Play Better Frames

Objective: Build a consistent pre-shot and match routine (Assess, Decide, Approach, Set, Feather, Pause, Deliver, Stay down, Evaluate) and learn to manage nerves and mistakes during a frame.

Why it matters: Technical skill only shows up under pressure if you have a routine that holds together when a match gets tense.

Watch: [Video placeholder] Demonstration of the full nine-step match routine being used on a real shot.

Learn: A short guide covering the assess-decide-approach-set-feather-pause-deliver-stay down-evaluate routine, managing nerves, not rushing, recovering from mistakes, and maintaining concentration.

See it: [Image placeholder] Diagram listing the nine steps of the match routine in order.

Practise: Play a full frame applying every step of the routine out loud to yourself for the first 10 shots, then silently for the rest of the frame.

Test yourself: 1) What are the nine steps of the match routine, in order? 2) Why is rushing a shot after a mistake especially risky? 3) What does stay down mean and why does it matter?

Challenge: Play a full frame under self-imposed time pressure, such as a shot clock or a friend counting down, while still completing every step of the routine.

Common mistakes: Skipping the evaluate step and moving straight to the next shot without registering what just happened.

Coaching cue: After a missed shot, ask: what happened, and what do I do differently next time, before moving on?

Completion criteria: Complete a full frame using the complete routine on every shot, without rushing after a miss.