Break Building | World's First Headcam Hundred In A Frame...

[@MrSpeeedGuy1]

I love thinking of the shot that I would play in each situation you're in, and seeing how it wildly differs to the shot you play! I have a lot of learning to do! Great video Nic!

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Dom Lyttle Thankyou Dom! Make sure you do the same on the TV too with the volume off sometimes so you don't get clues from the commentary.

[@MrSpeeedGuy1]

+nicbarrow Good idea, I'll do it with the World Champs!

[@garylock1973]

Love these videos Nick!! Seeing your cue action via the head cam helps me when I look to correct my own cue action.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou Gary - let us know how you get on

[@bottlecap57]

Top break, and I think it IS the first headcam ton in an actual frame. I'm jealous of how new everything looks there, cloth, balls etc. That long bridge arm must be a great advantage too ... lol.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+The Snookerist Thankyou Snookerist. My feet / hips / shoulders are rotated slightly away from line of aim (around 30 degrees to the right. A side effect of this is pushing the left shoulder forwards. Most club players have their bridge shoulder by their ear. Most pro's have it by their cheek and visible in their peripheral vision.

[@bottlecap57]

+nicbarrow Yes I knew that. I just meant how the headcam can give a stretched view and make the arm appear longer. Ive seen some where the lense ( fisheye maybe ) makes the arm look incredibly long. I just used a normal cam when I tried this a few times although maybe my view was a bit too close up.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+The Snookerist Do you think this view is OK. Or too fish eye? I think it gives a good rendition of one's peripheral vision at the table, but is not too curved.

[@bottlecap57]

+nicbarrow Its a very good view in my opinion. Its just that some people have said they like a slightly more zoomed in view for a better look at where you're striking the cue ball.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Yes although we do not the the player's view of the table then... I may make a video where were show a diagram of the cue ball height / speed on every shot

[@boxify8730]

Nic I'm a massive fan of yours please do more of these! It would be better for you to talk about shots like this you are the type of guy who was born with a cue in his hand

[@TheSnookerGym]

Well I was not - that is the point I am just like anyone but just practiced properly for 20 years or so!

[@Tariqmahmood-tk4qs]

Very nice vedio nic.... I started snooker 10 years ago. And I m learning every time. And last 2 weeks my game is very improved reason of way I learned my stance is improved. And ur headcam helped me more. Thanks for uploading this vedio mr nicbarrow. My English is very week . Ignore my bad sentence 😀

[@TheSnookerGym]

Shukran ya Tariq. Enkliziyyatak ahsan min arabiyyati!

[@vladobeblos607]

LOOK AT THE STABILITY OF HIS HAND WHILE TEMPING. JUST AMAZING.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you sir

[@johnny207]

Really nice video Nic. Maybe the next one you could have running commentary describing how you're playing every shot.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Johnny do you mean like this?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h52wqYOknLSMpdU

[@GenosGlory]

Hi there. great uploads. what cue are you using and is there a propper method to hold the cue at the back for perfect action. I seem to miss easier shots more than the hardest. it makes me angry at times.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Sorry for your anger - we have all been there in the game! I would set up shot positions and measure out of ten attempts how many you pot. Do this on three difficulties of the same shot to show you at what difficulty you start missing. Also start slow and build up speed to see at what speed you start missing. Here is information about the distance training sessions www.thesnookergym.com/distance-snooker-coaching

[@rx6745]

Wow this is AWESOME!!! Would like to see more videos like this!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you RX

[@stuartthecue5536]

excellent break sir.. not sure about the first split 😂.. but the second was mint.. good to watch!

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Stuart The cue Thanks Stuart the first split was a TERRIBLE shot! But got away with it ;-) It was only my third frame in months so was a bit rusty, and just worked my way into feeling the shots as the break went on...

[@steviemax147]

It amazes me that a guy with this ability and knowledge of the game didn't achieve more in the professional game. I guess it just shows how good the top ranked pro's are and how difficult it is to get to the top! Anyway keep up the brilliant coaching work hope to have a session one day to try and correct my many faults lol.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou very much for your kind comments - i was only 100-200 in the world in the 90's so NOWHERE NEAR what was required. I probably haven't even had 1,000 centuries in my life... Could I qaulify from Q School? Many people tell me I shoudl enter but qualifying is only an invitation to spend £30k expenses over the next year. Ultimately where my natural skills DO overlap much more tightly is coaching - there is so much exciting stuff to do to leave my legacy behind me that I don't even consider competing.

[@germainmanuel9501]

Bro to play on tv you need to get top 16 rank, to get that rank you need to play every tournament to get points. It’s actually too much effort in my opinion. to enter q school you need to be playing full time everyday since you 10 years old.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Yup

[@ZakwanHadzim]

A video like this really helps me a lot.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Zack Zone How did it help you the most?

[@ZakwanHadzim]

+nicbarrow it help me on where to hit the object ball from point of view. Especially an angle shot

[@ziggyflinthawk]

+nicbarrow It improves my game to look at the decisions you make. I'd have gone down a different route on some of the shots and probably hit a few problems before too long so it's very interesting to watch you play. Great break.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+F. Hawk Thankyou for your comments!

[@andychong592]

+nicbarrow I am also from HK and I am just a beginner. I am always not sure where I should hit the ball in order to control the movement of the white ball. Because other videos are always in third person's view. This video greatly reduces my wonder, and it also tells me that side spin is not so important. Thank you very much!

[@firozwkhan1]

Excellent break...this helps learning. Thanks

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou Firoz

[@sparshsinha6498]

thanx nic for such a lovely vedio.. i've learnt a lot from it and other vedios ...

[@TheSnookerGym]

Great stuff - let me know progress!

[@contee12345]

Wow your a great player mate ! Feel like I'm taking loads onboard watching you!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou for your kind comments, what were the most important things you took onboard? I am interested...

[@peaceandLove220]

Hi Nic, the head cam is great, in particular seeing the line of all your shots and the striking of the cue ball for position, it's priceless from an expert like you, thank you so much for your generosity making these videos public to us, much love from Dublin :)

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou Contee

[@millerkmd1]

love your vids man, would love to get lessons from you!!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you Kevin Can you visit this link and enter your email address at the bottom of the page, which will take you through a player profile which will enable me to give you a personal recommendation on how best to improve your game www.thesnookergym.com/snooker-lessons

[@steviea6070]

Nic, do you have any tutorials showing how to spot quarter, half and three quarter ball shots? And the best way to drill that technique into your game? Thanks

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Steven Atkin www.thesnookergym.com/aim-frame-page/ should help Steven....

[@themadsnookerchannel2752]

excellent break! great channel u have going all the best with it subbed u

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you sir

[@Restricted68]

In the video you made putting side look so easy. When I put side on the cue ball I frequently miss very easy pots. I know putting side can make the cue ball run off line. Can you please give me some advice on how I can compensate for this? Great videos btw

[@TheSnookerGym]

The best way is to stop using it. You will be incorrectly using it to control the cue ball direction after hitting the object ball which is wrong - you only need to go up and down the cue ball and change your speed. You ONLY need side when the cue ball needs to be distorted from its natural angle off a cushion.

[@milekj6911]

1:16 make sure the camera is on 😊

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Miłosz J. Indeed!

[@curmanify]

Fantastic break, I noticed that you vary how much you pull the cue back on the backswing, is that down to the power of the shot?

[@TheSnookerGym]

+curmanify Yes - length of backswing = power of shot

[@curmanify]

Thanks Nic, does that affect the proximity of the bridge hand to the cue ball as well?

[@TheSnookerGym]

+curmanify No - I recommend bridge length stays the same on all shots.... although a few pros say they get benefit bringing the bridge hand closer when in the balls. Difficult to do things inconsistently and get consistent results though....

[@MarkSmith-zq3kq]

Hi There I love these snooker tutorial videos it helps an amateur snooker player improve his game and you never know that player could turn professional one day and make a good career out of it and earn a few quid. I know you were aiming your cue up and down the cue ball which is centre ball striking. Do you think using centre ball striking brings a lot of consistency to that snooker players game in a club or playing professionally in a tournament?.

[@TheSnookerGym]

I aim up and down the cue ball centre unless I simply have to distort the cue ball path off a cushion. It means that I can hit the wrong speed and still pot the ball. I have used 2mm or so of running object ball side (outside english) on every angled pot before and so do many pros - it is which gives the best result that we should apply!

[@navos2003]

Fantastic to watch, so relaxing! This helps loads, watching the cue action, for me i found it very interesting how long u pause for just before following through the cue ball. I have started pausing also and have noticed my game improve loads. I have a question, before u bring the cue backwards for the final hit there is a pause with your cue at the cue ball, are you focusing on the object ball as soon as your arm starts to go back? Or are you still looking at the cue ball at the start of going back and raising the eyes to focus on the object ball in the middle of slowly moving your arm back for the final hit? Hope this question makes sense, it does sound very confusing!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Yes most club players yank the cue through to get the shot over and done with as soon as possible. Eyes on cue ball at front check. Most pros lift eyes up to ob about half way through backswing - this allows yout feedback on backswing straightness. Waiting till the end of the bs to look up is withh 99% of players too long. Then keep eyes on ob as you deliver. OR watch ronnie, john higgins and stephen hendry (among others) and do what they do.

[@joshuaball2214]

amazing stuff nic! i just want to know how i can join!

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Joshua Ball Would you want to come to the Academy in Milton Keynes you mean?

[@MarkSmith-zq3kq]

Can you do more of these matches please?. I get more enjoyment out of match play of snooker.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you Mark I will bear it in mind.

[@Tank1]

where is this room? id love one in my house, with the TV camera set up aswell would be spot on..

[@TheSnookerGym]

England - Milton Keynes.

[@johnmcwhirter8401]

'I've got a chance of doing that now' 😂😂😂

[@TheSnookerGym]

Glad to hear it sir!

[@brettjones3095]

Hey Nick. When using the rest, I saw a video of Shaun Murphy saying not to put it directly under the cue and to space it out. You put it straight in this video. Was that for the shot you were making or is that something you do? My Luther Vandross play is shite

[@TheSnookerGym]

I agree with Shaun on this- dont think i used the rest in this break

[@jonerific]

On the yellow 11:04 after the last red, it does look straight as well.

[@alirezamgh6840]

Beautiful

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you

[@pilgrimpater]

I can get as far as fitting the Headcam. Quite useful as now i know how much side to give on break off.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Ah brilliant - so glad it helped

[@sj460162]

Great break Nik.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you - I was under huge pressure because it was definitely the last frame of the day as my student Alex had to get to the train station and I was then travelling coaching for months. AND I knew I would be the first person in the world to make a headcam ton! My arm was tight on the blue at the end partly as I knew I had lost position and I knew I should not have such a difficult positional shot. The pink was then the most missable ball of the break. Black unmissable though!

[@sj460162]

@@TheSnookerGym It was brilliant. Nik the most help Ive ever had isfrom your shoulder approach video..but suddenly im playing rubbish again and feel I might not be doing the approach in the same way. Id love you to maybe break it down for me.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Often, just the act of CONCENTRATING on something can help us play better and when this wears off we need something else to focus on...

[@sj460162]

@@TheSnookerGym That makes sense. At the moment im trying to keep my hips in line with the shot...Ive heard that can help...but itll probably wear off lol. Happy christmas Nik

[@Slapbass13]

Whatever you do.. Didn't seem to matter, nice ton.

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Slapbass13 Thanks boss

[@battlefieldclips7013]

Next time could u also explain where u r hitting at the cue ball n ur expected position to land on for the next ball ? I mean briefly explain each shot so that we don't only watch it but also understand the shot n spin applied. Cheers

[@TheSnookerGym]

Big project, but it is in pipeline

[@IFranchisedI]

Dinesh Adhikari buy a Maximus they’re amazing cues for half the price of customs

[@TheSnookerGym]

agreed

[@mukundsridhar4250]

I notice that you feather the ball 7-8 times and then pause. Is feathering the ball so many times a good thing.When i pause i generally start missing because I am not able to deliver the queue in a straight line. Any advice?

[@TheSnookerGym]

I feather about 3 times on average. 7 or 8 most players will end up losing concentration. Less than 3 is what most club players do, and is why they have no control over the cue.

[@mukundsridhar4250]

Thank you so much You have cleared a number of my doubts. I genrally feather about twice and many times the cue ball does not exactly where i want. Marco fu never used to feather the ball in earlier years. How did it work for him?

[@TheSnookerGym]

He did have micro feathers that the camera could not see

[@gixxerman69]

Nice break Nick. Love the top left hand side positional shot on the pink to get on the 3rd last red. I hope you don't mind me saying but your partner is slightly annoying in that he stands a bit too close to the table on your shots and also does not keep score. I too could benefit from some coaching. I was a very good player when I was in my teens, but stopped playing for over 20 years due to personal circumstances. I started again a few years back and now play in a league. But as a teen I would regularly get 50/60/70 and the odd ton, but these days (being 51) I struggle to make 40 on a regular basis. Eyesight is obviously one factor, but I think it is more down to bad habits. I had a 69 break the other week, so something is still there. But I think an hour or 2 with a coach might just make a difference.

[@TheSnookerGym]

I did not notice him... and i count the score as i don't like relying on anyone else to do so. Where do you live by the way....

[@gixxerman69]

North Lincolnshire, but I can travel :-)

[@markmascollful]

@@TheSnookerGym wat was this break. I lost count as i was focusing on how you played each shot

[@TheSnookerGym]

106 I think

[@mukundsridhar4250]

amazing!!!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thankyou Mukund. Nic B

[@leezhengyangbrandon5080]

Excuse me, but can you explain the shot at 9:36, I can't seem to understand your shot because both the cue ball and the pink ball seem to be in a straight line when you shoot it, but the pink ball travels to the left. Can you please explain to me how you do it?

[@TheSnookerGym]

They were not straight - was a 5 degree potting angle which you will see if you look again. I played top spin with left hand side to speed cue ball up off two cushions

[@M00ndust]

Hi Nic. I'm sorry to say this but the belgian bullet beat you to it. Luca Brecel filmed a 147 with his headcam. ;)

[@TheSnookerGym]

+Maverick3ification He did not - as that was a practice routine with the reds spread out, so does not count as a frame ;-) Also, his camera was not behind the line of aim properly ;-)

[@boxify8730]

They say tapping on the table releases nerves in the muscles before the shot and after

[@TheSnookerGym]

I have no idea why players do this and would love to know why!

[@shanetempe90]

I do this when I'm feathering my shots, I usually tap my middle finger (left hand) on the cloth multiple times in sets of two and then after I have taken the shot I will rapidly tap my index finger (left hand) on the cloth. I'm not sure how I started. I think a big part of is in fact simple habit after doing it so much but if you're feeling a little shaky in your arms it can seem to calm you down a bit before and after shots and helps to release tension in your arms and hands. That's how I feel on the matter anyhow, many players stay static and many like to tap their fingers on the cloth and its partly habit, partly tactical but I would love to hear what other people do with their fingers before and after shots.

[@Dhirallin]

@@TheSnookerGym I think Barry Stark said it was something to do with gauging timing.

[@TheSnookerGym]

I don't have a clue apart from maybe stress release...

[@TheSnookerGym]

All seems subconscious whatever it is

[@louisread875]

3:59 when you were clearly aiming to break the bunch open off the first cushion xD omg

[@TheSnookerGym]

Yes I got away with that error!

[@poolmaster18]

Are you using an acuerate cue in this?

[@TheSnookerGym]

Mike Wooldridge

[@poolmaster18]

ahh right, do you use an acuerate very often?

[@TheSnookerGym]

I did for three years - have used this for a year now

[@poolmaster18]

nicbarrow ok, was their a reason for the change? Only asking because im thinking of buying one myself.

[@TheSnookerGym]

They are out of business now

[@qazzell]

Nice break. interesting watching someone playing at this angle ,and doing it well and not over complicate things. You have got it sussed. Had many 147's ?.

[@TheSnookerGym]

thank you Jim I have only had one 147 - when I was 21 in 1991! Hopefully this video showed the idea of simple and repeatable action, with a pre shot commitment to the line of aim and cue ball height/speed.

[@qazzell]

@@TheSnookerGymWell you have done it ,Got to be another coming soon...just have a camera on your head everytime you attempt a break😂 .Best of luck. Thanks for all the tips and knowledge very helpful, and great thing to do. Everything you need to know to be successful at snooker.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you

[@sajidiq3520]

Your a really good snooker player and have taken alot of things you've said onboard.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you Sajid

[@kieranduffin8049]

Your make would be better putting on a pair of white gloves and being the ref.

[@TheSnookerGym]

That is the role he played in this frame!

[@hamzakhalid4613]

Is your opponent Marco Fu.

[@TheSnookerGym]

Look more closely ;-)

[@RetroTekGuyAU]

Break off shot: Whatever you do don't hit the blue. Bad thing to do against a pro but luckily, You weren't up against one.

[@N3wari]

Since he's a coach I'm pretty sure he knows that and the blue got hit by accident... and what goes for the following red, I'm pretty sure you would have missed that, too ^^

[@TheSnookerGym]

But by that rationale and if it were that easy... whatever you do, pot the ball.

[@TheSnookerGym]

LOL!

[@joewizard100]

wouldn't it be funny if they got all the snooker players to start wearing headcams whilst playing snooker lol

[@TheSnookerGym]

You would see some very varied cueing actions for sure!

[@brucetimothy4525]

Why do the players twitch their middle finger of the Bridge hand? I have seen it with many players.

[@cainbyrne3210]

Bruce Timothy It helps them with the timing of the shot.

[@brucetimothy4525]

How?

[@cainbyrne3210]

Bruce Timothy They're keeping time and also it shows them to make sure their cue action is repetitive and the same every time.

[@brucetimothy4525]

That doesnt make any sense at all man, do you play snooker? Because you are mentioning players as 'they' means you dont play snooker right? If you do then you would know that timer twitch theory that you explained (almost seems logical) doesnt help in anyway.

[@TheSnookerGym]

That is not correct as the taps are not in synch with the cueing action... the taps usually happen after the shot is played. Having said this, I DO NOT KNOW why it happens, and am open to all ideas as to why it does! Nic

[@muhddzuhrirattim3881]

The pocket size? it's that the standard size?

[@TheSnookerGym]

It is my coaching table - so slightly tighter than most club tables but more generous than TV tables.

[@IFranchisedI]

Snooker Coaching At The Snooker Gym what do you think that’ll be then? 3.5 inches?

[@TheSnookerGym]

The width, slate fall shape and edge radius, cushion rubber undercut and cloth ago all make a collective difference to pocket size

[@tomr6615]

Had to make it 147 comments

[@TheSnookerGym]

OUTSTANDING EFFORT TOM!!!!

[@namajkatiufputkata]

put cam on the cue!

[@loyal_cle_fan399]

I wouldn't add extra weight to your cue fucks with the way you play.

[@TheSnookerGym]

It also fucks up the backswing as the camera hits the chin, and the follow through as the camera hits the bridge! It also does not give the best result - which the BBC did not realise when they made their 'cue cam' footage a few years back. Cam on head gives the only good camera view.

[@namajkatiufputkata]

gopro wouldnt be a problem!

[@loyal_cle_fan399]

The Snooker Gym Do you think a chest cam would be a good idea?

[@TheSnookerGym]

Try it and you will see it will be a problem

[@pafa92]

poor asian guy...

[@TheSnookerGym]

I think that was the first he had against him - he is a good friend now though!

[@LeRRuby]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHnMpoGhi7qFqa8 here are earlier headcam centuries

[@TheSnookerGym]

+LeRRuby Although they are good breaks, they are not in a frame against another player

[@louisread875]

Such a cringy start. And why do you have pictures of professional snooker players on your wall like they all practice there

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you Louis Read. What was cringy about it. The pictures are of specific shot positions at the table so that I can point out to students what pros do instead of having to explain things all the time.

[@louisread875]

But they can't see their legs and copying someone else doesn't always work. How ever they feel comfortable is how they like to shoot

[@TheSnookerGym]

It is not about copying, it is about finding the optimum position for one's own game if they haven't already got it... and using guidelines and references of other players sometimes speeds up that process.

[@louisread875]

amarsbarr Check your grammar and spelling please. Why did you say in honour like someone has passed away.

[@TheSnookerGym]

True

[@maximyuan5795]

I stopped watching the video when the cue ball hit the blue after break

[@TheSnookerGym]

Sorry for that terrible error!

[@yourcricketguide8966]

dont try to sound like a very great player....every professional has had such a break off once in a while...

[@chafiqbantla1816]

ronnie made a foul once by hitting the blue before a red....

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you for the back up!

[@TheSnookerGym]

Thank you! Plus, I was also out of practice so was not hitting the balls particularly fluently. In practice, hitting the blue would simply never happen.