76. On the Black - High and Low

Here Barry demonstrates a technique for potting the black from different angles when high or low on the black. Potting the black ball from its spot and gaining good position with the cue ball is an important aspect of break building when in amongst the reds.

[@RommieKamzols]

Dear Barry, you are my favourite teacher of all I have had. So glad I know you. And a big shout out to your camera man. You both do a faboulos work!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rommie. Thanks for the comments, glad you like the videos.

[@2901dinesh]

Damn good he is perfect coach. Everytime he explains my love towards snooker. That's what I feel. Thank you sir.

[@Nuno_N]

I wish there was more snooker coaches like this man.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nuno. Thanks for that, nice to be appreciated.

[@paksallion]

snooker players do not get enough credit. one of the most technical games ive played and I've played everything

[@marcdavies5810]

40gramsofProtein tiddlywinks?

[@buzztalk8223]

Cricket ?

[@waynelamarche2642]

You make fantastic videos Barry , Thanks for your help

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Wayne. My pleasure, glad to be of help.

[@jcgaming2199]

Thanks I am only a kid and I am looking to get better and I am getting better because of your videos.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

JC. Great that you are getting better, please don't forget though that you only get out what you are prepared to put in. By that I mean work hard and hopefully you will get the rewards. Good luck.

[@rebeccapriestley4810]

Barry. I thought i could play this game. However watching your lessons makes me realise how bad I am. Fantastic lessons and i would advise all levels of players to watch your lessons. Thankyou Richard.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rebecca. I thought I was a useful badminton player until I came across a really good player. We all need a little help along the way irrespective of the activity.

[@thegreatdaneadventuresnell631]

Hello Barry, my sincere thanks for all the help you have given to me personally through your videos, Watching them over and over, listening and then putting that into detail into practice worked for me. I have improved so much through looking at my grip, and stance, i wasted 10 years thinking what was wrong, and why? I cant thank you enough.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

paul. My pleasure, I hope the improvement continues.

[@darrenburby8941]

Amazing. Thanks 👌

[@alexpaic2984]

Wish u could teach me. U are an excellent coach. Very precise and very easy to understand. No wonder the young Kyren Wilson became so good at his game. Ty for all the videos sir. U are amazing

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

alex. Thanks for the compliments, glad you like the videos. I used to give Kyren a start, now he gives me a start. I guess that means I have done my job.

[@robertconnell5302]

Great camera angles barry & your right about dictating the cue ball. Our eastbourne snooker leag starts again in sept, looking forward to it, a few ton breakers down here dont worry about that. All the best barry.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Robert. Good luck with your league form.

[@mohammedhadi9358]

i can tell that this way is helping too much. thank you alot sir

[@ckwong8684]

This is Alan from Hong Kong. Thank you for your videos.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Alan. My pleasure, glad you like the videos.

[@baggieboy1473]

Hello Barry I've always had a problem with this shot, but after watching this video I cant believe how times I get it right, Thanks Barry and may the 147's be with you.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Baggie. It is a tricky little shot, but if you develop a routine for approaching it, successful percentages go up.

[@baggieboy1473]

Thank you Barry for your reply,

[@ammarkhulood]

147k views not bad for a snooker Coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ammar. I will keep trying, many thanks.

[@yohanjhaveri3271]

This is so helpful

[@hanifbashir745]

Verg very true Mr. Barry...potting the object ball is first priority

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Hanif. Its important to play position but not to sacrifice the pot.

[@MelviHunzaiFamily]

Sir you are great i have learned alot from your videos

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

safder. Thank you, glad you are leaning and that you like the videos.

[@charliefoster9408]

Thx for another great vid, could u Maybe do a video on different routines

[@zohaibhassan2681]

Wonderful you are great coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

zohaib. Thanks for that, as long as there is an interest I will keep trying.

[@khalidsaeed1566]

Excellent information

[@syafiqzailan]

Thanks Barry,

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

@sy. You are very welcome.

[@ikhmaldaniel6864]

thanks for the tips coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ikhmal. My pleasure, good luck with your game.

[@chaitanyadixit5055]

Thank you sir..

[@hanifbashir745]

Thank you

[@jr307]

Another great job Barry! I have improved my game with your tips. Can you make a video with this first person camera showing us an entire game, where you hit cue ball for positioning shots, openning reds with black and blue balls shooting ? It will be extreme helpfull. thanks from Brazil

[@ryan1111111555555555]

The cue camera angle shots are just for show I imagine, it would be too hard to make those shots with a camera in the way, its just to give you an example of the cut needed on the object ball

[@Binatna-Pod]

He can use a Headcam and it wont be disturbing at all

[@explanations-simplified]

I just wish I got a coach like him

[@theallseeingmaster]

The last shot was eye opening to me. I had no idea of the fineness of accuracy of strike on the cue ball is involved and the results. I gotta learn to do that with Pool balls.

[@tylermassey5431]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp3RkGuBf7WBd7M IMO ^^^this^^^ is a really great video for seeing effects of different english. And you get to watch Ronnies 5:20 147

[@serenztan]

How I wish if you were my coach when I was young.

[@TheTRUTHRIPPIN]

Respect this guy how he learns you the pots and where to hit it played snooker for long time this people called the legends his not professional like Ronnie but he knows his snooker called a pro keep it up mate if you still do more 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rockin. Glad you like the videos.

[@TheTRUTHRIPPIN]

Yeah Barry you explain it good always wanted to become a pro but just left it now I’m 31 to late to be like this guys

[@jcgaming2199]

Thanks

[@shajiuddin830]

Hi Barry Is there any test to check whether my master eye is exactly in the middle of my line of aim TA

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shaji. There is a lot of confusion about the master eye. It is very unusual for a players master eye to be in the middle of the line of aim, it is only invariably towards the master eye not directly underneath it. Please look at my video where I use a pencil to determine where the cue should be in relation to the master eye.

[@shajiuddin830]

Thanks 4 ur valuable reply I have seen all ur videos which are perfect I sometimes get good breaks of 50 and sometimes struggle to pot a ball I dont understand what is wrong Thanks

[@shajiuddin830]

@barry

[@rosleykhalid3753]

Shaji Uddin

[@capetrader6666]

Thanks Barry. Great coaching !

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Cape. My pleasure, I hope it helps.

[@ankitgadhvi]

Hello Mr. Stark. Thank you for posting another great and informative video. I have a question about the elbow positioning. I know it has to be straight in line with the cue but With me it bends a little inwards and that cause the cue to go offline. I try cuing in from of mirror to check if it's straight but i find it bend inward as soon as I focus on something else. Is there any suggestion or tip you can give to help keep the elbow, arm and shoulder in line with the cue. Thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ankit. Not every professional has their elbow in line or in what is known as the text book position, yet they still manage to cue in a straight line. Forcing your elbow out into the upright position while you are cueing will only cause tension and lead to incorrect cueing. Far better to adopt a natural position and work at grooving your action from there using the baulk line to check your cueing. If you are still doubtful about your elbow position it can be caused by lack of mobility in the shoulder girdle and stretching exercises to combat this may help.

[@chookymonster6665]

Great videos Barry I've just found them they are teaching me alot even though im more of an 8ball player. My question is would learning to play on a snooker table improve a regular pool players game?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

chookymonster. I used to coach Karen Corr at snooker and she became ladies world champion, she then reverted to pool mainly using the snooker technique we worked on together. Occasionally she comes over to England and we meet up to examine her technique which is still very good and she is still capable of century breaks at snooker. I believe that playing snooker would tighten up the technique of most pool players, I also believe that most good snooker players could play a reasonable game of pool, I am not so sure the reverse would apply. Room for debate.!!

[@bentley9249]

Love your work mate, when u coming to Australia 🇦🇺?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Red. I have said before, Australia is on my wish list, not sure my wife would let me take my cue though.

[@MetallicDannyR]

Hey barry i used your snooker tip changing guide and replaced my very first tip the other day its amazing the difference it has made in my play i played alot better then i usually do getting up to around 20+ breaks. This may seem a silly question but i have been wondering this for a while. If you play snooker games on a pc or console can it help you with your angels to a certain degree?

[@cameronmacrury6676]

Drunk_D4n I'm not barry so you probably don't care for my opinion but personally I play a lot of pool and snooker games on my android and I find it helps a lot with determining angles and how position works

[@ernoeskeli1139]

Drunk_D4n certainly it helps. I play a lot with my iPad, a free game called Pool Break Lite has helped me to judge the angles and postions on a real table. But it still doesn't help your cueing technique, that has to be learned in reality.

[@MetallicDannyR]

Cameron MacRury thanks appreciate your advice :)

[@MetallicDannyR]

Erno Eskeli thanks appreciate your advice :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Drunk. Don't know enough about these games to offer any realistic opinion but Cameron and Erno seem to gain from them so why not you. Perhaps I should give them a try.

[@LoveNizia]

Hi barry, sir please make a videos on check side

[@ThePhilMuz]

Hi Barry! I've been getting a lot of joy through watching your videos and i also apply almost all of your tips to my game. I was wanting to ask a question however. I am a beginner in the game and love it very much so of course, but I am getting varied opinions from my piers as to how much solo practice I Should be engaging in. I personally love practicing solo because I believe its whats going to help me improve most. But I was hoping to get your opinion on this? How much solo practice do you believe is the correct amount for a beginner? Many thanks Barry

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

philip. Good question but I am afraid there is no definitive answer, we are all different. I know of one top professional (no names) who will only practise on his own and feels that picking balls out of pockets for other professionals (which will happen at times) is a waste of his time. Other professionals prefer to play against players of similar ability. As a beginner I feel you should be spending quite a lot of time on your own but using the time constructively rather than just banging balls around. You will also need to play some frames against other players but only those that share your view of wanting to improve. The way to improve is to learn from your mistakes, one of the beauties of snooker is that you get immediate feedback and solo practise means that you can learn from this and immediately correct your mistake by setting the same shot up again.

[@ThePhilMuz]

Thank you Barry, that really is a great help. I'm going to just keep on doing what I am doing in that case and keep practicing as much as I can solo and play the odd competitive frame with a friend from the club from time to time. Thanks again Barry, I look forward to seeing your next video.

[@Fincio]

Hello Barry ! You've inspired me to play more often and practice more. At this point I'm thinking about buying my first snooker cue - Could You give me an advice on that topic ? what kind of a cue to choose ? is there anything in particular important when I'm choosing cue ? . I want to become better and better and i think for starters would be playing with the same cue all the time. Which tip would be better for beginner/intermediate player - smaller or bigger ? Best regards !

[@Fincio]

I've missed one of Your videos - " The cue - Part 2 important aspects" - I guess it will do ! =)

[@ganmruk]

Thanks Barry for another great video. I can play/practice only one a week Is any way to practice snooker without table?

[@ganmruk]

Of course I hope you had nice weekend in Poland. Gold weekend!

[@mgfryan]

Grzegorz Mruk he's talked about this in a couple of videos. Piece of tape on the dining table to cue along to practice straight cueing, film yourself cueing on an ironing board at correct height to spot wobbles or errors in action. Many ways. I use an old cue and empty beer bottle and try to cue in and out at different speeds without the cue brushing the neck. Good luck!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Grzegorz. Thanks for the well wishes in respect of Poland. "mgfryan" has answered the question for me. The only thing you can practise is your cue action and his empty beer bottle is as good as any, good luck.

[@mann3176]

pls make the video on how to adjust for the contact point on the object ball when aiming as at an angle the aiming point is not the same as contact point , so you say that you use ghost ball method for removing the error ?? it wasnt answered on your previous video coz u were out of station .. so u gotta answer me now thanks :)

[@yousayyx9655]

Barry, could you please do a video on hitting a shot with messing up my cue action when trying to hit hard??? sometimes, my cueing routine is no up to scratch and when i take an easy shot and i hit it hard i lose control of the cue before i hit the cue ball and i miss my shot.... :((((((((((((((

[@ZiaKhan-id4fx]

Barry stark very.good

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Zia. Many thanks, glad you like it.

[@supportGEM]

Hi Barry, when I am high on the black and want to apply a touch of side, is it true that if the side that I am applying is not a lot, and I am playing it softly, I do not need to adjust my aiming ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

needmore. When you play with only a little side and hit the ball softly there will be less deviation on the direction of the object ball. For the same reasons there will be very little kick on the direction of the object ball. However it would be wrong of me to suggest there is no reason to make an adjustment in your aim because I don't know how well you are hitting the ball or indeed the condition of the table you are playing on. But fore sure any adjustment will be minimal.

[@mohammedhadi9358]

i was talking about low on the black and how to aim on it.

[@JawadHaiderSyed]

Hi Barry, your videos have helped me a lot, My accuracy has increased but my main struggle is still the grip. The longer I play, my old habits creep in. My question is, I have seen some professional players that when they deliver the cue in a straight line, they tend to rotate the cue clock-wise a little bit, obviously it has to do something with the grip. Could you please shed some light on this. Thank you :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jawad. Slight rotation of the cue is not a problem it will not affect the shot. Most players use a little wrist in their action and as a result there can be a little inversion of the wrist and hand on cue delivery causing the slight rotation. It can also be caused by the re-furling of the fingers back onto the cue and can be seen most during the preparatory waggles.

[@vkdevan2011]

Hi Barry Stark what is the amount the billiards table with the balls & the striker all that put together costs for an individual person to set up at home

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

GREEN. That is such a difficult question to answer, it can range from several thousands to just a few hundred pounds sterling. A brand new Star table is around £10,000 But second hand ones can be picked up for around £5,000 to £6,000. Clubs have been shutting at an alarming rate and some slightly lower quality second hand tables can be acquired very cheaply. Some shopping around would need to be done but even if conversion to steel block cushions are necessary they can be a good purchase. It really depends upon what you are looking for, a piece of furniture? something that conforms to professional standards? something for recreational snooker?

[@beedhanpoudel1078]

Hi barry Does diffrent angles whe n high or low on black changes colliding point... there's only a angle to pot that ball and only a impact point on black?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bidhan. When playing plain ball shots the point to hit will always be the point that is furthest away from the pocket, to hit that point players will select the line of the shot rather than a specific point on the object ball.

[@beedhanpoudel1078]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thanks sir....

[@RetroTekGuyAU]

I'm quite the opposite funnily enough, I get more nervous when I'm high on the black. Being low with the cut backs is rather easy for me. Perhaps Iv'e learnt this shot backwards.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rat Trap. Unusual to say the least, perhaps you are allowing yourself to get distracted by trying to position the cue ball.

[@steviethomas1988]

Probably b cos high on the black IS easier and SHOULD BE potted (bit more pressure cos u SHOULD pot it!) where as low on black less pressure and harder shot and u cue through with less pressure . Also high u might twitch slightly

[@Mampz147]

I’m the same way. I am catching the black too thick when I am high on it

[@muhammadanees6730]

Hii Barry!! would u help me with some video analysis??!! i do want to send u my video for that... Thanks... Really helpful stuff by the way

[@megamanstar190]

Hi Barry, could you please make a tutorial on how to snooker someone and how to escape a snooker with the least risk?

[@supportGEM]

Hi Barry is it alright if I just focus on practicing my short and medium pot and leave my long pot capability alone by practicing safety shot instead? Can one be a decent player (60-100 highest break) with poor long pot accuracy? Thx

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

needmoresleep. If you can score when you are in the balls there is not a lot wrong with your game but the higher up the rankings you go the long game comes into its own. If you are playing against good players they don't give away chances easily, you have to earn the right to be in the balls and this is where the long game comes into its own. Having a good long game simply comes down to having a good cue action so be happy that you can score but also be determined to improve that long game. One of the things I find is that players seem to be frightened of a longer cue action and because of this their long potting is not what it should be, take it from me, its generally easier to keep a long cue action straight than it is a short one. That is not to say you can't be too long, of course you can and there are exceptions, but it is worth cultivating that long smooth action.

[@supportGEM]

totally got it! Thanks a lot Barry!

[@oswynkn]

coach please explain the score totem pole. say theres 38 on the bottom, 65 midway up, and 125 at the top. how do i read that? thanks.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jhaga. Sorry, I am not familiar with the totem pole scoring method, perhaps some one out there can help us.

[@harrymelad942]

I believe it is in order: the current score; the score needed to make the opponent need snookers; and the maximum break available with the remaining balls.

[@harrymelad942]

To be clear, the last bit includes the score the player is already on plus all the remaining balls.

[@mustafaabuabdu6857]

Hi Barry, Barry, I really need your help, I want to know what chalk should I use and what is the difference between each chalk , and thank you.

[@ferdielonggos7402]

mustafa abuabdu

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mustafa. I use the Green Triangle chalk, I find it does the job and doesn't mark the balls. Some chalk will not adhere to the tip, others will leave horrible marks on the cue ball. At the end of the day its down to personal preference.

[@ernoeskeli1139]

For some reason I see the low angles much better than the high angles. I tend to miss high blacks more often than low. I guess it's usually the other way round. Probably it's because you can't see the black's path to the pocket (although everything's on your eyeline) and that confuses me.

[@azanmalik9304]

Hy barry please tell me. Where i strike the ball to pot it perfectly

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Azan. If you are having trouble with your potting and cannot recognise where to hit the ball please try the ghost ball practise which I have covered in one of my videos. It is not fool proof but it does give a very good guide, one word of warning though, you may select the correct point to aim at but if you do not deliver the cue where you are aiming you will still miss. With that in mind may I suggest that you work at your cue action, I can almost guarantee that if you get that right your percentages of successful pots will rise quite significantly.

[@fahad366.]

sir please tell me . what should I see on the object ball when I am aiming. because all balls are well polished there is nothing​ on object ball to see .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

fahad. I have said on video and in comments when answering questions, snooker players do not aim for a point on the ball, they aim to play the ball along a line. Of course, to send the ball along the line the player has chosen, he will be hitting a spot on the object ball but he has not got a specific point on that ball to aim at, he can't have on a round object. To pot a ball the player needs to hit the point that is furthest away from the pocket but I repeat, he does not aim for that point. Experience has taught him the section of the ball to hit that sends the ball on the correct line. If you are having trouble recognising the section of the ball to hit (that sends it on the correct line) please have a look at my video that covers the ghost ball theory, this should help.

[@fahad366.]

thank you so much for telling me that nice way. I'll keep in my mind

[@personalaccount5882]

Hi Barry.. I've got a question. If i used jump shot to clear a snookered ball..Does it count as a legal shot..??

[@megamanstar190]

Personal Account no, the cue ball can't leave the table or it's a foul

[@personalaccount5882]

Jeff Choy Thank you bro

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Personal. Jumping over a ball that is snookering you is a foul.

[@joe2grand]

being high on the black means you often get the squeeze effect and that is helped by running side I have found

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

joe. Yes, there can be a tendency to hit the near jaw of the pocket on this shot when played plain ball, some players make the adjustment with their aim, others like to play with a touch of side.

[@MrRoojones]

Hi Barry. Could you do a video on how to find the point of contact on the object ball in order to pot the ball please? Thanks

[@sunnygrewal3506]

his done that on earlier vids

[@MrRoojones]

Sunny Grewal ok. Haven't seen it. Cheers

[@Abdurrahman-xr4qe]

sir i have a problem regarding black ball potting from high from its spot. I have a fair potting percentage of other balls in the table using the ghost ball method but i am struggling it with regarding the black ball. Please advise

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Abrar. When you use the ghost ball method it is not 100% accurate as my video on the subject explains. From a position high on the black you will probably be hitting the ball a little thick predominantly hitting the near jaw, this is because there is a slight squeeze effect (a little like the squeeze plant, but less) As I have often said, "When it comes to snooker, Euclid theories often break down." It is also one o the reasons that some players prefer to play this shot with a little side, what is commonly known as helping side.

[@Abdurrahman-xr4qe]

Thanks a LOT coach. So how can i develop my percentage and confidence in potting the black always?

[@kyuzozzzz]

Hi Barry , would like to ask. If someone has gotten into the habit of playing blacks off the spot “ aiming very thick “. And during the delivery , use side to compensate for the aim and “kick” the ball into the pocket , would u advise the person to break off this bad habit? If so, what would u advocate him to do in order to break off this habit? He has knocked in century breaks with this bad habit.. Thanks Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ng. Not sure that this is a bad habit for century break players, it depends how much side is being used. A lot of players prefer to use a modicum of side when playing cut shots and it can help with the positional element of the shot. I know that I preach about using centre ball a lot and I do feel that a lot of players use it unnecessarily but Hey! If it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.

[@user-zh6uh7ut3k]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach مرحباً أستاذ كيف الحال للأسف أنا لا أعرف ماتقول أنا عربي حبذا لو ترسلو ترجمة ماتقولون

[@xeeplays4u]

When I am high on the black and aim to the object ball, which part of the cue ball is going to touch the object ball??

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Zaid. By asking that question I really do believe that you are over thinking the issue and will end up confusing yourself, just choose the intended line of the shot, play it, note what happens and learn from the experience.

[@xeeplays4u]

Ok sir, thanks

[@dheerajkakumanu170]

Hello Barry, I am able to pot the black when I am low on the black however all most all the times the cue ball goes in to center pocket.. could you please let me know how to avoid this...

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dheeraj. Potting the black from a position low on it is a little tricky because it is what is known as a blind pocket. Avoiding the middle pocket can make the pot even more difficult. What I suggest you do is place the cue ball in such a position that the in of into the centre pocket is natural. From doing that you will learn to recognise the problem angle and you can then practise small degrees of stun to avoid the in off. Remember that this is a tricky pot and don't ask too much of yourself, just slight stun to start with.

[@dheerajkakumanu170]

Thanks for that.. I have one more general question I am playing well when there are reds on the table but once the reds are done I am not able to play safety well (as the table is empty),hence losing matches even I am leading 25+ points on yellow... how to over come this situation.. I lost crucial matches like this.. :(

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dheeraj. At amateur level distance is probably the first rule. By that I mean try to leave distance between the cue ball and object ball. Secondly leaving the cue ball on the cushion will make most shots capable of being missed so try to do this by approaching the cushion obliquely (from an angle) rather than directly at it. Lastly always consider leaving the object ball on a cushion irrespective of where you are trying to leave the cue ball.

[@collinz5923]

Barry, i am really struggling with my inconsistency, sometimes i can pots that seem impossible, but yet, i can miss really easy shots such as a black on its spot

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Collin. Even a beginner can pot the odd fantastic shot but when he tries to replicate it he can't. This comes down to technique and part of that is a pre-shot routine. My advice is to really examine your cue action and set in motion a pre-shot routine that is workman like and effective, one that you are happy with, maintains a natural rhythm and allows you to concentrate on the shot at hand. Unfortunately it is very easy to get distracted at this game, your established routine helps to keep concentration where it should be. Good luck.

[@spencerj.4728]

When I use side on the cue ball, I found it is really missable. How can I correct it

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Side is complex and only experience can teach you, please have a look at my videos on the subject and try to hit the ball smoothly particularly when you are using side.

[@venamber7]

Sir, How to develop mental strength cause everytime when I pot more the 7 balls, get nervous and pressure mounts and can't focus and I miss the pot .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

venkat. In my opinion mental strength and the physical aspects of playing snooker go hand in hand, you cannot divorce the two. If you have a sound technique whereby you point the cue, do as you always do, and the ball goes in the pocket, why shouldn't you be mentally strong. So you can see from that statement that a sound pre-shot routine is essential to get the best out of yourself. After that of course there are other things you can do like visualisation, diaphragmatic breathing etc. and these are worth studying and practising.

[@venamber7]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thank you sir!

[@chaitanyadixit5055]

CN u plz tell how to post the balls slowly... I can pot most of the balls when I play fast... But I can't pot even easy balls when I play slow... Plz help

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chaitanya. This sounds as if you are quitting on the shot and decelerating the speed of the cue which in turn is causing some movement somewhere in the action. Try shortening the back swing down a little and maintaining the cue tip speed a little more consistently. Obviously you can over do this so be careful.

[@zhangken9884]

Does use side to help potting big angels black?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Zhang. Most players ( not all ) when potting at an angle prefer to use a little side.

[@oswynkn]

hello again coach. please, what is a kick? thanks.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jhaga. There are many theories about kicks and what causes them, there are bad contacts and there are kicks, they are two different things. A bad contact can be caused by anything from a hair on the ball to a piece of grit. A kick to my mind is caused by static electricity exacerbated by friction. If a kick occurs when there is top spin on the cue ball it tries to climb the object ball, if a kick occurs when there is back spin on the cue ball then the object ball tries to climb the cue ball. In both cases the static electricity/friction has been the cause.

[@oswynkn]

two shots being equal, will the kick cause the object ball to deflect differently? i dont see how it would, but the commentators make a big deal about it.

[@unaizshehzad3167]

i am not able to get enough back spin to the cue ball by hitting as low as possible without getting it to jump ... now what am i doing wrong here ...???

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Unaiz. There can be several reasons for this problem but the most likely cause is not keeping the cue parallel as you hit and go through the cue ball. Put yourself on video and check that you do not have what I call a see saw action. By that I mean a rise and fall of the butt end of the cue which in turn causes incorrect striking of the cue ball. Keep the cue in one plane as you deliver it and you will see the difference.

[@bhanuteja2965]

Can u explain long screw back plz facing horrible irritation with shot sir plz put a video on it

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bhanu. The screw shot requires a low strike, getting through the ball and hanging on to it. Timing is the real issue here and many beginners do not hit the ball where they think the are hitting it. Please put yourself on video and examine what is happening and I am sure you will spot something. Also I have uploaded a video on the subject, please have look.

[@MetallicDannyR]

Hey barry or anyone who watches can you tell me the order of ranks in snooker and how to no which you are? Thanks you :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Drunk. Rankings in professional snooker are determined by amount of prize money won and are listed on the World Snooker Web site.

[@MetallicDannyR]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach ok thanks and i was meaning more of the ranking such as beginner amature etc

[@shyamlaad5631]

Sir where to hit the object ball while giving side

[@user-bn8mv1jf2e]

ฟังไม่รุ้เรื่องเลย

[@limhanlong4143]

The second line means?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lim. There is no definitive meaning, you will start to recognise that line with practise but only if you deliver the cue in the same manner consistently.

[@rishuraj7711]

Yesterday I was playing a snooker match with my friend and an unusual thing happened. My friend hit the black ball to the green pocket but somehow the black ball jumped on to the rail of the table, travelled to the center pocket and again fell down on the bed of the table. I argued that that was a foul stroke as the ball left the bed of the table but my friend counter argued that he had seen this happening in an international match and the referee hadn't given a foul. Now what's right?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rishu. I hope you didn't have a bet with your friend because he is right. If the ball had run along the rail and gone in the pocket that also would have been allowed and he would have scored the seven points.

[@Knightlore10]

I saw another dimension to this the other day for the first time! Yellow ball left the bed of the table and settled on the baulk rail. That would be a foul as the ball did not end up in a pocket and neither did it return to the bed of the table.

[@colinsever6554]

Rishu Raj hg6100&hg6120 gas hob

[@MultiAmsh]

Please want to meet you and talking with you , regards

[@mehrosenasir3966]

I get the line but I find it dificult to find the point on object ball to hit

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mehrose. This is a common problem with beginners and one that really only experience can teach you. However, a good place to start is with easy shots, about 18 inches apart. Place a ball on the blue spot and the cue ball 18 inches away for a full ball contact into the centre pocket. Now place a ball on the blue spot and the cue ball at an angle so when you point the cue at the very edge of the object ball and play the shot the ball is potted, that is then a half ball aim. Play that shot a few times and you will start to realise and see the line of the shot, all other shots are just a slight variation of this aim with experience teaching you. Please don't forget that aiming correctly is only part of the equation, delivering the cue consistently on that aim is the hard part.

[@ziaulchowdhury2564]

the shots his doing at 4.00, isnt it risky potting the white cue ball in

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ziaul. I have often said it is not so much where you hit the cue ball but more about how you hit the cue ball. On some of these shots I am short of the middle pocket and on others wide of the middle pocket simply because of how I have hit the cue ball. Snooker players can also benefit from playing a little billiards to recognise possible traps.

[@oswynkn]

hi coach, your tick here. in the game kzbin.info/www/bejne/sF6wpoGkrN50b5I, at 1.30.10, flame on the tip. what is that all about? making it loose/spongy/soft? how long will it last? thanks.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jhaga. Sometimes fibres of the tip can stick out a little and burning them off with a naked flame is the best way of getting rid of them. Be careful if you do this though, a fraction of a second is long enough to burn these fibres away, no longer or you can melt the glue or damage the tip or indeed your cue.

[@oswynkn]

thanks

[@rushabhsnooker6521]

I can see that you're playing every shot with trace of running side

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rushabh. This may be the camera angle that gives that impression, but each shot was played centre ball, if there is any side on it is unintentional .

[@daniellim7503]

For me I find it hard to pot a high black than the low black

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Daniel. Very unusual because the pocket is in your line of sight. I would suggest this is a technique problem, possibly using side unnecessarily.

[@daniellim7503]

alright Barry, I will work harder one delivering that cue in a straight line as possible i can

[@kionmahuermicio9860]

My city doesnt have snooker tables :'v

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kion. Very sorry about that, where do you live?

[@haffifarooqi8094]

why dont you play international?

[@walidsarwary]

haffi farooqi he is too old for that, his job is coaching from the beginning, his student Kyron Wilson is a professional snooker player who won the shanghai masters by beating Jud Trump.

[@thecarpetman7687]

I think the ghost ball method is better…less variation

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

The Carpet man. Certainly the ghost ball can be a useful tool but is not strictly true once the cut becomes a little severe.

[@oswynkn]

hi coach can you indulge me again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYO4kHZ9hsR-m8k, at 7.59, is this not a push shot? seems blatant to me, like many other similar shots. thanks.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jhaga. Players know when they have pushed the ball and generally own up to it. Also when you are close to the incident you can usually tell by the sound or by the reaction of the cue ball, I agree that this was very close to being called a foul but equally there was no unusual reaction of the cue ball.

[@oswynkn]

i have to go with your expertise. thanks.

[@mazharyash8349]

Play with roonie i am sured u will all gonna forgot this😀

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mazhar. Comparing yourself or indeed any other player with how Ronnie does it, the best player in the world, will only lead to failure and frustration. If you have a problem with blind pocket shots this is a good method to reduce those problems until you can play like Ronnie.