142. Achieving The Follow Through - Anatomical differences

In snooker, as in golf and many other sports, the follow through is important but is the text book mandate correct?

[@coolmind2476]

Thx for the video. The world needs these kind of explanations. I would love to see a detailed video about wrist positions and effect on cueing. Most snooker tutorial videos are about stance, bridge, ellbow, grip - but wrist is so important as well. At the end everything has to work together.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Cool. One of the arts of good coaching is to recognise what a player is doing wrong or what is holding him back, even more important than that, what can be done to rectify the fault or bring improvement to the next level. With this in mind it is worth saying again that everyone does the same thing slightly differently (bad English but you get the meaning) Some players will need to include more wrist, others less, there will be many reasons for this including flexibility, musculature, size of hand etc. So you see it is very difficult to produce a video on this that covers every aspect, I will agree however that everything has to work together and in harmony.

[@kianiano]

Very well explained - Thank you dear Barry // Kian from IRAN!🙏🙏🙏

[@nishantgosai8183]

Undoubtedly an excellent video as usual! Impressed by the way you explain things and excited to try them out as usual! But the thing that I love about you is the way you respect other players and the individuality that they bring with their own methods. Don't fix something which is not broken, as you say! Thanks for the video, Sir!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nishant. Glad you like the video and that you agree with the comment.

[@namgaydhendup2666]

Thank you so much all the from Bhutan 🇧🇹. I find your training easy to understand and practical. Once more thank you for your effort.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

You're very welcome!

[@atharjahangir8190]

Thank you for all the detailed instructions sir ❤️

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Athar. My pleasure, glad you like the videos.

[@josephheikes1459]

These points are absolutely excellent. A great way to build your technique . Thanks Barry.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karencorr9251]

Nice job Barry. Love the illustration. After all these years since you showed me, I keep trying to focus on my arm position as I get sloppy with playing pool sometimes. I also try and teach your way.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Karen. Nice to hear from you again, hope you are well, enjoying life and still playing.

[@batlin]

Another thought provoking video that makes me eager to get back on a snooker table to experiment with these variables. Great to have you back, Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

batlin. Great that I am making people think a little, its that that helps progress.

[@errorghost_]

Wow ! A very clever way to explain these important aspects of the game , thank you sir ! With love from Morocco .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sefyan. My pleasure, glad you like the videos.

[@jaroslavcech225]

These are some wise words Barry, as always. Thank you very much sir!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jaroslav. My pleasure, glad you like the video.

[@2905sid]

These videos are the benchmark for snooker tutorials. Fantastic work, Mr. Stark.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sid. That's a very nice compliment, many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@silviubercu3400]

Thank very much for your hard work and upload all this knowledge accumulated by years of training and coaching and sharing it with all of us.

[@rogerherdegen4030]

Thanks so much Barry for your instructions. I have never played Snooker, but maybe one Day, not much where I live. I play 8 and 9 ball and your teachings have helped me with hoding the cue ....bridge and back hand (great videos) Thanks again Roger from Florida,USA

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Roger. Great that the videos are helping pool players as well as snooker players. I used to coach Karen Corr at snooker, she now plays pool in America using a snooker technique, Alison Fisher started out as a snooker player as well, so there are aspects of the games that are compatible.

[@sufimerchant2476]

Love your classes , well explained

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad you like them!

[@srvafool]

To some degree, "Ronnie does this as well, so there's nothing wrong with the technique". Ronnie is amazing. I was also very excited to see Kyren playing well. Great job with him Barry. I miss your videos. Thanks for this one, very informative.

[@bullsnutsoz]

You cant get in Bazzs good books with that comment!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Alan. Glad you like the videos, many thanks.

[@LaPateucuFilip]

Thank you very much and keep going. I am learning many things from your videos

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

La. Many thanks glad you like the videos, unfortunately due to Covid we are not able to record at the moment.

[@jacobmetzger-levitt9022]

Pool player here, I love your videos. So informative on so many basic things that are never talked about

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Cole. Glad you like the videos, you are so right when you say there is not enough emphasis on some of the basics.

[@jacobmetzger-levitt9022]

The video on timing was especially helpful. I couldn't find any resources on what it was. Once you clarified, I was able to better practice. I will say, translating some of the measurements from the snooker cue to my pool cue has been interesting. Keep it up, I'm definitely subscribed. Have you done a video on aiming, and pocketing balls? I think it would be very helpful, especially considering the accuracy involved on a 12 foot table.

[@jacobmetzger-levitt9022]

The way you explain and teach the topics is also very well done. Not disorganized, and jumbled like many other videos.

[@haigthompson7738]

Very useful information Sir Barry. Thanks you

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Haig. My pleasure.

[@eyecadcher5108]

Thanks for another good video, Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

eyecadcher. Many thanks, glad you like the video.

[@mukundikuvuya2041]

So educating..thank you sir for the vital info there ..now l know l need to adjust my arm

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mukundi. Please don't forget small movements can make a lot of difference so please be careful.

[@UrielJanoach]

Thank you Barry, insightful as always!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Uriel. Glad you like the video.

[@princerajput6771]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach where r u sir?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

@@princerajput6771 in hospital, for knee replacement operation.

[@junusbaan7787]

Thank you Sir for this great lesson

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Junus. Glad you like the video.

[@shreyassp1304]

Thanks sir for the info!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shreyas. My pleasure.

[@bazm-e-wasif150]

Thanks for All the detail God bless u💕💕💕💕💕

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

You are so welcome

[@kangkihongTV]

This is a very useful video. I'll use it for practice.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Careful here though, put marks ( see video number two) on your cue to determine where you hold the cue.

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

Good evening Sir, another great video, that's really interesting, thank you!!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

George. My pleasure, it is often forgotten how flexibility affects body and limb position.

[@georgedagosdagopoulos7587]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach It surely does Sir, thanks a lot and be safe!!!

[@larezz063]

Thx from Russia! I played russian billiard for many years. Couple of months trying to play snooker. Very interesting game. But it is not so popular in Russia and my city. So, very hard to find coach or someone who knows the technic of this game. Thanks a lot!

[@bullsnutsoz]

Love it mate!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Anekcahap. Hopefully the interest will grow and clubs will open.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bullsnutsoz. Many thanks.

[@royalhero4608]

Very interesting video as usual Barry, thanks. I love the depth you go into. Tom Ford, an excellent player for sure. I watched his first round match against Trump in the recent WC and he certainly looked on to win it at some points

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Smooth. Glad you like the videos, Tom visits our club regularly, I see first hand how good he is.

[@sufimerchant2476]

Love ur classes

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sufi. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@lafaelerobertson2573]

Great video

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@damienreynolds2076]

Great to see u back barry.. I am exactly the same as tom arm right back.. if I bring it straight I feel to compact...

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

damien. Doesn't suit everyone because it can restrict the back swing.

[@silviubercu3400]

Thank for video

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Silviu. My pleasure, glad you like it.

[@vitoralmeida1976]

Thank you so much for your videos !!! I have doubts regarding delivery, is it correct to bring your hand up to your chest? Push the stick until your hand touches your chest? move the forearm and then the hand go naturally to the chest or move the club with the elbow? I'm not sure which one to use.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

vitor. Both are correct, Judd Trump keeps the elbow high while Ronnie O'Sullivan drops his, they are both successful. Just ensure that you have at least six inches of follow through on most shots when the hand reaches the chest, if not make some adjustment where you are holding the cue. Have a look at my video number two it will explain this better than I can with words alone.

[@awaisnasir9882]

U r doing a great job sir hats off to u

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Awais. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@mutiur7396]

The friend you whose picture you showed had his chin and chest also pressing the cue...i today tried snooker the first time ever and I was miserable. Hope i learn in some time..I check your other video and this video again

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Muti. Please look with my early videos, these will give you a good grounding to get started. Good luck.

[@CFCseventy]

Really good Barry your a great coach because you love what you do Kyren was brilliant will be world champ for sure we’ll done to you both

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. Many thanks.

[@mikebest634]

It's a bit like the golf swing ,years ago people were told you had to do it a certain way ,now every player is different with their swings ,snooker is the same .Looking back on some of Ray Reardon's games it is amazing the head movement he had on every shot ,but he was a six time world champion and it worked for him .Good to see you back at the table Barry .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mike. Times change, games and individuals develop, Many thanks.

[@JustinBieberFanSA]

Hi Barry, thank you for the videos. This is great material and I am fixing my fundamentals following your videos. I have one question however and cannot seem to find a video on it. How do you determine the markers on the back and the front of the cue. In other words, how do I find the posistion of the grip hand and the bridge hand to make marks on my cue to get my consistancy better? Thank you

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Owen. I have covered this in detail on my videos, please have a look, they explain this far better than I can in words alone. Initially try video number two.

[@JustinBieberFanSA]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you, I will have a look

[@harrygr8ss]

Hi Barry, Your tutorials are really helpful for someone that love the game of snooker. I have a query. What to do when your body frame drops to left while getting down on the line of aim? The above query is for right handed player.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Haris. This is probably due to too much body weight being allowed to go forward onto the left leg. I would try a slightly squarer stance trying to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed onto each leg.

[@aryajain790]

Sir, Please Can You Tell More About Snooker Techniques Or Sports Psychology Written In The Book As The Book Is Out Of Stock And It's Copies Are Not Been Sold Anymore!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@abbashaider9252]

Barry I saw some left handed players play these shots with ease. I mean it's look so natural when they deliver this shot and reverse pull specifically.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Abbas. Yes, for some unexplained reason some left handed players can make shots look simple and natural.

[@martynroberts1974]

So tell me if cue ball and tip are only in contact for a short time, surely follow through. it doesn't matter if you hit ball correctly. 2 many people are obsessed with follow through

[@hamidali6505]

Berry I am huge fan of you! Please tell me how to have a straight cueing and avoid squeezing.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Hamid. Without seeing you play it is very difficult. Have a look at my videos which cover how to hold the cue. concentrate on the points of contact between hand and cue, be aware of them but with no real tension. Just knock the cue ball around the table trying to keep the same amount of pressure on the cue throughout the shots, when you can do this introduce an object ball. Remember tension creates errors

[@xxxxxkenshinxxxxx]

Hi there, can you make a video and explain how the difference of cue tip hardness affecting the shot, stun, screw, side, etc. Thanks in advance.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mk. Very difficult to show the differences on a video, its all about feel and what a player likes.

[@williamalberto4284]

For me I find it very difficult to deliver my hand to the chest, I don't know if it is anatomical or if is something with my technique.

[@StefanDLazarov]

Tom Ford, a great player, the first who knocked a 147 in my country(Bulgaria).Congradulations for Kyren, you are a great team!Personally during delivery i am sending my right wrist to the right, away from my chest, how can i fix this?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Stefan. The first thing to do is establish the cause, may I suggest you cue along the baulk line but without resting the cue on the body for support. do this very slowly with lots of cue length and you may be able to find the reason and the cure.

[@StefanDLazarov]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thank you, will try it tommorow!

[@kiran8723]

I believe the amount of follow through also varies based on the player's build. Example: tall lanky players would have longer follow through (obviously again based on what they are used). Correct me if I am wrong.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kiran. Not always the case, there are so many factors that influence the follow through, where they hold the cue, where the bridge hand is placed, whether they play with a bent bridge arm and if so how much bend, whether they go past the chest, whether they alter their grip etc. So you see there is no hard and fast rule that suits everyone.

[@BhaweshSharmaSnooker]

That is an awesome video for the snooker player whether they are beginners intermediate or pros each and every player requires good amount of follow through for the shot . So yes thankyou Barry for the informational video . I just want to clear one doubt about my follow through and wrist movement i.e When I put power on the shot I just flick the wrist just like Judd Trump does and that is what causing me to hit the exact point where I want to hit the cue ball and I'm struggling to get the enough power and the consistency in my pots . Can you please solve the problem for me . Thank you ❤️❤️

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bhawesh. Without seeing you play, this is very difficult. What I will say is that it is relatively easy to hit the cue ball in the middle but very difficult to get through the middle. I suggest you concentrate on the 'V' in the grip, (that web of flesh between the thumb and forefinger) as you take the cue back. This area can control the wrist in terms of keeping it in one plane while you play the shot. Having cue power is good but I would much rather have control, screwing back the length of the table is pointless if you are missing the pot.

[@BhaweshSharmaSnooker]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thankyou sir that means alot . I will definately follow that 'V' GRIP and I will let you know about the progress thanks , thankyou sir . If there is a way to join with you for the snooker training session so I would love to join it sir .. 🙏🙏 🙏

[@dhirajpallin2572]

Hi Barry, I was wondering what is your opinion on engaging/squeezing your bicep when stroking through the ball? My experiments indicate this might decrease side to side movement for me, but I'm not sure if this is a bad habit?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dhiraj. In my opinion this is a bad thing, the idea is to let the cue do the work not your muscles. Any tension will move away from this principle causing tightening of the muscles and undoubtedly errors in your game.

[@kshgarg1]

If you find such a stance which allows you to drop the elbow/shoulder (humerous) in a straight line , on a powerful shot, your followthrough will be till the balance point of the cue. The combined movement of the humerous falling and the forearm moving creates a smooth acceleration. With the square stance the humerous will not fall down in a straight line.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kshitij. Every one is different which is what the video really shows, some will not be able to drop the humerus, some will regardless of stance.

[@nasirhussain2825]

I love your videos, Can you provide me PDF of That book which is written by Joe Davis It will help me alot

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nasir. All I can tell you is that the book is called, "Complete Snooker for the Amateur" Written by Joe Davis and first published in 1967, there doesn't appear to be a ISBN number so I cannot help any more.

[@LearnEnglishwithHamidAli]

Thank you Berry for your patience,but I've observed in my video recording that my back arm deviates to the right while swinging it back .... How to align it please.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

PARAGON. Trying to force a perfect alignment can be a mistake and often there is no need. The only thing that matters is cueing in a straight line, lots of players achieve this even though their technique does not conform to text book mandate. Just cue along that baulk line, examine your cueing by using the line as a reference and let the arm deviation take care of itself.

[@LearnEnglishwithHamidAli]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach you are right sir! But the deviation is so vital that I sometimes can't use English the way I intend to... The problem may be due to my fractured arm in the past -though it doesn't shown any flaw to me

[@jason147h6]

Once again Barry what a fantastic insight into what can be a complex and debatable area in technique. I had never really noticed before how far Tom Ford is behind vertical at address position. Barry, have you also noticed how far John Higgins' tip is away from the cueball at address??? His cue arm is at vertical but he has to be atleast 1 inch from CB at address. So your're absolutely right text book is NOT for everyone. Also i would like to know your thoughts on the natural elbow drop that allows the back hand to go beyond the chest like the likes of O'sullivan, Murphy and Selby have compared to no elbow drop and finish to chest like Higgins, Trump and Hendry to only name a few. I feel the elbow drop has to be in a players game naturally. I dont think it can be taught with any modicum of success. I would love to hear what you think. Regards Jason

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jason. Joe Davis describes the technique as a drive which quite naturally causes the elbow to drop, a good way to try to learn it, (not for everyone) is to have the forearm well in front of vertical, have a short back swing then push through the cue ball trying to get as much follow through as you can. This is not how to play just simply to get the feeling of the drive technique, from that feeling you then try to develop it properly. As a coach I try to notice how particular players do what they do, Higgins is certainly well away from the cue ball at address. If you really watch Selby he does drop the elbow just not as much as O'Sullivan.

[@jason147h6]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Thanks for the reply Barry. My technique is the hit to chest method. I did try the elbow drop once to see how i could get on with it. It was disasterous.... the problem with the elbow drop method IMO of course( and this is for players who are trying to replicate Ronnie, Selby and Murphy) is if its not naturally in a players action i think its very difficult if not impossible to teach. The tendancy in trying to introduce that elbow drop is dropping it too early.....just before contact is made with the CB and that is what i believe i was doing. Like i mentioned DISASTER lol. I mentioned Higgins' one inch gap from CB at address as i had a coaching session with the great Terry Griffiths about 9yrs ago and amongst a few technical issues one was my tip was'nt close enough to CB at address and the main one was my back hand was way behind vertical (like Tom Ford) at address position. Thus causing me to lose cue control on final backswing especially when using power as he explained due to my arm being way behind vertical i had already used some of my backswing already in the address position. Obviously the further you pull the cue back the more difficult it is to keep online. It was just the Tom Ford photo reminded me of that session.

[@dhirajpallin2572]

Barry, for a while now I've had this problem where my thumb on my right hand scrapes my pocket on my pants as I follow through. What is the best way to get clearance past my right hip? I've tried turning my right foot more to the right and thus tilting more to the right, but the problem I have with this is that now I have to twist my neck more to the left in order to get my head straight on with the shot, which is quite uncomfortable. Should my hand be to the right of the hip, or above the hip?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dhiraj. No names but I remember a youngster (who is now a top professional) having this problem, he used to get his thumb caught up in his pocket until his mother put velcro on it. I certainly would not encourage you to twist your neck as the change in your stance seems to demand. If you are right handed take a little more weight onto your left leg, this may mean moving the left foot slightly more in advance of the right so that the weight is tending to ease forward onto the table. Be very careful with these adjustments, I use the words, SLIGHTLY, LITTLE, or EASE. There should be no need for major alterations, good luck.

[@MGoodi]

Hello mr stark . you say in your video that you must look at the abject ball at the last moment in Q-Action! But I asked and I realized that ronnie and hendry and higgins they are looking at Q-Ball at the last moment! Thank you for your reply 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mohammad. All the players will have a final look at the cue ball to determine that they are hitting the cue ball where they intend to, but when the cue actually strikes the cue ball they will be looking at the object ball.

[@MGoodi]

Thank you master 🙏🏼🖤

[@deandoherty1163]

Watched the movie Break stars some snooker players and has great ending

[@hamidali6505]

Great job sir! Can you unfold the mystery of cure power,please?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Hamid. People tend to think that cue power is all about hitting the ball hard, let me say straight from the outset it isn't. Of course you will have to hit the ball hard to screw back the full length of the table but if that was all there was to it we would all be able to do it. Cue power is all about timing which is achieved by cue tip speed as it strikes and gets through the ball. When you time the ball correctly you will feel the weight of the ball and you will just know you have hit it sweetly. Judd Trump generates his cue power by the use of his wrist, but be careful here, it is very difficult to maintain accuracy while doing this.

[@colinscott147]

You have stated that Kyren Wilson does shoulder exercises to enable him to be comfortable during and have a repeatable cue action. Could you please do a video on these. As an ageing player trying to get cue hand, right shoulder, chest , head at “eye-line”, front arm and bridge hand all in target line, from a historically somewhat front on stance, I’d appreciate any “proven” help. Keep up the good work I know for a fact you are improving countless half decent players!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Colin. As we age we do tend to lose a little flexibility, Kyren does not have this problem because he is still quite young. However, he still needs to keep the muscles warm and subtle, to this end he will gently stretch the muscles of the shoulder girdle prior to playing. These are very simple arm circling exercises because he doesn't have any anatomical problems, other individuals, including myself have various problems and would need other exercises. I will see what I can do as time and commitments allow.

[@colinscott147]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Many thanks will await the alert notification I will receive as a long time subscriber.

[@snookernews1547]

Hi Barry, i tend to hit my hand with the table while playing the follow through. Can you give me a solution to this ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

snooker. At least this means that you are getting the butt of the cue down but probably dropping lower as you play the shot. I can't really offer a solution without seeing you play but may I suggest that you put yourself on video to see if you can spot something. You might also like to consider where the cue is touching the chest and does this vary too much as you play the shot.

[@steve007boyd]

Really interesting. I've got Joe's book and Frank callan book. Love Joe's book but Joe says have a straight bridge arm, I play much better with bend In my arm. I get through the ball better.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

stephen. Most people play with a bent arm in the modern game it generally allows more follow through. well done.

[@silviubercu3400]

From my understanding the backswing start by pulling back the cue using the first two finger's .Can you please sir elaborate this princeple in more details .I known that in golf they talk about wrist cock(which I think is similar) but i cant underst exactly what they refer to.Thank you for your efforts

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Silviu. Just form a circle with your first finger and thumb, this part of the hand remains constant, as you take the cue back feel a little pressure in the 'V' that fleshy part of the hand between the thumb and first finger. The remaining fingers remain in contact with the cue but ease their hold on it as you take the cue back. Some players will alter this slightly and instead of using just the forefinger they use it and the second finger to take the cue back. Players who use just the forefinger tend to use a little more wrist than the latter.

[@postyboy007]

Hi there Barry,Do you have any tips on what am doing wrong when cueing I twist my wrists on the follow through and can’t seem to find a way to fix it..It’s causing me to miss straight shots 😩😩😩

[@jason147h6]

You're gripping the cue TOO TIGHT. We're all guilty of it most times. Try to imagine the butt of the cue is made of say....plasticine ( clay) ...you need to hold it firm enough only for it to not slip out of your hand when you hit the cue ball but u also dont want to damage the plasticine ( clay) by squeezing it tightly and miss- shaping it. The secret that the top guys are so good at ( amongst other things) is keeping the grip barely enough to stop the cue coming out of their hand on EVERY shot. Think of it....cues are different weights varying by players preference..agreed? By tightening the grip on the cue especially on final delivery you're losing any weight benefit of the cue because your forearm muscles are taking over. Also tightening grip automatically pulls cue off line very slightly on or just before impact with CB. Spread the balls over the table have cue ball to hand. Pot in any order...dont worry about red colour etc... just use your normal cue action and concentrate on only gripping enough so when u connect with CB it does'nt push cue out of back of hand. A nice easy one is straight blue into middle pocket and follow the white through. When you get used to not gripping you will be amazed at the cues natural weight doing the work for you. Believe me i've been there and my mind would tell me that the harder i need to hit a shot the tighter i would need to grip....i can tell you from experience ITS NOT👍

[@postyboy007]

Jason 147 H Thanks pal I’ll give it a go and yes I think I do grip the cue hard 😩😩😩Hard to stop doing this 😩😩😩😊😊

[@jason147h6]

@@postyboy007 remember...set up easy shots to practice the grip like i said a nice easy straight blue in centre pocket does'nt matter if u miss coz ur concentrating on not tightening your grip. When you take cue back on final backswing the cue should be pushing the fingers out of the way ( does that make sense?) How can i put it easier.... lets say if i picked your cue up and gripped it as tight as u could lets call that a 10....well u need to be playing your shots with a grip thats about a 2 or a 3. Allow the cue to push fingers out of the way on final backswing and when you deliver cue to the chest the grip should be the 2 or 3 grip strength no matter what power ur using....thats all determined on length of final backswing.....IMPORTANT!!!! DO NOT TIGHTEN GRIP ON DELIVERY NO MATTER WOT THE SHOT IS. Its allowing the 15, 16, 17, 18, or19 oz in weight of your cue to do the work. If it were all down to tightening the grip we may aswell all use a tapered down broom handle....sorry for the long winded explanation but this took me years to realise😬

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

posty. No need to answer this Jason has done it for me, he should take up coaching.

[@jason147h6]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach 🤣🤣 Thanks Barry. I'd love to be a coach tbh

[@chrisparsons5733]

Well, what are the chances? I play with a good player regularly at the club he runs and one of his comments on my game was I jab the ball a lot. I will be trying this the next time I’m at the club, thanks Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chris. Jabbing at the ball is a common error, it doesn't matter what game you are playing when something is hitting something else you have to hit through it, not at it.

[@vitoralmeida1976]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach What would it be to strike in the case? I'm from Brazil and the translation is not very understandable to me. And what would it be to beat through it? Gratitude!!!

[@saqlainmushtaque4595]

I had a question regarding the cue delivery as I have seen the most professional players for eg kyren Wilson as well While delivering the cue he tends to deliver in two parts it seems he pushes the cue forward a little and then doest the full follow through so is that a good thing or is it just his style because I feel I get a better cue ball control on the top table area if I deliver in two parts plz help

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Saqlain. Kyren does not do that deliberately, it is as you say his style. I would not advise trying to copy it, Kyren is working hard to eliminate it from his action.

[@saqlainmushtaque4595]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you for the suggestion so so much will try to make and play a very crisp shot

[@Obi-Conker-Nobody]

we've missed you Bazza! 😃

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Obi. Thanks for that.

[@Obi-Conker-Nobody]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach always a pleasure sir! your wisdom never ceases!

[@DDOSETV]

Is Tom’s starting position ‘ behind’ because of the angle of his upper arm? Maybe Tom still has ‘the correct’ angle between upper and lower arm but because his upper arm is more vertical, his lower arm seem further behind? I guess my point is - maybe the lower arm being vertical is only a good idea if the upper arm is in a certain plane - what is more important is the the angle between upper and lower arm is ‘correct’ - would be really interesting to measure this angle on several good players to see the range.........Great video by the way 👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Gareth. One point that I did not mention in the video and perhaps should have is that if the angle of the lower arm is too far back it can restrict the back swing unless some adjustment is made with the grip. I believe Tom is right on the limit of this and of course cue control.

[@sharky_spike]

barry...here's something else to consider....in my situation I have very long gorilla arms😅...if I want the cue to remain under my chin in a perfectly horizontal plane during the backswing I must slightly lower the elbow otherwise the butt of the cue raises up as the cue moves back...then on the forward stroke the elbow must return to its higher starting position where it was at center forearm position when it strikes the cueball...this small movement is only needed when the forearm is longer than average

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ShArKy. Keeping the cue perfectly level can be difficult and it can be argued that it is not absolutely necessary, players that have a problem keeping the cue level could try a little more release/unfurling of the rear fingers, it may help.

[@rene_bla_bla]

in theory the underarm should be 90 degrees to the que, and not the floor. the que is raised a bit so if your arm is 90 degrees to the floor, your arm is not at the bottom at the pendul swing, and there for you lose timing and follow through

[@MisterItchy]

I am 6 feet tall and not very flexible. It's very difficult to get down onto the cue like I see the snooker players do.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mister. I sympathise. Bending both legs may help a little and some work on stretching the thoracic area of the spine may help also. Have a look on youtube for exercises in that area, there are some very good ones.

[@MisterItchy]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach The knees are dodgy, too! It's still fun to try!

[@BBS_Robski]

5 more to 147 !

[@kahafzariyat2172]

Sir i have a question Uper arm should be tight

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kahaf. Everyone is different, some players will hinge from the elbow, others will drop the elbow. The secret is to find what works for you and develop it.

[@kahafzariyat2172]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach ok thanks for you guidance

[@ryanh3285]

Find it interesting how Judd Trumps cue looks way of the line of the shot and then straightens up on the way through.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ryan. That is an idiosyncrasy that has developed into his game from being a youngster, it works for him, but you are right it is interesting.

[@fenixfp40]

I find a vindaloo does the trick.

[@deandoherty1163]

Steve Davies said Kurt Maflin has the best que action

[@Foodandtravelamritsar]

Ken doherty

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dean. Certainly Kurt has a great cue action but in my opinion it is no better than a lot of other Pros.

[@kamikaze6346]

Sir record as much as you can coz ur going to teach the generation

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kamikaze. One of the biggest thrills I had some years ago over in China was coaching their coaches, I like to think that I have played a small part in developing the game.

[@danieladaniel2004]

I think Joe Davis' book is selling more than water in the desert...

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Daniela. Not sure its still in print.

[@vincentbruce9833]

Sir, when the cue swings like a pendulum through the ball and meets inertia, you must not grip the cue, just allow the hand to be part of the weight swinging through the ball. When the tip goes through the ball, it makes contact 4 to 5 times, if you look closely on the cueball, you will see small chalk marks, 4 or 5 of them. Balance, pause, follow through. The pendulum stroke. John Spencer said to pick up the cue like a hammer, I wasted many years from that advice.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

vicent. I agree with balance, pause and follow through, also with the hammer description but cannot agree with the contact times, it is a foul to strike the cue ball more than once.

[@vincentbruce9833]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Sir if you breathe on the cue ball to give it a bit of moisture on the ball, on the area the cue tip will contact, it will help you to find it, then stroke the cue ball low at a medium speed. Jack Pfeifer an older Canadian pro from the '60s showed me, knowing this happens is important, everyone does it, it is not visible to the naked eye. Graham Duncan the Chief Referee for Canada gave me a Referees Certificate, I call obvious double hits, technically you push every shot

[@bullsnutsoz]

Modern actions have much of the loose flair taken out of them to raise the strike rates..Look at Alex H then compare to Ronnie O!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bullsnutsoz. The technique of playing the game has become a little more technical.

[@bullsnutsoz]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Yes all the whip and looseness has been removed and in many cases means have been made to still strike beautifully thru the ball..its and art and a discipline and a well struck white is mesmerizing in its contained and delayed actions..the essence of beauty in my eyes.

[@ohmdilu2398]

.

[@youtubesux6361]

How much follow through is necessary? Is it more determined by your stroke?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

@youtube. Like most things in this game there is no set answer that will suit everyone. Joe Davis measured his own follow through at eight inches but this would not be on every shot. Certainly the power put into the shot will generally affect the amount of follow through but if you work on between 5 and 6 inches for most shots that will be adequate enough to give the necessary timing.

[@youtubesux6361]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you sir

[@lafaelerobertson2573]

Great video

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad you enjoyed it