Practice before a NR match

[Dallas Hershell]

What is the rule with a quick practice before a NR?

I don't know any sport where you can't warm up before you play, so you can perform at your best. Even at the highest level in Snooker the players have warm up tables out the back, which they can even use at intervals.

I think today with the staggered draws, it is only fair that the player who has not had a match, is entitled to have say 10 shots before the start of the match.

I just want a rule set in stone for all NR events, as when I see the top players grab the white ball an have a hit, nothing is said, yet when some others have a quick practice, something is done about it.

I got told off a ref a while ago, that you could have 3 shots, on the condition that the opposition gets the same opportunity.

[Nathan Reese]

What is the rule with a quick practice before a NR?

I don't know any sport where you can't warm up before you play, so you can perform at your best. Even at the highest level in Snooker the players have warm up tables out the back, which they can even use at intervals.

I think today with the staggered draws, it is only fair that the player who has not had a match, is entitled to have say 10 shots before the start of the match.

I just want a rule set in stone for all NR events, as when I see the top players grab the white ball an have a hit, nothing is said, yet when some others have a quick practice, something is done about it.

I got told off a ref a while ago, that you could have 3 shots, on the condition that the opposition gets the same opportunity.

Actually good point as a matter of fact Steve and Shawn were not aloud ONE practice shot before the final which is unusual. the first shot on this table was the break off

[Hicksy]

Valid point Dallas. At the 1994 IBSF title, every player was allowed 6 shots on the table before he played. I noticed that most players would try to pot the balls without worrying about the pace of the table. I thought better to use my 6 shots getting used to the pace of the tables firing up and down the table and on the side cushions.
I think it worked ok for me that tournament!

[Glen Wilkinson]

I don't think any amount of practice on the table before a Neil Robertson match is going to help.

[Terry Jackson]

LOL Glen.

I do think that practice before a match is fine to be honest, especially before Semi and Final.
I remember reading on this forum not long ago that some players thought the final of the Australia Open was a bit low quality and several players commented on the fact that the table was much faster, like glass/ice and the players took a while to adjust.

I don't see why a 5 minute time per player could be added for both players prior to starting the match, 10 minutes extra is not going to slow down the tournament that much.

[Dallas Hershell]

It will actually speed things up, as frames will not get as scrappy from missed pots.

[dave w]

in a situation like oz open final, could they play a dead frame like they hit up in tennis. then you really get pace of table safety shots balls coming off cushions etc. but at the end of the day the good players adjust quicker to new conditions, you can always adjust to a good table its adjusting to crap thats harder

[Dallas Hershell]

Hard to do that dave, one may come in and make a 100 break.

[dave w]

so what, have you ever made a hundred after some one made one on you,

[Nick Waymouth]

In the Oceania 2002 in Aukland, we were allowed 6 shots before the start of play. I used the six shots to see the pace and roll of the table. 2 shots along the top cushion potting the white, 2 shots from baulk to top along each side cushion potting the white and 2 across the pink spot potting the white into the middle pocket against the nap. Brad Harris showed me that and its a good warm up routine to see how the table plays etc.