Imagine: You're at the table and you're on the verge of winning the deciding frame and the match.

You're profusely sweating and the nerves are building up inside as your cue arm shakes.

And, then, suddenly, you butcher the easiest of shots and the break comes to an end.

You hold your head in your hands devastated because you failed to win the frame and your opponent then calmly clears up and nicks the frame and match.

It's these types of pressure situations that leave some players even Top ones confused.

They say to themselves, "why am I making endless tons in practice routines, but can't get over the line in a match?"

Training to Win Under Pressure

Now, top snooker coach David Horrix has penned a book which he believes deals with that problem bridging the gap between the practice and match table.

It's called the Super Maximum Snooker Training System.

He's taken 155 routines some simple like the line-up, and turned them on their head to provide players with a journal of progress.

This book is not just 155 snooker routines all crammed into one book, it's a snooker practice diary with real challenges.

Challenges that you will face in real tournament situations Under Pressure.

Pressure Practice Routines

You start charting your progress from the first routine and by the end of the book, provided you have practiced and followed the instructions, you will have improved.

Horrix writes at the start of the book that players often are misconceived by their progress because on some routines such as the line-up routine, a routine which is one of the oldest in snooker, they are playing with no pressure and can knock in big breaks feeling great believing they are playing their best snooker.

He coaches in the Menstone Club in Yorkshire and has coached several juniors and top female players using similar drills and techniques.

But players generally aren't really testing the limits of their capabilities, and putting themselves under the sort of pressure that comes in matches, and that's one reason why they end up falling to bits in tournament play.

Horrix uses the types of drills found in the book in his lessons, and added in a chat online: "As a coach I mix the exercises up but each one is a significant challenge. That's what pro/top players want/need."

He writes in the actual book: "It's very important for players to establish their true level of play in relationship to the top players."

He goes on: "This true level of play differs greatly from a player's perceived level of play and can be established by some analytical work following a series of exercises."

Break-building opportunities present them self all over the table, and, so, therefore, you have to take advantage of a break-building opportunity when it comes along.

These exercises will enable you to see when a break is on and to take that opportunity to score - under pressure.

Horrix said further: "Even pros use line-ups with no real pressure and it's a big mistake. All the exercises have pressure and that really improves your game."

The Challenges

There's 155 challenges in the book ranging from simple to more advanced routines, so, let's take a look at one and how it works.

For example, in one routine, a top player's average break for that routine might be say, 90. Your task is to beat your own average and maybe even the top player's average.

On one particular routine in the book, you have 20 attempts to get the highest break you can from a set position. That's the pressure.

The target to beat your highest score in 20 attempts.

You must record your attempts and the score on each one.

Horrix says in the book there is more need for players to be able to cope with the mental aspect of the game - i.e, pressure, and believes these drills in the book will help to bridge that gap between practice and match play.

He says underneath one routine that if your average is less than 10 to start off with, don't worry, "it's not where you start it's where you finish that matters."

This book is more for the intermediate to advanced player than the real beginner - although anyone can benefit from these style of drills.

It's unique because most books in snooker just give you lots of routines to play, with no real direction or challenge in them, and they don't test your ability to perform under pressure.

These do.

Horrix believes that even professionals would benefit from this as well and help to up their game even more- especially if some struggle with getting over the winning line and dealing with pressure in matches on key breaks.

Download the book by visiting Horrix's website Complete Snooker and also view his other books aimed at all abilities.

PS: Watch how top pro Anthony McGill puts on a snooker tip with ease - below...Click play...
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