What Is Coaching

Coaching performs a vital role in all walks of life; in business, music, dance, drama and of course, sport. 'Coaching' occurs wherever someone is willing to share their expertise and experience with another; combining demonstration, explanation, and advice through a planned and structured process.

Effective coaching helps the participant gain improvement and thus more enjoyment in their chosen activity. Nowadays we all understand that Coaching is much more than just technical and performance related instructions. It is a service used by Top Sports Performers as a matter of course. We have all seen the importance of Coaches in Golf, Tennis, Football and a wide range of other Sports. Recently the value of high quality Coaching has been recognised in Snooker.

Why Do I Need A Coach?

There are many myths and misconceptions about Coaching in Snooker. Here are just a few examples:

"My child's too young, he'll be onto another craze next week".

If all that energy and enthusiasm is not channelled constructively and he misses the shots and gets beaten by his friend every day, he probably will give up. But if he is taught a good basic technique from day one, he will learn quickly and be encouraged by his improvement, and stick at the game.

"I am too old".

You're never to old to learn. You may have been playing for years, never getting better. With coaching you will improve your technique and knowledge and enjoy your game all the more.

"I am not good enough".

How do you know? A coach will work with you, improving your basic technique so that your practice will be constructive, and you become positive about your abilities.

"I'm a better player than the Coach".

But are you a Better Coach?

Is David Leadbetter a better Golfer than Nick Faldo?

No!

"I'm playing well, I don't need a Coach".

It is often hard to admit that you might benefit from Coaching, but the day will come when you are not getting the desired results and then you will be frantically seeking help. A coach will help you develop your technical and 'mental' skills so that you are able to cope with difficulties when they arise.

"A Coach will change my Cue Action".

Experienced players worry that a Coach might change their Cue Action half way through the season. A coach will not change your cue action, unless absolutely necessary, and even then, not during a competition.

"Coaching is too expensive, I can't afford it, I've bought a new cue, that will sort my game out".

A Coaching Session might appear expensive at first glance, but the effects and benefits will last a lifetime, not just during the session. A new cue might also last a lifetime, but will be of little use if you are still plagued by a basic fault that a Coach would immediately find and work out with you.

"I only play for fun".

A vast number of people across the country have a game of Snooker with a friend, once a week, just for fun. Sometimes you win, sometimes you friend does, but how much more enjoyment would you derive from your hobby if that shot you always miss started going in. A coach will help you work on your game so that you would know immediately why you missed that shot, what you did wrong and what to do right next time!

Coaching can be of benefit to everybody. Whatever your level, a Coach will sit down with you, identify your skills and weakness and work on both with you. Through planned practice you can continue to work on your own game, enhancing your awareness, knowledge and technique. If you are going to play competitive snooker, your Coach will help you with 'mental' aspects of the game - concentration, composure, discipline, preparing for matches through constructive practice routines, as well as your motivation and dedication.

Technique - The Basic Grip

Two of the most common faults that occur with a player's basic grip on the cue are to hold it too tight or too loose.

If your grip on the cue is too slack, you will lose control and not be able to deliver your cue through on a straight line, which is essential if you are going to develop any consistency.

If your grip is too tight, your cue action will be too stiff, which restricts your freedom of movement and affects your timing.

The pressure you exert with your Basic Grip on the cue can be scaled from 1-10. I recommend a pressure between 6-8. This relates to when you are addressing the ball with your cue in the still position.

To give you an understanding of how your grip changes during your backswing - hold your cue vertically in front of you and with your other hand, tilt the cue towards you. You will see that your second, third and fourth fingers naturally relax off the cue, transferring most of the pressure to your thumb and forefinger. This in turn will help you to keep the cue under control during your backswing.

Practice Exercise

A useful routine to practice, which will help you check whether you are delivering your cue in a straight line. Use the Baulkline as a guide, cue to the brown spot (without a ball) and practice your cueing. You can see from the shadow on the table whether you cue is coming back straight and following through on a straight line.

The Mind Game

Snooker is a game that involves control of the mind as much as of the cue.

You need to practice this control, so that when under pressure in a match, you are in control or yourself and the situation. For instance, you have just missed an easy shot and promptly slammed the butt of your cue on the floor. First of all, this is unsporting behaviour, and also a negative response. You have immediately let your opponent know that you are not happy, thus passing him the initiative and giving him confidence. Try instead to think positively. Why did I miss that shot? Now the shot is out of the way, prepare yourself instead to be ready to take the next chance that comes your way.