105. Awkward Bridging - Close to pocket and cushion

[@domainadmin9905]

Only Barry would address such topics like this! You're the man 😎

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Domain. The cue ball position does give some players a problem, I hope the video helps them.

[@seeyouthen]

Thanks Barry. I'm often encountering awkward bridging and not dealing well with it. Glad you did this refresher

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Aidan. It is important to get yourself stable and comfortable, a little practise will soon sort you out, well done.

[@juanmanuelacosta21]

Thank you for a lot of videos Barry. I learn so much with your videos, there make me better than past.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

JuanMa. Its great that the videos are helping your game to progress.

[@MoiFidodido1966]

Hi Barry. Just want to say thank you so much for creating this channel. After years of not playing anymore due to stagnation and discouragement, your videos helped me not only to decide to try playing again, but also made me progress therefore remind me of all the love I have for this game. I'm also noticing that you're approaching the 100 k subscribers which makes me very happy for you. I am one of them of course. I sure hope to see new content for years to come. Best of luck to you! :-)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Stephane. Great that you like the channel and that your interest in the game has re- surfaced. I Thank you for your well wishes and we hope to continue with the videos as long as I am able and that the interest remains.

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

Hello Sir from Greece again, this is another wonderful video!!! Thank you Sir for sharing your knowledge with us!!!!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

George. My pleasure, nice to have ones efforts appreciated.

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

Sir, I'm gonna be honest with you. I appreciate your efforts so much, that is really difficult for me to express it. When I started watching your videos, i said to myself, this is the snooker coach I've been looking for. I feel so glad and lucky to have met you Sir. Even though I may never have the chance to meet you in real life. Thank you for everything Sir and God bless you!!!!!

[@mversantvoort]

My bridging isn’t too good in general, but it’s especially bad near the cushion, so this is just what I needed!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Maikel. It is always important to have a stable bridge, great that the video gives an insight into this.

[@kellyhunt3958]

Another very informative video. Thanks for uploading.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kelly. Glad that the video is useful to you.

[@shawnsullivan2729]

As ususal Coach Barry...you are the best when it comes to teaching and giving us tips about this beautiful game. Your attention to detail in explaining each and every shot situation on the snooker table is out of this world. I have a little question for you...will a good cue like 'Parris' better one's performance? I know that Stephen Hendry says that he used to own a cheap cue and when he lost it, it was such a big blow for him. But will a good cue being it 'Parris' ,'Peradon' or whatever make such a difference in this game? Thank you :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shawn. Many thanks for the compliment. I always felt, rightly or wrongly, that Stephen Hendry was never quite the player he was when his old cue was damaged and he started playing with another cue. I think that implies that whilst a decent cue is important it still has to suit your game. Some players like a robust cue, others like a little flex in the shaft, what I will say is that if it looks and feels right, it generally is right regardless of how much is paid for it. I know of some club players barely capable of making a thirty break paying a small fortune for a purpose made cue in the belief that they will soon be making a century, unfortunately they won't.

[@renesonse5794]

@Barry - By far the most difficult bridge for me is having to shoot over the top of another ball in front of the cue ball. I don't have large hands or long fingers and I can barely make a bridge high enough to clear the ball and it is far from stable and I wind up stabbing the shot and most of your fine cuing techniques go out the window. I know even the pros can struggle with this. Please address this in a future video as I know many of us have this problem.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rene. I have covered this aspect in my video "number 28" I sympathise with the fact that your hands are on the small side and that you struggle to play over a ball but to be absolutely honest I don't see what else I can do.

[@darrenfernando7569]

You're a good example for age is just a number

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Darren. I do try, it does get harder as I get older though.

[@chirag4]

Barry is 75 years of age if i am not mistaken, you can correct me Barry. Thanks. To play + coach others at this age is a commendable achievement. Thanks for these videos.

[@lukemcmillan5264]

I find it hard hitting the cue ball correctly when it's tight on the cushion!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Like. Even professionals have problems when the cue ball is tight on the cushion, just make sure your bridge hand is stable and don't be too adventurous with your shot, accept that these are difficult and play accordingly.

[@ernoeskeli1139]

I have problems as well with that kind of shot and it's probably the fact you can't see the whole cue ball when getting down on the shot. You can only see the very top of the cue ball and if you're cueing at an angle (relative to the cushion) the visible part of the cue ball is very confusing. Therefore, you sometimes tend to cue slightly off center because the middle of the cue ball is harder to find.

[@Obi-Conker-Nobody]

Surprisingly really helpful!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Obi. Its often the simple things that players struggle with or fail to give enough attention to.

[@shahzadishahzad307]

Would like to see n listen about the elbow of bridge hand when playing from cushion on different anglez you explain here sir,

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

shahzadi. Having a straight or bent bridge arm can have an influence on the amount of follow through, I have covered this aspect in earlier videos, please have a look.

[@Arman-km2mn]

Hi mr Stark. As you adviced. I asked a friend to record my cue delivery from behind.from that view my stance and grip are fine. But the problem is my prepration and cue delivery. I do it without pausing and I do it very fast I think thats why I miss sometimes...

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

arman. You have possibly hit upon your problem, the transition between bringing the cue back and then delivering forward is very often the area where mistakes happen, also, because they happen very quickly, they are not spotted. A pause or at least a slowing down of the back swing at this junction is usually very helpful. Be patient with this though it is different and will take a little time to incorporate into your game.

[@ash6415]

Cueing across or over the jaws of a pocket is very difficult, i can feel the cue moving off straight as it feathers. How do you stop this?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

@ash. Getting the bridge hand comfortable and stable is essential and only practise can do that for you

[@hishamhardy007]

Hey barry! There’s a problem that I’m constantly suffering with and I want you to do a video on it. I lack in self belief and suffer from pressure for example if there’s a easy clearance on and that’s all I need to clinch the frame I would get so much under pressure that I miss the easiest of pots that result in total lack in self belief! It’s like I have the potting skill but I can’t get it when I need it the most. Teach us how increase our mental strength! Regards Sir!

[@bowow0807]

One of the best methods that Barry has touched upon in the past for improving your mental game is having your pre-shot routine. Once you have a solid pre-shot routine all you need to do is focus on the pot and the position and your nerves will settle down much easier and it helps you relax and focus on the shot. Another method is the more "old-school" method which is basically play more money games. The more you play the more used you are to the pressure and when you play with lower stakes it becomes a lot easier. I personally play american pool since there are no snooker tables where I live, but I appreciate both games. I actually have the opposite problem to you, where in an easy clearance I tend to lose focus and and relax and become careless with an easy shot or clearance. In fact it's when I'm under pressure that my game drastically improves. That is until I miss an easy frame ball and my mental focus goes out the window for the rest of the match hahaha.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Qazi. Coping with the mental pressure associated with the game can be very difficult and the answers can be very different for different players. "bowow0807" has mentioned a very important method with establishing a pre-shot routine. Diaphragmatic breathing is also very important to bring the heart rate down and help you relax. Breathing properly, assists in expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs allowing the inhalation of more oxygen which helps us to function and think better. It is no good just doing these things on match day though, they are elements that need to be practised until they become comfortable and second nature, the best place to do this is on the practise table. On the subject of pre-shot routine---- If a player stands as he always stands, prepares to play a shot as he always does, delivers the cue as he always does and invariably the balls goes in, then why shouldn't he be mentally strong. Its never quite as simple as that but by doing the same thing all the time you give yourself the best chance.

[@nirmal209]

Coach barry can you make video on deliver cue on same speed but onley change pressure on grip how to do that . Ronnie and steaphn lee both they talk abot this method

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nirmal. Very difficult to show a feeling on video, every player tends to do this slightly differently, I personally use the third finger to feel the cue and only very rarely vary the pressure.

[@nirmal209]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach . And coach what deliver cue at same speed

[@3050gelert]

Very helpful... Do you have tips for keeping concentration up during break building... I'm starting to get high teens low 20 breaks ofter now but I lose the cue ball due to over use of side or too much back spin and going out of position due to silly mistake like that... Keep the brilliant videos coming sir

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Tommy. If you are only making 20 plus breaks you have to be honest and say that you are still only a beginner. Please be patient, keep doing the right thing and progress will come. This game is all about repetition, in your solo practise (which I hope you are doing) when you miss a shot or the cue ball doesn't go where you intended it to go, set it up again and practise it until the balls do what you are asking them to do. Take every opportunity to learn from your failures, keep working on that cue action it is where consistency starts and finishes, lastly keep a note book on things that you have worked on, the progress you are making and the things that need extra work. Good luck.

[@3050gelert]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you for the reply and yes a beginner I am... Been playing off and on since I was 14 but never as consist as the past year so progress is slow... The group I go with I've got them into practice routines too so there's marginal progression through the group

[@mohammedhadi9358]

that was really useful vedeo. thank you mr coach.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

luis. Glad that it helps.

[@vbregier]

Hi, thanks a lot for your high quality videos. Are you planning to do a follow-up on awkward bridging due to balls in the way of the bridge hand, or in front of the cue ball ? These can be awkward cases also, and I often struggle to find a stable bridge position in these cases…

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Vivian. I have already covered this in one of my videos, please have a look, I believe it is number 28. If it doesn't cover what you need to know please let me know and I will see what I can do.

[@vbregier]

Thank you for your reply ; video 28 indeed talks a little about cueing above another ball, showing two slightly different hand position for the bridge. One of my problem is adapting the bridge when there are other balls in the way of where I would like to place my bridge hand. But then, looking back, maybe my problem is that I need to accept that in these situations I will not be accurate, and I need to find another shot or play a safety… Anyways thanks again for your videos, I learned a lot with them, and there is still a ton of information that I need to digest into my game…

[@TheGyanesh23]

Thank you for these tips for tight cushion shots. I miss around 80% of tight cushion shots because of my loose bridge hand and not cueing straight. Now maybe i can improve on that. Also sir can you please give some tips on posture or techniques to reduce neck pain. I am having frequent neck pain after playing an hour of snooker and sometimes it severe that i have to stop playing for the day what i am asking you is there any chance that it is thr result of poor stance and technique or is it some other problem. Any help is much appreciated and like always thank you for making these videos.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Gyanesh. Ouch, This can be a problem for some players, myself included. Adopting the snooker position is an unnatural position and can cause strain in the cervical area even if you are doing things correctly. It would be unprofessional of me to advise without medical guidance, may I suggest that you first and foremost see a physiotherapist, you obviously have a problem and the pain should not be as severe as you say.

[@TheGyanesh23]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Ok thank you for the reply. I'll consult my physiotherapist because this neck pain is being a problem for me since a week and it does hinder with my performance.

[@morozowski89]

Mr. Stark, I have a problem I couldn't find on any video or snooker related forum. When I am delivering the cue fast for a shot with lot of power I tend to hit my body with my playing hand at the end of the movement. That makes my cue shake a little and I believe because of that I am not striking the cue ball in the middle, or where I intend. I will be very thankful for any tips on that

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

morozowski. As the hand reaches the body the contact will make the cue vibrate a little and the more power used will cause more vibration. But the cue tip is in contact with the cue ball for only a minimal amount of time and by the time the hand reaches the chest the cue ball has gone, so it will not affect the shot. The question that needs to be asked is, when the cue stops vibrating, is it still pointing in the correct direction. If you are not striking the cue ball in the middle there is another reason, not this one.

[@kardRatzinger]

Hello Barry, I always find shots from close to the cushion to be most difficult at an angle, say around 45 degrees to the cushion. I tend to overcut these massively. Is that a technique problem?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kard. Not necessarily a technique problem but obviously it could be and that is always worth checking. This actually sounds like you are having a little trouble with blind pocket potting, (cut backs). If I am right it's always a good idea to view the shot standing directly in line with the object ball and the pocket before you move into position to play the shot. This can even involve moving to the other side of the table so that you can view it correctly, but until you sort the problem out it can be well worth it.

[@ankitgadhvi]

Hello Mr. Stark, thanks again for another amazingly helpful video. I have a little off topic doubt. I have got a lot better in getting back spin but i have noticed a strange occurrence in my cue delivery. As I am just learning to strike the cue on the cue ball where i want it, I have to focus on the cue ball while the delivery rather than the object ball. On few occasions I look at the object ball while delivery rather than the cue ball. I have seen very dramatic difference in the delivery when I Look at the object ball and deliver. I have noticed that I go through the cue ball much better and generate more back spin if I'm looking at the object ball. However when I look at the cue ball during the delivery to see if i'm striking correct, the effect is not the same. I see I don't go through the cue ball as much as in the other case and therefore there is less back spin. Can you spare any thoughts about this particular situation. Thank you.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ankit. Firstly when you play any shot you should be looking at the object ball, it appears that when you do this you are driving through the ball correctly but for some reason when you look at the cue ball you are allowing it to interfere with the correct follow through. Without seeing you do it I can't really offer any explanation except to say carry on with looking at the object ball and I come back to my favourite saying, "If it isn't broken, don't try to fix it."

[@ankitgadhvi]

Thank you Mr. Stark, I'll keep that in mind.

[@adityasharma3322]

Can you please do a video on tight cushion shots please.....i can try and touch the ball...but i seem to miss when the balls are short-rails apart

[@genehendrix1847]

Have you also made a video about the finger placement when you use the cushion as the bridge? It's a variation of the diagonal technique you show here but then for straighter shots, I think you just have to lift the middle finger a bit or is there more to it?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Gene. The only thing that really matters is that the bridge is stable and that there is a channel for the cue to slide in, some people have a problem achieving this when the cue ball is in the positions shown, I have only really tried to give some guide lines.

[@nirmal209]

Coach barry my problem in my setup my height is 5 ft 3 inch .i use 58 inch cue but its feel long for me .. even i can play with 11 or 12 inch bridge length because of my long backswing i hold cue just 1 inch from.butt of cue .. .iuse this .. what can i do now ..my cue arm not at 90 degree... Can i use 15 or 16 inch bridge length but with 6 or 7inch midum backswing ?🎂

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nirmal. Oh! dear no, You must not increase your length of bridge to 15 or 16 inches, you will lose control. Put a pencil mark on your cue 10 to11 inches away from the cue tip, no more, this is the position where your bridge hand should be when the cue tip is close to the cue ball. (where the thumb meets the knuckle of the forefinger) Take up your cueing position and your cueing arm should be about vertical, if the cue is too long when you are in this position then you will have to have the cue shortened. Please have look at my videos with Selina, her cue was too long in the first videos but eventually she had it shortened. you will be able to see the diference

[@nirmal209]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you coach

[@krishnambetala3643]

How to hit big breaks in snooker match?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Snooker. Making big breaks is what we all dream about but it doesn't happen without paying attention to the basics. Get your stance right, your pre-shot routine and your cue action, these are the ares that allow you to play all the shots and play them under control.

[@aryabapat2458]

Hi I am Arya Bapat (16 yrs) from Pune......I have been working on that cue action and practicing with all the balls spread ....daily for about 3 hrs per day....my potting and positioning has improved as said by my snooker mates..i am good with the cue action of the rest play...but my positioning of the cue ball with the rest is quite weak...I tend to lose my form when I try to play a deep screw while using rest...can you pls suggest me something to improve this factor....also I am right handed player but pretty good with my left hand so that advice in the video was a big encouraging factor to keep improving my left hand game...thank you sir.....waiting for your reply

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Arya. You say you have a good cue action with the rest so there cannot be anything drastically wrong, it may be that you are a little nervous about getting through the ball when using the rest. This is where solo practise with it comes in, players who are not very good with the rest tend to just hit it rather that hitting through it, this is the point that needs practise. Its good that you use your left hand as well as your right you will find it a useful skill to have.

[@aryabapat2458]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you sir

[@שראלבןמשה]

hi barry! thank you very much for your hq content.. very helpful.i have a question, i personally use a cue that weighs 20 oz for a quite a while now... i know that the standard is between 15-17... should i replace the cue? and if i should, what size would you recomend? thanks anyway!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

20oz is quite heavy in the modern game especially if you are playing on fast tables with modern balls. However, to go to 15oz would be such a massive contrast that I feel it would probably ruin your game. Somewhere between 17 and 18 ounces would probably be more appropriate. If the only thing you don't like about the cue is the weight it might be worthwhile asking a manufacturer if the weight could be reduced, balance is important so professional advice should be sought.

[@שראלבןמשה]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you very much for your reply! Keep making great content, probably the best snooker lessons on youtube!

[@alancarlton8380]

Totally irrelevant but trying to look up previous snooker shot where miss-potted ball rolls along top of cushion into pocket but all I keep getting is yourself or Kyren Wilson no knowing about re-spotted black being re-spotted when a foul on black leaves scores level, I don't wanna know about cushion shots or kyren so decided I'd have a rant instead-Thanx.....and obviously sorry❤

[@haatib42]

Gowan lad