140. Your Questions Answered Part 2 - Barry at home

[@walidsarwary]

Congratulations your student reach the final of world cup and soon he will be world champion you are a great coach.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

The King. Many thanks, its great to see someone you have taught become better than yourself and even better when they become a potential world champion.

[@markr8690]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you for everything. You are dearly appreciated. Hope you're well Sir.

[@andrewdonnpatterson7066]

Barry is great to see a passionate Teacher of the sport. Being from a semi professional background at another sport, Tenpin bowling. Taking on the new challenge of Snooker has seen me understand more in 4 weeks of watching your videos than the 40 years of trail and error at bowling. Your commitment to teaching the fundamentals and basics of the cue action is a point that every player should strive for. Regardless of it being Golf,bowling or Snooker the importance of good solid fundamental technique is the key to any form of long term success. Golfers and bowlers call it grooving your swing and committing it to muscle memory. Its exactly the same i am finding in the this wonderful game of snooker. Thank you for your wealth of knowledge and the way in which you present your videos is outstanding. keep up the great work . Cheers Andrew.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andrew. Great that you enjoy the videos and of course have taken the trouble to say so. I learned many years ago during my training to become a PE teacher that you ignore the basics at your peril and that that maxim applies to all sports. Having said that we must also recognise that we are all different and that is where good coaching comes in, recognising and developing these differences. A classic example in snooker would be to compare Ronnie O'Sullivan with Judd Trump, both play the game totally differently and it would be a massive mistake to try to over familiarise one with the other.

[@andrewdonnpatterson7066]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach totally agree Barry developing each players particular style to enhance their natural ability is the key to a great coach. You obviously have a great eye for this, and the way in which you deliver your tutorials allows players of all abilities to learn and understand this great game. You are a true asset to the great sport of snooker. Stay Safe. Andrew

[@viswanathgummaraju3572]

Sir, The Guru is delighted when the student excels. The dicipline, conduct and the unforgetable gesture of clapping when the match ball was potted!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ViswaNath. You are so right, there is not much greater pleasure than watching someone you have helped excel in anything.

[@shantanubharvirkar7759]

When I saw kyren in the world championships final..I remembered of you. Well wishes sir!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shantanu. Nice to be remembered in that way, many thanks.

[@kfmctell]

Great to see you fit & well online, during these strange times. Thanks very much for answering my question.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kfm. Hope you are fit and well also, I hope you found the answer satisfactory and helpful.

[@Ian-ri4tp]

Hi Barry. I'm so glad to see you are doing well n hope your family is safe and well. Stay safe and god bless.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ian. Many thanks for the good wishes, please stay safe yourself.

[@NambiarMadhu]

Barry Sir, good to have you back and hear your guidance !! Keep them coming, stay safe and healthy !!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Madhu. Glad to be back, please stay safe yourself.

[@DoYouFeelLucky]

Barry, just wanted to say congratulations to Kyren and to yourself for his stellar performance in the World Championship. The tables were quite clearly all over the place with the humidity and I thought Kyren handled it brilliantly. His match with Anthony McGill was one of the most enthralling matches I've ever seen. Kyren will win the World Championship, it's only a matter of time (and, of course, plenty of practice). I'd also just like to say that Kyren's attitude and composure both on and off the table are exemplary and he's a magnificent ambassador for the sport. All the very best :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

DoYouFeelLucky. Many thanks for your kind words, Kyren would have settled for the final at the start of the fortnight but having reached the final he obviously wanted to go all the way. Looking back at that game with Anthony like you I was enthralled, how he managed to come through the victor was unbelievable, it was just a shame there had to be a loser.

[@nukiepoo]

I have learned more from Barry than anyone else and I’m a pool player from the US. I wish snooker was more popular here; I find it a most fascinating game. And Barry, you’re such a class act. I’m so glad to see this video.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

nukiepoo. Always great to hear from the US and that some of my thoughts on snooker are being adopted into the game of pool. I used to coach former ladies snooker world champion Karen Corr. She emigrated to the US and did rather well on the pool circuit until family illness forced her temporary return to England. I mention Karen purely to emphasise that players can benefit from both games.

[@user-ht1hv6jr6m]

Great videos. Today, I watched the last videos. It was very worthful to improve my English vocabulary and got some tips about the snooker basics. Thank you, Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

B. Didn't realise I was teaching English as well, glad to be of help.

[@user-ht1hv6jr6m]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Yeah, snooker is for sure a national sport in England. So it was a nice idea to learn some stuff about how to play snooker and to learn English language from a native speaker. A great combination. All these videos create for me a wider vocabulary and in one of the coming days I will try out the snooker stuff in my man cave. I got me on a photo (just for fun), and I see that I need to bend more foreover to got parallel with the table as possible.

[@CFCseventy]

Thank you for getting back to me Barry best wishes for you and Kieran

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. Many thanks, big days coming up for Kyren at Sheffield.

[@chrisparsons5733]

Thanks Barry! Great to see you are keeping well.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. Many thanks, keep well yourself and good luck.

[@royalhero4608]

Your man Kyren did so well this year Barry, congratulations to you both! He will certainly win the WC very soon!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Smooth. Many thanks, winning the world championship is very difficult, there are so many very good players. Having said that I hope your prediction comes true, sooner rather than later.

[@nadergholikhany9862]

Congratulations for kyren Wilsons victory against the defense of the world champion trump which we all know that it's result of his hard work and your corrections and guidance achieved, I'm very happy for both of you and hope to see him be champion, because he deserves, also from previous tournaments I saw how sharp he become, hope the best for him. Sincerely Sir Barry stark

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nader. Many thanks.

[@chrisparsons5733]

Wow! Wishing Kyren all the best in his semi final, wouldn’t it be great if he went on to win it from here? Rooting for him! All the best Barry 👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. Thank you, much appreciated.

[@kellyhunt3958]

Well done 'Barry & Kyren' i bet you (Barry) were just as emotional as 'Kyren' lol... You'l have to toughen him up a bit 'Barry' lol... just kidding,, comes across as a great kid, what a pleasure it must be for you to see 'Kyren' in the final of the worlds... I have been telling people about you at our local club (scotties L,pool) for a while now, and i'm sure people will subscribe now. I have a notebook with me each week full of tips/training/practice set ups, and love to see how people can improve with just 20-30 min practice before playing. Well done again, and thanks for taking the time to share your vast knowledge. I'm backing Kyren all the way...

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kelly. Many thanks, glad you like the videos, obviously Kyren is disappointed not to win but he is more disappointed about not making it a closer contest. He will go away now, ask a few pertinent questions about the way he played and work even harder.

[@F.Butler03]

Thanks for all the help from your videos Barry! I want to improve my snooker but only have access to a pool table several times a week, and tips for how I could practise for snooker on a pool table? Thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Fursey. This is very difficult because of the size differences, but try to develop a sound cue action and think about where you can place the cue ball to make the next shot easy.

[@F.Butler03]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you and great match from Kyren today!

[@JR-ty8gh]

4:00 I’ve seen professionals say to a beginner to hit down on the white to stop from fouling when screwing. I think because there’s a tendency to swing up and lift up through the ball if you’re right near the bottom

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

J R The best advice to a beginner is to try to keep the cue parallel and get through the ball.

[@dhirajpallin2572]

Hi Barry, I have a unique problem that I haven't heard you talk about before. Basically when I set up a straight shot and I get down and try to aim my cue tip at the very center of the object ball, the shot misses (in exactly the same way every time). Originally I thought this was due to head position, but I now realize it's a different vision issue. I discovered that if instead of aiming for the center of the object ball, I aim for the center of the pocket, my straight shot now goes in every time, 100 times in a row etc. I then realized that if instead of aiming for the center of the object ball, instead I focus on the very top of the object ball, now what I see as straight is actually straight. After some more thinking, I realized this is a vision 'focus' issue. When I try to aim the center of my cue tip at the center of the object ball, I am essentially using both short range and long range focus at the same time. However there seems to be a misalignment between my short range and long/medium range focus. However if I focus on the pocket or on the very top of the object ball, this forces me to use my peripheral vision to see the cue tip, thus I am using medium range focus to see both the cue tip and object ball at the same time. This fixes the focus clash issue. I'm almost certain this is what's going on. I'm wondering if you've ever heard of this issue occurring in other people, or whether it's unique to me? Believe me when I say this can't be corrected by head position, I've tried!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dhiraj. I think what we have to consider here and indeed put it in perspective is that you have found something that works for you. I don't care how a player does it as long as he is getting success. There are several top players that do things against text book literature, Stephen Hendry looked at the pocket on angle shots, something that no other pro did. Judd Trump aims off line yet moves on line during the shot. I name two players here who have reached the pinnacle of the game doing what is considered unorthodox but it worked for them. If you are happy with your game using this technique stick with it, the time to alter is if your game suffers and you feel that this is the cause.

[@tt5150oumasan306]

world snooker championship,Kyren worked very very hard. I'm always supporting him.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

tt5150. Very grateful for your support. Many thanks.

[@mikebest634]

Some good questions there Barry ,regarding side in the pro game is a lot different these days than in the amuater game ,playing on super sleek heated cloths with not much nap is better to hit with plain ball when you can as every mistake is magnified on these fast tables with constant new cloths .Take golf at the masters with their heated greens that are ultra fast ,those surfaces react to every bit of break ,not something the club golfer would ever come across.Side was easier in the 80's and early 90's with shots Higgins and white played on with table conditions more in line in what clubs have now . Pro Players today can move the ball around easier with less side .Once again it shows the difference between what is seen on tv and what in reality is what most of us play on ,I'm not convinced modern conditions are great for the pro tv game ,its almost a different sport .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mike. You make some very profound and true points. I like to see the big breaks but I also like to see the tactical side of the game. I think the latter would be more prevalent if the cloth was not quite so responsive or the balls were a little heavier or both. I am also aware that a statement like that will create a lot of discussion, even argument.

[@DavidSalagean]

Almost at 147th video. It will be awesome if in that video you will make a 147 break.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

David. You are right it would be awesome and I wish I could make them to order, unfortunately I know I am not that good.

[@TerryClarkAccordioncrazy]

Great to see Kyren doing so well

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Terry. Thanks for that and for your support.

[@ethangonsalves8700]

Mr. Barry, I really love all the tips you have given up. As a youngster and a beginner I mostly know all the rules of this amazing game. Since I'm even-eyed, I have been hurting my chin when I'm taking an extremely powerful shot. When the cue runs very fast down my chin, I get hurt. My question is, 'is there any special oil to put in the cue, or using powder is necessary?'. If none of those help, can you tell me an easy method of not hurting my chin anymore when I am taking a shot? Awaiting for your reply Sir.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ethan. You say that you are young and a beginner and as such are probably trying too hard to keep your head still and creating tension, the cue should not be rubbing so forcibly on the chin that it makes it sore. An ash cue can cause friction if it is not looked after properly, perhaps a maple cue will help. Some pool players do use a substance on the cue to assist smoothness but I don't know what it is or where it is available from. Dave Harold a former professional snooker player used to have a sticking plaster on his chin in his early days for the cue to rub on, whilst I urge you to reflect on the tension, perhaps the plaster is worth trying.

[@ethangonsalves8700]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach dear Mr. Barry, Thank you so much for the tip you have given me. As you said, I might have been rubbing the cue too hard on my chin that causes friction and sores. Well, I did realize that mistake now of why I would get sores. I think so I put too much pressure with my head on the cue and on the chin. So, if I lift up my head slightly but still touching the cue with the chin, will that help? Awaiting your reply Sir.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ethan. The chin touching the cue is a good guide to tell you that you are keeping the head still but there should not be any pressure. There are very few players who have that contact between cue and chin throughout the whole of the stroke, but they still try to keep the head still.

[@ethangonsalves8700]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Sorry sir if I'm asking too much questions, but as a beginner I still remain a lot of questions. Sometimes in the game, I find that even when I'm standing straight and cueing straight, the ball doesn't go in the pocket. Have I been doing a mistake sir? Awaiting your reply Sir.

[@vokerjames4536]

Hi Sir Barry, i loved all ur videos and they help me play better snooker as a beginner. May i know how can i keep a straight cueing elbow while i was feathering? My elbow tends to go offline as soon as i start my feathering but somehow i can still deliver my cue in a straight line..i have seen pro players feathering with straight elbow and i wish i could do that too. Looking forward to hear from ur professional advices. Thank you so much 🙏 and lots of love from HONGKONG 💓

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Voker. If you really study the top players you will notice that a lot have idiosyncrasies in their cueing action and very few start and finish with everything in the same plane. The most important thing is to cue in a straight line and you tell me that you do that, so why worry. Judd Trump starts to aim with side and then corrects it as he delivers the cue going totally against the text book, his attitude is:- I don't care as long as the balls go in the pocket. If you are cueing straight your attitude should emulate his.

[@vokerjames4536]

Tq so much for ur professional advices and also many congratulations to Kyren on his maiden world championship final. Like ronnie said, he will be the future world champ in no time. Have a great day sir!

[@A43R3W]

Hi Barry I love u r channel, was wondering what would u suggest to stop my back arm curling round sort of like how John parrott did but more curled?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andrew. This can be caused by some slight abnormality in the shoulder joint, it can be too much flexibility or not enough or simply not working hard enough to maintain what is commonly known as the text book position. Are you sure also that this is causing you a problem, John Parrot was one hell of a player despite his arm position, likewise Ray Reardon became six times world champion with his unorthodox position. The only thing that matters is that you cue straight and get through the ball, that can be achieved irrespective of being unorthodox.

[@umarzareef5827]

Barry your videos are like treasure on KZbin . Kindly can u tell me any practise for removing jerk from my cue action

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Umar. I find that players who have a jerk in the action also tend to have a short action. You have to let the cue do the work rather than your muscles, the best way to do this is with a longer cue action. Players tend to be frightened of a long action in the belief that it is easier to keep a short action straight, this is simply not true, the action has to be straight not only up to and at the cue ball but also through the cue ball, the longer action allows this better. Now I am not saying that it is easy or that it cannot be too long, it is not easy and it can certainly be too long, but look at the players with a long action and how easily and effortlessly they strike the ball, players like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby, Luca Brecel. My advise is to get that cue moving, listen to the sound of cue tip on cue ball, feel the contact between them, You will have to go backwards a little in your form but you will progress quicker as your cue action improves, you can always shorten it a little later if you feel it has got a little too long. Good luck.

[@markus8899]

Hi Barry, I need to ask a couple of things. It would be awesome if you brought up these in one of your upcoming videos: 1. Table time. As much as I enjoy playing snooker I never get enough time on the table as I have so many other things to do aswell. Usually it's about once a week for about 4-5 hrs I get to practice. What aspects of the game I should focus when practicing. Due to lack of practice my standard break is around 20-25 points. 2. The other question is related to my age. I'm 45+ years and therefore my eyesight is getting worse and it's already affecting my everyday life. Now I'm about to get contact lenses for myself so question is should I keep myself from practicing until I'm wearing the lenses? Also what are the chances for a player of this age to achieve major improvements in his game?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

M S. Because your highest break is only around 25 you need to improve your potting and positional play keeping it very simple. Just place the colours on their spots and spread the reds around in potable positions. Examine your cueing on the baulk line occasionally but record your highest break in the routine mentioned. The real question to ask yourself is, Am I playing or working at the game, there is a very big difference. My eyesight is very poor, hence the glasses, but keep playing and then rejoice at the difference when you get your contact lenses. On the subject of improvement, I was in my forties before I started to play more seriously, if you try to do things correctly improvement will come, try to emulate top players like Neil Robertson or Shaun Murphy, they have a technique that has the elements within it club players would benefit from.

[@markus8899]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thanks Barry for responding. That is exactly the practice routine I have been doing, also the line up on top. I think one reason that limits my improvement is table time. Once I get to the right 'feeling' of good cueing my next time to get on the table is after a week which means that the 'feeling' is gone and need to find all over again.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

The worst part of being quarantine was not having regular Barry Stark videos

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Real. That's quite a compliment, many thanks.

[@gushalle]

Hi Barry, when watching the snooker On TV I notice a lot of the players, especially Ronnie, put a lot of bend in their cue as they are about to strike the cue ball. Could you please explain how it’s done and why. Many thanks, Andy.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andy. First this is not a deliberate act it can happen as the cue is taken back caused by keeping the body still yet lifting the cue slightly on the back swing. Most of what you see on the TV though is an optical illusion which tends to highlight it.

[@justaturtlepassingthrough3972]

Hey Barry, i usually watch your videos and you normally play on a Xing Pai table, the one that's used in the professional circuit. Any idea of how i could get one for myself? Thank you and keep up the good work sir

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Just. The table I use belongs to a professional player who allows me to use it, If you contact World Snooker at 75, Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NT I am sure they will furnish you with all the information you require.

[@almondgabu7436]

Great Tips.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Almond. Glad you like the videos.

[@dhirajpallin2572]

Hey Barry, one more question. When putting your cue down on the line of the shot, do you have any specific recommendations about how you should move the cue into position. I.e. the kind of arc to take? I found it's hard to test if I'm putting my cue down on the line properly, because when there is a drawn-on line, I subconsciously adjust my arc until the cue is perfectly on the line, but when the line is invisible, it's not as easy!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dhiraj. If you are having trouble with this, while you are stood up its a good idea to hold the cue over the line that you intend to deliver the cue, then bring the cue down on that line rather than across it. I find that this method helps a lot of players.

[@bobsnooker.3950]

Hi Barry i was a little bit worried that your heart might not stand up to yesterdays performance by Kieran mine just about did. Looking forward to a great final love Ronnie but also Kieran so will probably be supporting whoever goes behind and changing with the flow . Hope it is a great final. (You must be very Proud.)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bob. I gather you were supporting Kyren then as he was always chasing. Despite kyren not showing what he can do in the final, I am very proud, I look on him as the son that I never had. He will be disappointed but I guarantee one thing, he will learn from the experience and will be straight back on that practise table working harder that ever.

[@bobsnooker.3950]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Kyren can be immensely proud of his performance on the table throughout the tournament. The final did not go his way . As players we all know how this can happen . His sportsmanship and general conduct in how he dealt with this is an example to all young players. His time will come.

[@andreimarius3874]

Hi, Mr. Stark! In one of your videos you suggested to always use/hold the cue the same (for example with arrows up), but this tends to compress the tip more in one side than the other and this changes a lot the dome shape of the tip! Any suggestion?! Thank you!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andrei. Serious players are reluctant to allow other players to use their cue for any length of time partly because the tip wears down to how the player plays the game. Bedding a new tip in is part of the process of shaping the tip and using the cue the same way is a positive in this respect. However, if the tip becomes grossly mis-shaped perhaps you are using one too soft or leaving it on too long.

[@andreimarius3874]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach, it makes sense! Thank you!!

[@matthew76570]

Well done to Kyren and yourself for getting to the biggest snooker event final you both deserve it! I'm sure Kyren will get there eventually he's still very young and we can all see his fantastic potential. Ive just got this 1 question about the mental side of the game which Kyren does very well in. What is the best thing to do mentally if your losing a match, i always struggle for confidence when my opponent is scoring, and when the score gets further away from me. And sometimes when I'm winning i struggle the next frame maybe get too over confident. Shot selection is also something I'm struggling with during break building. I'd also like to ask, how does ageing affect a player? E.g does the class of 92's long game reduce over time because of this? Or is it harder for them to concentrate. As a John higgins fan I'd love to see him wim a 5th title, but every year i seem to have more doubts because of his age. Sorry for all these questions and if I'm wasting too much of your time, I'm just fascinated by this game and the longevity of the players these days.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Matthew. Please do not apologise for the questions and you are certainly not wasting my time. On the mental side of the game the two scenarios you describe are very typical, struggling because you are behind and over confident because you are in front. Obviously there are all sorts of things that would be recommended by a sports psychologist, which would include diaphragmatic breathing, visualisation, progressive relaxation exercises, etc. Whilst these are important what I would really recommend is establishing a pre-shot routine, a routine that you establish in practise and you stick to irrespective of the position in your matches. Take a lesson from the routines that John Higgins or Mark Selby adhere to. Just like you, they have had their problems and their routines are their methods of coping so to speak. Shot selection really comes with experience but being able to rely on that pre-shot routine goes some way towards maintaining a clear head and therefore clear thinking during a break. Unfortunately we all have to age, eye sight deteriorates, coordination diminishes, flexibility decreases and therefore ability reduces. The longevity of the class of 92 is largely down to fact that their techniques were so good all they have to do is maintain it. However, I also believe that Ronnie in particular, helps his cause by his running. Keeping fit has so many benefits and too many players ignore this aspect, piling the weight on and being uncomfortable on certain shots. It is difficult on tour eating and exercising correctly but it is certainly not impossible.

[@89liamkelly]

Hi Barry, What's the best way to stop the cue from sticking to your bridging hand as it's going through?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Liam. This really should not be happening and it makes me wonder if there is varnish on the shaft of the cue. If there is there is only two ways to combat this, one is to have it removed and the other is to wear a glove on the bridge hand. If there is no varnish on the shaft of the cue it may be sticking because it is a little dirty, a damp cloth should rectify that. It could also be because your hand perspires and to prevent this keep them cool or apply a little chalk to the 'V' on the bridge hand where the cue runs.

[@89liamkelly]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Thanks a mil for that Barry. Hope you're keeping well during covid.

[@stevehansler9014]

Hi barry I love watching snooker and I'd love to play. The problem is I'm registered blind I have no sight in my right eye and limited tunnel vision. I can see across the table but cant see top to bottom clearly so wouldn't be able to play long shots. Where should I start?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Steve. I really do sympathise it will be very difficult. The only thing that I can suggest is that you work at close range, about a foot between balls. You will gradually start to recognise potting angles which never change despite distance and learn to control the cue ball over this sort of range. Please don't forget to look at my early videos which cover where to place the bridge hand and where and how to hold the cue. These are very important aspects of the game and apply to everyone. Good look.

[@stevehansler9014]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you barry your advice is greatly appreciated. Keep up the fantastic videos. All the best and stay safe.

[@cobyha188]

I got the same mug the other day but i haven’t watched your videos in a while

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Coby. Don't know where she got it but it was a nice present.

[@pranayredkar8847]

How to fix snooker tip saw u r video Mr Barry but where I wil get that instrument to sharp tip

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Pranay. Many of my gadgets are home made but if you search the internet there are many useful aids to help shape the tip.

[@joestrauss8977]

Excellent answer about sidespin.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Joe. Glad you like the answer, a lot of players do get confused.

[@joestrauss8977]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach it's so difficult to explain. And you gave the very best answer. The player has to learn his cue stick,tip,chalk, stroke, distance from object ball to cue ball and adjust his or her aim and speed accordingly.

[@sidhaughty]

Hey barry sir...wishing for your good health.. A question, can we change the side after getting down into the shot, by moving the bridge hand. One more thing, when we line a shot up our dominant eye is on that line ie behind the center of the cue ball, but if we are putting a side on the ball, where should our eye be, over the cue or behind the center of the cue ball, as there is a touch distance between the both. Thanks a ton :)

[@raft5778]

Well I suppose you could say I am rather late to this vid but I was hoping your could answer me this question. I have been using green triangle chalk ever since I started playing snooker. I recently purchased the soft taom green chalk. Is there anything that I need to do to my tip before I start applying the taom chalk over the green triangle chalk that is already on the tip?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nxgla. Its not really a good idea to apply the Taom chalk on top of the green triangle chalk. Although you don't have to do anything special I would suggest that you re-shape the tip slightly with a medium grade wet and dry paper just to remove most of the old chalk.

[@raft5778]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thanks for your reply. Is the wet and dry paper mandatory to do or will the tip eventually wear in with the new chalk?

[@bd0z469]

Barry what chalk would you recommend been playing for a while now and I don't know what chalk is the best

[@bd0z469]

@Barry Stark Snooker Coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Joe. As with tips, the choice of chalk is personal to the player. A lot of top players are using the new Taom chalk but I find that there is an increase of mis-cues with it. I personally like the green triangle chalk and note that Ronnie O'Sullivan still uses it as well, so it can't be that bad.

[@dnsnake7632]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Indeed, I just saw a piece of Master's chalk "jump" out of Ronnie's pocket in the world championship. Can't go wrong with either Triangle or Master.

[@limhanlong4143]

Barry, in regards of playing with sides we should move the whole cue but my question is do I move my dominant eye or not?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lim. Oh! no. Your dominant eye remains so unless accident or trauma alters it.

[@limhanlong4143]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach I see so I only shift the cue. Mr stark your reply is hilarious

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

Thank you Sir for your videos, be safe and well!!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

George. Many thanks. Stay safe yourself.

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach I will Sir, thank you for your interest.

[@AgassiUKR]

Dear sir Barry, do you personally use a 10mm tip? And how about Kyren, he uses 9.6mm?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Agassi. My ferrule and therefore tip started out as 10mm but over the years has got a little worn and is now about 9.5mm. Kyren's is also about 9.5mm now.

[@gaugeonesteam]

Just wanted to say: All us youtube / snooker fans are watching Kyren tonight at the Crucible. Seeing how good a job your doing! just joking. But! he seems do be doing really well against Judd Trump! I've been watching on TV since 1979 and playing pool in pubs/cafes since I was about 13. Shame young people don't see Pool tables in youth clubs/cafes anymore. We used to play pool in "Breakfast style cafes" That's how we got interested in snooker.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Robin. Some good points.

[@CFCseventy]

Hi Barry I have a sore upper arm it’s my cuing arm had it a long time any ideas regards Chris

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. I would love to help but I'm afraid it would be unprofessional of me to offer advise without a proper diagnosis. Perhaps a physiotherapist or doctor could determine the cause and suggest treatment.

[@adithyak4747]

Hi Mr Stark, I'm 29 years old and a recreational player but I want to play professionally... It's hard to find a coach in my location... Can I still start practising everyday and turn Pro once I'm ready... Please advise

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Adithya. Not every player has learned the game from a coach, they watch good players and learn from them. Today's players do have the advantage of watching professionals on TV and can learn a lot from them. However, learning any skill can be very difficult and a little help along the way does no harm. I don't Know what standard you are at now but at 29 you should certainly be knocking in century breaks, even if you are there is still a lot of work to be done. You need to be entering competitions to gauge your standard, determine your strengths and weaknesses and assess your chances from there. I am not one for thwarting enthusiasm but equally I am not going to lie to you, I wish you well but you face an Herculaneum task.

[@adithyak4747]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Thanks a ton Mr Stark... My average breaks are about 70+ but I do appreciate your honesty and with your help I will definitely be able to achieve something huge... Appreciate your time and advise 🙏

[@ceo_com5236]

Hi Barry hope your doing ok!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ceo. I am fine many thanks for asking, I hope you are well also.

[@mattiv.7223]

Hi Barry. What chalk are you currently using?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Matti. I am a little old fashioned and still use the green triangle brand or sometimes the master chalk by Tweeten.

[@mattiv.7223]

It's okay to use triangle chalk. But why you don't use taom chalk?

[@mattiv.7223]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Can you answer? I am waiting for an answer.

[@ellispendergraft7247]

I cue with my right hand but am left eye dominant, is this going to be a problem as I attempt to get better?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ellis. Not at all, you are in good company, Ronnie O'Sullivan is right handed and left eye dominant.

[@ellispendergraft7247]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach that’s very reassuring thanks

[@tentso7771]

Wanna see u soon on the table...👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

tentso. Not much would please me more, many thanks.

[@mohammedchisty2920]

Whats happening with selina barry? Havent made a video in a long time with her

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mohammed. Other than the videos that I made in my garden I haven't made any at all. Selina is still playing when she can but she has a full time job which takes up a lot of her time as well as running a family home, I'm afraid we all have to place our lives in the order in which we place our priorities.

[@Ian-ri4tp]

I was wondering because I can only see out of one eye would this have an effect on my judgment on shots.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ian. If someone loses the sight of one eye I am fairly certain that it would take some time for the brain to adapt in the judgement of many things let alone snooker. However, if a player has been playing for a long time with this handicap I feel these adaptations will have taken place. Straight shots should not present any further problems that a normal sighted player would have, but angle shots may be more awkward because of the restrictions in peripheral vision. I also understand that initially, judging distance can be tricky but time overcomes this and again the brain adapts.

[@Ian-ri4tp]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach hi Barry I have had the problem since birth so I have always used my vision from my good eye. However I only see out of my left eye and I'm right handed would this have any major impact aswel.

[@georgedennis2112]

Hello Barry. Just had to take the time to Thank you for the billiard video instructions. Although I'm not a snooker player, I've found your method to greatly apply to my game. It has certainly made me a better pool player. I pray you stay well as I am of you generation. Looking forward to your return. Thanks again. George

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

george. Many thanks, glad that you like the videos, Our generation do need to be a little more careful I suppose, all we can do is listen to the advise and obey the rules. Stay safe.

[@simatamang647]

Hello sir plz do me a reply I am unable to find how to draw line in snooker table properly its 12×6 table It would be so nice if you can make a video about it. Plz include tips on drawing by tailor chalk simple method and or black marker thats two way i know We dont have standard tools here..its old snooker table too so simple method would be helpful . Plz sir .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sima. A simple way to draw any straight line is with thin string. Rub chalk on the string then with a partner stretch it tightly on the surface you wish to mark. With one hand holding the string use the other hand to lift the string in the middle then let go twanging the string onto the surface, this will leave a chalk mark on the surface and it will be perfectly straight. I will try to do a video on marking a table however once the "covid" situation eases more.

[@domainadmin9905]

Best of luck to Kyren

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Domain. Many thanks, only sorry it didn't quite happen for him.

[@domainadmin9905]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Gutted, but he will get vast amounts of experience