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I
have often been asked what ingredients are required to make
a top class snooker player. After listing:
Talent,
Dedication, Method, Bottle and Tactics,
it is essential to add a "little bit of luck."
Years
ago there was little mention of the part 'luck' had played
in a match. Snooker had always been played in such a good
sporting manner that the loser, whoever he was, was often
reluctant to claim he had been unlucky because he did not
want to take anything away from his opponent.
Today,
the game is still played in the same sporting manner as millions
of television viewers will testify. But because of the television
commentary teams and sporting press, more attention is being
paid to vital points which have ultimately decided the outcome
of a match.
Most
people realise that where there is a round ball there is certain
to be a roll or a bounce that can either be in favour or against
the player or team concerned.
For
example: in tennis when the ball hits the top of the net,
who knows which side of the court it will eventually fall.
On
the football field, a goalkeeper has a shot well covered only
to see the ball deflected to the other side of the goal by
someone in front of him.
At
golf, the ball may be on its way out of bounds but after striking
a tree rebounds back onto the fairway or green.
At
cricket, an inside edge can be deflected straight onto your
stumps or alternatively can fly past the wicket and the keeper
for four runs.
The
examples are endless. Anyone who is honest will agree that
on days like that, the gods were on their side and they had
a little bit of good fortune.
However,
in all of the above games there is only one ball, but what
about snooker where 22 balls are in play? Everyone is instantly
aware of a fluke when a ball is potted accidentally, but what
is not so obvious are the little nudges and kisses that can
either lead to an easy opening or adversely, a position where
it is impossible to score from.
Even
worse can be a little flick that places you in a position
where it is almost impossible to stop your opponent from scoring
One of the well-known clichés is that luck evens itself out.
In my opinion, it does sometimes, but not always and can be
dictated by the length of the match in question.
Top
players would much rather be involved in best of 17 frame
matches rather than best of 9 as there is more chance of the
luck, if it does favour one player more than the other, swinging
the other way over a longer distance of match. A player who
finds the luck going against him also has more time in which
to adjust his game.
A
player must learn to take note of the running of the balls.
If things appear to be going against them it may well be worth
tightening up their safety play by putting the cue ball on
the bottom cushion or by obtaining a snooker behind the baulk
colours. This can then lead to a change in fortune and the
opportunity to score at the next visit.
Quite
often a change in tactics and approach can change the running
of the balls and proves the saying that 'Lady Luck' is fickle.
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Back to home
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The
Frank Callan Suite - 8 Collinson Street - Ribbleton - Preston
- PR1 5EY
t.
+ 44 (01772) 702211 - f. 44 (01772) 793700
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