Getting back into the game

[Frank_am]

I have decided to get back into snooker. I haven't played for 20 years but was a decent player in my younger days. Highest break was 135 with numerous century breaks. I am 55 now and I am having trouble getting into my old set up with my chin resting on the cue. When I get my chin on the cue it isn't comfortable abs I have trouble sighting the CB and OB. I know I need to get in better shape but are there any other tips to help me out. HELP

[the lone wolf]

Age is a b!tch and there's nothing we can do about it.
Perhaps you can start doing light stretching to get back into shape. Loosen up your spine and neck...
This will help you with chin on the cue.

[Frank_am]

Will start light stretching thx.

[lennon11]

A wider leg set up or even a more bent leg will enable you to get a little lower to the table without too much effort.

[two-cues]

I have decided to get back into snooker. I haven't played for 20 years but was a decent player in my younger days. Highest break was 135 with numerous century breaks. I am 55 now and I am having trouble getting into my old set up with my chin resting on the cue. When I get my chin on the cue it isn't comfortable abs I have trouble sighting the CB and OB. I know I need to get in better shape but are there any other tips to help me out. HELP

I am in exactly the same position although my best wasn't nothing like yours, but did win a trophy for the highest break in the league one year

First time I tried to play again I thought it would be nothing special but give it a little while and bang, back to where it was - no such luck, as you I couldn't quite cue up as I used to.

Going to give the above advice a go I think.

[Shockerz]

When I started again I had a bit of back trouble and I couldn't get down far enough as hamstrings wouldn't have it.

I visited the chiropractor, did some stretches and the muscles get stretch enough if you work on them a bit (I am 53 ).

I stretch very well now and can easily get into the right position.

I'd practice stretches if I were you and when you are comfortable I'm sure those breaks will return. I leave a cue near out dining room table and when passing practiced until comfortable.

[Frank_am]

I played today, very humbling. I forgot how difficult this game can be. I enjoyed it even though it was frustrating. Hopefully once I get stretched out it will improve. No expectations......

[dcrackers147]

a lot of guys who "used to be good" and leave the game alone for such a long time rarely return for long due to the pure frustration of not being able to do what they used to. If I were you I'd go for some solo practice a couple times a week for a month maybe. You can't forget how to play as your brain hasn't forgotten all those hours you put in, you just need reminding. Solo routines to get you cueing and comfortable with the basic positional shots again may help your confidence and game return.

[Terry Davidson]

a lot of guys who "used to be good" and leave the game alone for such a long time rarely return for long due to the pure frustration of not being able to do what they used to. If I were you I'd go for some solo practice a couple times a week for a month maybe. You can't forget how to play as your brain hasn't forgotten all those hours you put in, you just need reminding. Solo routines to get you cueing and comfortable with the basic positional shots again may help your confidence and game return.

Frank:

This advice along with the stretching is great. I gave the game up for 10 years when in my 50's and have never returned to where I was in my early 40's. I again had to stop playing for a year due to medical reasons and have just gotten back to practicing and it's very slowly coming back. I just discovered during solo practice something in my set-up that I had completely forgotten and once I started again with it I noticed an immediate improvement.

Since I am a coach I would also add to my recommendations above to go see a coach for a few lessons just to make sure you are re-starting with a good basic technique, which is much easier to build on.

[Cue crafty]

I played today, very humbling. I forgot how difficult this game can be. I enjoyed it even though it was frustrating. Hopefully once I get stretched out it will improve. No expectations......

I have a similar story Frank, I found solo practice very useful to get back the feeling. Its a stretching work out in itself as you are probably playing 4 times the amount of shots in the same period of time. It speeds up the process of finding your game.
I've got my chin back down on the cue again now, took about 8 months to get there! I think its a combination of the body getting used to the position again and slightly wider stance helps too.

[two-cues]

Well I played yesterday - the first time in a snooker hall for maybe 25/30 years. It was almost like I had never played before tbh missing balls that were only 12'' or 18'' from the pocket. Started to get a little better after a bit and three times had 6 ball breaks, all of them being two blacks and a blue

It was a bit easier to get more down on the cue by the end and did manage to pot a few nice balls eventually, not a total write off so going to have a few more goes to see how I progress.

A plus was seeing two pro's practising (Frames Coulsdon) it was nice to see the game being played properly