91. Coaching Yourself - Basic self analysis

In previous videos Barry has already covered aspects of cueing and aim in some detail, but here he looks at these points again from the perspective of self coaching, analysing and doing the basics correctly. / barrystarksnookercoach

[@MRahem-qr5ur]

I wish I could take personal training from this legend.

[@Dhirallin]

Barry probably the reason why people are so grateful without actually implementing most of your advice, is that they probably incorporated 1 incredibly basic thing and that's changed their game so much that they're still excited over it even with all the other flaws.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rajie. The onus is always on the player to decide what suits his game and what doesn't but most people need a little help along the way.

[@Dhirallin]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach For example, you'll notice a lot of new players are just so excited to develop a more solid bridge.

[@scott7706]

Mr. Stark, ive seen all your videos and have been playing this wonderful game for 30 plus years. Thanks to you I have improved greatly and learned so much I didnt know before. Im a member at the Royal Canadian Legion which they all have one to three snooker tables. When I play there your amazing advice is always with me. Thank you for all your time put into your great channel.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Scott. Its nice to know the channel is appreciated and that players are improving as a result, many thanks

[@joewizard100]

When you said "The aim starts at the back of the cue" You actually blew my mind. I never used to use the back to aim so I think that's why some of my shots have been thrown off :O ! This has literally openened a new world to snooker for me.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

joe. If the butt of the cue is not on the intended line of aim there will be a strong possibility that you will cue across the ball.

[@aidenthomas2138]

Barry what an absolute credit to your coaching Kyren is tonight. disciplined and very methodical. A pleasure to watch. You wouldnt think he's playing a man who has been there and done it all and knocked out the world #1 in round 1. A future world champion no doubt

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Aiden. Thanks for that, he has made great strides over the last two years, a little way to go yet but one thing is for sure, he will keep trying.

[@namgaydhendup2666]

This is one of my favourite episodes. Besides your skills to play and teach as well, I really appreciate your genuine sense to help others. Prayers and regards from remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan 🇧🇹

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Namgay. Many thanks.

[@TangFiend1]

How can you not love this guy?

[@boysoldier1014]

Yet another great video from a legend. I loved the way you started this video. "Two arms, two eyes, two legs" I agree. It's just people are born with that special ability to learn quite fast and adjust their mistakes. Wish I had the ability like you and Ronnie etc. I just can't afford to go often enough to get better at it.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

BoySoldier. You are right no matter how hard we try, some will always be better than others.

[@Dhirallin]

They say that before the age of 10, you can learn talent as if it's a skill. Young players can learn the angles and body motion like we learn the English language. Adults would have to put in insane hours to learn this to the same level of consistency. If it's 10000 hours to master something starting from say the age of 8. Then it's probably like 100000 hours starting from 13. Or maybe 10 million hours starting from 20. It's an exponential curve. The main thing that makes world class players special is simply that they had an unusual drive and obsession to learn at a very young age. Perhaps someone like Ronnie O Sullivan also has some genetic gifts, but for most players even the very top, the only unique thing about them is the drive and enthusiasm they had to learn starting from a very young age imho.

[@joshhoerler6733]

I'm from America and I play pool almost every day. When I started to make progress in my game and I became confident with my abilities on the the table but I still felt like something was missing. Searching for what I was missing I seen my first snooker video it was Ronnie making a 147 break. I instantly fell in love with snooker watching more and more. I studied the game. Learned the rules, watched the stance, the stroke, even how to address the table and cue ball. Then disciplined myself to replicate what I saw. Then I came across your videos. I immediately knew you had a lot of wisdom of the game. I've watched hundreds of matches. Just wishing that I had the chance to play this wonderfully beautiful game. Knowing that it's not just potting the ball it's planning ahead and being in control. Knowing when to take on the pot or to play to hide the white. I hope some day I get the chance to play snooker. And I hope its against someone as knowledgeable and disciplined as you.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Josh. You obviously love to play cue sports, I hope you get to play that snooker session someday, good luck.

[@asadgondal7805]

The way of ur explanation is attractive. Stay blessed

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Asad. Many thanks for the well wishes.

[@123mailashish]

Hello Barry sir!!! Words of wisdom....two eyes two legs...all same...but still we miss..... We look forward to your videos. Please dnt stop. Keep going Sir!!! N special thanks to Mr. PHIL for simple yet wonderful camera work. Oh what great detail you bring in your videos. Stressing on fundamentals, basics... Thank U!!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ashish. Yes Phil is very good at what he does, without him the videos would not exist.

[@alexpaic2984]

Excellent idea Barry. Never thought about recording myself. Makes sense. We all watched pro players all the time but never watch our own game.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

alex. One picture is worth a thousand words, what a player thinks he does and what he actually does is often entirely two different things.

[@sj460162]

Great video Barry.

[@bicivelo]

Great instruction, Barry! I was fortunate enough to take an all day pool class with Mike Wilson (Mosconi Cup winner) here across the pond and there were a lot of similar methods to "get out of the comfort zone" and improve my game. Thank you! :-)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bicivelo. There are a lot of similarities between the two games and improving at one surely must be beneficial to the other. Well done.

[@jwplays7]

Using your tips and videos helped me make my first century with only 4 months of practise, thanks Barry.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

JW. Wow! Thats some progress, well done.

[@johngunning2123]

That's a great tip to check your cueing accuracy using the line across the table. So simple but very useful indeed.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad it was helpful!

[@XandEnglish]

Thank you Barry 👍

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Very welcome

[@tsekala7774]

I just found your channel and im surprised of how many videos you have and your experienced way to explain snooker ''tips''.You really try to help amateurs becoming better and you respawn in almost every comment.Thank you so much for being so helpful and good with others sir (=

[@michaelparanormal]

Great help for the beginners , i learned myself of how to keep the cueball under control, at 50 i play better at building breaks and having that belief that im going to win , your videos give me more confidence to keep playing better, thanks Barry!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Michael. Glad you like the videos and very well done with your game.

[@michaelparanormal]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Thank you sir!

[@dazza912]

Another fantastic video..I hope that you read this Mr Stark, just watched the interview with Kyren Wilson in which he mentioned you many time. Not only a gracious and humble young man but also from your coaching his class is prevalent on the baize. I Really really hope that you read this and keep doing the videos .You sir is a living legend for the game..Respect

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dazza. I try to read all the comments that are send in respect of the channel, glad you like the videos. Kyren is always very gracious in his interviews and knows how difficult it is to learn this game on your own.

[@charlesscottkelly]

Thanks again Barry for your time and effort.Nice tips, I always go back to blues of the spot from baulk and basic pink off the spot trying for the perfect stun or follow through to find my flaws. Keep up great work.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Charles. While the interest remains we will try.

[@Lamersssen]

Absolutely astonishing! Thank You for all You are doing sir. Much respect!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lamerssen. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@CJ-ci1ri]

The best snooker coach, taught me a lot thanks Barry From Wales

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lunar. Glad you are learning from the channel.

[@MikeyD8632]

Your a fantastic teacher and I really appreciate your help. Big thanks from northeast Ohio

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

You're very welcome!

[@bowow0807]

Thanks a lot for the advice Barry! I actually recently had a lesson from a ex(?)-professional pool player and he taught me a lot in just one lesson. Corrected a lot of things about my stance and how I deliver the cue. He brought me back to the absolute basics and after 3 hours I was absolutely exhausted because it's totally different from what I normally do. He told me to practice a bunch of drills and get back to him once I master them so he can teach me more about side and advance position play. Looks like I still have a long way to go!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bowow0807. You have learned that unlearning bad habits and starting new ones does not come easy. Trying to learn this game (any game) on your own invalidates all the years of development that the game has gone through and been handed down. Listen to your professional, work hard on the basics and progress is just around the corner.

[@bowow0807]

Thanks for the reply Barry! I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind in my next practice session later tonight. I do hope to see improvement in my game in the coming months. It seems 2018 will be a good year for me and my game!

[@julio5595]

I honestly think these are some of the best videos on KZbin. Cheers Barry. I'm part of a local club and play every week with my father, just wish I could find a good coach as well!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

julio. Thanks for that, glad you like the videos, I can't really comment on the coaching problem , I suppose it depends upon the area in which you live or the amount you are prepared and able to travel, I wish you well with it though.

[@mohammedarshad3798]

Greetings from India Love your videos Sir, they're really helpful.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mohammed. Glad to be of help.

[@sj460162]

Came across this today. Another great video barry. Im just gutted I didnt find your videos on my mobile phone 30 years ago. I videod my stance on the baulk line and couldnt believe how badly my cue butt was offline. Ive corrected this by pressing my chest against my cue to push it back online. Im now hitting the tip with my cueball along baulk and black and blue spots. Thankyou

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Steve. Great that you have found the answer to your problem, be careful though, certainly the chest should be brushing against the chest but pressing implies tension??

[@sj460162]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Yes youre right Barry..Ive started to brush my cue against my nipple. Sounds daft..but I find this to be a great guide to where I need to out the cue and create the straight line ive seen on the video I recorded of myself.

[@seeyouthen]

Nice video. By the way I finally beat my brother and i place a large degree of credit to watching your hand bridging videos. I must have been on a 15 game losing streak against him previously. My hand was flat on the table previous and thumb moving now ime raised the knuckles and clamped the thumb in. Something simple like this helped so much. Other things ive tried to follow but like you say ive slipped back into old ways but the bridge hand ive pretty much got down. Thanks Barry.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Aidan. Old habits die hard, I know its a bit of a cliche but it is so true. At least the bridge is correct, well done, keep trying. I hope your brother doesn't think too badly of me.

[@YSShekhawat]

Table tap for this video. My God!! it was good.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yadu. Glad you like the video.

[@YSShekhawat]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach I'm going to implement what you taught in this video, let's see how far I can go.

[@daveo576]

Appreciate your work Barry. Greetings from Australia. Hopefully the great sport of snooker will be as popular here as it is in the UK

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Dave. There have been some great players from your part of the world and with former world champion Neil Robertson flying the flag lets hope so.

[@JuLuuBao]

What a fantasic video! Helps me a lot with aiming at que ball.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jiawen. Glad the video is helping.

[@loveishq2581]

Same thing i thought recently while playing you just uploaded it wow thanks for advice

[@Charlie_Crown]

Class instruction and advice 👌

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Charlie. Glad you like the video, many thanks.

[@mohamedkassem7447]

God bless you and in your work you are really a great man and the legend of coaching

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mohammed. Many thanks for the compliments, glad you enjoy the videos.

[@mohamedkassem7447]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach please sir make a video on the place of the cue in to the chest and go deep please for this point and in deatails because it's not clear for a lot of peaple and what is the amount of pressure between cue and chest please do it and many thanks legend

[@damienspurs147]

Another great video Barry ✌💖

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Damian. Glad you like the video, it is important to be able to self analyse but also not to drive yourself nuts with it. Good luck.

[@snookerlogics]

really awesome! keep up the great work

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ROS147. As long as the interest remains and that I am able we will keep trying.

[@Itshariq]

love ya barry! appreciate what you're doing 🖤 its u or nothing 👌

[@ArbazKhan-tz9sd]

Great Barry!

[@henry1212harrison]

Wow, good points here!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

henry. Players need to know how they do what they do and self analysis is very useful in this regard.

[@hiyyer1]

Good health sir!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

hiyyer. Many thanks, same to you.

[@toddjohnson8897]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks so much !

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Todd. My pleasure.

[@TheBlueTechnology]

what is the way to determine the angle of the bridge hand? i think as soon as the bridge hand touches the cloth i think i turn abit too much the bridge hand to the right, which causes alignment issue, i have tried to slide through my bridge hand towards the line of aim as hand touches the cloth , but i still turn my bridge hand to right and it causes huge alignment issue. is there a best practice to find the best bridge angle? example: i heard the middle finger should be pointing towards object ball which i am not sure if its true , but i am looking for something to determine the correct bridge hand angle? thank you very much in advance

[@wenatahakwano3718]

invaluable coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

wena. Many thanks.

[@bullsnutsoz]

Many international names here; the snooker game is spreading wildly around all parts of this earth; especially Asia.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bullsnutsoz. You are right, thanks to Mr Hearn its popularity is spreading. I just wish we could get the pro-am scene going again.

[@meeemalef5849]

today i spent hours in club and figured out that i bent my arm too much and my weight goes to my right leg and thats why my face is angling different. do you have any video on body weight? dont know what happend to my game but years ago a coach told me to flattern the cue to bed of the table and since then my body weight changed , i dont see much gap between table and cue although i feel my body weight is balanced, but i heard that lots of weight should be on left leg, but when i do that the butt of the cue comes offline to the right. can you help me? tnx

[@tonyjoytonyjoy]

A trained psychiatrist of snooker, like helpful herbs.

[@yuriyvasilyev7785]

Great video, Sir!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yuriy. Gad you like and enjoy the video.

[@usopatorbobby4865]

Well snooker and pool are the only sport where my disability, blindness in only one eye is an advantage. Pretty neat :D

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Usopator. Judging distances can be a problem, also peripheral vision could possibly be limited, have you had a problem in the past with these aspects.

[@usopatorbobby4865]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach judging distances is only an issue if I don't have a frame of reference. An example would be a ball flying in close by. Similar with peripheral vision. While playing pool I can take my time and view everything from various different angles wich allows me to get a accurate view of the positions.

[@mmafightcoach]

Great tutorials Barry. My son is 13 and has been watching your vids. We play down at Barratts and have seen you and Kyren there. I watched Kyren practice on Saturday 27 Jan. I congratulated him on his performance in the Masters. We were on table 6 next to the private practice room and I could see what was going on through the door window. I noticed you and Kyren have a slow build up to your stroke. Is that in order to stay on line? I would like you to explain that, as many players seem to stroke with a faster speed to start with and maintain that speed or even accelerate. Interesting.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Daren. In his younger days Kyren was a little quick around the table, he was still very talented but tended to make the odd rather silly and unnecessary mistake. Establishing his pre-shot routine slowed him down slightly and cut those mistakes out. When a player, even Kyren, is in the balls and has got into his rhythm they are confident, in the zone, and they all tend to speed up.

[@mmafightcoach]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach ok Barry. That explains it well. My son is similar. Much too quick and uses too much pace. I have him watch matches online to learn how to slow down for accuracy and position. He is starting to make better breaks now. He played adults at pool in Spain for two years, clearing tables regularly. Switching to snooker has been a challenge!

[@fielding68]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

David. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@vlu855]

A brilliant tutorial. I only have access to a ½ size table, with heavy nap and dead cushions.....

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Tony. You can learn an awful lot on a table this size but at some stage you will need to examine your game on a full size table. Distance tends to expose or exaggerate any errors in your game, you can then work on the half size table to correct them. Good luck.

[@vlu855]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Many thanks ikndxiid for your reply- keep warm

[@OrianaDiMeola]

A big thank you, from Morocco

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Oriana. My pleasure, glad you like the videos.

[@musicbro8225]

Hello Barry, from New Zealand. I have watched most of your videos and know that many at my club have as well. I like your style and very much appreciate the time you put in to help amateur players such as myself. Do you remember Pot Black? That was what got me enthusiastic about the game; times have changed a lot since then eh :) Still love this physics experiment we call snooker and still learning. All the best, Peter.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Music. I certainly do remember Pot Black, I used to dash home to watch the half hour slot on TV with the likes of Eddie (steady) Charlton and Graham (play by ear ) Miles, great times, but as you say times have changed. Glad you enjoy and hopefully learn from the channel.

[@orthodoxwriter]

You have demonstrated hitting on baulkline- why not up and down the spots? is it because that is rather advanced? Many people say up and down the spots gives you a pure test of cueing straight. Secondly coach, I try up and down and spots only to find out at my despair that out of 10 shots 7 come back always with left hand side and never right hand side. Why is that? I am a lefty by the way sir. I am putting a bit of left hand side I know but what may be causing that? However, something happens on those three shots in which my cue ball comes back straight to the tip.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Q.M. Firstly I don't believe hitting the cue ball up and down the spots is as accurate as cueing along the baulk line simply because the distance and time involved allows one flaw to counteract another flaw. This is not so when you try to keep the cue ball on the baulk line and any errors will immediately be shown as the ball leaves the first side cushion. I can't really give you an answer to your second question without seeing you play, on the three shots you also mention you have obviously made some adjustment either in your aim or where you are hitting the cue ball, or both.

[@arjunv1044]

Hi Barry. When checking the cue action is going on straight line using bulk line I see that head is approaching from one side of the cue. Can you shed some light on head position from the approach to the final position of chin on cue.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mallik. Your eye sight will dictate where the head goes in relation to the cue. Don't worry about how it gets there, just ensure that the chin is on the cue.

[@rohamrasawiebrahimi3175]

Thank you so much sir Could you teach us some drills for every aspect of the game as well?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Roham. I have tried and will continue to try to do that with the videos.

[@ericsalles3393]

What he's saying is if you stand with your head up like an American Pool player or Belgian billiards player you can see if you're hitting the ball in the middle .he's a clever guy ..

[@francescobini223]

Berry i have one question for you: in my country snooker is barely known and to play it is almost impossible, so i'm stuck playing pool. But still i'm really focusing on your technicque lessons and i was wondering if everything you say is appliable also to pool. Thank you so much, love your videos and you as a person.

[@theusmn_]

Francesco Bini everything that applies to snooker applies to pool also. They're not very different except the length of the table,balls,strategy and rules. Everything that he says applies to pool also..you need to cue straight,have a good stance and everything.

[@someguy4587]

Francesco Bini, in regular 8 ball pool many players find the need to smash the cue ball with great force. These people tend not to get shape the next logical ball. I have witnessed a snooker and 8 ball champion in the same person. That person rarely smashes the cue ball. I don't know about others, but my feeling is cue sports is 90% cue delivery, 6% potting the ball and 4% getting shape on the next ball. If I cannot deliver the cue in a straight and consistent line, my potting and shape goes down the drain. I practice hitting the cue ball down the table and back to my cue. I also practice setting the cue ball, object ball, and pocket all in a straight line, and my goal is to pocket both balls in the pocket. This tells me a lot on my aim and stroke. If you only have 8 ball see if you can get a freckled ball to help you see the spin of the cue ball. In practice you can also use a striped ball for the cue ball to see spin... just be willing to clean the ball after.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Francesco. An easy answer to this is to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan play Pool. He uses the same technique as he does to play snooker. I can see no reason why there is any difference between the two games.

[@francescobini223]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach i've seen him play pool in the series american hustlers and he was indeed playing as usual

[@Dhirallin]

@@someguy4587 Were they Mark Selby? ;)

[@MrTasty-dx9ho]

Great video barry its clear to see why kyren is as sucessful as he is. Are you still local to nottingham, if so you should pop down the local rileys and play some snooker.. god knows i need the coaching 😂 keep up the good work mate 😃

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Samuel. Still there but family commitments restrict my movements.

[@ganmruk]

I would like to have a few hours practice with BARRY...😪😪... I really Love your videos!!

[@ganmruk]

I got self test yesterday.... I don’t hit cue ball in center ...,

[@thisis008]

2:00 same happens with me, fall back to normal way of playing which is comfortable

[@khalidsaeed1566]

Well said.

[@theznooker]

hi i have been having sighting problem for years now, i want to visit you, how much you charge just to fix my sighting problem? im right eye dominant but the cueing feels worse when put under right chin but feels better when put under left chin, however sightright says if you are right dominant then move ur entire body abit to the left. that made me confused, doesnt doing that move ur cue again to the right, or you have to use centre chin when moving to the left. been seeing many many coaches none could help me, i live in australia. i would like to travel to you, . thank you

[@alvinglenn458]

Barry I never played Snooker but I always wanted to. I was a 8Ball man myself. Made a good and tidy living for many a year. Pretty good if I might brag a little. My grip was that of a one week old baby. My Little finger I held above the cue and the other four craddled the stick. I am 5'8" tall with Short legs. But I managed Ok. They say if you make the 8 on the break you got lucky. I - when I felt like showing off would call it before hand. I would make it or come so close it would scare them. If the balls were racked tight. If they were not I would not shoot until they were. I used my 22 oz. stick to break with and a 17 oz. to shoot with. Both were 2 peice But mostly I played with Bar Sticks. Not very many people wanted to play with someone with a custom Cue. If Serious play I would get my Sticks out of my vehicle's Trunk. They were sitting on Imitation Ice to keep them cool. By trade one of 3 - I am a Locksmith. No B.S. Cheating with me. You played fair or you did not play with me. My name here is my Middle then First names So I can remain anonymous. I am also a retired LEO. And Firearms Instructor and Ex-Karate instrustor. I am self taught Pool player. My Father and Two of my Uncles on my Mom's side of family were very good Pool players. I learned from my uncles by watching, as my dad said I absolutely will not show you anything I shall miss if I see you watching. Hustling Pool will get you killed. I taught numerious Ladies how to play. They worked the tables for me. I watched financed and protected them if the followed my rules. They got 60% I got 40% of winnings. I hope to take up Snooker b4 I die. Now I am kicking in 3/4 of a Century's Front door.

[@haroldb6773]

What have I just read

[@haroldb6773]

What have I just read

[@batlin]

Thanks Barry, this is such a goldmine of information that I keep coming back for a refresher. On the topic of aiming, I've tried the loop bridge and seemed to be aiming at the centre of the cue ball... however, after getting down on the ball, it looks like I'm no longer lined up to hit the object ball correctly. Can you recommend any other methods for diagnosing / fixing this part of the shot preparation? During games, I'll often get up and reset once or twice, or sometimes will play the ball despite suspecting that I'm aiming at the wrong place (and end up kicking myself for not listening to that inner voice).

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

batlin. Its a good idea to remember that the aim starts with the butt end of the cue, try getting on the baulk line by bringing the cue down onto the line rather than across it as you get into position. If this works and you are on line try to establish a pre-shot routine that incorporates this into every shot. If it does't work it may be that you are not using your dominant eye correctly, be very careful here but try moving so that the cue is SLIGHTLY more underneath it. It is also possible that you have incorporated two slight flaws into your cueing. 1/You put the side on to correct the fact that you are cueing across the ball. 2/ You cue across the ball to correct the fact that you play with unintentional side. Reading that may seem a little confusing but there is seldom only one flaw, there is generally two and both must be tackled together. Start with correcting your aim on the baulk line, then place the cue ball on the baulk line and use the line to help you determine where the centre is, then play a gentle shot without an object ball and see if you can keep the cue ball on the line. Be patient, it can be a little frustrating.

[@batlin]

Thanks Barry! Perhaps I get down on the shot differently when it's a real shot, compared to when I try the baulk line exercise. So I'll try approaching a normal shot as if I were lining up on the baulk line. Or perhaps I'm putting the cue on line but not aligning my eye(s) correctly, then unconsciously moving the cue off-line to appear centred under my (incorrect) head position. That suggests several avenues of inquiry and experimentation already.

[@pdesaiify]

While playing the cueball on the baulk line, do we need to look at the cue ball or like in case of a normal shot in front at the end of baulk line?

[@theusmn_]

Prashant Desai *Of course not a professional advice,just my opinion* While practicing at the baulk line..you look at the opposite cushion or line. But you focus more on the cue ball because your practicing to prevent any unintentional side. But don't make it a habit to look solely on the cue ball.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Prashant. Cue Smashers has used common sense and wisdom to answer this, he has given a good answer. He is basically saying vary it and do both.

[@theusmn_]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thanks sir

[@byromtaylor6482]

Pros spend a few thousand hours practicing the right things and honing technique...club players just spend a few hours or a lot of hours in the week just playing snooker for a number of years, we learn a few bits here and there and form habits that are hard to break cos we don't know any better (old dog new tricks# ....easier to teach a puppy because that is a blank canvas to work from.... sometimes its a great feeling I play and I feel I cant miss and other times I feel like I'm using someone else's arm and the pockets have moved.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Byrom. You are so right, when bad habits become ingrained it is very difficult to shift them. However, it is not impossible, the biggest problem I have found is the reluctance to go backwards, even a little, but I am afraid that is what has to be done. On that subject I would like to mention two people who went through that process, Nick Faldo who went through two years of rebuilding his golf swing but then went on to win six major tournaments. Doug Mountjoy who rebuilt his snooker game and went on to beat Stephen Hendry in his prime.

[@mianprince9399]

sir please tell me about my problem.When i play snooker and opposite player takes me save many shorts during game and then i lost my angle and i can't port any ball.So please tell me how i am cover my self in such critical situation.sir you are a best coach for me so please type my answer in comment.

[@BeastGaming1337]

Hello Barry! Your videos are to great help for me and I’m very grateful. I noticed that often when I hit the cue ball the object ball jumps a few millimeters on impact. My friends don’t seem to have this problem. I tried to film myself but I just couldn’t find where this problem comes from, my cueing looks straight and I hit the white in the middle. Any ideas what I can do? Thank you! (:

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Simon. Hitting the ball hard or hitting slightly down on the cue ball will make the cue ball bounce, this in turn will make the object ball bounce. Try to keep that cue parallel, it may help.

[@BeastGaming1337]

Hello Barry! I find your videos to great help and love what you are doing! So I decided to film myself during a shot to see any problems. I noticed that when my hand hits my chest, it brings the cue slightly off line and my head rocks up slightly. I tried stopping my hand before it hit my chest intentionally which made the cue go perfectly straight and I my head was still. But then i felt that my arm tensed up and it was difficult to screw the white. I play with a high elbow and I would greatly appreciate it if uou could help me! Should I let the chest stop the motion or do I stop it myself before it hits?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Simon. Please do not try to stop the hand hitting the chest, as you have found this causes tension and lack of feel. If your grip is in the correct position at the start and the cue tip is almost touching the cue ball by the time the hand has hit the chest the ball has gone anyway. Try to relax that grip, work at keeping the head still and I am sure your cueing will improve.

[@monddia2764]

Hello Mr. Stark, I wanted to ask a doubt I have about the cue delivery. when I try to analyse my cue action with the help of balk line to see if I am cuing straight I find that my action starts on the line and ends straight on the line but the time when my wrist touches my chest the cue tends to go offline because of the impact and the goes back online. I know that during the time of impact my cue is not in contact with the ball and so maybe it does not matter but I am just curious about these issue and wanted to know your thoughts about it.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

mond. Its great that you are thinking about it all. The impact will cause deviation but as you have said it ends up back on line so don't worry about it.

[@leebarker5520]

Fantastic result for kyren today knocking out the chump trump! Said from the start is like to see a Wilson v Allen final, let's just hope Allen beats Higgins, great coach coaching a great player, congrats guys!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lee. Many thanks for the well wishes.

[@RY4NP]

What if you're left eye dominant but right handed?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ryan. Then your are what is known as cross lateral and you are in good company because Ronnie O'Sullivan is just the same.

[@stevemoss5753]

Hi Barry. First of all , a huge thank you for doing these instructional videos. I practice at my local club, and recently had a few frames with a local league player. He was taking on lots of long pots and getting good position but seemed to be striking the cue ball a lot harder than me. (He beat me 3-0!) Should I try to play with more 'cue power'?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Steve. Cue power to my mind is not measured by how hard you hit the ball but the action you can get on the cue ball with the minimum amount of power used. Obviously you need to hit the ball hard on occasions and this needs to be controlled but try to increase the timing on the shot rather than the power.

[@usamasaleem4692]

Sir, you hadn’t tell how anyone can use dominant eye if one is following the wrong eye ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Usama. Sorry but I am not exactly sure what you mean.

[@usamasaleem4692]

Sir , i am right eye dominant but while playing snooker my left eye is in line with the cue .,, can I correct this flaw?

[@dwm2177]

10:32

[@sidhaughty]

GOOD MORNING SIR, This is my shot routine..can u tell me the errors in it, according to your vast knowledge of this wonderful game. STAND at a distance. (1) Right FOOT(left toe) in line. (2) Make STANCE. (3) While keeping your eye glued ON the of aim, BEND stably.( Sunny Akani) NOTE : Now onwards only panduilum novement. (4) GRIP : Bend Fully then hold fully and lightly. (5) CUE at the pace you are most comfortable at. Note : If too slow is needed, follow through in two parts(kyren Wilson), if power, longer back swing. (6) More powefull the shot, longer the final BACK swing(Still short enough for a good grip). (7) Hit the CHEST with the pace of the cuing, **VERY SMOOTHLY**. FSBG CBC Only thing which i need to figure out is where to touch the chin on the cue. I would be happy if u could help me with that. I am very right eye dominant but also my right eye is weaker beacuse of the squinting. I even have bought a table at home for practising. When i tried bringing pen towards my face, while cheching the eye dominance it touches below the eye( far from the chin) I need your help sir for correcting my LINE OF AIM and CHIN. Thanks for all the videos and replies sir. God bless you :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

siddharth. Placing the right foot on the line is only a guide, the cue is placed on line with the aid of the eyesight. Take up your stance with this in mind and note where the foot is in relation to the cue, (directly under it or otherwise) It can then be used as a point of reference. Don't like the FULLY part of the grip because I believe you should concentrate on the front of the hand, please have a look at my video on the grip. Kyren does have a two part follow through but this is natural to him and not something you should try to emulate. The rest of your routine I agree with particularly the longer swing for the power shots. You say that you are right eye dominant but that this is also your weaker eye, this implies to me that it would be a mistake to cue directly under the right eye, merely towards it. Don't get too bogged down with this allow yourself to take up the position naturally, only correcting it if you find yourself aiming and cueing across the ball.

[@sidhaughty]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Sir, As you are also right eyed dominant, I have noticed in your stance video(taped floor), that you put the middle toe(at an angle) on line. I try to imitate that to start the routine with. Having taken the stance upright only, I bend while aimming by the butt of the cue. After gripping fully, i loosen it to be taken over by the index finger's first joint's corner, V and the rest fingers touching lightly for furlling and unfurling. Thanks for tour replies sir. I am highly gratwfull for the conversations with you.

[@bangashfaxail262]

Sir i cant pot a ball perfectly...i dont where to hit the object bal to pot it....i pot ball by guess which often dont work...plz help me

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bangash. Most normal well coordinated people will, on a straight shot, aim correctly, but when they play the shot will often miss because they do not deliver the cue where they are aiming and that is down to poor technique. Please have a look at my videos which discuss where to place the bridge hand, where and how to hold the cue, please don't just dismiss them as irrelevant but study them and try to copy them. Lastly put yourself on video, compare that with my videos from all angles. If you have to make changes you will feel a little uncomfortable at first but stick with it, you are obviously not happy with what you are doing at the moment so what have you got to lose.

[@bangashfaxail262]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach hopefully it will work and thanks for your time SIR

[@gypsysoulgypsy]

good point Barry. But i wonder why do we have to touch our chins to the cue in the first place?? after all, as we age, our hamstrings become tighter making it difficult to touch the cue with our chins. If standing up, gives us enough straight line and we also can see that we are hitting the centre of the ball, why bend down to touch the chin to the cue?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Gypsy. I hope I haven't mislead you here, I mean looking down on the cue ball gives a better understanding of where the centre is but you still need to get the chin on the cue for sighting purposes. Look at it like rifle sighting, you would do this from a position close to the chin and not say down at chest or waist level. Likewise you need to sight along the cue from a similar position, looking down on the cue ball should be used in personal practise to determine where the centre is only. If someone has difficulty getting into that position because of short hamstrings it may be an idea to bend both legs, as long as you keep still it should not present any problems.

[@richardfellingham3492]

Gypsy Soul 0

[@krishnambetala3643]

Barry sir, i use to play 10 years back and now my sun has created interest in this game, So now i have again started this game. Now my son has commented that i am not sighting the ball properly and I realised that he is right.Whenever i hit the ball 2-3 millimetres away from my sighting point, the ball go’s straight into pocket. Can you please advice me how to recorrect my sighting point. Thankyou

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Krishnam. When a problem like this occurs it is always advisable to check that you are striking the cue ball centrally in the first instance. Then place the cue on the baulk line, take up your normal stance with your chin on the cue and check if your aim along the baulk line is correct. You may be using your dominant eye incorrectly and that may need some adjustment if the baulk line test is not right. I have covered all these points in video form and they explain it better than I can by words alone. Please check the video on the baulk line showing two pieces of chalk, also the one that shows how to use a pencil to indicate where the cue should be on the chin (under or towards the dominant eye). You also say that when you hit away from your sighting point that the ball goes straight, this suggests that you are cueing across the ball. Put yourself on video and study it, its amazing how helpful it can be.

[@ArbazKhan-tz9sd]

Hey sir , Hope u doing well , Just to ask u , I'm observing that whenever I'm going for the shot , while taking my hand back in my backswing , sometimes my hand deviates to the left and I end up hitting the left side of the cue ball and mess up the shot ! I analysed myself but couldn't find the flaw ! I'm making sure that I stand across and I'm a right hand player like u! Hope if u can extract something new for me to try!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Arbaz. I am always in favour of cueing along the baulk line without the using the chest for support. I am not advocating that you play like this, merely examining your cueing. This will help you to recognise the flaw and to remedy it.

[@makauleygrindrod6558]

hi Barry. im going to go completely off topic but how often would you polish a new set of 1g snooker balls. after every session or after every week?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

MacAuley. I just give the balls a wipe with a dry clean cotton cloth every session. Some players use the Aramith cleaning solution once or twice a week.

[@supportGEM]

hi Barry. I usually think about every detail of my cue action when I lay down to play a shot. For example, as soon as I lay down, I question myself if I am doing my grip, aiming, stance, elbow, and bridge correctly and change them a bit every different shot. Is it normal and correct? I feel like I am not having a consistent cue action because of it. Should the refinement of my cue action be done during self-practice instead of during the game? Thank you

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

needmoresleep. You should certainly refine your cue action during solo practise. When you come to playing a match the action should be so grooved that it is now a natural process with only very minor adjustments as and when necessary. You will never be consistent if you keep changing your cue action and the only thing you will achieve is frustration. If you will pardon the pun, you will certainly needmoresleep.

[@supportGEM]

Thank you Barry!

[@MichaelMcDonald33]

Hi I am new to snooker I have really been trying to master FOLLOW And Draw shots I have managed to Get Very good control using FOLLOW But can't seem to draw Back Unless I only look where they cue is hitting the White at the bottom this makes its very hard to pot any advice

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mj33. Most beginners want to learn how to draw the ball back. You obviously can draw the ball back because you have stated that you can but only when you look at the cue ball. Persevere with this for a little while in private practise not worrying where the object ball is going. You will soon realise that the only reason you cannot do it when looking at the object ball is because you are lifting up and not hitting the cue ball low enough. Keep the cue ball within 12 inches of each other initially in you practise, strike low and smoothly getting through the ball. Don't be too ambitious to start with, Rome wasn't built in a day.

[@MichaelMcDonald33]

Thanks, I will give this go.

[@RpSculptors]

Hello Barry, I don't know if you have come across this particular problem I have. I am right-handed, but for some reason, I play snooker left-handed but I am right eye dominant. Am I doomed to fail? :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

rp. As with right handed and left eyed players known as cross lateral players it is considered by some to be an advantage because it can promote more compactness in a players position and cue action. I don't necessarily agree with this but you are certainly not at a disadvantage. The fact that you are naturally right handed but play snooker left handed means that you are somewhat ambidextrous and should be able (with practise) to at least play some shots with your right hand. In a nut shell, far from you being doomed to fail I consider that you have a distinct advantage over a lot of players.

[@RpSculptors]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Thanks so much for your reply. That's great to hear!

[@RpSculptors]

I forgot to add, yes I do play certain shots with my right hand. Since watching your video I have adapted my aim and it seemed to have helped.

[@sai2996]

Great video..Barry I am bit struggling on grip..how tight should I hold the cue on every shot I play? still I can pot balls but I am not comfortable on my grip because I miss big shots by holding the cue very tight

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sai. You have answered your own question, "you miss big shots by holding the cue very tight." You really should not hold the cue tightly, this means that tension will stop the free flowing movement of the cue, your muscles will take over and many things can happen to impede your progress, try to be aware of how you hold the cue but relax.

[@sai2996]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thanks Barry, I am working on it

[@pandapaws2000]

Barry ,great coaching ,all the right words . However you cannot get around the fact that the top players do what they do naturally! I guarantee the top players were good very quickly (same in golf)! At my local club the top 30 or so players have been in the same pecking order for years--nobody suddenly gets massively better and has everybody saying "this guy has found the secret"!! Lovely theories and well explained ----but for all the guys hoping to suddenly start knocking in 100 breaks----keep dreaming guys--and nothing the matter with trying to be the best you can be!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Floorshop. Up to a point I agree with you, there will always be players with more natural ability than others and there will always be players who will struggle to make a fifty break. No one will suddenly start making century breaks it takes frustrating work but if you cannot make that fifty break then there is generally something wrong and proper coaching will help. I certainly agree though that there is nothing wrong with trying to be the best that you can be.

[@pandapaws2000]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach I've had a go at coaching a couple of guys Barry (my son and nephew) a few years ago ----very rewarding to see them pot a couple of shots or complete a coaching task ,but very hard to pinpoint what's gone wrong when they fail!!! Keep up the good work!

[@chowweihoong5052]

Mr. Stark, have you ever seen good players gripping the cue with their wrists bent in towards the body? The reason I'm asking is because I'm having problems with my grip, causing my cue action to go all wonkyand jerky. I've been trying all sorts of grips and i find that with my wrist bent i feel the most comfortable and natural when playing. However, I've been told that it looks really ugly and is not the correct way. Thank you in advance sir.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chow. Gripping the cue with the wrist bent inwards is called inversion and is fairly common among snooker players. It tends to happen with players whose elbow also tends to lean towards the body. It is not something I would coach but equally it is not something I would alter unless it is giving the player problems. The essence of the game is to cue straight and if a player can do that and play all the shots I would leave well alone. Have a look at Anthony Hamilton a former top sixteen player who does this probably more pronounced than any other top player, he does very well with it. Change it if it gives you problems not because others say it looks ugly.

[@chowweihoong5052]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thank you very much sir. By the way, i really loved some of your videos. Not all of it, but some... hehehe. What i liked about your videos is your detailed yet simple and easy to understand explanations as compared to a few others which i came across. I guess you would have heard this thousands of times but... keep it up man. Made me wish i was a UK resident so that i could have met you personally for a bit of 1 to 1 coaching. Cheers.

[@MsManoelantonio]

In your years coaching, what would you say is the biggest problem that begginers have (cue action, aiming and sighting, etc)? Thank you very much!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

manoel. Without any doubt whatsoever the main problem is the cue action. It is very difficult to deliver the cue exactly where you are aiming consistently and of course play all the positional shots necessary to become a good player.

[@MsManoelantonio]

As I thought... I myself need to improve my cue action above all else. Thank you for the response, you are really helpful!

[@taylerhayes5016]

Another great video ! Could you get down to chichester snooker club ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Tayler. Very difficult to commit to anything at the moment.

[@kieransmith1363]

Hiya Barry, I've been playing snooker for about a year now but play about once a week, will this effect me for improving in the future?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kieran. Playing once a week will certainly impede your progress, to play this game at a good level I am afraid you need a lot more practise than that. Good players need more than that just to maintain their standard, novices need to learn the skills needed so they need even more time.

[@hksunchaser1]

thx!

[@purneetkainth8485]

hello Barry! I would just like to ask why I don't cue straight when playing shots with a bit more power, eg. long screws, mid range shots etc This isn't usually the case when i'm playing little stuns/follow throughs. It would be much appreciated if you could reply to my comment. Thank you for posting these videos!!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Purnett. Playing with power demands more cueing accuracy to make the shot but the truth is it detracts from cueing accuracy. This is the same for every player, even on power shots we must strive to let the cue do the work not our muscles, the more muscles at work the more chance of cueing errors. When you practise a power shot just ask yourself how much tension there is in the grip, it will quite naturally increase but is it excessive. I remember telling one student that I would not like his grip hand around my neck, we had a laugh but it got the message across.

[@covertnarcissistawareness2766]

What sort of price does a coach charge I m sure all coaches vary but any insight as to what sort of price range would be helpful is if like on an hourly basis or a package deal I have no idea ?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Covert. I am afraid you will have to ask the coach of your choice.

[@covertnarcissistawareness2766]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach I see well thank you for your response anyway I appreciate it and great videos as always

[@lukazutkovic6720]

You are awsome

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Luka. That's quite an accolade, many thanks.

[@theusmn_]

Thanks sir

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Cue Smashers. My pleasure.

[@DaMaster1983]

people want instant satisfaction , thats why they are not willing to sacrifice what you tell them to do. they dont understand it takes time to master a new approach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Vic. Oh! you are so right. Any change will feel uncomfortable initially and will take time to adapt to. Another failing is to practise what we are good at because we enjoy it but in reality we should be spending more time on the things that we are bad at.

[@ianwatkins6202]

Jimmy White once said, I know how to play this fantastic game but i can't explain how 😀

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ian. That comment just goes to prove that the best players don't always make the best coaches. I have often said that you don't want the best player to teach you how to play snooker, you want the man that taught the best player to teach you. That goes for all sports.

[@ianwatkins6202]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach Best wishes to you Barry ! Ian

[@theusmn_]

The fact that you said that people appreciate you for your videos but still learn nothing is actually funny.If I meet you I would also say that. But the solution you gave for this is quite plausible that we film our play and then analyze it. I want to achieve perfection in snooker and yet cannot afford a coach. I read articles and watch videos especially from you to improve my game. I desperately want to improve my snooker but I cannot.I dream about snooker and sometimes when I lose frames,I wish if I could have the powers of Ronnie and all the good players like Selby,Davis and Hendry. I don't know what to do.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Cue Smashers. We can't all be world champions but we all can give it our best shot. One thing I have learned about snooker above all the other things is that the key to good consistent play is to develop a good cue action and this starts with the grip. Please have a look at my video that covers this and put yourself on video to see if your own grip is similar. Don't be frightened to change something if it is't working. The biggest problem coaches have is getting people to accept that when change is needed and occurs it will feel different and needs a little time to develop. Practise the right things and progress will come.