How many frames of snooker have you played in your lifetime? If you're a few years deep into your love for the game, I'm betting it's more than a dozen or two. However, if playing frame after frame isn't leading to the kind of improvements you'd like to see in your matches, or you simply wish to see your game improve on the practice table, then clearly you may need to consider breaking your frame-after-frame routine.
This is where breaking down the game into its constituent parts can be useful. To do this, you need only look at the complexity of the techniques used. It isn't about stepping up to the table, using your instincts, and trying to pot every ball in sight. There's potting play, positional play, safety shots, stance, cue action, and timing to consider, and that's before you even consider long-potting or cueing with the rest. Focusing on the wrong parts of the game could leave you stagnant too, though, so this article hopes to get all the beginners there pointed in the right direction when it comes to making the most improvements in the shortest space of time.
Holding the Cue
It may sound like a rudimentary step, but the way you hold your cue can make or break your entire game. One of the most important things to consider is how you wrist moves as you take your shots. Wrist movement can throw off the line of your shot even if it feels like you're cueing straight.
So before you start practising the application of side-spin and all of the problems this can cause, take a look at this strange bottle technique which contains an excellent routine for drilling in a straight cue action.
Walk the Line
Never underestimate how important it is to walk into the line of the shot correctly. Consistently being able to visualise a line that emanates from the relevant position on the cue ball all the way to the edge of the table and underneath your feet is a good start. Practise walking into this line and positioning your body in the same way every time. Consistency here is vital.
Bridge the Gap
Your bridge hand is literally the foundation on which your cue rests, and by extension, your entire snooker game generally. Keeping a solid bridge hand – palm on the cloth fingers spread and thumb/forefinger creating a nice V for the cue to rub across – is a vital aspect of your snooker technique. Furthermore, ensure you don't move the position of your hand any point during the shot. This will help with consistency and ensure your cue is being delivered straight.
Stun and Soft Screw
Before you start trying to knock in long reds for hours at a time like you've got blonde hair and a video-game addiction, take a pause. Sure, long pots can get you out of trouble and give you chances in a match, but where you'll find the biggest improvement in your game is amongst the balls. Maintaining position when you've got even 5 or 6 reds out in the open can be the different between you winning or losing a match.
Therefore, instead of trying to work on rare shots – such as massé shots or long-range plants – put your focus into getting the cue ball working in your favour. You can easily amass a break of 40-50 without needing to attempt any difficult pots, provided you have basic control of the cue ball. Learning to use soft stuns and screws around the business end of the table can truly improve your game in a very short space of time.