Wider Stance

[tedisbill]

So what is the point of this thread again?

[itsnoteasy]

How do you play if you are uncomfortable? I have a bad back and it makes me miss becuse I am uncomfortable on the shot some days I certainly wouldn't chose a stance that wasn't solid or comfortable.

[Big Splash!]

How do you play if you are uncomfortable? I have a bad back and it makes me miss becuse I am uncomfortable on the shot some days I certainly wouldn't chose a stance that wasn't solid or comfortable.

After a few hours, the joints feel it, aching. I forced myself to play this way as I believed in it. It's solid, but it's never felt natural, even if it does now feel automatic (no thinking about it required). I liked your golf story; wisdom in there.

[itsnoteasy]

I dont know how old you are Splasher but I wouldn't store up trouble for the future, if your younger, I would find something that's comfortable.

[tedisbill]

I dont know how old you are Splasher but I wouldn't store up trouble for the future, if your younger, I would find something that's comfortable.

Should there be two 'HARD's in your signature it'snot?

[Big Splash!]

I dont know how old you are Splasher but I wouldn't store up trouble for the future, if your younger, I would find something that's comfortable.

Good point.
Well, I'm no spring chick and that's partly how the topic arose I guess. Yeah, I don't need arthritis in knees and hips. One ankle already gets sore (not snooker related, Wing Chun/TKD). Definitely gonna go and do some work on Sunday and try the wider boxer stance again. Don't need achey.

Off to bed now, I've had me whisky. So I won't be canning or burning my cue after all. Thanks guys.

[itsnoteasy]

Should there be two 'HARD's in your signature it'snot?

It's a quote form Jim Watt the boxing commentator ( don't think he was the first to say it), I think it's scans right, doesn't it say, if your talented but muck around, your talent won't be enough and folk less talented but who work hard will beat you, I'm thinking Ronnie and Selby( not a good one as Ronnie works really hard but you get my drift). Do you think the second hard shouldn't be there Ted?
Splasher , I don't think you need a boxers stance , unless you want one,I have recently got more square on to the shot after some advice, although I still have to be carefull or my right leg creeps forward lol., (it has helped my sighting being left eyed and left handed, my "good eye " is more presented to the ball now rather than being at the back when I had a boxers stance, ( that could be utter rubbish but that's how it feels)but I just turn my foot out a bit so the line runs Kind of through my foot and not along it, if you know what I mean, takes all the pressure off the joints.

[tedisbill]

It's a quote form Jim Watt the boxing commentator ( don't think he was the first to say it), I think it's scans right, doesn't it say, if your talented but muck around, your talent won't be enough and folk less talented but who work hard will beat you, I'm thinking Ronnie and Selby( not a good one as Ronnie works really hard but you get my drift). Do you think the second hard shouldn't be there Ted?

Yeah it's a nice quote, I like it. I was reading it wrong in my head. Ha!

[Terry Davidson]

Thankyou all.

I must make a confession. I read what Mr. Davidson said on the forum some years ago about this topic and took it to heart against the judgement of two coaches and many friends and there are probably five maxi makers in that group. The pros; better CB control from shorter cueing that goes with foot in line. Better breaks. Worse long potting. Uncomfortable on the knees and hips. Has never felt natural or enjoyable standing this way. And that's how the topic got raised on the dog and bone started today, uncomfort playing sometimes as a passing comment if you will. Not meant as a pre-cursor to a full discussion of technique.

There are different ways of playing and we each hope to choose something that is best for us, knowing that no one way is the only way. I have learnt a lot more about the game than I would have because I've taken myself out the comfort zone and accepted a challenge. When the stance changes, most things change with it, so it's a huge adjustment and I'd warn folk to think carefully if they contemplate such a thing. Time for a cider me thinks.

I hope I NEVER advocated having the feet pointing down the line of the shot. I thought I've always advocated pointing BOTH feet outwards a bit but keeping the straight-leg foot on the line of aim, somewhere on the arch of the foot or the laces.

Pointing the feet down the line of the shot may artificially add to stability but it's not necessary and worse than that puts a strain on the ankle and knee joints, which younger players can get away with I suppose (teenagers I'm talking about here) but anyone over 25-30 should NEVER point the feet along the line of the shot.

Big Splash, if you have found a post of mine that says point the feet along the line of the shot please let me know where it is and I'll edit the crap out of it.

[Terry Davidson]

Good point.
Well, I'm no spring chick and that's partly how the topic arose I guess. Yeah, I don't need arthritis in knees and hips. One ankle already gets sore (not snooker related, Wing Chun/TKD). Definitely gonna go and do some work on Sunday and try the wider boxer stance again. Don't need achey.

Off to bed now, I've had me whisky. So I won't be canning or burning my cue after all. Thanks guys.

In addition, I use a stance which is mostly open but with the left foot slightly ahead of the right (right-handed) with both feet turnout outwards and I'm 71yrs old now and have never had any problems with ankles, knees and hips. Just a shame I had to get so f****ing old (that's FREAKING by the way).

[itsnoteasy]

You back playing yet Terry?
I can't ever remember you saying feet down the line.

[Terry Davidson]

Having the odd practice frame and line-up but I just came off that strong chemotherapy drug and have switched to a maintenance drug and am feeling better so I might get some more practice in. I don't know if I'll have the stamina to play in our tournaments since on the Saturday we usually play from 10am until 9pm or so if you keep winning and that might be too much.

I hope I never advocated having the feet aligned with the line of aim because I've never played that way and when I did experiment with it I could feel the strain on the ankles and knees

[itsnoteasy]

Jeez Terry I didn't realise you were that unwell, I am so happy you are on the mend, take it easy.
I have tried the foot down the line and as you say straight away I could feel it on the knee and ankle IIRC , I just knew that wasn't for me ,i think I tried it after watching John Higgins as he seems to have both feet pointing down the line but it looks a bit awkward to me.

[Terry Davidson]

I was in bad shape end of December and when I saw the Doc in early January she immediately admitted me to hospital. Was out in 6 days and on very strong meds and had no energy at all. Started with a very strong steroid, Prednisone, and then 3 months later switched to a chemotherapy drug for 5 months, cyclophosphimide. (Not sure of spelling).

Just got taken off that last Wednesday and have switched to a less stronger maintenance drug but I sustained nerve damage to both my lower legs and feet so am also on another drug to relieve that but nerves take up to a year to heal. Standing for any length of time or practicing makes my feet pretty sore so I don't do a lot of it, although I have been able to do the treadmill every day for awhile now, but no marathons!

Of course, after the fact, the specialist told me if I had not gone into hospital in January I would have been dead a month later. Scared the crap out of me. The other problem is that I've never had any medical problems before and have never been hospitalized for anything except hernia surgery when I was in my 20's. I couldn't believe it was that serious but they said this problem takes a year to build up and I thought my lack of stamina was just due to old age and figured there was nothing wrong with me outside of the usual ailments. Taking the Prednisone gave me high blood sugar so I also had to go on insulin injections but am off that now and blood sugar is about normal for my age (lower 7 - high 6 range).

[DeanH]

Wider Stance

TD - glad you are up and about and back on TSF