81. Examine Your Cueing - Self analysis

Barry looks at some techniques that will examine your cueing and help you to identify any problems with your straight cueing. Being able to identify a problem is an important step to take corrective action.

[@chrishart1974]

Hi Barry. I just wanted to say thanks for the videos. I am an experienced snooker player who has played for England at amateur level but still find even the basics like this video are a huge help and reminder for me when i lose my touch. It's great to have your help available and free, to get me back into my rhythm. Great work. Keep going and good luck with Kyren. He's a great lad and you both deserve the best in life. 👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

chrishart. When good players like yourself have the need to return to basics occasionally it serves as a reminder to others of their importance.

[@hubinsc]

I love your 6 ball drill in this video. As you state, the sound of the cue/object collision is a beautiful thing. Watching you stroke those shots, your smooth acceleration of the cue through the ball is a mental picture I take with me to the table. After I line up the shot, I replay your stroke in my mind and visualize the ball going in the pocket. Much like golfers visualize a putt going in the hole. I have also incorporated the pause you demonstrate at the end back swing. Makes it much easier to stay smooth all the way through the ball. Thanks for all you do.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

hubinsc. Visualisation is a practise and indeed a skill (done properly) that I believe all sportsmen should use more frequently. Well done.

[@CodeNakama]

You are one of the best coaches in the world thanks barry for improving my techniques, each video i get to learn so many things...

[@dermotshaw6775]

Love how you have so much time for your community and reply to as many people as you can find time for. Great work with kyren aswell 👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dermot. When I started the videos I didn't realise how many questions I would get regarding them, never mind my typing skills have improved to the point where I now use two fingers instead of only one.

[@dermotshaw6775]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach haha benefits all around then

[@stevehallam6495]

You have taken a great deal of time on these videos and I'm sure the youngsters learning the game today find them valuable. I wish they had been around 40 years ago when I was learning the game as I would certainly have benefitted and become a better player.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

steve. Thankyou for the comments, I wish I had accumulated the knowledge 40 years ago, who knows I might have been playing snooker for a living instead of working in heavy industry and later PE.

[@bobsnooker.3950]

Thanks Barry great variety makes practise easier when you have more exercises to work with.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bob. Variety is the spice of life. Practise should always have a purpose but practicing the same thing all the time will become boring eventually. Don't vary practise just for the sake of it but never allow it to become boring either.

[@thejourneryinggamer3608]

i like that the mistakes are kept in. he missed a shot and didn't feel the need to take it out.

[@sherifamin5755]

I made the last practice in this video the routine I start my snooker day with....for 10 or 15 minutes every time I go to club. It really helps you focus at urself and examine ur cueing. This routine has by itself took my game to a different level.

[@wombra8314]

Sherif Amin yusss samesame. awesome drill. i recently learned this same one from a few different american pool instructionals,., it has helped me immensely as well, on multiple levels. i also use this routinely. cheers! 👋🏻🎱👄🎱🤚🏻

[@m.k.ikhalid7305]

i have been practicing this whole day and it helps alot thanks again

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

M.K. Great that the video helps but don't drive yourself nuts with it, vary your practise as well.

[@jarrod731]

Barry...Spare the details, but I owe you a pint for this video and the best pool weekend of my life! Cheers

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jarrod. Great that you had a good weekend, I hope to savour the pint at some stage.

[@thegreatdaneadventuresnell631]

Super coaching video again whuch I put into practice, it took some attempts but I got upto 3 consequetive at getting the two balls in the pocket, I found this practise just made me want to look more at the top of the cue ball, before then focusing on the object ball, but that itself made my cue action precise.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

paul. Three consecutively is good, well done.

[@aidinaresazan7856]

today I am going to practice these !! learned a lot from your basic lessens so far !!! and I think I have to solve my problems with these methods ! thank you so much !

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

aidin. Its important to keep an eye on the basics then you can move on to more advanced stuff with a degree of confidence.

[@aidinaresazan7856]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you I promis to do what you said .because it means so much to me .

[@hiyyer1]

Your experience speaks for itself sir…thank you..

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

hiyyer1. Many thanks.

[@fanofmrbean6294]

Nice Barry your such a wonderful coach I have a lot to say firstly your videos are awesome secondly you take time and thirdly you don't take things ahead like now and that

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

fan. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@charlesscottkelly]

Barry you have inspired me to get back to my basics and stop banging balls about and not getting enough out my practical. That Ding point has made me jealous. If I pot 10 in a row with the whites anywhere I would be buzzing.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Charles. I would much rather see a player practise properly for half an hour than see him bang balls around for 10 hours. He will progress much quicker. Good luck.

[@m.k.ikhalid7305]

THANKS BARRY FOR UPLOADING EXAMINE YOUR CUEING VIDEO I REALLY APRECIATE IT GREAT VIDEO THANKS A LOT

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

M.K. Glad you like the video, I hope it helps your game.

[@AlonsoRules]

Hendry had a good cue action and he did pretty well

[@yuriyvasilyev7785]

Hello, Sir! I would like you to share with you another aiming test which I invented for myself very recently. I was doing the same exercise you've just shown us when you have to pot 2 balls using follow-through shot in the same pocket (from the short distance). In order to do that the balls should be in a very straight line. So when I sat down a little bit and closed my weak eye, the balls were dead straight. But when I started my pre-shot routine I noticed that I didn't see them in a straight line. And that was strange because I changed my cue position on the face with the "pencil" test which you shared some time ago. So I should see the straight line, but I don't for some reason. Anyway, we can use that test as well. E.g. put the balls in a straight line and then take our usual shot position and move the head to the right and to left on the cue until you see the same straight line. I hope, that would be helpful for you :) Great video and great channel, thank you very much for that you've been doing here!

[@fahad366.]

Dear sir today I'll not ask any questions . I did everything what ever you told. But I couldn't be successful . I couldn't even enhance my skills I am finding my self at the same spot where I was I am totally disappointed . But sir it's all about my fault I think I am not supposed to play snooker . I love snooker a lot and always keep thinking about it . sorry sir if I said something wrong. But you are a great teacher and you will be beneficial for everyone. But I am not worth .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

fahad. I cannot accept that you are not supposed to play snooker as you put it. If you are a normal reasonably well coordinated person there is no reason at all why you cannot play snooker at an acceptable level. I find that although they think they are doing things correctly players are often not. You do what you do because it feels comfortable for you, a person like me comes along and changes things. Straight away it feels uncomfortable and that is the thing that players do not like, you have to be prepared to feel a little uncomfortable and also to go backwards. Please put yourself on video, check your stance, where and how you hold the cue, where you put your bridge hand. Check that the cue is parallel to the table, how far you get through the cue ball etc. Check all these things and compare them with my videos. Be prepared to go backwards and be a little uncomfortable but most of all don't give in. Keep in touch and good luck.

[@fahad366.]

Sir as you said . I'll do. And yes I'll be good snooker player . Thanks a lot sir for motivating me. You are great teacher. Thank you again.

[@monkeybreeksjov9574]

Do not give up. Keep watching Barrys videos. Go back to basics and check your grip and Barrys cueing videos 1 to 5. I watch these videos again and again to ensure I practice the correct things. Good luck.

[@Kimmobiino]

I think one thing common to many struggling music students might apply.. Even if we put in fair amout of practice time there can be even weeks that one seems to stagnate and not improve technically. But believe me the results will come with (intelligent) and patient practice.. In music we might practice a few difficult notes 12 times in a row and get the basic idea but to really learn them to a fine degree one might need say 300 repetitions and weeks of time to fine tune and understand all the aspects..

[@steviemax147]

The shot that Barry missed I noticed his thumb on bridge hand moved to the side slightly, which as he has stated in other videos it is also vital to have rock solid bridge hand!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

steviemax. Thanks for pointing it out, I should be practising what I preach, not always the easiest thing to do.

[@awan97pk]

Hi, Barry It's very kind of you to show very important points and practice techniques towards snooker guidance to learn it respective manner. I am Muslim and respect every one on planet but little worry to come to see you...how do I come to c u and where if you can allow some time please. Thank you. I must say that I have improved watching your coaching videos, very helpfully hope you are in good health and happy. Happy New Year. Best wishing Awan.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Angel. I am afraid presently I cannot afford the time for much individual coaching due to family and other commitments.

[@awan97pk]

thanks for kind reply , I can understand you are busy but I like to come to see you not for game but as you are my favourite coach, may you live long and in good health...I live in birmingham which is bit far from Nottingham but in any case you are visiting over to nearby areas I just want to c u. if you can allow I'll be glade to see you. please take care of yourself and good luck. please text me on 07828892327. if by chance you are close by on a visit.

[@mohammedhadi9358]

thank you mr barry. great vedeo again.

[@Abbaskhan-nc7xh]

Barry you are awesome

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

24/7. Thanks for the compliment, glad you like the videos.

[@Knightlore10]

Good cueing and the ability to select the correct potting angle in equal measure. Cue badly and you will miss. Cue well but select the wrong potting angle and you will also miss. Personally I would put the importance of aim point above good cueing but that's specific to my game. Others should put their cueing first.

[@jamesoconnell30]

For the diagonal shot, did you say you need to hit the cue ball on the top (ie topspin)? Thanks Barry. Everyone I know always recommends your videos as a source of reliable advice.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

antrico. Yes some shots were played with top spin.

[@jamesoconnell30]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach what would happen if they were centre strikes on the cue ball?

[@theznooker]

Hi As i walk in to the shot, the cue tip goes past the cueball top and as i am about to get down i pull the cue back to bring the cue tip behind the cue ball center. and this is causing alignment problem because the cue butt goes towards left. when i try to put the cue tip behind the cueball and get down, i have no alignment problem. that is how i figured out this is cuasing the alignment problem so basically i put my right foot on line of aim as i walk in, i put the left leg at the same time synced with the cue arm goes online of aim with the cue, but the cue shaft is about 2 inches beyond the white, so as i am getting down i pull the cue back to bring it behind the cueball, so once i am fully down. the cue tip is behind the cue ball. i asked many and they said, only shaun murphy does it like this. what is the correct what ? do other players do that ? can this problem cause the alignment problem or i am in the wrong direction

[@johnnyeboy33]

Another good video thanks Barry. I have read John Virgo's book, and he mentions seeing Jimmy white potting a red over the corner pocket with the cue ball in the jaws of the opposite corner pocket then screwing the white back 12 ft into the pocket. Is this a shot every pro would be capable of doing or only those blessed with enough cue power ??? Ps who would win in a best of 9 match between you and JV ??? Just curious 😊

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

jonnyeboy. It certainly is not a shot every professional player can do, Jimmy was blessed with tremendous cue power that is one of the reasons he was at the top for so long. Unfortunately JV suffers with a bad neck and as far as I know no longer plays the game.

[@christiano8088]

I think this is an urban myth.

[@Louiscylam]

Thx Barry!

[@daniellim8119]

Thanks Barry for addressing the kicks once again for me. Does playing stun make the pots easier as i seen you are not struggling here

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Daniel. The modern player plays so many shots with some degree of stun that it does tend to become a preference but as long as you are striking centre ball and there is no variation in pace it should not make any difference in terms of difficulty.

[@daniellim8119]

I saw a video which titled "snooker secrets how power affects ur aim" do check it out because the person in it is stating that the harder we hit the more throw we will have on the object ball which i think that is only possible if he put unintended sides on the white cheers

[@sandeepravindhiran9366]

Hi Barry, congratulations for the award and also wish u happy new year. I have been practicing and find improvement in my game. However, the screw shots have a very little effect when I have tried playing with power and long swing. Is there a way to perfect them in club tables which matches ur teaching.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sandeep. Playing a screw shot on any table is exactly the same thing. Yes you will get more response on a pro table but the technique is the same. Keep working on that nice smooth and long cue action, it will come. Don't forget that power creates errors, not only in the accuracy of the pot but also where you actually strike the cue ball, try to let the cue do the work, relax, get through that ball and that little old cue ball will come back.

[@sandeepravindhiran9366]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you

[@MrXeberdee]

Where you aim and where your cue is pointing are 2 different things - I wish more coaches stressed the point. When they say aim at a point on the object ball I think it confuses many players starting the game. The line is obviously what should be the most important thing to keep focus on, so much so that you can almost entirely ignore which point you are hitting on the object ball, also because that point changes on almost every shot because of throw. If a player is concentrated on the object ball, they are less focussed on the cue line and cueing properly.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

@MrX. Glad you agree with me and express your views clearly, you should take up coaching.

[@atifmughal3504]

Hello sir. I m national player from pakistan. I love your videos and ur way of coaching. Sir i want to know One thing that i have left hand side in my shots. How can i place it correctly in the middle. Sometimes i forcefully target the center but when i deliver the shot.. there must be left side... please help me .. specifically on that issue. Regards

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

atif. This is another common problem and there are possibly a number of causes. Firstly you may be cueing across the ball without realising it, all you know is that the ball doesn't go where you are aiming it so you unintentionally apply side again without realising it. Alternatively you apply side unknowingly so you aim differently to compensate, its the chicken and egg situation, which came first the side or the aiming situation. Either way it really does't matter, they both need to be tackled and corrected. Check your aim and cueing along the baulk line, ensure you are using your dominant eye correctly, look at my videos that cover this. Discipline those muscles along the baulk line, this may require a fair amount of frustrating work depending how ingrained the problem is. Next place your cue to the cue ball with a loop bridge, rest the butt end on the cushion then raise up so that you can look down on the cue ball to determine that you are striking the middle. I have also done a video on this as well so please have a look.

[@ananths5905]

Hi Barry. Sometimes at the table I am able pot medium range and long pots better than I am when I am close amongst the balls. I am finding this extremely frustrating and it's obviously down to cueing. Can you also give some tips on how to improve sight ? I think thats something I am struggling with

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Wabi. When you are close to the balls it is sometimes difficult to see the line of the shot, the best advise is to stand back to see that line before you walk in and then place the cue on the line that you have selected.

[@omprakash-jv9lp]

Hi sir, I have been playing the game for about a year. Some days my game is so good and I pot even tough balls with ease and some days I don't even pot easy balls. What would be the reason for this inconsistency with my game?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

om. All players strive to find that panacea that solves all their problems with the game and gives them the consistency they desire. In my experience I find that establishing a pre-shot routine that works is largely the answer. Watch players like Mark Selby or John Higgins, every shot they play their preparation is the same and that is why they are so consistent. It helps them physically and it helps them mentally, they know that if they point that cue and do the same thing all the time, invariably the ball goes in. That is what we are all trying to find.

[@omprakash-jv9lp]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you so much for ur concern sir... I will try to establish a pre shot-routine for myself and hopefully thank you for the positive results.

[@jemzerclysmic1388]

Please do a vid on long screw shots

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jemzer. Performing long screw shots is no different to performing any screw shot. You have to hit the ball low, get through the ball and hang on to hit. There will always be players who play this shot better than others, its known as cue power. They have the ability to generate more cue tip speed and maintain it as they get through the cue ball. I find that amateur players tend to hit the ball higher than they realise in an effort to screw the ball back, they believe that power is going to achieve what they desire. Yes you need some power but the old adage which golf professionals use is so applicable to snooker------- DON'T HIT IT HARDER, HIT IT BETTER.

[@ericsalles3393]

He's right ..my cue action is crap

[@edwinwong958]

Hi Barry, I would like to ask one question on the bridge arm. Is it better to rest the bridge arm on the table or leave slight distance for a better balance point at the center?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Edwin. I believe the arm should rest upon the table, this to my mind gives better comfort and greater stability.

[@nirmal209]

Sir plz make video on elbow drop and explain it properly how to elbow drop improve technique

[@lokyinphotography]

Barry, should I spend 80% of my time to practice cueing with your method? I found myself having issue deliver the cue ball and the red ball into the pocket. The red goes in but the white always off.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Browning. Some players have a slight flaw in their cue action which can mean that they can pot the object ball but only by aiming to miss by the slightest of margins. As long as they do the same thing all the time a good standard can be achieved. At the very top level Judd Trump is a classical example of this. Is this one to copy? well not in my opinion, it is difficult enough trying to deliver the cue in a straight line consistently without adding a flaw to counteract another flaw. However, 80% of your time does seem rather excessive but it is worthwhile checking on the baulk line as to whether you are cueing straight and also checking that you are striking the cue ball centrally.

[@lokyinphotography]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you for your time to reply my message. I think I'll try to have a 10 to 15 minutes cue action routine before I being my practice routine from now. 🙂

[@unaizshehzad3167]

What do we need to do to hit a deep screw shot .... Any specific technique ..??? I am not able to bring back the cue ball with my screw shots with enough speed ... What should I do to correct this ..

[@TheNeofierer]

It's about getting through the ball, not with power but with a clean controlled action. The White reacts better at slower speeds so never think you have to hammer it to get backspin.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Unaiz. Neofierer has hit the nail on the head, I would only add when you are trying to learn or improve the screw shot, don't be too ambitious. Start with the balls fairly close together progressively increasing the distance, please remember control is more important than power.

[@m.k.ikhalid7305]

its all depend on ur grip

[@mohilpatel8054]

Unaiz Shehzad bro its depend on your table cloth too....

[@frequency289]

Keep a loose grip while playing the deep screw

[@wizardzx2]

Barry. Merry Christmas. When I play shots softly I can pot. As son as I increase power they go astray. What drills do you recommend? Thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

wizard. Power demands more accuracy unfortunately the opposite is true and power tends to decrease accuracy. To try to increase your accuracy when using power keep the balls close together initially, gradually widening the gap between the cue ball and object ball. I suggest the two balls should be no more than 12 inches apart to start with. Place the cue ball on the baulk line and the object ball 12 inches from it and try to pot in the corner pocket at pace, as you improve widen the gap. All the time examine your cueing, truly that is where improvement lies. Good luck.

[@malcolmchadwick4047]

Barry, the que that que craft made for you, would you reccomend it.

[@strat10101]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach a

[@chinnu528]

Barry, I have been playing snooker for almost 3 years. All of sudden l got this habit of stopping my cue before hitting the ball, its just doesn't go . You can say hesitant to play the shot. Please help me with some tips so that I can improve on this. If you'd like I can send a video of the show thank you kindly waiting for your reply Regards Shashi Rathod Bangalore India

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shashi. This sounds like a little psychological problem rather like some of the dart players encounter on occasions and cannot let go of the dart. Try just knocking the cue ball around the table with your eyes closed, don't aim for anything specific just pause at the cue ball with your eyes open, close them and complete your cue action. By taking one of your senses away, namely your vision, it will block out any interference from that sense. The real object is to establish a continual yet natural rhythm with your cueing, it won't be easy but with perseverance and patience it will come.

[@chinnu528]

Thank you

[@yasserel-amine531]

Dear coach barry i noticed that 3 of the 6 attempts touched the side rail before going(one of them is the one you missed) and i always woundered, why do similar shots to this, or at least for me, always tend to hit that rail first. Is it because i tend to aim to the edge rather than the pocket or because of cueing? Thank you

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yasser. Obviously it could be an aiming issue but generally players aim correctly on a straight shot, it is more than likely your cueing that is at fault. First check that you are hitting the cue ball centrally and then work hard on your cueing. A good question to ask yourself is, is the object getting slightly kicked left or right as the two balls collide, this will only become evident at a gentle pace but it may show a trace of side either by way of where you hit the cue ball or how you get through the cue ball.

[@jonnyjonny8188]

Hi Barry, I understand this but how can we know if we miss because of our cue action or because we are selecting the wrong angle? Like I could be missing a shot multiple times because I am putting some unwanted side on but I could also be potting a shot aiming at it wrong and because of that side and my brain has got used to it?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Johnny. Very good question. I am afraid this is where you need a coach or at least someone you trust to have a look at you playing. If you trust your own judgement you can put yourself on video and examine what you are doing with a discerning eye, If you video yourself properly from all angles it can be very enlightening. Also if you play some dead straight pots and you keep missing, there are three possible reasons, One is that you are playing with side or that you have not cued straight or both. I have shown on video how to check if you are playing with unintentional side and of course how to check if you are cueing straight. Now, having done the necessary checks and if you are potting straight shots consistently, you know that you are cueing straight. If you are still missing angle shots you know you are aiming incorrectly and the fault does not lie with your cue action. One other point that needs to be mentioned is that some players allow the angle shot to dictate to them and tend to play them with side. This can be unintentional or deliberate, if it is unintentional then that also needs to be examined and sometimes corrected.

[@alex31717]

Hello sir! I have a question that's not related to the video. What if I tried to pot the red and the red jumps off the table? Do I respot the red somewhere or just play on with one less red? And is it a 4 points foul? Thank you very much!

[@omprakash-jv9lp]

Alex Wong the red is gone and it's a 4 point foul

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Alex. If a red is forced off the table in an effort to pot it, it is a foul shot with a four point penalty, the red remains off the table and you play on with one less red.

[@alex31717]

I see! Thanks a lot!

[@mayurhtemad]

Hello sir, thank you very much for your wonderful videos :) but I have a problem. I play right handed but my left eye is dominant. So how can I shots without missing ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mayurhtemad. Being right handed but left eye dominant should have no bearing on your ability to sight the shots correctly. Ronnie O'Sullivan in right handed and left eye dominant and he doesn't do too badly.

[@mayurhtemad]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you sir, but I don't pot balls as confidently as I would like to. Maybe I have numerous technique problems which I can't figure out myself.

[@rinotidona4267]

Great video now I kick to left what am I doing wrong

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rino. Not sure what you mean here, I need more information before I can help you.

[@rinotidona4267]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank you Barry on my fallow through at the last second my arm or hand is going out of line , and sending object ball to left , I find if I hit a straight shot hard it's very pronounced to the left

[@rinotidona4267]

The object ball on a dead straight pot will always miss to left by 4 inches

[@james-bx4wr]

Would you say the type of cue action Ding Junhui has is technically better than Ronnie's? I heard in an interview that Ronnie plays all shots with side

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

James. Ding cues straight and is a phenomenal player but he hits the ball completely differently to Ronnie. Ronnie gets through the ball more than Ding, indeed more than any other player, as a result he can manoeuvre the cue ball with a little less physical effort. I can assure you that Ronnie knows where the middle of the cue ball is and uses it a lot, its just that on angle shots he generally prefers to use a little side.

[@fury5676]

sir there is a problem with me, when ever i am trying to pot a straight one i misses the shot, need some advice thanks, and also tell me where to see when we are going to play a shot.

[@Valfunction]

Do you always miss to one side or is it random? If it is to one side perhaps you are playing slightly across the cue ball and therefore unintentionally giving it a bit of side. Barry did a video on this I believe it's one of the "Aiming to Improve" ones. If you are missing to both sides I would suggest it's that you are not achieving the same alignment each time you get down on the ball. Perhaps it is a stance issue?

[@fury5676]

thanks dude.. u are on my point, thanks for your advice.. (Y)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mehar. Valfunction has made a couple of suggestions and these are certainly worth looking at. On a straight shot however most players (not all) aim correctly but don't deliver the cue where they are aiming. Assuming you are only trying to pot the ball without playing postion a straight shot should be the easiest to play. You need to ensure that you are striking centre ball and the rest is down to straight cueing. Try what has been suggested but also get on that baulk line and examine your cueing as well as your alignment. Also, place yourself on video from all angles, you just might be able to detect some movement or flaw in your action. In answer to your other question when you actually play the shot you should be looking at the object ball.

[@fury5676]

OK Sir, i'll do that.. may be soon i will get rid of this straight cueing problem, i have been watching your videos since i started playing snooker, you are my Coach from the very first day :) Lots of love for you and GOD bless u and sorry for my bad English, as i am from Karachi Pakistan.

[@monkeybreeksjov9574]

2:40 took me 52 attempts to pot both balls

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

monkeybreeks. Yes, but you did it and hopefully learned something in the process.

[@wombra8314]

👋🏻🎱👄🎱🤚🏻 awesome, thanks for the report!

[@hassanrajput9576]

❤

[@TheEnglishDane]

Alex Higgins cue action is pretty interesting though 😁

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dane. Very much so, a unique and rare talent.

[@yasserel-amine531]

Dear Coach Barry, great video like always. i dont have alot of snooker tables around, so the best 12ft one i found had pretty good cloth and balls, but the table is not level enough to play with this pace and expect the red to go straight like that, it almost always veers off the line, its not that much but its enough to be a little annoying, any advice ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yasser. Very difficult to be constructive but try increasing the pace slightly but also the way you play the shot. By that I mean use top spin, screw and stun. Not too much pace though or it won't tell you enough.

[@knutewales1171]

1:34...random ownerless hand with the cue ball, lol.

[@ernoeskeli1139]

This really is the way to put your cueing in extreme test and possibly the way to make you frustrated as well 😀. By the way, what a match from Kyren today at the World Open. For a moment I thought he'd be making five centuries in a row.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Erno. Yes he hit the ball as well as I have seen him.

[@andrewgibson5313]

Hi Barry. Once again thank you for a great video. I need some advice - I understand the importance of good cue action and I have watched your videos on cue action, my problem is this: At times, when I cue, I feel my wrist tense up causing the handle of my cue to move towards my body. Are there any drills you could recommend specifically for the hand delivering the cue action to assist with this?

[@elrondsch]

Go to Nic Borrow channel(snooker gym), he has a video about the so called "lettuce technique"(holding the cue only with the tips of two fingers). Really helps

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andrew. Tension is always a killer, the muscles tighten up and all manner of problems occur as a result. elrondsch has made one suggestion and it will certainly make you aware of the value of relaxing during your cue delivery. My own view is because you say it only happens at times it may be that you are trying to do too much with the cue ball from too short a back swing. I am not in favour of major changes generally and sometimes it is better to slightly modify what you have already got. You have got to let the cue do the work rather than your muscles and the best way to do this is with a longer back swing. I believe it is easier to keep a long swing straight than it is a short one as you hit and get through the ball, ( there are limits of course.) Give it a go and let that cue go, relax and good luck.

[@andrewgibson5313]

Much appreciated Barry. I will be sure to adjust and practice accordingly.

[@thegreatdaneadventuresnell631]

Andrew Gibson one thing that did amaze me about tension and how that can have a huge impact on how the cue is deliveried, I am a non drinker, I mean a beer at xmas type, a friend came around and wanted to see my new table which I'm lucky enough to have in my home, a cellar room, he brought me one bottle of beer, a becks no special brew! i drank it and Half an hour later, we went and had a game, I played snooker that amazed myself, potting balls I would normally miss, im not a good player by any means with a highest break of 28😖, what im saying is that made me obviously relaxed, just an example that I couldnt believe, it worked for the late and superbly great Alex!!! By no means am i saying go drinking when you play lol. I just wanted to share with you

[@andrewgibson5313]

paul Harrison First of all. I hope you know I am extremely jealous of your own table. To a degree I have been aware of the performance enhancing benefits of alcohol, specifically in sports such as sharpshooting and archery where it is illegal to have alcohol in your system. Anyways I do enjoy the odd drink however most of my hard earned money goes towards paying for the table which at my club is ZAR 60 p/hour. Cheers.

[@sundu21]

Sir, how do you manage playing snooker with spectacles ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

sundu21. It is no good trying to play snooker in ordinary everyday spectacles, they need to be made for the purpose. A lot of opticians do not fully understand what is needed by the player. May I suggest that if you need glasses to play snooker have a look at Chris Cheshire's web site called SnookerSpecs.com. Chris is an optician who also plays snooker at a high standard and he fully understands the needs of snooker players. He has made mine and I am very happy with them.

[@xaviertan3382]

Hi harmon it's me

[@vipansharma5472]

Thanks sir

[@alexhubanov1526]

How could you say that if the white doesn't go in after the red, you can be happy with it if it's nearly there. I mean if you pot the red, the white can't really go far from the pocket

[@Asdfgfw53]

That's incorrect. Try it yourself. A poor stroke will apply unwanted side, causing deflect of the cueball. The contact may still be close, resulting in a pot, but the cue ball will not follow the object ball's trajectory.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Alex. No need for me to answer this, Sun D has done it for me. We are all trying to achieve perfection but very few achieve it and if we did it would cease to be a game.

[@my_two_cents2133]

at 6:52 Barry farted !!!! But it doesn't matter, He is so good coaching. Cheers Barry!!!

[@PM-fs2eg]

Quick...Playback speed x 1.5!

[@faisalnaseer798]

one of the disliker is ronnie