I have been spending many sleepless nights watching the snooker championship live, that I have not been practicing much.
That Cope game and that Ding game was nice.
Davis played real bad, making Robertson play bad for a while.
It is very interesting to see how pressure can change a player's shot selection and the game in general. It is what I have been working on, and is nice to see live example of that happening to the top players of the game.
Marco played good, but it seemed that he is not cueing the long balls well. He seems to be punching everything in, and he cue ball feels dead. I am not sure if that is a good thing.
Ding was playing well in the beginning, then lost it, then got it back. Liang was playing real well, then failed to cross over the finish line.
Perry could not handle Cope, when he looked to be just awesome among the balls once he had a chance. I think that did something to Perry's confidences, that he seemed to lose his sharpness at the last part of the game. Cope was handling well, although I could tell he was nervous.
In today's snooker, if you cannot pot under pressure, you will not win against the top players. And it seems that a lot of players are letting the pressure got to them to the point of affecting their potting. Lots of balls were missed, black off the spot, and so on.
Pressure is something that only exists when you allow it to, it is like fearing the dark. It is created by the person and manifested by himself. It is like a monster one creates. It is easy to say this, but very difficult to handle it.
If you keep thinking about what could go wrong, and keep dwelling on the negative, you will keep getting more and more scare. But another person in the same situation might not feel that pressure at all if he does not think too much about it.
For me, I now practice thinking of my ability and telling myself I can pot these balls. I try to imagine I am in a game, but I still pot balls after balls, even though I am playing the perfect player.
It is a training of the mind, to not get scared afraid of missing and thinking too much of what would happen if I miss and so on.
My long potting is getting really well now, but my cut shot is still not consistent. I cannot really see that spot consistently still. But I will.
Going back to watching the championship. Peace out.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
not played for one week
Did not play for almost a week until Sat, played N and ran a 43. But lost the tournament, came third. Missed a few key shots and shapes.
Later on practiced with D, played alright but not consistent. Only won 2 games and he won like 4 or 5.
I have learned something very important though.
I have realized that when I played D I felt fear and I was afraid of missing and making mistakes. My heart almost stopped beating sometimes when I am at the table and I guess that is what you would call choke.
So, I have to stop the fear and play my game. When I am at the table, it is mine, and he cannot do anything to me, just do at the table what I know I can d in practice.
Also, i noticed that I am using this new aiming system and loser grip ad it is good and I am making more thin cuts but my thick shots are suffering and I might be too "all over the place" with my new stroke.
I went to practice on Sunday, and worked on keepin gmy rhythm like I used to, but to keep the grip a bit more relaxed yet firm. It felt much better.
I certainly need to keep training my eyes to see the angle at home, that aiming training board I made is very good, so I should not be lazy. I still cannot see half ball and the close fractions to half ball very clearly.
Also, the super fine cuts, and the just off straight pots, those are the troublesome ones.
Anyway, i love the cue, and the shorter length. My bridge is not as long now, and it feels just right.
Need to work on the right mentality with a more offensive mentality through practicing with better players.
Later on practiced with D, played alright but not consistent. Only won 2 games and he won like 4 or 5.
I have learned something very important though.
I have realized that when I played D I felt fear and I was afraid of missing and making mistakes. My heart almost stopped beating sometimes when I am at the table and I guess that is what you would call choke.
So, I have to stop the fear and play my game. When I am at the table, it is mine, and he cannot do anything to me, just do at the table what I know I can d in practice.
Also, i noticed that I am using this new aiming system and loser grip ad it is good and I am making more thin cuts but my thick shots are suffering and I might be too "all over the place" with my new stroke.
I went to practice on Sunday, and worked on keepin gmy rhythm like I used to, but to keep the grip a bit more relaxed yet firm. It felt much better.
I certainly need to keep training my eyes to see the angle at home, that aiming training board I made is very good, so I should not be lazy. I still cannot see half ball and the close fractions to half ball very clearly.
Also, the super fine cuts, and the just off straight pots, those are the troublesome ones.
Anyway, i love the cue, and the shorter length. My bridge is not as long now, and it feels just right.
Need to work on the right mentality with a more offensive mentality through practicing with better players.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Afraid of winning
I have been thinking a lot about the 9 ball I missed. To be honest, after I crossed bank the pink, which was a fluke, I did not expect t be so nicely on the black. The cue ball did not travel the way I expected so I got lucky on position as well. At the moment, I was looking at it, and said, "I dont deserve it, I might win this from here, but it is too good to be true."
I hate to admit it but that is what I had in my mind. Besides, I looked at the shot, and then I changed my mind to cut it a but thicker, because I have missed the shot too thin before.
It is all in the mind.
Afraid of winning; feeling guilty about my luck; not comfortable with my potting angle and did not bother to work it out; not believing that I could win.
I need to know that everyone can get lucky, but not everyone can capitalize on luck--it takes skill to do that.
Winning is what I strive for--losing sucks no matter how you try to rosy picture it.
I need to have the will to win, and have the confidence to execute this objective.
Memory can help greatly when it comes to potting under pressure, because if I am confortable and confident in my angle, that is one element off the equation.
To win takes gettign used to, so torunament is essential, especially winning them, which would give me a lot of confidence.
I hate to admit it but that is what I had in my mind. Besides, I looked at the shot, and then I changed my mind to cut it a but thicker, because I have missed the shot too thin before.
It is all in the mind.
Afraid of winning; feeling guilty about my luck; not comfortable with my potting angle and did not bother to work it out; not believing that I could win.
I need to know that everyone can get lucky, but not everyone can capitalize on luck--it takes skill to do that.
Winning is what I strive for--losing sucks no matter how you try to rosy picture it.
I need to have the will to win, and have the confidence to execute this objective.
Memory can help greatly when it comes to potting under pressure, because if I am confortable and confident in my angle, that is one element off the equation.
To win takes gettign used to, so torunament is essential, especially winning them, which would give me a lot of confidence.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
stroke
I went to practice for three hours. I dont know if it is the new cue or that I am more relaxed when I stroke, but I am playing very well now.
In my practice I did 12 reds, and then made a lot of long shots that I was having problem with before.
I am trying to hold the cue looser and stroke through the ball rather than punch it. Somehow it is feeling so good. I am very pleased.
In my practice I did 12 reds, and then made a lot of long shots that I was having problem with before.
I am trying to hold the cue looser and stroke through the ball rather than punch it. Somehow it is feeling so good. I am very pleased.
Monday, April 13, 2009
optimum performance
I did not have much time when i typed my last post. What I have found out is that I need to have a sort of confidence to go for the pots I know I would make, t have an offensive and aggressive mentality to cease an opportunity to win a frame when the opportunity presents itself, rather than just trying not to make mistake and afraid to miss.
Another thing is to keep my arms loose, but my mind alert, and focused. I very often do the opposite, keeping my body and arm too tight, and my mind totally unfocused.
Another thing is to be strong headed, which means to know what I want, and my objective, and do not let others change me or to feel bad about wanting what I want.
The guys at the club keep telling me to be less serious and so on, but they will never amount to anything in snooker so I need to filter out their comment. It is important to know that I shoudl be polite, but there is no need to accept any advice or accussation unless I am convinced they are right. No need to argue, but no need to le tthat bother me either.
I need to put in more hours to imprint the angles in my mind. I am so broke now I cannot afford to practice, but I need to figure out something.
I read they started at 9-10 am and practice till 6pm in the UK, with a lunch break. That is what I need to do.
Another thing is to keep my arms loose, but my mind alert, and focused. I very often do the opposite, keeping my body and arm too tight, and my mind totally unfocused.
Another thing is to be strong headed, which means to know what I want, and my objective, and do not let others change me or to feel bad about wanting what I want.
The guys at the club keep telling me to be less serious and so on, but they will never amount to anything in snooker so I need to filter out their comment. It is important to know that I shoudl be polite, but there is no need to accept any advice or accussation unless I am convinced they are right. No need to argue, but no need to le tthat bother me either.
I need to put in more hours to imprint the angles in my mind. I am so broke now I cannot afford to practice, but I need to figure out something.
I read they started at 9-10 am and practice till 6pm in the UK, with a lunch break. That is what I need to do.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
back in form slowly
I was playing like absolute rubbish the last couple weeks. Lost the tournament partnering with K. I played a bit too conservatively, kind of relying K to make the points, rather than being aggressive and try making points by myself.
Also missed two key black balls. Very bad. My mind was not focused when I had those blacks.
I think I need to practice and memorize the angles so well that I know exactly where to aim under pressure. Memory and pattern is the key to this game.
Anyway, cut my cue shorter, took a break for a week, and played on Sat. Played good at first, then very bad, then good again. At the end, I was really in stroke, made a 43 then a 35 back to back playing partners with K. He could not make a ball but it was fine because I was scoring.
The thing with playing well I have found is to be relaxed and confident. I was too tense before. I need to be relaxed and sharp and confident, to play at my best.
Also missed two key black balls. Very bad. My mind was not focused when I had those blacks.
I think I need to practice and memorize the angles so well that I know exactly where to aim under pressure. Memory and pattern is the key to this game.
Anyway, cut my cue shorter, took a break for a week, and played on Sat. Played good at first, then very bad, then good again. At the end, I was really in stroke, made a 43 then a 35 back to back playing partners with K. He could not make a ball but it was fine because I was scoring.
The thing with playing well I have found is to be relaxed and confident. I was too tense before. I need to be relaxed and sharp and confident, to play at my best.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Disappointment
I was really looking forward to this tournament that was held yestersday.
I prepared a week beforehand, with lots of systematic practice and also lots of eating well and my omega-3, plus sleeping early and practicing earlier to get used to the playing time difference.
Unfortunately, ont he time for the tournament, I got up with a hugh headaches.
Anyway, I went to play and during my practice my half table shots felt fine but my sdie pocket and long potting was quite off.
I did not have enough time to figure things out before the match started.
Our forst match was aginst someone who played very defensively and the match lasted over an hour. It was very hard to keep in stroke and stayed focused. I missed a few half chances and misse dmy positions a few times. By the time the match was over, my headaches was killing me.
Second match was also like the same, missed tow very important black. My game ball being one of them, with the cue ball close ot the cushion. I kept thinking about how I used to miss that ball on the thin side so I hit it a bit too thick.
Won the thord match, and then the last match came down to the last black.
I had a 1/8 black cut witht he black kind of off the cushion, the black bing may be 3 feet from the pocket or may be a bit less.
I had lots of people watching me, and I kept telling myself I could do it.
Then when I tried to look at the shot, everything looked real blurry, and I had no confidence at the shot. I shot at it, over cut by a hair and the black stayed in front of the pocket. I was sort of not sure what to do, and I had no idea where my cue ball would end up, and I was guess my aim because I just felt very uncomfortable.
After that, my froends came to me and told me that was a shot I HAD to go for and I just had bad luck rattling it. If my cue ball had coem out a few more inches or if the black would have travelled a bit further up, then it would have been safe.
But the thing is I missed.
Another thing is that was not a shot I HAD to go for. If I did nto feel comfortable and that was the key ball, I should not have gone for it, especially with the cue ball being on the cushion and me not shooting that well.
I watched the Peter Ebdon interview and he said the player is the only one who can decide which shot was right to go for.
Having said that, I will
practice my fine cut, and my rail shots. My rail shots are not good ebcause I have not beein practicing them, and my long potting is not consistent.
I need to play well to beat these guys, and I need to have more shots so I can make a tough shot to start a big break. All I need is to run a small 30 to 40 break and it is done. But the point is to get the first shot and them good position afterwards. These guys are grinders and they would nto give me any chance unless I created them.
Never give up, my time will come. Learn from my mistake and grow stronger.
I prepared a week beforehand, with lots of systematic practice and also lots of eating well and my omega-3, plus sleeping early and practicing earlier to get used to the playing time difference.
Unfortunately, ont he time for the tournament, I got up with a hugh headaches.
Anyway, I went to play and during my practice my half table shots felt fine but my sdie pocket and long potting was quite off.
I did not have enough time to figure things out before the match started.
Our forst match was aginst someone who played very defensively and the match lasted over an hour. It was very hard to keep in stroke and stayed focused. I missed a few half chances and misse dmy positions a few times. By the time the match was over, my headaches was killing me.
Second match was also like the same, missed tow very important black. My game ball being one of them, with the cue ball close ot the cushion. I kept thinking about how I used to miss that ball on the thin side so I hit it a bit too thick.
Won the thord match, and then the last match came down to the last black.
I had a 1/8 black cut witht he black kind of off the cushion, the black bing may be 3 feet from the pocket or may be a bit less.
I had lots of people watching me, and I kept telling myself I could do it.
Then when I tried to look at the shot, everything looked real blurry, and I had no confidence at the shot. I shot at it, over cut by a hair and the black stayed in front of the pocket. I was sort of not sure what to do, and I had no idea where my cue ball would end up, and I was guess my aim because I just felt very uncomfortable.
After that, my froends came to me and told me that was a shot I HAD to go for and I just had bad luck rattling it. If my cue ball had coem out a few more inches or if the black would have travelled a bit further up, then it would have been safe.
But the thing is I missed.
Another thing is that was not a shot I HAD to go for. If I did nto feel comfortable and that was the key ball, I should not have gone for it, especially with the cue ball being on the cushion and me not shooting that well.
I watched the Peter Ebdon interview and he said the player is the only one who can decide which shot was right to go for.
Having said that, I will
practice my fine cut, and my rail shots. My rail shots are not good ebcause I have not beein practicing them, and my long potting is not consistent.
I need to play well to beat these guys, and I need to have more shots so I can make a tough shot to start a big break. All I need is to run a small 30 to 40 break and it is done. But the point is to get the first shot and them good position afterwards. These guys are grinders and they would nto give me any chance unless I created them.
Never give up, my time will come. Learn from my mistake and grow stronger.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
aiming practice
There is a tournament coming up this Sat, in a club with very small pockets. So, I went to practice in another club with small pockets.
I did some aiming practice with the black for two hours. I noticed some of my pots were just sort of approximated, and they would go on my regular practice table but not when the pockets are smaller. So, I missed a lot of pots.
I think one reason being that I usually aim by using fraction, which is a kind of approximation.
I then changed my aiming method, to using ghost ball. I have made up a board that I could practice at home to train my eyes to see the half diameter of the ball from various angles. I did some practice at home before I went, and I almost ran out a table during my practice. I might have missed one or two balls in the early run, but I was running the balls all the way to the black at the end. Don't remember how many balls there was.
I think this new cue is good for me, 1/2 oz lighter. I put on a new tip after I came home from my practice because it has deformed quite terribly after doing lots of draw and stun at the same spot. I think this tip is a bit too soft.
I will do some more practice at home tomorrow before I go practice. The point is to get myself comfortable with this aiming method. so I can pot all balls no matter where they may be situated.
I still have problem with some funny side pocket cuts, and the long pots. But I am sure I can get over that in time.
I did some aiming practice with the black for two hours. I noticed some of my pots were just sort of approximated, and they would go on my regular practice table but not when the pockets are smaller. So, I missed a lot of pots.
I think one reason being that I usually aim by using fraction, which is a kind of approximation.
I then changed my aiming method, to using ghost ball. I have made up a board that I could practice at home to train my eyes to see the half diameter of the ball from various angles. I did some practice at home before I went, and I almost ran out a table during my practice. I might have missed one or two balls in the early run, but I was running the balls all the way to the black at the end. Don't remember how many balls there was.
I think this new cue is good for me, 1/2 oz lighter. I put on a new tip after I came home from my practice because it has deformed quite terribly after doing lots of draw and stun at the same spot. I think this tip is a bit too soft.
I will do some more practice at home tomorrow before I go practice. The point is to get myself comfortable with this aiming method. so I can pot all balls no matter where they may be situated.
I still have problem with some funny side pocket cuts, and the long pots. But I am sure I can get over that in time.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Safety
Today I did not have any chance to practice before I joined in the double games. I played really bad, was not able to put anything together. But I played lots of very good safety and my opponent who followed me did not really get any chances. i also snookered my opponent quite a few times and won some game when my team needed snooker.
But my potting today especially when it was getting late was very pathetic. I need to get to the club earlier tomorrow and put in some practice to get used to the angles or else I will be in trouble.
But my potting today especially when it was getting late was very pathetic. I need to get to the club earlier tomorrow and put in some practice to get used to the angles or else I will be in trouble.
rest arm
I am starting to practice my rest arm at home doing the push motion 100 times with the cue rested on the back of my dining chair starting last night.
The rest shot is like the regular shot whereas one needs to train one's muscle to shot straight.
What I do is I try to hinge my elbow while keeping my wrist loose and push the cue straight, 100 times. I did that last night and just finished it this morning. Hopefully this would help. if I keep this up.
D is so bad with the rest and he never bothers to practice it. A lot of players are able to run more points because they could play that one tough shot with the rest. It is a very important shot.
The rest shot is like the regular shot whereas one needs to train one's muscle to shot straight.
What I do is I try to hinge my elbow while keeping my wrist loose and push the cue straight, 100 times. I did that last night and just finished it this morning. Hopefully this would help. if I keep this up.
D is so bad with the rest and he never bothers to practice it. A lot of players are able to run more points because they could play that one tough shot with the rest. It is a very important shot.
Screw shot
Lately, I have been able to play my screw shot much better than before. I am not sure if it is the new cue or what.
The biggest improvement I think lies in my being able to actually strike the cue ball lower.
The whole weight of the cue ball will press onto my cue tip during this shot, so it is very important that my tip stays stable through the ball. I am now holding my cue a bit firmer but not tighter. What I do is I make sure the V touches the cue, and that I open up my fingers on my back swing.
My power top has also improve a lot after I started doing this.
The biggest improvement I think lies in my being able to actually strike the cue ball lower.
The whole weight of the cue ball will press onto my cue tip during this shot, so it is very important that my tip stays stable through the ball. I am now holding my cue a bit firmer but not tighter. What I do is I make sure the V touches the cue, and that I open up my fingers on my back swing.
My power top has also improve a lot after I started doing this.
Aiming
I have been practicing my aiming angles and it is paying off. I feel so much more confident cutting the blue into the middle with side and what not. The fine cuts are tough because you are basically aiming into emptiess. But I am able to slowly see various lines to tell me the fractions of the balls I am hitting.
The biggest problem I have is the back cut in the middle of the pink ball, angles more than 1/2 ball is a problem for me still, but I am sure more practice will solve this problem for me.
Aiming is just memory and it needs to be refreshed. There are simply angles that I do not pot in a real match often enough so I need to get myself familiar with those in practice.
The long potting into a blind pocket is getting easier for me, but I still misjudge the angles sometimes.
To see the angles precisely one needs to train one's eye. It is not an in born ability fo rus to visualize 3-d object quickly with precision. I have made a board so i can practice this at home. But I have been lazy and have not really practice that enough.
Watched some frames by Judd Trump. He shot with so much confidence. Being 5-2 down he went ofr some tough long pots and then made a 123. He missed soe easy one in some frames though.
Through practicing with K and D I have learnt so much about safties play. I am having more discipline to restrain myself from going for crazy pots, and I am getting better at keeping my stroke through long grinding matches so when my chances come up I will be able to capitalize on them, rather than missing easy shot as I have done so many times.
Another thing about aiming is that I have been counting on the forgivness of the pocket sometimes but I should have confidence that if I aim dead center the ball will go in so I shoudl hit the ball with authority rather than being timid.
Read a blog and like what I read about positive energy during a macth. I have that problem. Sometiems I feel like I am going to go into a coma in the middle of a match.
I will try to use aiming, and my stroke timing to put myself in a nice rhythm no matter what so I will be able to perform. That is why aiming is so important because you really need to know the angles so well or else you will double check yourself and then miss.
Today I could not go practice but tomorrow I will go early and then have a practice session again playing double.
This week my highest break in a match has only been 38 or so so I need to put something more decent together before the end of the week.
The biggest problem I have is the back cut in the middle of the pink ball, angles more than 1/2 ball is a problem for me still, but I am sure more practice will solve this problem for me.
Aiming is just memory and it needs to be refreshed. There are simply angles that I do not pot in a real match often enough so I need to get myself familiar with those in practice.
The long potting into a blind pocket is getting easier for me, but I still misjudge the angles sometimes.
To see the angles precisely one needs to train one's eye. It is not an in born ability fo rus to visualize 3-d object quickly with precision. I have made a board so i can practice this at home. But I have been lazy and have not really practice that enough.
Watched some frames by Judd Trump. He shot with so much confidence. Being 5-2 down he went ofr some tough long pots and then made a 123. He missed soe easy one in some frames though.
Through practicing with K and D I have learnt so much about safties play. I am having more discipline to restrain myself from going for crazy pots, and I am getting better at keeping my stroke through long grinding matches so when my chances come up I will be able to capitalize on them, rather than missing easy shot as I have done so many times.
Another thing about aiming is that I have been counting on the forgivness of the pocket sometimes but I should have confidence that if I aim dead center the ball will go in so I shoudl hit the ball with authority rather than being timid.
Read a blog and like what I read about positive energy during a macth. I have that problem. Sometiems I feel like I am going to go into a coma in the middle of a match.
I will try to use aiming, and my stroke timing to put myself in a nice rhythm no matter what so I will be able to perform. That is why aiming is so important because you really need to know the angles so well or else you will double check yourself and then miss.
Today I could not go practice but tomorrow I will go early and then have a practice session again playing double.
This week my highest break in a match has only been 38 or so so I need to put something more decent together before the end of the week.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
New cue
I switched to a new cue and am now feeling much better.
The new cue is .5oz lighter and feels really good.
I also have been working on my pre-shot rhythm. Now, I would time my shot with the back swing, and draw back the cue approx the amount I want on my actual shot, so I am giving my mind and my body a signal as to how hard or soft I want to hit the shot, and then when i pull my trigger, I try to just go through the ball with the same timing, without actually forcing the shot, or taking anything back.
I practiced this yesterday for two hours. After a while, my stroke became very fluid and everything just fell into place to the point whereas I no longer need to watch my timing. It was beautiful/
The new cue is .5oz lighter and feels really good.
I also have been working on my pre-shot rhythm. Now, I would time my shot with the back swing, and draw back the cue approx the amount I want on my actual shot, so I am giving my mind and my body a signal as to how hard or soft I want to hit the shot, and then when i pull my trigger, I try to just go through the ball with the same timing, without actually forcing the shot, or taking anything back.
I practiced this yesterday for two hours. After a while, my stroke became very fluid and everything just fell into place to the point whereas I no longer need to watch my timing. It was beautiful/
Monday, March 23, 2009
slacking off
Have been too busy and distracted to practice systematically.
Will get back to practice again in a systematic manner.
Change a new cue, and use a new grip, more loose than before.
Need to find a new rhythm, may be a bit faster.
Anyway, safety play has improved, but break building is declined.
Will report later of progress.
Will get back to practice again in a systematic manner.
Change a new cue, and use a new grip, more loose than before.
Need to find a new rhythm, may be a bit faster.
Anyway, safety play has improved, but break building is declined.
Will report later of progress.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Too serious
I am a bit upset because of how someone told me I was too serious about the game. I have been thinking about it a lot, and I have come to the conclusion that I need to be as serious and focused as I can because this game is very tough to learn. Those who complains do not know what they are talking about, since they are and will never be any good.
But I do understand why they say that, because they are so used to playing with someone who chats and laughs and so on. But that is not the kind of players I am interested in playing with.
Anyway, time to practice again.
PS My birthday today and I had some great surprise and a very wonderful time. So wonderful.
But I do understand why they say that, because they are so used to playing with someone who chats and laughs and so on. But that is not the kind of players I am interested in playing with.
Anyway, time to practice again.
PS My birthday today and I had some great surprise and a very wonderful time. So wonderful.
grip
Went to play S today, he played real well. I played real poorly.
Anyway, last night practiced and then played some guy and ended up feeling really depressed because he accused me of many things which really upset me.
But anyway, things are not always perfect in this world.
Back onto the game.
I am now very confused with all the potting angles once I started doing the pot black exercise, I keep missing! It is crazy!
I also video typed myself and I think my grip is a bit too loose causing a lot of miss.
So, I tried to make sure I have three fingers on the cu, rather than two, and it seems to be much better, firmer I should say.
The thing is I did not know that but I actually do the tightening of the grip quite naturally now(I have been worrying about not doing that without knowing that I am doing it.) so I should just focus on delivering that cue straight.
I believe the fact that I could put three fingers on my cue with the thinner butt is the reason why I liked that cue, although it was very light.
However, I want to give it another try tomorrow.
PS
I listened to the Christian channel today, and it gave me peace. I think I shoudl always remind myself to be kind, and remember God' grace. So, finally, I can get over what happened and move on.
Anyway, last night practiced and then played some guy and ended up feeling really depressed because he accused me of many things which really upset me.
But anyway, things are not always perfect in this world.
Back onto the game.
I am now very confused with all the potting angles once I started doing the pot black exercise, I keep missing! It is crazy!
I also video typed myself and I think my grip is a bit too loose causing a lot of miss.
So, I tried to make sure I have three fingers on the cu, rather than two, and it seems to be much better, firmer I should say.
The thing is I did not know that but I actually do the tightening of the grip quite naturally now(I have been worrying about not doing that without knowing that I am doing it.) so I should just focus on delivering that cue straight.
I believe the fact that I could put three fingers on my cue with the thinner butt is the reason why I liked that cue, although it was very light.
However, I want to give it another try tomorrow.
PS
I listened to the Christian channel today, and it gave me peace. I think I shoudl always remind myself to be kind, and remember God' grace. So, finally, I can get over what happened and move on.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday
I went to practice for two hours today, because I had to do something for the rest of the day.
Did a bunch of long potting exercise, and the long stun follow and draw shots drills.
My draw is still not quite center, with my tops, if I try to hit real high, I tend to put unintentional running(right) on the ball.
Spent quite a bit of time on the black. Actually I really should do this more often especially when there is no one around. I tried to see where the ball would end up with 3/4 and half black, and how to get shape for me next red in various situations.
I notice that if I stun my black with a thick 3/4, I can almost get my cue ball to go back up to the pink spot after hitting the cushion. So, I can use that as my guide line for my carom of the reds to get position.
I stopped at 1/2 ball black, and will continue the more thinner black tomorrow. I have found it very hard to keep doing this.
So, I played a frame by myself but I asked myself every shot where I wanted my cue ball to be and how I want to play my next shot.
At around 4pm more people started moving in so i left.
All in all, a very productive 2 hours.
Did a bunch of long potting exercise, and the long stun follow and draw shots drills.
My draw is still not quite center, with my tops, if I try to hit real high, I tend to put unintentional running(right) on the ball.
Spent quite a bit of time on the black. Actually I really should do this more often especially when there is no one around. I tried to see where the ball would end up with 3/4 and half black, and how to get shape for me next red in various situations.
I notice that if I stun my black with a thick 3/4, I can almost get my cue ball to go back up to the pink spot after hitting the cushion. So, I can use that as my guide line for my carom of the reds to get position.
I stopped at 1/2 ball black, and will continue the more thinner black tomorrow. I have found it very hard to keep doing this.
So, I played a frame by myself but I asked myself every shot where I wanted my cue ball to be and how I want to play my next shot.
At around 4pm more people started moving in so i left.
All in all, a very productive 2 hours.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sat
Won the tournament, pretty easy, no good players.
Highest run in the tournament was only 32 or 33 by me.
I watched some Marco Fu video and was trying to copy him, which did not go too well for long shots.
I then relaxed my grip and shoulder and was making more balls.
I read some training material and basically it talks about a triangle area for the cue ball for every shot. The ideal idea is to play the cue ball in the wide end of the triangle and to move toward this wide end to have a wide margin of error. In snooker, a lot of times I play to cut across the narrow end of this triangle.
Another thing I am working on is instead of practicing what i know I can do, I am working on shots that are very difficult, in order to expand my range of shots.
Today i tried to pot the long red close to the cushion to draw back for the blue, surprisingly I actually made quite a few of them.
Another shot is to make a back cut into the corner and stun follow for the black, and to stun follow a narrow long straight red for the black.
These shots are generally considered difficult but they are actually not--as long as you can sight precisely you can make them.
To be able to make this kind of shots put a lot of pressure on a regular opponent because they would not know where to hide when I can pot seemingly from everywhere and anywhere.
When the balls are close to the cushion, I have found that it is important for me not to look at the cushion and focus on the ball only, so I need to almost block out the cushion and the pocket in order to cue straight. I tend to twist my wrist otherwise because the pot looks thinner than it is due to the cushion.
I made some nice cut shots today, and one quarter ball green followed by a quarter ball brown to win the frame. I was very confident with both pots and that is because I have been practicing these cut angles regularly in the last week.
I need to also practice my siding shots. Once it is past half table I have no control nor consistency with my side shots.
I missed one shot down the cushion twice today, I need to work on that shot tomorrow. Also, I missed the black quite a few times again. I think it is time to get back into potting black from all angles, especially the angles more than half balls.
Highest run in the tournament was only 32 or 33 by me.
I watched some Marco Fu video and was trying to copy him, which did not go too well for long shots.
I then relaxed my grip and shoulder and was making more balls.
I read some training material and basically it talks about a triangle area for the cue ball for every shot. The ideal idea is to play the cue ball in the wide end of the triangle and to move toward this wide end to have a wide margin of error. In snooker, a lot of times I play to cut across the narrow end of this triangle.
Another thing I am working on is instead of practicing what i know I can do, I am working on shots that are very difficult, in order to expand my range of shots.
Today i tried to pot the long red close to the cushion to draw back for the blue, surprisingly I actually made quite a few of them.
Another shot is to make a back cut into the corner and stun follow for the black, and to stun follow a narrow long straight red for the black.
These shots are generally considered difficult but they are actually not--as long as you can sight precisely you can make them.
To be able to make this kind of shots put a lot of pressure on a regular opponent because they would not know where to hide when I can pot seemingly from everywhere and anywhere.
When the balls are close to the cushion, I have found that it is important for me not to look at the cushion and focus on the ball only, so I need to almost block out the cushion and the pocket in order to cue straight. I tend to twist my wrist otherwise because the pot looks thinner than it is due to the cushion.
I made some nice cut shots today, and one quarter ball green followed by a quarter ball brown to win the frame. I was very confident with both pots and that is because I have been practicing these cut angles regularly in the last week.
I need to also practice my siding shots. Once it is past half table I have no control nor consistency with my side shots.
I missed one shot down the cushion twice today, I need to work on that shot tomorrow. Also, I missed the black quite a few times again. I think it is time to get back into potting black from all angles, especially the angles more than half balls.
Friday Practice
I tried to switch to a new cue, with a shorter length and a bit lighter, but could not get on with it. Went to play S on Thursday and played quite bad. So, back to my original cue.
Today, made a 53 against K during our first game. Was on a black but got distracted by the waitress, really made me frustrated and kind of lost my momentum.
Played some partners afterwards and found that to be really boring. I hate playing double with really bad players--the game took forever and sometimes I never have a shot in the whole game.
Just feel like I have wasted my time.
Played E a couple games later, played well in the first game and won, then played real bad and lost the second game on the blue ball. I was very tired, missed three blacks and very simple ball in hand shots. Just not there.
I am not sure what it is but it is the third tip I have put on this cue and still it does not feel right. I need to get on the practice table and figure it out.
I would have finished the game in one visit if I only made a few more balls. If I made that black i would have made a 60 with 7 reds left, then another red and pink or black would have put me at 67 or 68 with 6 red left (75), so one more color after that would have been enough.
In other words, I only need to make that black, another black or pink, then one more red and color. I really lost my momentum after that. Live and learn I guess.
Today, made a 53 against K during our first game. Was on a black but got distracted by the waitress, really made me frustrated and kind of lost my momentum.
Played some partners afterwards and found that to be really boring. I hate playing double with really bad players--the game took forever and sometimes I never have a shot in the whole game.
Just feel like I have wasted my time.
Played E a couple games later, played well in the first game and won, then played real bad and lost the second game on the blue ball. I was very tired, missed three blacks and very simple ball in hand shots. Just not there.
I am not sure what it is but it is the third tip I have put on this cue and still it does not feel right. I need to get on the practice table and figure it out.
I would have finished the game in one visit if I only made a few more balls. If I made that black i would have made a 60 with 7 reds left, then another red and pink or black would have put me at 67 or 68 with 6 red left (75), so one more color after that would have been enough.
In other words, I only need to make that black, another black or pink, then one more red and color. I really lost my momentum after that. Live and learn I guess.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
nightmare
Went to play in a small tournament and it turned out to be a nightmare.
I was quite prepared for it. Hit balls for almost tow hours in another place beforehand, and was playing okay.
Then started a match spotting the guy I think 18 or so. Missed some very easy shots and then played lots of safety to come back to black ball game. Missed a long straight in black, timing was very off. Back swing too long. Then he fluked it in.
Second game again spotted the game some points like 15, then played real bad missing many color balls. He did 23 on me, then almost ran out the color. Very sad.
Not sure why I played so bad, thinking may be it was because I was not confident. So, I doubt my aim. Cueing was also funny, could not make any long shot.,
Not really sure what happened.
Cue felt very insensitive, and cue arm felt very stiff.
This tournament is very expensive and prize payout is not good. The handicapped is making it hard to make money.
Very disappointed that I wasted $40 on this.
I will go play S tomorrow i think i will play better.
I was quite prepared for it. Hit balls for almost tow hours in another place beforehand, and was playing okay.
Then started a match spotting the guy I think 18 or so. Missed some very easy shots and then played lots of safety to come back to black ball game. Missed a long straight in black, timing was very off. Back swing too long. Then he fluked it in.
Second game again spotted the game some points like 15, then played real bad missing many color balls. He did 23 on me, then almost ran out the color. Very sad.
Not sure why I played so bad, thinking may be it was because I was not confident. So, I doubt my aim. Cueing was also funny, could not make any long shot.,
Not really sure what happened.
Cue felt very insensitive, and cue arm felt very stiff.
This tournament is very expensive and prize payout is not good. The handicapped is making it hard to make money.
Very disappointed that I wasted $40 on this.
I will go play S tomorrow i think i will play better.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Stun Follow
I have practiced some straight potting for over two hours today(Sunday). I spent a lot of time on my power follow, and stun follow, which have been my weakness.
I am happy to report that I think I have found out the problems, which are my hand not opening up enough on my back swing, and my back swing being too tense.
I won the tournament on Sat, playing okay. Still not used to some of the shots with my new aiming method.
Spent more time on the practice table, and am much more comfortable now.
I was partnered with D on Sat, and have noticed that he actually pots quite poorly. He tried to tell me to play several shots differently when I was already ready to shot, and that threw me off. I did not like his suggestion.
I played bad on those shots. i should have told me I dont want to do what he siad, then ask him to leave me alone, then recompose myself, completely block him out, before I shot.
I did not notice this before but I think at times his shot selection is not that good and he sometimes cues really funny. His potting also is not that consistent, especially his side pocket. I think it is because of his long bridge and his yo yo cuing action. He mostly keep his elbow up but sometimes he is really bad. The pockets are big so he could get away with it.
I learned a very useful shot from him watching him play, which is a shot playing with stun check side to play for the blue.
I am sure with more practice I will be better than him.
I am very close to him anyway. It is just a mental thing for me to beat him constantly.
What I do now when I play, is that I will just trust my instint on my aiming, while in practice I will try to analysis the angles and such.
My judgement on the angles have been quite spot on even when i am not analysing it to the final dots on every shot like I used to. That was the reason why I felt so exhausted so easily.
I am doing alright except a few funny shots, where I have no glue how to aim.
I will work on those next week.
I read Steve Davis's book today. Felt a lot like Cliff Thorburn's book. Too bad he did not suggest any safties diagrams on the last chapter.
One thing that was very good was how he explain he difference with 3/4 and 1/2 shots.
--with 1/2 you can move the ball move without hitting it hard, but the positioning options are more limited, with 3/4, you can move the ball to more places, but if you need to move it far, you need to do more with the white.
This really helps me because sometimes I do not know whether I should leave a 3/4 or 1/2 ball on my ball.
The blue ball is the same way.
Speaking of the blue ball, my blue is running better now, after I started doing the blue ball drill. I will make it a point to practice running the blue ball in my practice with a line of red by the pink, and some above the black and around the blue. When the black is tied up, being able to run the blue will win me lots of frames.
I am happy to report that I think I have found out the problems, which are my hand not opening up enough on my back swing, and my back swing being too tense.
I won the tournament on Sat, playing okay. Still not used to some of the shots with my new aiming method.
Spent more time on the practice table, and am much more comfortable now.
I was partnered with D on Sat, and have noticed that he actually pots quite poorly. He tried to tell me to play several shots differently when I was already ready to shot, and that threw me off. I did not like his suggestion.
I played bad on those shots. i should have told me I dont want to do what he siad, then ask him to leave me alone, then recompose myself, completely block him out, before I shot.
I did not notice this before but I think at times his shot selection is not that good and he sometimes cues really funny. His potting also is not that consistent, especially his side pocket. I think it is because of his long bridge and his yo yo cuing action. He mostly keep his elbow up but sometimes he is really bad. The pockets are big so he could get away with it.
I learned a very useful shot from him watching him play, which is a shot playing with stun check side to play for the blue.
I am sure with more practice I will be better than him.
I am very close to him anyway. It is just a mental thing for me to beat him constantly.
What I do now when I play, is that I will just trust my instint on my aiming, while in practice I will try to analysis the angles and such.
My judgement on the angles have been quite spot on even when i am not analysing it to the final dots on every shot like I used to. That was the reason why I felt so exhausted so easily.
I am doing alright except a few funny shots, where I have no glue how to aim.
I will work on those next week.
I read Steve Davis's book today. Felt a lot like Cliff Thorburn's book. Too bad he did not suggest any safties diagrams on the last chapter.
One thing that was very good was how he explain he difference with 3/4 and 1/2 shots.
--with 1/2 you can move the ball move without hitting it hard, but the positioning options are more limited, with 3/4, you can move the ball to more places, but if you need to move it far, you need to do more with the white.
This really helps me because sometimes I do not know whether I should leave a 3/4 or 1/2 ball on my ball.
The blue ball is the same way.
Speaking of the blue ball, my blue is running better now, after I started doing the blue ball drill. I will make it a point to practice running the blue ball in my practice with a line of red by the pink, and some above the black and around the blue. When the black is tied up, being able to run the blue will win me lots of frames.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wed
I went and put in three hours today.
Did not try much in terms of drill; just throwing balls on the table and trying to run them out with the new aiming method, and also tried some long pots.
Basically, my thick potting is getting much better with this new method, but I still need to figure out how to use it on thin shots and those long 1/2 ball pots.
It is still a bit confusing.
What I like about it is that I feel more connected to the pot, that I am actually trying to use the cue ball to strike the object ball to make it go into the hole. It is like my cue ball is the extension of my arm. In the past, I looked at the angle and I aimed at a certain point on the ball, but I was not aware of where the cue ball actually make contact. The balls felt more like 2 d to me.
This had worked fine but it was too much for my brain in long tournament. I could not cope with it.
I need something more simple and instinctive.
Hopefully, i can go and try it out in real match situation with S.
Did not try much in terms of drill; just throwing balls on the table and trying to run them out with the new aiming method, and also tried some long pots.
Basically, my thick potting is getting much better with this new method, but I still need to figure out how to use it on thin shots and those long 1/2 ball pots.
It is still a bit confusing.
What I like about it is that I feel more connected to the pot, that I am actually trying to use the cue ball to strike the object ball to make it go into the hole. It is like my cue ball is the extension of my arm. In the past, I looked at the angle and I aimed at a certain point on the ball, but I was not aware of where the cue ball actually make contact. The balls felt more like 2 d to me.
This had worked fine but it was too much for my brain in long tournament. I could not cope with it.
I need something more simple and instinctive.
Hopefully, i can go and try it out in real match situation with S.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday practice
I went to practice at 5:00pm, and finished it at 11:00pm.
Very tired, and my back, leg, feet, shoulder are all very sore.
Made a 64 in practice.
What is worth mentioning though was that I was trying a new way of aiming and it felt very good on certain shots. also, it allows me to shot faster, and not get so consumed with analysing the pot too much.
I also tried to just shot the ball, without thinking of the angles. i.e., I looked at the shot, then told myself to hit the ball at a certain point, without really checking the angles and pockets and such. I actually made quite a few balls that way. So, it means I know most of my angles especially the thick angles.
In a long tournament, trying to find the angles on all the shots will exhaust me too much at the end of the day, that is why I always feel very tied and play real bad after a few long matches. If i already know the angle, why do i still fear I could be wrong?
I tried to use a different method to aim today. Basically, I look at the area on the ball I want to hit, then I just tried to hit it with my cue ball.
It actually worked very well, except on some funny angled shots.
I will practice those again tomorrow, until I can see the angles. It may be a much better method for me to use in a tournament.
Very tired, and my back, leg, feet, shoulder are all very sore.
Made a 64 in practice.
What is worth mentioning though was that I was trying a new way of aiming and it felt very good on certain shots. also, it allows me to shot faster, and not get so consumed with analysing the pot too much.
I also tried to just shot the ball, without thinking of the angles. i.e., I looked at the shot, then told myself to hit the ball at a certain point, without really checking the angles and pockets and such. I actually made quite a few balls that way. So, it means I know most of my angles especially the thick angles.
In a long tournament, trying to find the angles on all the shots will exhaust me too much at the end of the day, that is why I always feel very tied and play real bad after a few long matches. If i already know the angle, why do i still fear I could be wrong?
I tried to use a different method to aim today. Basically, I look at the area on the ball I want to hit, then I just tried to hit it with my cue ball.
It actually worked very well, except on some funny angled shots.
I will practice those again tomorrow, until I can see the angles. It may be a much better method for me to use in a tournament.
Top
I was practicing yesterday on mostly my top spin shots. I have been having problem with my super power follow. Fro some reason, I feel that I cannot deliver my cue straight. It feels like I am grabbing my cue a bit differently on my power top.
I am going to try to raise my head a bit on this shot, because it does feel that my chin is in the way of a level cuing. I will try that today to see.
I have tried to slow down my game during practice. I noticed that I sometimes shot too fast in practice and then too slow in a real match. I will change that and try to balance out the rhythm so they should all be pretty much the same. It helps me also to get to the point where I am certain of my aiming point before I shoot.
I am trying to lower my elbow a bit on rest shots and it feels good. I will practice a bit more with regard to that.
Will report later on after I am done my practice.
I am going to try to raise my head a bit on this shot, because it does feel that my chin is in the way of a level cuing. I will try that today to see.
I have tried to slow down my game during practice. I noticed that I sometimes shot too fast in practice and then too slow in a real match. I will change that and try to balance out the rhythm so they should all be pretty much the same. It helps me also to get to the point where I am certain of my aiming point before I shoot.
I am trying to lower my elbow a bit on rest shots and it feels good. I will practice a bit more with regard to that.
Will report later on after I am done my practice.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Line up century
On Friday last week, I went to practice for a bit, but had to leave after one and a half hours. So I decided to do some drills around the blue and black.
I tried the line up, 4 reds under the black, and I made 13 blacks and messed up my shape. It was 104.
Actually, I had very good position on my black, and has 2 reds left, one on the cushion, and one below the pink. The one below the pink was a bit tricky, because the pink was a bit off the spot, so it only went into one side pocket and one corner pocket. I should have played the red on the cushion, and I had very good angle on the black to do so, but I was afraid I could not get on the other ed so I tried to play the red in the side, I over drew, and made a big mess. I should have play the black with more draw and play the red into the corner, or played the bottom cushion red first, then had a big angle so I can nicely come up fro the red.
On sat, I won the tournament. But again, after making 4 blacks, i chose the wrong red so my break ended at 32.
I had a nice break in my warmer up against another player. I did not keep good count of the break and either did he, but I believe it was like 4 blacks or 5 blacks and some other colors, like a blue and a baulk color or something like that.
I had a chance to run out the colors to win(needed them all) but I over drew the brown, then got on the wrong side but a bit too straight on the blue. I stun follow the blue with running side, got a bit funny on the pink, and I missed the pink.
Another game I had a chance to take a tricky red into the side to start a break, but I missed it.
I practiced that red many times on Sun.
My fine cuts are still not very good, I need to work on them.
Also, I need to choose the right shot when i am running the balls, sometimes, I choose the wrong shot.
I think my problem is still mostly on finding a good rhythm during the tournament. That needs more experience and practice playing with better players.
I tried the line up, 4 reds under the black, and I made 13 blacks and messed up my shape. It was 104.
Actually, I had very good position on my black, and has 2 reds left, one on the cushion, and one below the pink. The one below the pink was a bit tricky, because the pink was a bit off the spot, so it only went into one side pocket and one corner pocket. I should have played the red on the cushion, and I had very good angle on the black to do so, but I was afraid I could not get on the other ed so I tried to play the red in the side, I over drew, and made a big mess. I should have play the black with more draw and play the red into the corner, or played the bottom cushion red first, then had a big angle so I can nicely come up fro the red.
On sat, I won the tournament. But again, after making 4 blacks, i chose the wrong red so my break ended at 32.
I had a nice break in my warmer up against another player. I did not keep good count of the break and either did he, but I believe it was like 4 blacks or 5 blacks and some other colors, like a blue and a baulk color or something like that.
I had a chance to run out the colors to win(needed them all) but I over drew the brown, then got on the wrong side but a bit too straight on the blue. I stun follow the blue with running side, got a bit funny on the pink, and I missed the pink.
Another game I had a chance to take a tricky red into the side to start a break, but I missed it.
I practiced that red many times on Sun.
My fine cuts are still not very good, I need to work on them.
Also, I need to choose the right shot when i am running the balls, sometimes, I choose the wrong shot.
I think my problem is still mostly on finding a good rhythm during the tournament. That needs more experience and practice playing with better players.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday
I was practising on a very slow table on Wed. The table was really very slow, with slow cloth and rails. The balls are heavy, super crystalline. The pockets are not too big, not too small. For regular open pocket shots, it will drop if I hit the jaw slightly, but for tight angle shots, you need to be very precise.
I practiced for about 4 hours. I could make the blue ball from baulk quite consistently. About 5 in a row before I missed 1 or 2 and then 3 or 4 in a row again. I usually practice this drill on a more forgiving pocket so it was a good thing. I remember last time when I was at this place it took me almost an hour to finish shooting 10 balls into each corner pocket.
So, that is good to know, that my cueing and aiming has improved.
I practised the long blue and the long pink, then did some line up, and shot some random clearance.
I did not clear up with one visit. But I did a few big breaks like 50+ and 60+. The table was very hard to control because I had to hit the ball very hard.
It helped me to control my long follow through with precise straight cueing, so that I can make the ball with more power.
I went to hit some balls this afternoon (Thursday) at my usual club, with the Brunswick. I practised potting the blue ball from baulk in the D to get on the pink. I can do it from the green/yellow spot, without hitting the cushion, but it was not as consistent a shot as if I shot three quarter to use one rail to get on the pink. I did 10 balls into each pocket. My left hand cut (shooting from yellow side) seemed more accurate, so I should practice more right hand side shots.
Then I did a bunch of blue ball drills. I noticed recently my blue ball control is not so good, especially when I need to play shape on my next red without hitting a cushion. I fail to gauge the right line and weight.
Also, If I have to draw the red to get on the right side of the blue, I always end up either too hard or too soft. I am doing some drills I came up with, to get over that problem. Basically I am trying to use the cushion a bit more than just a sharp draw--with the cushion, I have a bigger margin of error.
My black balls potting was so much better today on the Brunswick after my practice yesterday possibly due to the pockets I practiced being less forgiving yesterday.
I am pretty upset that I could not play with S today. But I had something very important to do. I need to wait till next week.
Tomorrow, I want to practice early on the super slow table, then go play a bit at the Brunswick table. D might be there to play me, may be not. Sat is our usual small tournament and I hope I will do better this time. The good thing is I do not think it would be possible for me to do any worst than last week.
My cueing arm feels so much more straight when I am keeping my body much more steady on the shot. However, I do notice that I am hitting the ball too hard and tight from tiem to time. I need to work on being more smooth.
I want to try practicing just hitting the pink off the spot with striaght in pots, to control my white to stop dead, stun follow a couple inches, stun follow half way to the pocket, roll to stop short of the pocket, and my draw on different distances. I need to practice on both siades.
I think my stun follow is one of my weakest shot, power follow being the next. I will keep on practicing until next time. Thank you for reading.
I practiced for about 4 hours. I could make the blue ball from baulk quite consistently. About 5 in a row before I missed 1 or 2 and then 3 or 4 in a row again. I usually practice this drill on a more forgiving pocket so it was a good thing. I remember last time when I was at this place it took me almost an hour to finish shooting 10 balls into each corner pocket.
So, that is good to know, that my cueing and aiming has improved.
I practised the long blue and the long pink, then did some line up, and shot some random clearance.
I did not clear up with one visit. But I did a few big breaks like 50+ and 60+. The table was very hard to control because I had to hit the ball very hard.
It helped me to control my long follow through with precise straight cueing, so that I can make the ball with more power.
I went to hit some balls this afternoon (Thursday) at my usual club, with the Brunswick. I practised potting the blue ball from baulk in the D to get on the pink. I can do it from the green/yellow spot, without hitting the cushion, but it was not as consistent a shot as if I shot three quarter to use one rail to get on the pink. I did 10 balls into each pocket. My left hand cut (shooting from yellow side) seemed more accurate, so I should practice more right hand side shots.
Then I did a bunch of blue ball drills. I noticed recently my blue ball control is not so good, especially when I need to play shape on my next red without hitting a cushion. I fail to gauge the right line and weight.
Also, If I have to draw the red to get on the right side of the blue, I always end up either too hard or too soft. I am doing some drills I came up with, to get over that problem. Basically I am trying to use the cushion a bit more than just a sharp draw--with the cushion, I have a bigger margin of error.
My black balls potting was so much better today on the Brunswick after my practice yesterday possibly due to the pockets I practiced being less forgiving yesterday.
I am pretty upset that I could not play with S today. But I had something very important to do. I need to wait till next week.
Tomorrow, I want to practice early on the super slow table, then go play a bit at the Brunswick table. D might be there to play me, may be not. Sat is our usual small tournament and I hope I will do better this time. The good thing is I do not think it would be possible for me to do any worst than last week.
My cueing arm feels so much more straight when I am keeping my body much more steady on the shot. However, I do notice that I am hitting the ball too hard and tight from tiem to time. I need to work on being more smooth.
I want to try practicing just hitting the pink off the spot with striaght in pots, to control my white to stop dead, stun follow a couple inches, stun follow half way to the pocket, roll to stop short of the pocket, and my draw on different distances. I need to practice on both siades.
I think my stun follow is one of my weakest shot, power follow being the next. I will keep on practicing until next time. Thank you for reading.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Getting ready to practice
I am getting ready to practice today. Today is Tuesday and I have more time at hand. I plan on getting to the club at noon, before anyone gets there, to put in some practice on my cueing action.
Usually, Tuesday is busy and there are lots of folks playing around 2pm and so until 4 pm. Last week I had to wait for a table and once a table was available, S walked in and we played a few games, so I did not really get to practice.
I feel good about my game right now, but I do need to find a good tempo during a match. I should not play too slow, but not too rush either. When I am playing at the right tempo, I feel really good with my stroking the ball at the best speed and feel.
I am not sure what is this best speed. I notice that all top players have a speed and they do not easily change that.
One thing I do notice is that I should pay attention to having my grip finishing at my chest to have a consistent finish of my stroke, even on side spin shots. This allows me to develop a better timing and to stay down.
I will try to practice putting five reds on each side of the blue and pot them all in the corner pockets from baulk. I have not been able to do this without a miss. It is usually the ball closet to the rail that I miss, and I usually miss with overcutting.
I will post how things work out today with my practice.
Usually, Tuesday is busy and there are lots of folks playing around 2pm and so until 4 pm. Last week I had to wait for a table and once a table was available, S walked in and we played a few games, so I did not really get to practice.
I feel good about my game right now, but I do need to find a good tempo during a match. I should not play too slow, but not too rush either. When I am playing at the right tempo, I feel really good with my stroking the ball at the best speed and feel.
I am not sure what is this best speed. I notice that all top players have a speed and they do not easily change that.
One thing I do notice is that I should pay attention to having my grip finishing at my chest to have a consistent finish of my stroke, even on side spin shots. This allows me to develop a better timing and to stay down.
I will try to practice putting five reds on each side of the blue and pot them all in the corner pockets from baulk. I have not been able to do this without a miss. It is usually the ball closet to the rail that I miss, and I usually miss with overcutting.
I will post how things work out today with my practice.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Talking to a friend
I did very poorly on Sat. Just could not get into the double format. Could not enjoy myself and missed so many easy chances.
I was very mad at myself, so I had a long talk with my friend. He is about 76, had some decent breaks before, and is still quite a good player.
He told me I would be a great player, as he sees lots of potential in me, that I will keep improving and become better than all the guys I now play with, including D.
However, he also pointed out that he noticed I was sometimes very tense, and do not look like the same person, during some matches. He said I stroked differently when i am playing back.
He told me to have confident, and play my best.
He basically put the confidence in me. No one ever told me I have talent the way he did, and I guess I just did not really know that.
But once he put it the way he did, I felt much better. Then I played with D. Usually I would play with a poor attitude, but this time I was very focus, with a good rhythm.
I reminded myself to touch the chest with my grip on my follow through, and to just play with the same rhythm.
I played really well with a 41 right off my first chance. I did surprised myself and missed another chance, but then I took my third chance and finished the game up to the green. He conceded.
Second time he was not playing well, but I missed a yellow into the middle to go down table into the pack. Had perfect position, so that gave him a good opening. Lost that frame. The yellow miss was the key shot.
Practiced some more while D had to go have his dinner. He watched me practice. I was really int he zone, I think I must have finished all 15 reds in 2 inning or something like that, then i got perfect on the yellow from my black, and D unscrewed his cue and told me he was tired and did not feel like playing anymore.
I think hearing K telling me that he expected me to beat D already really put a lot of confidence in me. He also told me D looked different when he played me, because he knew I am better than other people he plays with. I never looked at it this way but it is true.
If I can be a consistent 40+, 50+ player I can beat D convincingly. Then I need to go up to the next level, which is to win more frames with one visit.
S told me he had run back to back century, I so wish that will come to me one day.
I was very mad at myself, so I had a long talk with my friend. He is about 76, had some decent breaks before, and is still quite a good player.
He told me I would be a great player, as he sees lots of potential in me, that I will keep improving and become better than all the guys I now play with, including D.
However, he also pointed out that he noticed I was sometimes very tense, and do not look like the same person, during some matches. He said I stroked differently when i am playing back.
He told me to have confident, and play my best.
He basically put the confidence in me. No one ever told me I have talent the way he did, and I guess I just did not really know that.
But once he put it the way he did, I felt much better. Then I played with D. Usually I would play with a poor attitude, but this time I was very focus, with a good rhythm.
I reminded myself to touch the chest with my grip on my follow through, and to just play with the same rhythm.
I played really well with a 41 right off my first chance. I did surprised myself and missed another chance, but then I took my third chance and finished the game up to the green. He conceded.
Second time he was not playing well, but I missed a yellow into the middle to go down table into the pack. Had perfect position, so that gave him a good opening. Lost that frame. The yellow miss was the key shot.
Practiced some more while D had to go have his dinner. He watched me practice. I was really int he zone, I think I must have finished all 15 reds in 2 inning or something like that, then i got perfect on the yellow from my black, and D unscrewed his cue and told me he was tired and did not feel like playing anymore.
I think hearing K telling me that he expected me to beat D already really put a lot of confidence in me. He also told me D looked different when he played me, because he knew I am better than other people he plays with. I never looked at it this way but it is true.
If I can be a consistent 40+, 50+ player I can beat D convincingly. Then I need to go up to the next level, which is to win more frames with one visit.
S told me he had run back to back century, I so wish that will come to me one day.
Feb 09 2009
I like to keep a record of my practice.
I have been practicing snooker since May 2007. I used to practice about 4-6 hours a day the first 6 months I started. But I am now a bit cut down.
I had my first 64 run after about 3 months of practicing like crazy. I had some 40+ before that and then it just happened. I had a 82 around Dec, 2008, which is my highest run in match play. I had clear up a table with random placing of balls during practice. That felt really good. It was my first century. I had cleared 13 reds once, but my opponent did not keep track of my score, that happened around Oct, 2007.
I had some 60+ and such during practice.
Last month I had a 62, table clearance, then one game later, I had a 49.
On Sat, I played D for some practice, and I made a 41.
My short term goal is to make consistent 40's and 50's.
My problem is to find a good rhythm for myself so I can produce the form I am able to produce in my practice during an important match.
I now go practice with S every Thursday and that really helped my game.
I need to go back into practice at least 4 hours a day by myself, but money and time wise I cannot really do that now. I used to when I first started and that showed in my fast progress.
My practice usually begins with potting the blue into the corner 10 into each pocket, then I will pot the pink into the baulk pocket again 10 into each pocket. Then some long potting of red from baulk.
After that, it is my potting angle practice which included potting the pink, black, and blue from all angles. It allows me to practice my thick and thin cuts into both side and corner pockets.
By the time I am done, I will take a break as it usually will take up about 2 hours or a bit more.
Then I will do my positioning drills around the black, pink, blue and colors. That can take as many hours as I want to really.
e.g. Line-up, and different set up of reds around the black can take over 2 hours. Then all reds with pinks with the reds forming a cross around the pink. 4 reds on each side of pink to get on the blue, 4 reds along the blue for blue, potting a baulk colors and then the black and then another baulk and so on...
I also like to target on some weakness and just shoot them until I can figure them out. Potting with the rest is also something I have just started practicing.
I like to participate in the Canadian Snooker Championship. It is going to be expensive, and I need to win a qualifier, but I really would like to try.
I practice on several different tables--a Riley steel block Aristocrat, a Brunswick, and a very old B and W. The Riley is the best but also the most expensive; the Brunswick is where I made most of my runs, and it is the slowest and most forgiving; the B&W is fast, but a bit different, with regular sized pocket. I also made some 40s and 60s there.
I have been practicing snooker since May 2007. I used to practice about 4-6 hours a day the first 6 months I started. But I am now a bit cut down.
I had my first 64 run after about 3 months of practicing like crazy. I had some 40+ before that and then it just happened. I had a 82 around Dec, 2008, which is my highest run in match play. I had clear up a table with random placing of balls during practice. That felt really good. It was my first century. I had cleared 13 reds once, but my opponent did not keep track of my score, that happened around Oct, 2007.
I had some 60+ and such during practice.
Last month I had a 62, table clearance, then one game later, I had a 49.
On Sat, I played D for some practice, and I made a 41.
My short term goal is to make consistent 40's and 50's.
My problem is to find a good rhythm for myself so I can produce the form I am able to produce in my practice during an important match.
I now go practice with S every Thursday and that really helped my game.
I need to go back into practice at least 4 hours a day by myself, but money and time wise I cannot really do that now. I used to when I first started and that showed in my fast progress.
My practice usually begins with potting the blue into the corner 10 into each pocket, then I will pot the pink into the baulk pocket again 10 into each pocket. Then some long potting of red from baulk.
After that, it is my potting angle practice which included potting the pink, black, and blue from all angles. It allows me to practice my thick and thin cuts into both side and corner pockets.
By the time I am done, I will take a break as it usually will take up about 2 hours or a bit more.
Then I will do my positioning drills around the black, pink, blue and colors. That can take as many hours as I want to really.
e.g. Line-up, and different set up of reds around the black can take over 2 hours. Then all reds with pinks with the reds forming a cross around the pink. 4 reds on each side of pink to get on the blue, 4 reds along the blue for blue, potting a baulk colors and then the black and then another baulk and so on...
I also like to target on some weakness and just shoot them until I can figure them out. Potting with the rest is also something I have just started practicing.
I like to participate in the Canadian Snooker Championship. It is going to be expensive, and I need to win a qualifier, but I really would like to try.
I practice on several different tables--a Riley steel block Aristocrat, a Brunswick, and a very old B and W. The Riley is the best but also the most expensive; the Brunswick is where I made most of my runs, and it is the slowest and most forgiving; the B&W is fast, but a bit different, with regular sized pocket. I also made some 40s and 60s there.
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