look at and focus on the contact point on the object ball, this puts it into your short term memory, don't continue until you see it clearly.
Take a quick glance at the cue ball before placing right foot, look back at the object ball as your right foot is moving into place, keep your focus on the object ball when placing left foot, once again finding contact point of object ball as you lower yourself down into your stance, when about halfway down look at cue ball and address tip to the centre of it , look up again at contact point on object ball when right down and if all looks and feels right then you're on the line of aim.
If left handed reverse the placing of feet.

Mechanical indeed but it's what I do naturally, and when my form dips I deliberate this. It may not work entirely for you as it does for me, but there are actions within this routine that allow your eyes to get your cue on the line of aim. You need to find your own routine, and this is but a guide, but where you look at certain times in your routine allow your eyes to get you on the line of aim, you must look at the right target at the right times, if you lapse in this you won't find yourself on the line of aim and no matter how straight your cue action is you will cue across the cue ball and miss.

Remember that your eyes tell your brain what your intentions are, without that information your brain can't put your hands, limbs and body into place, all you have to do is remember to look, that's what concentration is all about.
But don't stare until you go glassy eyed, these looks are quick little glances once the contact point on the object ball has been found when stood behind the shot because it's that first prolonged initial focus that puts it into your short term memory, the other little glances are reminders as your body moves into place.

Look at all the top pros and they also have a mechanical pre shot routine, it's hardly noticeable because they have been doing it the same for so long that it's now natural for them.