Practice..on your own or with a partner?

[Adam Goodwin]

I play in my local Derbyshire league and am starting to take the game more and more seriously as i improve, i have a table at my disposal and was wondering for any of you experianced players, is it bettter to play with a practice partner or do practice drills by yourself?

[cueman]

I'd say a bit of both. Obviously if you want to improve then you need to work on potting and positional play, this you can only learn through solo practice, particularly excersises such as the line up or working on medium and long distance potting etc.

If you can find an opponent who is better than you that will also aid your game as it gives you a target to try and get to that level, also it helps to learn from a better player.

[The Statman]

It was interesting to hear John Virgo in commentary during the World CHampionship, talking about how Stephen Hendry does hours of solo practice with his iPod on (and presumably some clothes as well). He said that he could never practise alone and always played with someone.

I guess it's all down to the individual. I find I have zero discipline if I am on my own – if I'm playing OK I'll go for lots of shots without thinking of the context if it were a real game (which, after all, is what you're practising for), whereas if I'm playing rubbish I'll just bash the balls about frustratedly! Either way, it does me no good at all.

But I know plenty of people who can practise alone for hours on end, doing the line-up or whatever, without the slightest hint of indiscipline.

[Blondie]

I play in my local Derbyshire league and am starting to take the game more and more seriously as i improve, i have a table at my disposal and was wondering for any of you experianced players, is it bettter to play with a practice partner or do practice drills by yourself?

Hi Adam,

...........and not too sure if I should be answering this as I'm no way 'an experienced player' like Cue and Stat, although find it helpful to practice with a friend, then at least you've got someone to compare yourself to. [Mind you, that usually ends up with a lot of banter, and maybe not that focussed.]

If you'd like to improve though, probably best for some solo practice, and everyone has there own time limit, mine is a couple of hours, and that's on a good day.

Lol....xx

[berolina]

...talking about how Stephen Hendry does hours of solo practice with his iPod on

I wonder what he might be listening to... Snooker Loopy?

(and presumably some clothes as well).

could be...

[Lee Vilenski]

He wouldn't do it starkus! The cue would stick!


- Personally, I like someone to play againsed, but normally I don't have anyone.

[Cessy143]

Def bit of both.

Practice on your own - do various routines, fine tuning etc

And practice with partner, proper match snooker. (partner must be of same standard, if not better).

[Lee Vilenski]

I always liked practicing Long Pots. Mainly because thats my strong point. And, it gives you an idea of how well your Cuing

[hegeland]

Yeah, as some have already said, a bit of both should be best for most people.

Solo when you need to work on something particular, or when you got a fault in your technique. With a high discipline, solo practise can be very good for your game. Make sure you videotape yourself a few times, does miracles with your game.

For practising safety and tactial aspects, practise with someone better than yourself if possible, I'm blessed with a couple of older guys who are much better than myself and tell me bits of advice as we play.

[Semih_Sayginer]

limited practice on your own until youre of a very good standard, otherwise you could be repeating the same mistakes

play against players at least as good as you, and some better, and always take on board their advice, to at least try out......

when you think youre at a good standard and can iron out mistakes you know you are making, then practice a bit more on your own......but still play most of the time against others (who are as good or better than you, even after improvement)