Can't get through the lineup - tips and ideas

[lesedwards]

Having re-read the comments, now see that you have some issues with your bridge arm and hand which is a shame. I think a modified stance could be adopted. The traditional square stance may not work for you given your mechanical limitations. I'm sure Terry can provide more qualified expertise in this area so that your cue is down, your head is down, and your cue is near parallel, and nothing hurts.

He has been always been able to help in the past but with in a couple days my table destroys everything I had going for me. I was watching Steve Davis match today and there corner pockets have to be touch bigger but the sides they are huge next to mine. I seen Steve pound a couple in from a very slight angle where if he was on my table he would barley have an angle to roll it in dead weight.

[thelongbomber]

Having re-read the comments, now see that you have some issues with your bridge arm and hand which is a shame. I think a modified stance could be adopted. The traditional square stance may not work for you given your mechanical limitations. I'm sure Terry can provide more qualified expertise in this area so that your cue is down, your head is down, and your cue is near parallel, and nothing hurts.

[lesedwards]

Les, I also watched your videos. Much has been discussed about what you're NOT doing right and it's all very good advice. Don't get upset. The more you frustrate yourself, the more you will bring that nervous energy and tension to the table and that energy in your mind and your thoughts will manifest itself into your cue action.

Cue action is meant to be a fluid, natural action. It's not meant to be littered with constant thoughts about how to strike, where to strike, where to stand. Once you execute the final back and front swing, you should only have one or two thoughts - where is the cue ball going and will I make this shot. You need to be comfortable in so much as that comfort allows you to get into the right position behind the line of aim and over your cue, but sometimes, comfort doesn't always create a quality stance and cue action.

From my perspective, what I saw as a consistent issue was how you seemed "crouched" up into your shot. That is, your bridge arm was bent, and I would venture to guess as well that your bridge arm shoulder would probably hurt if you stretched it out further. I wonder why your bridge arm shoulder isn't stretched out further and why your head isn't more "buried" into your shoulder as well. You also seem to have your head well above the cue.

Anyways, all of this "cramping" up of your overall position on the table, has some fairly significant side effects. Firstly, it may take your aim "offline" and thus cause you to miss and get more frustrated. It also could be causing your overall cue action to look jabby, instead of smooth. Nearly all pro-level snooker players have their bridge armed stretched out (Cliff being the exception in that he has a bent bridge arm quite often) so that their shoulder can be fully stretched and their head and cueing hand come correctly into the line of aim. I'm not saying you are NOT on line of aim, just that you could be. One indicator that told me something was off was that your bridge hand was turned sideways as well vs the more traditional straight hand that points towards the line of aim.

I'm sure Terry has picked up on this and may have tried to discover the flaw and provide workarounds. If you have trouble stretching your bridge shoulder perhaps some stretching techniques can be implemented?

I have found as well, for myself, that I'm starting to stand more sideways into my shots now as my lower back, torso, and shoulder don't stretch out like they once did.

I firmly believe that if you work on your stance, and body placement, that your cue action and aiming will work itself out.

Anyways, that's just what I saw on a quick review.

I don't have the remedy for you completely and would love to come out and help you work on this, but you would have to buy the ticket

Thanks for the input but you must have missed my note on the original post. I had my elbow smashed when I was 4 years of age and I only have about 15 degrees movement. That's why I look so strange and the reason for my 56" cues. I have my head down as low as I can get it. Some shots if awkward bridging occurs my chin can be as much as a foot above the cue. Give me some bigger pockets and I will master the game on my own. I was told once that there was no way I would be any good at golf because of my arm but I had a real love for the game same as I have for Snooker, I started at 11 and by the time I was 21 I was playing Prifessional Golf on the Canadian Tour. You should see me over the ball with a driver in my hand....LOL look like a real hack standing there with my right shoulder all crunched over just so I can get my right hand on the club.

[thelongbomber]

Les, I also watched your videos. Much has been discussed about what you're NOT doing right and it's all very good advice. Don't get upset. The more you frustrate yourself, the more you will bring that nervous energy and tension to the table and that energy in your mind and your thoughts will manifest itself into your cue action.

Cue action is meant to be a fluid, natural action. It's not meant to be littered with constant thoughts about how to strike, where to strike, where to stand. Once you execute the final back and front swing, you should only have one or two thoughts - where is the cue ball going and will I make this shot. You need to be comfortable in so much as that comfort allows you to get into the right position behind the line of aim and over your cue, but sometimes, comfort doesn't always create a quality stance and cue action.

From my perspective, what I saw as a consistent issue was how you seemed "crouched" up into your shot. That is, your bridge arm was bent, and I would venture to guess as well that your bridge arm shoulder would probably hurt if you stretched it out further. I wonder why your bridge arm shoulder isn't stretched out further and why your head isn't more "buried" into your shoulder as well. You also seem to have your head well above the cue.

Anyways, all of this "cramping" up of your overall position on the table, has some fairly significant side effects. Firstly, it may take your aim "offline" and thus cause you to miss and get more frustrated. It also could be causing your overall cue action to look jabby, instead of smooth. Nearly all pro-level snooker players have their bridge armed stretched out (Cliff being the exception in that he has a bent bridge arm quite often) so that their shoulder can be fully stretched and their head and cueing hand come correctly into the line of aim. I'm not saying you are NOT on line of aim, just that you could be. One indicator that told me something was off was that your bridge hand was turned sideways as well vs the more traditional straight hand that points towards the line of aim.

I'm sure Terry has picked up on this and may have tried to discover the flaw and provide workarounds. If you have trouble stretching your bridge shoulder perhaps some stretching techniques can be implemented?

I have found as well, for myself, that I'm starting to stand more sideways into my shots now as my lower back, torso, and shoulder don't stretch out like they once did.

I firmly believe that if you work on your stance, and body placement, that your cue action and aiming will work itself out.

Anyways, that's just what I saw on a quick review.

I don't have the remedy for you completely and would love to come out and help you work on this, but you would have to buy the ticket

[thelongbomber]

It's in general chat lobby the thread is called sub five min 147
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152088013018723

WOW. Very impressive!

[itsnoteasy]

It's in general chat lobby the thread is called sub five min 147
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152088013018723

[lesedwards]

Have you had a watch of the lad making the 147 in general chat, he's not even trying, it makes you sick lol.

No I did no see it. I know even watching Floyd it is amazing how a real good player can pot balls from anywhere. On his route to his 68 yesterday I had left him right on the rail with basically nothing to really shoot at. He rolls one in from out of the blue and the way he goes. It is amazing how these guys can drop down on the line correct and pot everything. Is there a link for the 147

[itsnoteasy]

Have you had a watch of the lad making the 147 in general chat, he's not even trying, it makes you sick lol.

[lesedwards]

Sorry if I came across harsh there Les, I do hope opening up the pockets gives you that peace of mind to concentrate on your game and in six months time you can stick up a video of you clearing the line up and I will be the first to congratulate you, best of luck.

Thanks. Not sure if I will put up anymore videos.....

[itsnoteasy]

Sorry if I came across harsh there Les, I do hope opening up the pockets gives you that peace of mind to concentrate on your game and in six months time you can stick up a video of you clearing the line up and I will be the first to congratulate you, best of luck.

[lesedwards]

It isn't about ripping you appart but what do you want ? Do you think being told you will be fine it's just practice you need, is helping you in the slightest?, it's just as frustrating for us to watch you lol, you go to Terry's he sorts you out, you were cueing nicely in the last videos about the grip, then back to this, I can feel the tension in your stroke and grip and I'm thousands of miles away , some things you say I find confusing like your not trying for position at all, well why are there other balls on the table and why are you trying to do little line ups if you have no interest in playing position, it doesn't make sense to me . Honestly Les ask Terry and see what he says, he's the one that knows what he's talking about, if he says your doing even three out of six or seven basics right I will take it all back and wish you all the best, but IMO you could have six inch pockets and with your technique you could still miss your fair share, I'm not saying your table isn't too tight as I agree with you unless I have played on it I can't understand how it plays, but if great players are saying it's too tight then I will take it as so, so open the table up a bit ,but I wouldn't go too far as this could be detrimental to your game as well as it could make you lazy.

Yes I agree I was cueing very well after a lesson with Terry which has happened every time I go to see him, last time I was up there I was potting long pots right in the back of the pocket confidence was soaring and after a couple hours the next day my confidence was gone and what Terry coached me was no longer working and I am onto something else. I go from one thing to the next looking for as Terry calls it the Majic fix but really the fix is a table fitter. You cannot play for a year steady with a couple hours of practicing a night and be worse then when you started unless something is really holding you back. I really do not want to argue with any of you over my game. I just enjoy friendly conversation......

[lesedwards]

How many times am I going to read this 'pros have it easy' bull****.

Those Star tables are pretty God Damn tight! The pros do NOT have it easy, they're just that ****ing good

I am not saying there easy I am saying they are easier then my table. If I cut a black in and even graze the near cushion it will not go in. Terry was down and played on my table and his high break was mid 20's, I have played with him on his table where he has ran 80's. Okay enough on my tight table. I need to get it opened up and I will go from there.

[pottr]

Can't get through the lineup - tips and ideas

How many times am I going to read this 'pros have it easy' bull****.

Those Star tables are pretty God Damn tight! The pros do NOT have it easy, they're just that ****ing good

[itsnoteasy]

It isn't about ripping you appart but what do you want ? Do you think being told you will be fine it's just practice you need, is helping you in the slightest?, it's just as frustrating for us to watch you lol, you go to Terry's he sorts you out, you were cueing nicely in the last videos about the grip, then back to this, I can feel the tension in your stroke and grip and I'm thousands of miles away , some things you say I find confusing like your not trying for position at all, well why are there other balls on the table and why are you trying to do little line ups if you have no interest in playing position, it doesn't make sense to me . Honestly Les ask Terry and see what he says, he's the one that knows what he's talking about, if he says your doing even three out of six or seven basics right I will take it all back and wish you all the best, but IMO you could have six inch pockets and with your technique you could still miss your fair share, I'm not saying your table isn't too tight as I agree with you unless I have played on it I can't understand how it plays, but if great players are saying it's too tight then I will take it as so, so open the table up a bit ,but I wouldn't go too far as this could be detrimental to your game as well as it could make you lazy.

[lesedwards]

I don't see anything to be confident about, tell you what Les private message Terry so it doesn't become a slanging match and he can be brutally honest and get him to tell you one thing you are doing right out of the say six or seven fundamental basics, and either pm me what he says or put it up here as I know you like it on the forums(with Terry's permission) I will be surprised if he can come up with more than one.

LOL Do you actually think I am doing anything right... Everyone today has ripped me apart. Give me some bigger pockets and I will master this game one way or another. With my arm the way it is my golf swing is not even close to what you would call text book perfect but I made it work.