Since Ling Zhi had just started practicing snooker not long ago, he knew very well that his accuracy on the English table must be appalling.
However, he is confident in his ball control. At least when there is no chance, he can ensure that the white ball can stop in a relatively safe position.
So, he made a request to play against senior Jin Zhen. In this way, he might be able to learn more from senior Jin Zhen’s batting ideas.
Therefore, throughout the game, Lexus adopted a very simple strategy, which was to attack when the ball was easy to hit and defend when there was no easy ball.
Jin Zhen could also clearly see that Ling Zhi was just starting out, so he was a little too confident at the beginning and attacked very fiercely, leaving many simple attack opportunities for Ling Zhi.
Although Lexus could score these simple balls, most of them couldn't connect with the colored balls, so Lexus' highest single score was only 7 points.
As the game progressed, Jin Zhen's expression became more solemn.
The game had been going on for a while, and he didn't have a few good shots to get started.
In most cases, Lingzhi would park the white ball near the top bunker to defend, while the red balls were mostly near the bottom bunker, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
So he had no choice but to defend with Lexus.
After guarding for half an hour, the shape of the ball became very complicated, with many balls sticking to the edge of the bank, making it difficult to attack.
Coach Xingchen and Uncle Li were watching the game with great interest. However, Jin Zhen was getting more and more irritable. Because, until now, his total score was still 1 point less than Ling Zhi! This
Where should he put his reputation as a former professional player?
So, after another defensive shot by Ling Zhi, Jin Zhen couldn't bear it anymore and said what he just said.
Of course Lingzhi could also feel Jin Zhen's irritability during the competition. After all, Jin Zhen's strokes were getting faster and faster, and his swing time was getting shorter and shorter.
Ling Zhi thinks this is normal, because the defensive game has never been loved by the audience and players, so when two players are in a situation where they are defending back and forth, no matter who they are, they will have a headache. This has nothing to do with the personal character of the players.
However, Ling Zhi really didn't expect that Jin Zhen would actually say such things, saying that he might be a cancerous figure in the future. As for that? As for this level? He couldn't help but respond:
"Senior Jin Zhen, didn't you say you can fight me however you want?"
Jin Zhen turned his head and asked an unexpected question:
"Have you ever heard of Mark Selby?"
"certainly."
"You are Mark Selby's style of play. Although he has won many championships, it is because he is willing to shamelessly prevent his opponents from going crazy. However, Selby's style of play is no longer popular now!
What’s popular now is attack! Single shot! Do you understand?”
"You won't get much development if you keep fighting like this, really. Forget it, let's not talk anymore. It's really unlucky. Let's go."
After that, he was ready to pack up his clubs and leave Xingyu.
Because Jin Zhen's words were so shocking, Ling Zhi forgot to respond for a while, but Uncle Li came to the rescue at the right time and said:
"Xiao Jin, you spoke a little too harshly. Why are you angry with him? There's no need."
"I'm doing this for his own good, Uncle Li. Forget it, I won't say any more and leave."
Ling Zhi wanted to have an argument with this senior, but he was afraid that if he spoke too much, he would be suspected of overstepping his bounds. Just as he was hesitating, Zhao Shiyan next to him took a step forward, folded his hands on his chest, and asked solemnly:
"I want to ask you, did Lexus commit a foul just now?"
Jin Zhen was stunned, and the movements of his hands suddenly stopped. He turned his head and said subconsciously:
"That's not true."
"Since there is no such thing, why can't we fight like this?"
Zhao Shiyan's firm and powerful words were inspiring.
Jin Zhen stared at the little girl for a while without saying anything. The air suddenly became quiet.
Coach Xingchen raised his eyelids and was about to step forward to rescue him when he saw Jin Zhen pick up the pole box in his hand and walk towards the door, saying as he walked:
"I don't talk nonsense to amateurs."
After that, he slammed the door and walked out.
The crowd of people watching nearby were also whispering and discussing the game just now.
"That guy surnamed Jin is going too far. He thinks he is a big shot? He still looks down on amateur players. Isn't he just an amateur now?"
"But what he said is not entirely unreasonable. It's really pointless to be defensive all the time."
"It depends on the situation. When the strength is obviously inferior to that of the opponent, how can you seize the opportunity if you don't defend?"
"You have to have a certain degree of control."
"..."
The discussion among the people nearby was endless, but Ling Zhi's thoughts gradually drifted into the distance.
Lexus is no stranger to Mark Selby. He was a popular figure more than ten years ago and has won the World Championships more than once. However, his batting style has been criticized by professional players and ordinary fans.
Chinese fans once used one word to sum up Selby's batting style: "grinding".
That's right. This "grinding" is not to delay time intentionally, but to defend too much during the game. Once there are no good balls, the white ball will be parked in the top library, making it difficult for the opponent to attack.
It stands to reason that defense is also a common phenomenon in billiards games. This style of play is to win the game, and there is nothing to be picky about.
But Selby is more than that.
In a 2016 World Championship final, Selby insisted on playing snooker even when his opponent was 11 points ahead of him and there were only pink balls and black balls on the table.
When there is only pink and black on the English billiards table, if you successfully make a snooker shot with a pink ball and cause the opponent to foul, you will get 6 points. So in this case, if you want
To make a comeback, you need to make at least 2 Snooker strokes.
Under normal circumstances, when the table exceeds 11 points, the lagging side does not give up and continues to work hard to make the opponent take penalty points. This is also within the normal understanding.
However, when there is only pink and black on the table, you can only use the black ball to make snooker to block the pink ball. The probability of success of such a ball will be very low, and most players will give up.
However, Selby did not give up. However, although he made a few successful shots in the middle, the opponent successfully recovered the pink ball, and Selby did not get the penalty point as he wished.
In the end, Selby still lost the game.
In that 66-minute fierce battle that year, Selby's "control" style of play received a lot of criticism, and many people turned against Selby.
Ling Zhi also watched the video of that game. Although Selby's spirit of not giving up is commendable, it seems unnecessary to still insist on defense when the single game lasted more than an hour.
Ling Zhi asked himself, if it were him, he might have given in defeat long ago. But he was not prejudiced against Selby.
Although Lexus can't be said to like Selby, he definitely can't be called a hater. He respects and understands this style of play, because within the limits allowed by the rules, you can theoretically do anything.
Today, although Lingzhi defended a little more, it was far from Selby's level. Lingzhi's defense basically appeared in situations where there were not many good opportunities. Can't I be allowed to defend because I am so stupid?
Therefore, Lingzhi did not feel frustrated because of Jin Zhen's words. Instead, he felt that it seemed natural for Jin Zhen to retire after only a few years of playing professionally.
"Lingzhi, don't listen to that guy's nonsense. He can't beat you and just talk nonsense there. It's too much!"
Zhao Shiyan pouted on the side and defended Ling Zhi.
Ling Zhi smiled and patted her shoulder, comforting her and saying:
"Okay, I'm not that fragile. I don't even take his words to heart. Don't worry."
At this moment, coach Xingchen returned to the ball room with a gloomy face.
Ling Zhi suddenly felt a little nervous. In any case, Jin Zhen's leaving here had something to do with him, and Jin Zhen was invited by Coach Xingchen, so he had lost Coach Xingchen's face in disguise.
So Lingzhi stood there without daring to speak, waiting for the coach's storm.
Coach Xingchen came to the table. He neither talked to Ling Zhi nor tried to clear the table. Instead, he first spoke to Zhao Shiyan:
"Actually, you are right. Within the limits allowed by the rules, as long as you can win, you can do anything."
"Competitive sports are so cruel and not so humane. Win is win and lose is lose. No one will stipulate which style of play you must use to play."
After that, the coach said to Uncle Li:
"Oh, Lao Li, I regret inviting him here. I watched him practice in Pingcheng when he was 15 years old. I didn't expect that after more than 20 years, he would have changed so much."
Uncle Li smiled lightly and said:
"Normally, there are not many people who can keep their composure while playing exhibition games for a living, and it's not like there aren't those who are more outrageous than him."
"That being said..."
Seeing Coach Xingchen and Uncle Li talking, Ling Zhi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. In any case, the coach didn't blame himself, which can be regarded as a blessing in misfortune.
Of course, although Coach Xingchen and Uncle Li are all facing him, Ling Zhi also knows very well that defensive style of play is really not popular with others.
When he is not in good condition, he can defend for a while. Once he is in good condition, he cannot easily let go of the opportunity.
Thinking of this, Ling Zhi was about to pack up his clubs and leave Xingyu, when Coach Xingchen turned his head and smiled at him:
"Don't leave in a hurry, the game isn't over yet?"
"Huh? Coach, what do you mean..."
Coach Xingchen picked up his club, looked at the game, and said with a smile:
"Actually, solving a complex situation tests a person's comprehensive ability. Technology, mentality, and adaptability to the situation are all indispensable. This is a rare opportunity. Let's chat while we fight, and I will tell you some points that you need to pay attention to."
Ling Zhi immediately regained some of his energy. The impact of Jin Zhen's reprimand just now disappeared instantly, and he turned to sparring with his coach.
"The power of this shot is a bit soft. I need to practice more when I return to the ball."
"The idea of a cross shot is good, but this shot almost hit twice. It's better to add some spin..."
Teachings like this are endless.
Although the coach seemed merciless when pointing out his shortcomings, Ling Zhi felt that compared to Jin Zhen who just talked about being "professional", coach Xingchen seemed more professional.