Slow Coach - The Indian Scenario

The learning curve for Billiards and Snooker is far too flat in the formative stages of a player and becomes steep when the player starts to "feel" the shots he or she plays. Hence, the process of development of a player is a tedious and systematic one to ensure he does not pick up the "wrong" habits or for that matter technique. History of the game is replete with stalwarts who did not seem to have the prescribed technique yet made it big with their own unique styles. In England and in the Far East, learning schools these days put the pupil through a grind to enable he develops the right technique and discipline this sport demands. The processes in place are paying rich dividends as is evident from the titles won by players from these countries in all versions of Cue Sports, be it Billiards, Snooker and Pool and their variations. In recent years the emergence of Thai and Chinese players is stunning the world on the green baize. The pot-shot is bang on target.

Somewhere, in between these two extremes, lays the traditionally rich country – India. We have had our own share of glory on the World scene. Today, the reigning champion in the World in Men’s Billiards is from India. This, despite the facilities and tournaments conducted are far and few. Further, there is no definite Programme in place for coaching budding and potential players. Sponsors for players are not forthcoming as all sport in India seems to have lost out to the giant killer – Cricket. The result – one has to fend for himself and find his way up the ladder with meager resources. The most important cog in the wheel is the quintessential "Coach". Where does he stand in the Indian context?

There are a number of coaches in India spread across the country generally operating in his selected place of residence. Each has shaped his coaching tactics on his own style of play and concept of the game. Each has his own whims and fancies. If one demands a soft touch approach, another asks you to bang the ball into the pocket. If one continuously harps upon your stance and cueing, another does so on your striking of the ball. If one recommends offensive play, the other makes you imbibe safety play. Mired in all this is the usual deriding of each others methods. The coaching fees range depends upon how great a player the coach was in his prime time. Where does this leave the aspiring player? It’s anybody’s guess. Switching horses, oops Coaches mid-stream is another threat that often breaks and remakes the player or leaves him confused forever. I have seen and heard of good talent wasted away purely on account of him landing up in the wrong hands of the maker.

As the sport becomes more competitive, there is a silver lining at the end of this dark cloud in the form of the venture proposed by the President of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India in the form of a Coaching academy to be located in the princely city of Hyderabad on the lines of the famous Crucible.

Col. E.J. Sanchis

Mumbai - India :: 21 March 2008