64. Cue Action - The hand that delivers it

Barry revisits the most important aspects of good cueing, where and how to hold the cue. The hand that delivers the cue is the most important part of the cue action, therefore the correct grip is vital. Get it right and your cueing will improve.

[@AgassiUKR]

Barry, i'm from Ukraine and I enjoy your British English pronouciation. It's a joy for me and my snooker friend to listen to your speech.

[@catanhle6848]

I don’t play snooker. I’m an amatuer pool player. But I do love billiards and want to go to the essence. After working in more than one year, finally I found my hand grip because of this video. Wonderful feeling. 15/15 stop shot, 15/15 draw shot and 14/15 follow shot. both sides. No spin. Smooth. I got it. Thank so much master. I love your all videos

[@SagarDahalChaosifier]

Barry, I can't tell you how much I've learnt from your videos. Thanks a lot! Regards from Nepal..

[@tourinojacks5844]

Changed my game in watching this short video. Makes so much sense. I will NOW have to watch ALL of your videos. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge and obvious Love for "the game." Also I have subscribed and liked your video as well. Thanks again!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Tourino. Great that you liked and learned from the video, I hope you like the others just as much, many thanks.

[@barryclulow544]

After a recent 2 hour coaching session with Barry I can only emphasise what a knowledgeable coach he is, easy to understand and he immediately recognised faults with my grip and bridge hand. Now working hard to put into practice what he has taught me. Wish I'd discovered him years ago. Keep up the good work Barry you are the best.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Barry. Many thanks for the compliments, glad you enjoyed and learnt from it. Working on the right things will soon show progress. Good luck.

[@shannon-the-cannon-Briggs]

​@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach do you have a way of contacting you about getting some lessons please

[@kenmartin953]

Hi Barry Stark, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge like this. I have watched many of your videos but this one specifically has changed my game so drastically it's hard to convey my appreciation! After many years as an accomplished player, using these new found "grip" skills has taken my game up a ball which is Amazing!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ken. I have always felt that not enough importance is paid to the way a player holds the cue, that does not mean that every one should hold it the same way but if a player is not fulfilling his potential, the grip is one area I will look at. Well done and good luck.

[@MikeyD8632]

Absolutely game changing for me. Now I can run 9 ball racks or get close to running them. In one practice session I feel I progressed a year. Thanks so much again 🎉

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Great to hear!

[@jamiestanton2704]

Just starting to practice again after a fair few years out. These videos are fantastic and are helping me to fall back in love with the game. Thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Jamie. Glad to be of help.

[@mattb231]

Just what I needed - thanks Barry!

[@alangrynich2037]

Great videos Barry big thanks to you I messaged you a few days ago And you told me to go back and look at all the basics like the bridge and grip well I did this today and managed 104 on the line up I think my thumb was dropping before on my bridge hand having not played for years its amazing what you forget BUZZING AGAIN keep the videos coming thanks again

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Alan. I think it is always worth noting that what a player does and what he thinks he does is often two different things. Put yourself on video and you can often notice little things t5hat can make a big difference. Well done.

[@vasishtvasan75]

Definitely going to try changing my grip, I can pot some really tough balls in but with poor consistency. I just realised I don't unfurl any finger, I hold the cue like how I'd hold a tennis racquet. I will definitely let you know the results, thanks Barry, never stop this channel!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Vasisht. If you have a full grip it can cause two big problems, tension and major muscles of the arm playing too big a part in cue delivery. Both tend to cause the inconsistency you mention. Relax and let the cue do the work more. Good luck.

[@vasishtvasan75]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thanks Barry for your dedicated quick replies to abject amateurs , can't wait to get to the table today and try all that you've taught. I am already shadow practicing and can feel a huge difference! Hope I can stop jabbing and start cueing haha

[@vasishtvasan75]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Barry, i tried the unfurling - furling cue grip and it was difficult to transition. I have a question, when I hold the cue, I find that fingers wrap around the flat part of the butt - it just feels so comfortable to that way, but I see almost every video including yours where the flat part of the butt is held by the thumb and index. Do I have to change this for better cue action, I wasn't comfortable with the latter.

[@samxmaybe3316]

4:55 fabulous technique ... I used it to get a better understanding about developing my wrist along the delivery .

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

samx. Yes. A little wrist can be helpful.

[@orthodoxwriter]

I cannot underestimate the importance of this video. Thanks a lot for putting it up. This tells of the basic flaw of many players including myself. I am a pretty tall person and since my young age I started to play with a cue that was short and hence that made me get in to the habit of dropping the elbow and introducing the shoulder in to the shot. As I matured over time and started learning I now use a 59 inch cue but still drop the elbow :( this needs hours of practice to build in to one's game. Similarly I have had problems with the grip and I have been trying to avoid that to an extent that now I cant get rid of the grip thoughts even at the match table and that ruins my game. But I will go for practice today and apply what you have said in terms with the grip and see how that works. Thanks for the reminder on the distance from bridge V to the CB as after seeing that I realised that perhaps I have too much of a distance there causing the elbow drop. Will adjust it today and see how I play. thanks a million Barry !!!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Q.M. I don't want to confuse you but dropping the elbow is not the big problem but bringing the shoulder into the shot is.

[@orthodoxwriter]

Yes I truly understand that. A bit of the elbow say an inch or so naturally drops to maintain the cue in a level plane. But in my case its a severe drop and hence I have a reason to believe I bring the shoulder in to the shot. I have started using a 59 inch cue and hold it from the very end and try to keep it nearest to the CB in order to avoid the drop. I am still practising but sometimes I do well and on other occasions I am all bonkers at the table missing those sitters too.

[@BornElite337]

Another great video Barry. Next best thing to one-on-one coaching. :)

[@aaronsherritt9316]

Hi Barry Found snooker and your videos about a month ago. Had my first practice on a snooker table in a club yesterday. Your videos really help mate keep up the good work. Gday from Australia

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Aaron. Pleased to hear you find them useful.

[@bobsnooker.3950]

Great Barry . The most important part of the game that brings you from potting to actually playing with touch. Why do the BBC when covering the snooker almost always change the camera view just as the player is about to deliver the cue so you cannot see the players action. It is so annoying because otherwise i love their coverage. Maybe you could do a guest appearance and wise them up . Give them a call you would be fabulous on TV.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bob. I suggested this very point to the TV company that covered the Dubai classic many years ago when Alan McManus won it. They agreed with my views but never put it into action. Like you I find it frustrating that they do it on every shot. I wouldn't mind occasionally but it is all the time. Seeing a full view of the player from various angles, rather than just the ball going into the pocket would also give the commentators something new and interesting to talk about. As for appearing on TV I'm afraid that is a closed shop, Mr Hearn doesn't like my criticism of various aspects of the coaching scheme.

[@bobsnooker.3950]

Delighted i am not the only one frustrated by the coverage. With regard to Mr Hearn it is his loss i am afraid.Any hope they will change for the World Championship this year?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Bob. I doubt it very much.

[@dougcarson5202]

Great advice on fundamentals. One thing that struck me, however, was that he was using a shorter than average cue stick. As such, his shooting hand was closer to the butt of the cue compared to when using a cue of average length. Important to keep in mind that the angle of your forearm should be relatively perpendicular to the floor before your stroke, regardless of where you are gripping the cue. I've seen many relative beginners with their grip near the butt of the cue with a longer stick, and the angle of their forearm is not perpendicular to the floor. Something to watch out for.

[@danilojones7193]

Solid fundamentals great information, It works

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Great to hear!

[@shilomalul8749]

Barry thank you very much you are a very good coach!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shilo. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@durgakhatri2920]

Love you barry ... Thanks alot from nepal

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Durga. Many thanks, glad you like the videos.

[@airtontexeiratexeira1415]

Muito bom esse treinamento

[@swordslayer9d589]

Hi thanks Barry for the grip hand

[@PradeepSharma-zg2gr]

Thank you so much Because of you my stance and gameplay is good now God bless you :)

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Pradeep. Goo. I hope you keep improving.

[@arthurvin2937]

The theory made my cue action worse! I noticed that I'm more consistent when I'm not thinking about doing it right, my cue action is better when I'm doing it whatever feels comfortable at the moment. I'm a bit worried now, because I've been watching your channel for weeks but my progress is literally backwards. Do you think it's just some kind of temporary break-in period I'm going through and I should force myself to do it correctly by practicing it more? Or just keep doing it the way I feel comfortable which I'm pretty sure is wrong way of doing it - pure intuition. This is not about just the cue action, it's about other stuff as well.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Arthur. I will always try to give what I believe to be the best advice that I can give. If you are consistently making big breaks doing what comes naturally then leave well alone but still try to learn how you do what you do. Through years of being with good players I know that the method I teach works but when you have been doing something one way and someone like me comes along and says,"Don't do it like that, do it like this" it always takes time to change and unfortunately it will feel uncomfortable because it is different, you will also have to take a backward step as well. I am afraid I cannot make that decision for you, only you know how you feel, but good luck with it.

[@arthurvin2937]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach Thank you Barry! It's been only two months since I got my Snooker table installed. My breaks are still below 30 with highest ever around 40. Your channel is a lifesaver since I'm in US and I will be very lucky if I ever meet someone in 1000 mile radius who at least heard about this game, not to mention coaching. However, I can find American Pool coach, do you think it's a good idea?

[@jonespeter6338]

nice tips coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad you like them!

[@rashidhmohseni6636]

tnx tnx tnx barry

[@fixerbaba]

Sir I’m a big fan of yours , I’m playing snooker since many years ,but every time my game is different I can’t continue play the way I play , my Body and My bridge always will be different whats the reason ? Please help me out ,and also I would like to know is it necessary To Touch Our chin To Cue? If I touch The cue to my chin I can’t get clear Pocket because my eys are small if I look down I don’t get clearity ,whats the reason sir ?

[@fixerbaba]

Sir I’m a big fan of yours , I’m playing snooker since many years ,but every time my game is different I can’t continue play the way I play , my Body and My bridge always will be different whats the reason ? Please help me out

[@yousufbandeali6798]

your videods is help me a lot and my game is improving thank you very much sir

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yousuf. Glad to be of help.

[@yusufhasan302]

Good advice

[@discodewana]

Dear Barry Sir, I just had a look at your videos and your words are totally true, I have been having real issue with a back swing and I have found out that i held onto the cue very tightly with my wrist. The bigger backswing i tried the more wayward my cueing was. I am very thankful to your videos. However, I am 6'3' tall I have a very difficult time bending and my back strains a lot due to my side on stance. My long shots view starts to get blurred due to the strain. What can I do to keep that normal? I have good right side eye, so I am not sure the boxer stance is advisable. Regards.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Balal. A lot of tall people have similar problems, ( perhaps they should raise the tables ) Don't worry about the boxer stance, I have seen many good right eye dominant players use this stance and cope very well. However, If you are using the square on stance, adopt the normal position and then bend both legs to get your body and the butt of the cue lower. There are several professional players who play with both legs bend, I know it goes against the text book but as long as you keep still it solves a lot of problems for tall players. I hope that works for you.

[@discodewana]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you sir. I will definitely try it and update the results. Thanks again.

[@juhosallinen1627]

Hi Barry and thank you for the time you take to make these wonderful tutorials. I have a question for you, would be much appreciated if you gave just a quick reply. So I've been trying to work on my stance, grip, and cueing. Quite often I notice that my grip hand is touching the side of my hip as I'm delivering the shot. The thumb of the grip hand sort of brushes the side of the hip, right where the pocket of my trousers is at. Is that a sign of me doing something wrong, and if so then is the problem likely to be in the stance or in the way I'm indeed delivering the cue? Thank you again, I believe you're a world-class coach, one of the best coaches I've seen working in any sport. Regards from Finland.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Juho. This reminds me of a top professional player (no names) who when he was a young lad had the same problem and he was always getting his hand caught in his trouser pocket. His mother came up with a novel solution and sewed velcro on the inside of the pocket. He later found a more realistic and professional solution because he didn't fancy velcro on most of his trousers. Please don't make whole sale changes to alleviate this, it really is a simple matter of modifying the stance slightly. Obviously the hips need to move to the left if you are right handed, to facilitate this you can either move your left foot forward a little or turn your right foot outward a little, or both. This should allow you to take a fraction more weight onto the left foot (seldom a bad thing) and move your hip marginally to the left and out of the way. Good luck.

[@juhosallinen1627]

Thank you Sir for the detailed reply! Comforting to hear that a top player has had the same issue, I'll try and alter my stance/hips area a fraction to the left. It's an important advice that one should not introduce too drastic changes, I'm guilty of it sometimes. The margin of error in snooker is one of the tiniest in any sport, and thus even minuscule changes can have a big impact. Keep up the good work, I for one was stuck with my game for two years and has started to make rapid progress just by watching and re-watching your videos. All the best.

[@nbxhd7353]

Hi Barry will teach us how to do the stand for snooker

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

NBX. This is covered in detail on one of my videos, please have a look.

[@lafaelerobertson2573]

Great video

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jasonnieuwenhuis335]

Thanks again sir!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Boss. My pleasure, pleased that you find the videos useful.

[@rinotidona4267]

I notice I cue straight but when I hit object ball ,it vears to left , I see my arm turning in toward mychest at last seconds ,this problem is gets worst when I hit a shot hard need help

[@babalatif6010]

Hi barry...on backswing my cue is perfectly on straight line but when i decide to deliver the cue then my cue is slightly away from the straight line...and have unintentional side....em doing practice on bulk line but it cant solve my problem....

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Baba. This is difficult to advise without seeing you and your action but if you concentrate on the front of your grip (V) and unfurling the rear fingers, the rest is down to grooving the muscle action. I would also check the distance between the grip hand and the chest remembering that this will become the follow through, sometimes this distance is not enough and the chest comes into play too soon in the forward stroke.

[@charliefoster9408]

Barry, please can you make a video on how to keep control of the cue ball when hitting it hard

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Charlie. Certainly I could make a video on this topic but the truth is only practise and experience will teach you. The harder you hit the ball the more is demanded of your accuracy both in potting the ball and positioning the cue ball. Please be patient with your practise and progress, learning all the time from your mistakes.

[@charliefoster9408]

Thank you, it means alot

[@AnilChavan-fj4xm]

Do you have any video on this subject of elbow moving inwards Sir.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Anil. Please have a look at my answer below, please do examine your grip, the answer more than likely lies there.

[@madeeladi]

Barry i buyed a cue from a tall guy... And its seem very long in lenght to me. I grab it from some distance away from the grip corner. Is it okey? Or i have to change it or modify it?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

M. Oh! dear no. Please have a look at my videos (1-2-3-4-5 ) which cover where to place the bridge hand and where to hold the cue, it will probably mean that you will be holding the cue well down the butt of the cue but don't worry about this aspect yet. The most important thing is to know is where you must place the two hands, the bridge and the grip. When you have established these positions you will have a good idea of whether the cue needs shortening and its balance point. Please don't attempt to shorten the cue yourself, but take it to a recognised cue maker who will need specific measurements from you, you will have to determine these measurements yourself but my videos should help. The standard length of a cue is 58 inches and this suits most people of average height and build.

[@LeviDuudeHD]

Hi Barry, great videos, i have been playing snooker for over a month now with self taught practice and mostly your videos. My highest break is currently 42. One question, what sort of cue would you recommend and what retailers would you recommend. Also, to add to that, would you be able to describe how to find that perfect cue.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rawkuss. The perfect cue is one that you as a player like and you have got used to. Frank Callan who coached Stephen Hendry for a while once said, " Stephen is the best player in the world with the worst cue in the world" Stephen had got used to that cue and it suited his game. As a beginner don't spend a fortune on a cue, there is no need. Just make sure it is straight and not too whippy it fits nicely into your hand and no varnish on the shaft. There are many good manufacturers making very good products these days, just get someone with a little more experience to help you choose.

[@LeviDuudeHD]

Thankyou for the great advice barry, you are an excellent coach and i'd love to meet you personally one day.

[@dnbmania]

Rawkus On the snooker forum the member ADR147 has generated a good reputation for selling quality snooker cues at a reasonable price. If you search on eBay for 'ADR cue' you'll find some of his listings.

[@chessguru900]

One thing most coaches don't talk about. What is the most important part of a shot? The most important part of a shot is after the shot is played. Meaning you must stay down until the cue ball pretty much stops. The best way to discipline for that is to count up to 3 then lift your head. That way there is less chance of missing easy shots.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Chess. A very good point, staying still is vital.

[@oscarlycissy]

hello Barry, thank you for yet another great video! You mentioned "that's what produced the timing" a couple of times. Could you explain timing a bit more? Is this how one achieves better contact by the cue tip with the cue ball?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

oscarlycissy. Timing is achieved by relaxing the grip, allowing the cue to do the work, getting through the ball, hanging on to the cue ball. That is how you achieve timing. All these points then produce timing which is the length of time the cue tip is in contact with the cue ball. We are talking about micro-seconds but the nearer the player can get to a push shot without it actually being a push shot, the better the timing will be.

[@oscarlycissy]

Many thanks, Barry. That's perfectly explained! It's what I've always suspected to be happening when good "purchase" of the cue ball is achieved, but to have it verified by an authoritative source is giving me much confidence to continue to pursue it. Thank you again for doing a great service to the snooker-loving community.

[@keithguenzel6494]

You mention closing the grip helps timing, does the grip close after going through the cue ball or right at impact

[@dnbmania]

Keith Guenzel Just before/during the delivery. You shouldn't be consciously squeezing though - just allow your fingers to refurl around the cue and your grip strength will naturally increase. Squeezing will potentially bring the cue off line.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Keith. Physics comes into this question. Sir Isaac Newton said in slightly different words," for every force in one direction, there is an equal and opposite force in the other direction" Applying that statement to snooker, we have a force hitting the cue ball, therefore there is an equal force coming off the cue ball. Closing the hand tends to help to resist this second force producing the timing on the shot and should be done at impact. But it should also be done without tension.

[@keithguenzel6494]

Thank you Barry, fantastic explanation.

[@shashankshekhar1215]

sir I have tried inferlin and outferlin but I have a question during this process grip hand may have same preassure on cue or during inferlin i have to increase and in outferlin to decrease and in this process i noticed that my cue is not stooped by chest and whenever i try I accidentally drop my elbow

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Shashank. Some players drop their elbow, others don't keeping their elbows high. Whatever suits you and works for you as a player is correct.

[@hubinsc]

Hi Barry, you said the body is a fixed point, does that mean the cue is sliding along/touching the ribs, during the stroke? Difficult to see with your dark cue and black vest. Thanks Barry.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

hubinsc. That's exactly what I mean.

[@MegaAndreyy]

Barry, I noticed when I play, I do it with my elbow sticking out (so called chicken wing), like Jamie Cope or Mark Williams maybe, but I'm still able to cue straight, is that a problem? I don't feel comfortable pushing my elbow against my body.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Andrey. The purist will say the arm must be vertical, and its a matter of opinion as to what advantage is gained from it. To me the only thing that matters is cueing straight and if you can do that and play all the shots I don't care where your elbow is.

[@mindaugasmiskinis3985]

Hi Mr. Barry, I have question about fore finger and thumb after the shot. they tend to separate, because otherwise my cue tip goes up. May be I follow through too much? Another question. When I make the shot, my cue wiggles at the and of the shot? When I watch professionals (especially Ding Junhui) there is no wiggles after the shots, cue just stops. I tried to relax grip, don't touch chest with grip after the shot, but it wiggles. Thank You.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Mindgaugas. Finger and thumb separating at the completion of the shot is not that important as long as you cue straight. Lots of players relax the front of the grip on the follow through, I tend to favour keeping movement or changes within the grip to a minimum as this reduces complications. As the hand comes to the chest or indeed past the chest the ball has gone, so the wiggle, as you put it, will not affect the shot. What is important though is when the cue settles it should be pointing to where you were aiming.

[@YogeshKumar-py6ru]

Hello Barry, I practiced what is shown in this video and I tell you Sir, it really helped me in delivering the cue in a straight line with a sweet timing. Really thank you for this as i have been potting 8/10 dead straight long pots which tells me that there is nothing wrong with my straight cuing but i have a question about the angle judgement without any reference to half ball or quarter ball because its not always that you are faced with an exact half ball or an exact quarter or three quarter ball? how can I improve on that? My eyes tell my mind that I am aiming correctly but when i deliver the shot, the cue ball hits the object ball on the thicker side, most of the time. Is there any practice or trick for this? Please help. Regards

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Yogesh. Place the cue ball on the brown spot and an object ball on the pink spot. Try to pot the ball in the right hand corner pocket a few times, note whether you tend to miss thick or thin. Now play the shot in the opposite corner pocket a few times and note whether you tend to miss thick or thin. It is unusual for a player to miss thick from both sides of the table or indeed thin from both sides of the table. If you miss thick from both sides the ghost ball practice will help you to sort this out. If you are missing thick from one side but thin from the other then this is more complicated and there could be several reasons. 1/ You may not be using your dominant eye correctly. 2/ You may be using unwanted side. 3/ Your cueing may not be as accurate as you think, please examine it on the baulk line. Good luck.

[@lewisbenson2177]

Hi Barry, any tips for taller players? I am 6'6 and feel like maybe the cue is too short in comparison with more average height guys, so feel it interferes with the cueing and I have to go past my chest to get through the cue ball, thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Lewis. Just like standard table height, standard cue lengths can give tall players a problem. Be careful here, a longer cue can become very whippy. The longest cue I have seen used by a very good and tall player was 59 inches. Please don't forget that small adjustments to where you hold the cue, where you place the bridge hand and whether you bend your bridge arm or not can make enormous differences. A good tip is to attach a six inch extension on your cue and determine the length of cue best suited for you.

[@lewisbenson2177]

thank you barry!

[@SmijithViolin]

Hi Barry, any tip for not twisting the wrist while deliver the cue ? Will stance or bridge position contribue to that..

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Smijith. Can't really see how the stance can contribute to a twisting of the wrist during cue delivery. It could be that you don't have enough room between the cueing hand and the chest and in an effort to obtain more cue power with minimal room in this area perhaps your bridge hand is too far away from the cue ball at address. However, it is more likely to be a flaw in the grip and you need to really examine this, my video on the grip may help.

[@SmijithViolin]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach hi barry .. thank you so much for the reply.. you are right . .. i see very less space between my chest and cue arm.. do you think if i adjust my bridge arm position i can obtain more room btween my chest and cue arm..or anything else... once again thank you so much

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Smijith. Yes that's exactly what I mean. What happens at the front can have a direct bearing on what is happening at the back and vice versa. By that I mean if your bridge hand is too far away from the cue ball it can have a direct influence on the amount of follow through you can achieve. Then in an effort to get the required amount of follow through the cue is often pulled off line.

[@SmijithViolin]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach . Thank you so much barry. I will work on that part. Waiting for your next videos.

[@ericsalles3393]

he said it ..you've got to be a genius .you can do the baulk line thing till the cows come home ..it won't help you pot a ball ..it's one of them ..ask old Jack karnham..this guy is great ..he knows the game inside out ...

[@johncummings9446]

Good morning Barry. I have a question concerning the grip. On the forward stroke does the grip hand close at the cue ball or does the grip hand close at the finish of the forward stroke. Thanks

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

John. This varies from player to player, but as a general rule the grip is progressively starting to close as soon as the forward stroke begins and will be completed at the end of the forward stroke. Please don't force this though it should be a natural process and as I have said will vary between players.

[@johncummings9446]

Thank you Barry. It's an issue I have been dealing with for a long time. Thanks for all you do and all you share.

[@Superutubeking]

Barry your coaching is amazing , I have been watching many of your videos and over the last 2 months my game has really improved, the break off with right hand side works a treat, thank you so much for all your help. Keep making these great videos they are very professional and enjoyable, my cue action is getting better - I am hitting much more straight now

[@miladshojaei3678]

thanks barry, i am watching your videos from iran and they are great. i just have a question about timing. is it better to stop on backswing and then delievry or is it better to be natural like ronnie? thanks again

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

milad. The transition of sending the cue forward after the back swing is an area where a lot of errors occur. Joe Davis explained as a slowing down rather than a stop and there is some merit in that explanation. I personally stop on the backswing simply because it gives me time to focus on the object ball with my ageing eyes. Youngsters whose eyes adapt and focus instantly the moment they lift them to the object ball tend to slow down, rather than stop in that transition movement.

[@rob-lk4ud]

Barry I find that during the grip, when I want to play a power shot, if I un firm my fingers on the backswing, sometimes I tend to not deliver the cue in a straight line. For that reason, most of the times I prefer to not unfirm my fingers on the backswing. Is that bad?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

robert. Whatever works for you is right. However, when you make any change to your game, however small, it will feel strange and you will have to go backwards before going forward. If you don't believe in something its pointless, but if you do believe in something go the whole hog and work at it.

[@dnbmania]

robert lander I think if you practice accelerating the cue smoothly then you'll find the cue will stay on line and you'll still be able to generate the power

[@juulianmiranda]

Nic, qual é o tamanho do seu taco e a sua altura? E qual tamanho de taco você indica para jogadores com 1,65m?

[@NIKHILCHAUHAN-xv9ox]

how to make side to port and how to think which side which time and whete to delivery to ball for porti

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

NIKHIL. Not sure what you mean by this question, obviously there is something lost in translation, please try again.

[@theznooker]

hey barry again u said practice on baulk line, i do and my cue is always on baulk line when practicing, however i put a mark on my cue, and after the delivery that straight line goes to the right from middle, its like 1-2 mm, but i can see even that effects my shots. when that happens i can see that i put unintentional right hand side on the cueball how do i fix this issue? tnx

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ARTgamer. Practising on the baulk line is vital to examine your cueing when you have a problem. Try doing this same practise but without using your chest to guide or support the cue, this will really highlight any problems The answer I have given you regarding the front part of the grip should help with this issue as well.

[@theznooker]

Barry, tnx i tried with no chest but no different, however i played with only 2 fingers, thumb+forfinger , and i put a straight mark on my cue, and i can see that it goes straight with 2 fingers, but as soon as i put the other 3 fingers same thing happens, and that mark goes abit to the right and i put right side on cueball how to solve this issue? tnx

[@wesleybeins5410]

Hi Mr Barry, thank you for the very insightful video. Just need some advice on an issue. I have been playing the game for close to 20 years. I naturally have a far bridge and sometimes I play well this way but consistency is an issue for me. Is it necessary to change my stance to achieve greater heights in my game?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Wesley. Having the bridge too far away fro the cue ball will cause inconsistency, it makes it difficult to hit the cue ball exactly where you intend to hit it and can cause the cue to vibrate a little unnecessarily as it hits and gets through the cue ball. Modern professional players are tending to get closer to the cue ball with their bridge hand adding a greater degree of control. If your stance conforms to the basics and is stable, the only thing you will need to possibly change is to move your feet marginally closer to the shot simply because you have altered the position of your bridge hand.

[@sahalvhora1464]

Hi Barry, Thank you for your amazing videos. I have a question regarding my hand tilt. Once I get the position perfectly and correct aim, I just move out my sight at the time of hit the cue ball and the ball goes out of the pot. My hand too not getting straight way when I hit it. Could you please tell me the exact way?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sahal. I don't fully understand the question but it is obvious that you are having problems with your grip. Please have a look at my video on the grip and hopefully this will solve your problems.

[@rodneyjohnstone77]

The main thing I have trouble with is hitting the balls off the cushions, could you help me with that?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Rodney. This has already been covered on one of my videos, please have a look.

[@MetallicDannyR]

I just wanted to thank you barry since ive been watching these videos i can see improvements in my game i still have the really bad days of course but i go with my friend once a week and the other day i beat him 6-0 it was awesome haha and i was doing some pritty amazing shots i just started off with no spin or screw and now im adding them in slowly although i still cant seem to get the back spin correct im not sure if im doing it wrong or because its a pub table i tried it on a brand new pool table and could do it amazingly but on the old pub snooker tables i couldnt any tips?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Drunk. You say you could screw back on the pool table but not on a snooker table. This is more than likely because on an English pool table the cue ball is smaller than the object ball. On the snooker table the balls are the same size so your technique has to be better. Keep working at it, get through the ball and it will come.

[@MetallicDannyR]

Thanks barry yeah makes sence ill keep trying haha :) thanks again and keep up the great videos!

[@hashimmehdi4310]

Barry sir please make your video on how to play shot white cue ball is stick to cushion because I always miscue it and comit a foul

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Hashim. This has been covered in one of my videos, please have a look, it should help.

[@runrun5642]

hello Mr.Barry,. I drive through chest but having unintended left side I cue ball,could it be while passing chest,cause it happens like an arch action. am 3 years player 30 break but on a Riley tournament cut table can't improve tried sending pics for u on twitter

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Run. It is possible that this is the cause, I always recommend that a player tries to keep his cue action straight by examining it on the baulk line. The drive action is used by some top players including Ronnie but it can be demanding for some club players. Please study my videos on cue action, paying particular attention to where you hold the cue and where you position your bridge hand. I'm afraid I don't get involved with twitter, wrong age group.

[@rasikhkhan7981]

Hi Barry , I am playing with driving cue action method but the problem is as follow through my hands twists .please help.

[@rushabhsnooker6521]

rasikh khan Try to keep your thump straight down during the shot and keep the cue arm moving unfurling of fingers will happen naturally.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

rasikh. Rushabh has explained it very well I would only add that you make every effort to relax more.

[@rasikhkhan7981]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach thank you sir I will focus on your tips

[@stuartbond4133]

hi barry. after ive paused on the backswing I tend to have a slight twist with the cue. I see stuart bingham has this also.why is this?

[@nikolaivii5766]

Barry could you teach me the fundamentals of a good screw?

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nikolai. I have done a video on this please have a look. In the mean time keep the cue parallel, strike the ball low, get through the ball, relax and don't forget to chalk your tip.

[@daudshahid7787]

Sir please tell me how to improve my angle??? Please answer me

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

daud. I am aware that the English language may be a problem but I am not absolutely certain by "improve my angle." If you mean potting balls from an angle then you should have a look at my video which covers the ghost ball theory, it will give you some guidelines to work on. You should remember however that even if you are aiming correctly you still need to deliver the cue on the line that you have selected so keep working on that cue action, it will pay dividends in the ling run. Good luck

[@daudshahid7787]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach what's the vedio number???

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Number 29 “Potting line part1” sorry for not mentioning previously.

[@daudshahid7787]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach it's okay sir 😊😊

[@daudshahid7787]

After watching your vedio my game is most better than before

[@HarshdeepSingh-ne3fu]

is solo practice is necessary for improvement of the game or one can improve his level by just playing frames

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Harshdeep. Solo practise is vital if you are going to improve in any sport and snooker is no different. My advice is to look at the the game in its entirety, isolate a skill from the full game, practise and hopefully perfect that skill and then put it back into the full game. Try to remember that all practise should be purposeful, just playing frames will only take you so far and no further.

[@muhammadnuman4184]

Thank u sir. I have learned the grip perfectly and now i can pot every ball and now i understand that everything is grip that support u to pot the balls

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Muhammad. Glad that you realise the importance of the grip, now you have to learn cue ball control and the grip will help with that also.

[@arslanaleem2847]

Muhammad numan I am trying to learn this but my grip isn't perfect yet. Help me

[@muhammadnuman4184]

@@BarryStarkSnookerCoach thank u Sir. I watch every vedio of you and now i can play positional game much better than before

[@muhammadnuman4184]

@@arslanaleem2847 mathod is same like Barry Stark told in this vedio. I will just say that when u r cueing grow ur muscles focus on the object ball and firlling and unfirlling the fingers naturally thats it

[@naumanawan4666]

how to grip a cue and deliver it plz teach me!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nauman. Please look at my videos on where and how to hold the cue, all the information is there and one picture is worth a thousand words.

[@JIMMYSAFC1]

superb

[@chandihac]

East or west you are the bext

[@bigboytv7210]

how tall are you Barry???

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ranjit. 5ft 8" but shrinking.

[@abdmaj7500]

Sir I am from Pakistan and I want to practice snooker. I am begineer. I can,t pot far away balls.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Abdullah. Potting far away balls is very difficult for good players let alone a beginner. Try to improve your cue action, work hard at this but be patient. You will not learn this game overnight. As they say "Rome was not built in a day"

[@abdmaj7500]

Sir my hand sweats while playing and I don,t know tricks to pot the ball where I want...

[@xperia1ii755]

Can you play pool on a pub table? The cloth is usually poor quality.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

johnny. Playing conditions will always affect the standard that can be achieved but playing in poor conditions is better than not playing at all. Nobody moves the pockets and good players will adapt and play accordingly.

[@namtan101]

Good

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

namtan. Glad you like it.

[@shirleymental4189]

i'm practicing with a broom handle but one day i'm going to buy a cue.

[@jasonnieuwenhuis335]

I got a cheap knock off from Amazon for $100. I just needed to put a better tip on it. It’s the best snooker cue for $115 you can buy

[@brianscott9509]

Can you not see the sugar please

[@runrun5642]

thank you Mr.Barry for your care and respond. gonna study it as you directed and feed back after .and by the way am 42 and I found the twitter hard for me.i just went there to try to send u my pics in address pos.and after follow through. if there any mean to send just tell me. WhatsApp is so useful sending pics and even videos Thanks again Mr Barry we got 3 coaches in whole. country Egypt so it is hard I got a club and Riley tournament table for the love of the game

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Run Run. We are looking at ways in which we can study videos of players to help them overcome problems.

[@sidhfb]

why do i miss playing slow

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kumar. Playing slow shots can cause slight discrepancies in your cue action, certainly enough to miss shots. A good way to reduce any errors in your cueing is to deliberately practise your cue action in ultra slow motion. Don't hit any balls just examine what is happening with your cueing.

[@sidhfb]

happens only on long shots

[@sidhfb]

Barry Stark Snooker Coach do i have to decrease the follow-through

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Kumar. Deliberately decreasing the follow through is a dangerous game, One of the reasons Ronnie O'Sullivan is so good is because he gets through the ball so well. However, if you get through the ball well, you better make sure you get through it straight, Ronnie does of course. Work at every aspect of your game and the rewards will come.

[@zuhaibsaber2490]

under

[@kunalchaurasia5717]

I miss always long shot what I...do¿😞

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kunal. To improve your long potting you need to improve your cue action. Please have a look at my videos that cover this aspect.

[@kunalchaurasia5717]

ohkk... thanku

[@tomross350]

I'm ready to fend off 'Alexander the Great".. after watching this vid :P

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Tom. I wish you luck with that.

[@omidrastin3745]

you moost

[@metoriteon]

can you be my grandpa

[@jychin6995]

The video is so bad so much talking and I think you should actually go straight to the point

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Sorry the video was not to your taste, I try my best.

[@naseemahmed82]

Sir you are best coacher.....

[@bullsnutsoz]

Boy Barry; the comments suggest a huge surge in Sub continent and Asian snooker is buzzing along.

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

bullsnutoz. I agree. Not be long now before we have more and more non British tournament winners.

[@benbrigman4091]

I love all of your videos man, your great for sharing all your knowledge so freely. Alot of players wont sharw all three secrets ect. I dont play snooker, but most your teaching help for any billiard game. God Bless U Barry

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Ben. My pleasure, many thanks.

[@sonicplayroompiano4302]

Fantastic videos Barry, can't wait to try your cueing tips! 👍

[@Sobioytccc]

Finally after hard work and dedication I am finally able to find my perfect cue action for me, with this I can make 50 plus break 😅❤

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Nice work!

[@matthewtrain5674]

I want to be a snooker player. You have helped me improve very quickly. Thank you

[@rorydoherty4125]

How good you now?

[@MikeyD8632]

OMG this was my problem the whole time. Not opening my hand. Now I can draw the whole table and hit straight shots consistently. Thanks so much from this American pool player. Coming back after a 22 year break. Much appreciated 👍👍👍

[@ForeverPurpleNGold]

I got it all wrong, I always thought my rest hand had to be near the tip until very recently

[@charlesmertes3109]

Thank you for this,its just what my clenching and twisting grip hand needs and i cant wait to try it,subscribed!

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jackding944]

Thank you Professor!

[@kyotosal]

Thank you Barry. Great advice...Sal : )

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

kyotosal. Glad you like the videos and hopefully learning from them.

[@shashwatsinha3150]

thank u barry,your videos have been of great help.i have noticed myself improving significantly following your tips.

[@mccuff]

Thanks for this, Barry. Great stuff!

[@theznooker]

how tight that ring shap ( thumb +forefinger ) should be ? my other 3 fingers are quite good and loose, but i sometimes think that my ring shaped thumb + forfinger is abit loose, how do i know if that ring shaped area is loose or not ???? tnx, please do reply , as this is very important for me, tnx coach

[@BarryStarkSnookerCoach]

ART.I have answered this below.