Good snooker on

[shaunbhoy]

And youth it appears. How many middle aged or older guys are at the same level as the top players?

You appear to be suggesting that as one gets older one may lose a bit of focus. That sir is poppycock!! I am approaching 52, and can categorically state that when I put my mind to something then nothing can shake my steely resolve..................Oh LOOK!! A Chaffinch!!

[TimberWolf]

It's practice and confidence.

I spent years playing at county level. I'd be lucky to beat a pissed ten year old now

And youth it appears. How many middle aged or older guys are at the same level as the top players? Being male also seems to help.

[cojak]

Always wondered how one can go from being almost unbeatable at this (like Davis or Hendry were for prolonged periods), to being very ordinary, as they both are now. It is not as if there is any "fitness" element to it that can fade with ageing, and it surely just boils down to keeping your eye in? I suppose you must lose a bit of hunger for the victories after a while, but at the same time the pressure must fade once you have been World Champion umpteen times surely?
Bit bewildering really.

Virgo and Thorne were musing about that at the weekend, they thought that it might be a bit of loss of focus - over-analysing the play and not concentrating on the current shot...

[MarillionFan]

Maybe it is the progressive weight of their wallets counterbalancing them?

It's practice and confidence.

I spent years playing at county level. I'd be lucky to beat a pissed ten year old now

[shaunbhoy]

I wonder too. I imagine the brain simply loses a tiny amount of fine motor control or something along those lines... the precision involved is absolutely amazing.

On the other hand, nerves play a huge part so maybe they are just not as mentally strong

Maybe it is the progressive weight of their wallets counterbalancing them?

[d000hg]

I wonder too. I imagine the brain simply loses a tiny amount of fine motor control or something along those lines... the precision involved is absolutely amazing.

On the other hand, nerves play a huge part so maybe they are just not as mentally strong

[TimberWolf]

Always wondered how one can go from being almost unbeatable at this (like Davis or Hendry were for prolonged periods), to being very ordinary, as they both are now. It is not as if there is any "fitness" element to it that can fade with ageing, and it surely just boils down to keeping your eye in? I suppose you must lose a bit of hunger for the victories after a while, but at the same time the pressure must fade once you have been World Champion umpteen times surely?
Bit bewildering really.

It seems to happen quite suddenly too. Mind you, I'm not sure how a Davis in his prime would fair against today's players.

[shaunbhoy]

Always wondered how one can go from being almost unbeatable at this (like Davis or Hendry were for prolonged periods), to being very ordinary, as they both are now. It is not as if there is any "fitness" element to it that can fade with ageing, and it surely just boils down to keeping your eye in? I suppose you must lose a bit of hunger for the victories after a while, but at the same time the pressure must fade once you have been World Champion umpteen times surely?
Bit bewildering really.

[TimberWolf]

If you like seeing Steve Davis play. His opponent is getting a bit wound up. Disbelieving a referee decision, slapping himself on the face (both cheeks), conceding a frame by storming out instead of indicating so and complaining to the master ref because the other ref warned him for swearing. He denies he swore. Nice to see Davis playing and winning for once though, even if he isn't all that good any more. Even the bald unsporting 'king moaner he's playing is almost his level now.