How to make bigger breaks by changing how you think

In this video I show how by thinking about how you want the white to move can help you choose the part of the cue ball you need to strike for whatever shot you are playing #snooker #snookerplayer #snookercoaching

[@johncrawford4382]

Michael I was coached by a pro snooker player for over 5 years whos still on the top 100 pros m8 what youve done and shown me was brilliant this or anything like it was never explained to me seeing what you said and done makes me understand more in 1 = 10 min than than 6 years of coaching thanks so much for all you do m8 your one class act keep them vids coming Michael

[@johncrawford4382]

Michael im going to watch this one afew times to instill in me what your saying and doing m8 thanks so much for these vids and info love it m8

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. Really appreciate it. 👍

[@sheraznaseem7768]

Great knowledge.... But the most difficult part is hitting cue ball in the desired point each and every time....

[@meok292]

Probably the single best instructional video ive seen for insight in cue ball control. Simplifying the concept like this takes away questioning shot choice and doubt (or lack of knowledge). This vid is simply perf duck, cheers Holty

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. 👍

[@benandrews1703]

Always enjoy your videos but can't help thinking you would benefit (and so would we!) of having a head-cam so we can get a close up of what the white is doing. Your honesty and no nonsense approach to the game is refreshing as always!

[@tonymarshall4164]

Well that was absolutely brilliant, I have already watched it twice. Learnt more from this video than from years of watching all the others out there on the internet. Keep up with the great content…and best of luck on the green baize 👍

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you, appreciate it. Keep potting. 👍

[@Charlie.c19]

Now THIS is the video I've been waiting for. Will watch later on my break. If I were you, Michael, I wouldn't even address stance/grip/cue action anymore. These are the types of topics that KZbin is needing :)

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you mate. 👍

[@Charlie.c19]

@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching had a few 70s and an 81 today doing the lineup. Had 94 last week. All through thinking about the white, and a trace of side. I used to be obsessed with technique, which was holding me back massively.

[@paulinquebec]

Thanks for this. The little side directional tips are a must, to "think" about maximizing direction. Another trick i recently learned is to think about where on the cushion the ball will go "exactly" to get the angle to get where I want. When you force yourself to think more about the direction of the white, then suddenly the object ball becomes kind of like wall you bounce off of. Then if you are smooth enough the object ball should roll nicely into the intended pocket..but ya, you got to watch where you are shooting too! Anyway, that is how I got my highest break ever when I was younger, (72 with a ton of low value balls too) just thinking about the white and not the object ball almost at all. Tip two i noticed recently when watching amateur players on some live channels, and then coming back to your channel and watching the pros. The amateurs leave the ball always too far away and near the cushions, whereas keeping it closer to centre or even really close to the intended ball you want, well you might not have the shot you intended, but you often have an easier shot into another pocket. That's my latest motto, to try to get closer rather than farther to the next ball... But man, it's still a tough game. Add a half inch to the width of the pockets and it would change the game completely.

[@25summerlane37]

Excellent video! 👍

[@StuffyArif]

was brilliant cue ball control Michael

[@habib9813]

You've absolutely excelled yourself here Michael. An unbelievable video on a very tough topic which I'm sure will get a lot of us playing much better. Brilliant, the best snooker video on KZbin! (It's that analytical brain mate!)

[@lilchris26]

Brilliant video Michael just what we need to know.

[@stevemoss5753]

Definitely the best video you have done so far Michael! 👍

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. 👍

[@aaronmlp]

Great video could u possibly put up an illustration showing exactly where you’re hitting the white. Would help a lot

[@callumaustin9567]

love your videos, Michael. One thing i struggle with is simply potting the balls. I know it sounds silly, but so many videos are about cue ball control and positional play.... but i cant even pot the ball. How do you make the ball go in the hole?

[@Charlie.c19]

I think a good way to show what you mean to make it a bit more clear as to which way the white is spinning would be to have someone make a graphic in the corner of the screen of a ball: with an arrow pointing (if it is a straight shot with just top spin) from the bottom of the ball right to the top. Then if you're putting bottom left on, the arrow is going from 1 o'clock down to 7 o'clock. I reckon that'd be the best way to explain, because as you say, you can't show people exactly where to hit because everyone is different, but they will clearly be able to see the way you want the white spinning. Also, with you saying top or bottom and a trace of either left or right, I think that will have enough detail as to what you're doing, but not necessarily the exact points you're trying to hit with your own cue height, etc.

[@christhatcher3514]

Great video Michael. Nice and simple.

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

👍

[@danieljohn530]

Perf as always 👍🏻

[@jamieforster09]

Michael thank you so much for doing this video. This is a very good insight on cue ball control and this has really helped me understand so much more so thank you again 👍

[@anildubey8437]

Love from 🇮🇳 Thanks a ton Michael ❤️

[@pedigreegudgeon]

Brilliant video, Thank you

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. 👍

[@sispen297]

As well as teaching how to think where you want the white moving, this has to be the best explanation of helping side I’ve ever watched. Superb 👏… actually no, it’s perf!

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. PERF! 👍

[@victors3803]

Thank you very much, Michael. Many things with side spins are now clear. I was trying to avoid them, because some years ago i was told to. - I underestimated “helping side” - i miss understood “reverse side” - i tried to avoid sides Thanks to you i dived deeper into the shots with sides and it is getting more and more interesting, clear and effective. Thank you very much. The way of thinking that you showed in this video also is easy and effective.

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. I’m glad it’s helping. 👍

[@briann2718]

Nice and clear! Thanks for the easy explanation Michael! Gonna start using more helping side too 👍🏻

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Do it!! Keep potting. 👍

[@t1germetal]

Great insights, thanks again for the video. Could you do a bit of explanation about the "traces of left/right side" that you choose to apply? Very curious!

[@EVil-ob8in]

I hope we get the weather you’re expecting Michael. Oh, good advice for break building 👍

[@stevendonohoe2150]

Love the body twist illustrations 😅

[@joelthewelshviking]

What a guy this man is the true professional 👏

[@michaeltowers1143]

Hi Michael. What a brilliant video. You made it sound and look so simple! I guess you try and not use check side much as you play, unless you really need to🤔

[@varunrhj]

Only MH hahaha!! Keep rolling, be High, do it in moderation - traces on the cue ball!! Teaching snooker or something else 😂😂😂 Hilarious way of teaching a serious sport only Mick can do it. I was laughing and learning at the same time. Thanks Holty! Always perf!

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Always PERF my friend. 😃

[@mekan1805]

again keeping it real ,love your explainations just one question when applying a trace left/right are you compensating on angle to allow for the side on the cue ball

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

No. There is little or no deflection with a trace. 👍

[@ashishgore8439]

This is super duper perfect for anyone wanting to make bigger breaks

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. 😃

[@marknewton8185]

How much adjustment to your poting angle, when you're playing with side top and bottom

[@BilalKhan-rn8ui]

I have an online class with MH today. I am eagerly waiting

[@dermotosullivan9430]

Would you not consider a cue ball diagram where youre aiming on your vids

[@andrewgreen9553]

Good video. Well explained. When playing with side, do you adjust your aim to allow for deflection Michael?

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

You’re a coach Andrew. You should know.

[@paulkerry69]

@andrewgreen9553 how much throw is there on a trace of side?

[@DaveDaly_]

Holty - Andrew might, but we don’t! 😂 my guess is with a trace, you don’t do adjustments, but wonder if you don’t even know if you do, as it’s so ingrained in your game?

[@brianogrady2227]

@@DaveDaly_ I was about to ask the same question - I'm guessing he does ever so slightly. Would depend on the cue I'm guessing

[@andrewgreen9553]

Sure, I do know Michael but I was asking for the benefit of your subscribers.

[@R0bhug]

Great video Michael. Question - ‘trace of…’ are you talking about like half a tip? I’m asking as you played a black from the right as we’re looking to get high on one of the last 2? reds. You said above middle with trace of left. When I do that the cue ball checks and holds lower. Is it the smoothness of the stroke and a little above centre that helps?

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Thank you. Yes, half a tip maximum. Just a trace. With this amount the side will be gone by the time it hits the cushion. If you go too far it will check but this is a trace. This video might help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfGZqmfrruCnJosi=6rTnsoPZJYIVWIrf A smoother hit(s) makes no difference at all. 👍

[@R0bhug]

@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching awesome thanks. Makes sense.

[@owencorbett9198]

you should add a animated cue ball in the top corner demonstrating where youre hitting the ball for side etc. quite hard to understand what you're talking about from a distance.

[@RaitisOzo]

Agree It might be a simplified looks for such a game in which there are no hints on table (diamonds on pool table) nor on balls (pool balls have texture) and would take an effort to edit video a bit more longer But well done Mike for giving away secrets of snooker in such manner Good lad

[@sheraznaseem7768]

Better with headcam

[@nickedmondson1583]

what would be good MH, is also to indicate at what power (maybe scales of 1-10) etc, as this makes a difference when you playing the shot, especially if there is a bit of side on, and allowing for a bit of movement... if that makes sense... love ya videos and use them a lot, and as got better, the throw now id becoming challenge as my confidence of playing with some side on.....

[@Charlie.c19]

I think he is purposely leaving that out as it's down to the player to feel it themselves.

[@user-by2dz4ms2n]

I learned how do screw back when i was 7 my brother told me to hit low on white and imaginecyour trying to rip the cloth ..i just followed through and white camecback first time and that was it

[@bbwnpat]

What do you call ‘a trace’ of side? Is it literally just a mm off centre striking? Love your vids. Thanks. You’re a great help.

[@Charlie.c19]

Less than a tip width. So part of the tip is covering a part of the middle

[@bbwnpat]

@@Charlie.c19 thank you. Think i have been putting way more than that on which might explain a lot 🤣🤣

[@Charlie.c19]

@@bbwnpat yeah. When you aim with a trace, it's basically the same as if it was plain ball. You hardly have to adjust at all

[@wiganer9912]

Any thoughts on titanium ferrules. Any good for a beginner who plays plain ball?

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

They deflect less apparently. It’s a myth that they don’t. Even though you are a beginner you don’t want to be trying to hit the middle of the white. A trace of side is the first part of the aiming process, you should do it. 👍 I use a titanium ferrule for no other reason but I like the colour. 😃

[@wiganer9912]

Thanks for the reply, I will definitely be introducing the trace of side into my practice routines after the current league season ends in a couple of weeks. It seems to make a lot of sense to me the way you explain it, but I don't want to change anything until season is over. @@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching

[@Charlie.c19]

One thing people should take from this, even if they dont understand the details of exactly how Michael is doing this, should be that at no point is he thinking about his grip, or contemplating his stance. You need to make sure that this is all running in the background on its own. If it was all technique, Michael would emphasise it more, but he doesn't. 90% of the game is feel and knowledge of how you can get the white from point A to B. A still, repeatable technique will help you, but it will not get you to a level where you can win a frame at one visit. It's all feel and knowing how to move the white in the WAY you want it to.

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

Absolutely true. 👍

[@ovidiumocan8346]

Hello Michael. The tables at the club where i practice have too tight pockets. They are 74 millimeters wide. Please tell me what size the pockets of a professional table should be. Thanks 

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

I’ve no idea if I’m honest. I just try and hit the middle of the pocket, if you do that they always go in. 👍

[@jackbuff_I]

Why do you keep picking up that ball?..I ask as you drop it in the middle.. 🤔

[@DanielMorris-cc8hx]

I personally play running side on almost every shot its the best and most natural way to strike a cue ball however what would you say about players endorsing the 10% weight white where the goal is center striking and no side is wanted. Personally I think it's restrictive to allow cushions to do the work in real play. Also this method you teach is on really good once a person has really got a decent touch already and understands their cue. A Newby doesn't really understand cue throw with pace over distance and so the video only really works for an advanced player but then at that point you don't need to tell them which way part of the cue ball to hit. It's a touch and feel game. They can master that white but the truth is they won't pot many with this technique.

[@DanielMorris-cc8hx]

Having said that the get the white doing the right things first then worry about the pots is probably the right way to teach but for a beginner it's going to be a tough gig as they will really struggle with the pot. Unfortunately the pot is the most motivational carrot to continue to want to improve other aspects of the game

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

I think you’re confusing running side with helping side. You use helping side on all shots (with an angle) whether you are hitting a cushion or not. Confusing the two is a common mistake people make. There is little or no throw when using helping side, it’s not something a player needs to be worried about. Also, striking the correct part of the cue ball (trace of left or right) is the first part of the aiming process, this should be implemented at every level. If not you are basically saying beginners are not good enough to aim properly! The middle is so hard to hit, professionals can struggle to do it, beginners have less chance. A lot of this obsession with hitting the middle is preached by people and “coaches” who have never played to a high level. I think now more proper snooker players are starting to coach you will see a change. I don’t know what you mean when you say 10% weight white?

[@Charlie.c19]

He means the Chris Henry balls. Where he makes players alter to get more centre ball strikes when required. Could say that they do help with a trace of side, because if you have a better idea of striking relatively centre ball, you can aim for a trace either side with more confidence.

[@ash6415]

If I aim centre ball it’s almost certain that I’m hitting with a trace of side anyway. So I don’t need to change anything. Is that right?

[@Charlie.c19]

If it's a trace on the correct side (right cut = left trace, vice verse) every time then crack on, I say.

[@EnglishRoots11]

Be great of you could show on the screen a pic of the cue ball and have a dot on it ot showing where to hit before each shot.

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

The point of this video is to nudge people into working that out for yourself. I could show you a point on a picture but that would change slightly in different conditions. Thinking about how you want the cue ball to move will help you make this decision. Try it. 👍

[@EnglishRoots11]

@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching personally I know lol. But I meant for others who don't. But I get what you mean now. Keep up the great channel Micheal 👍

[@damienreynolds2076]

My head hurts😂😂

[@ash6415]

Mine too 😂

[@ghettolimo4163]

Make JORTS Great Again!

[@camielphillips9129]

It's difficult to understand what you are doing ,where you're hitting the white ball

[@Charlie.c19]

If it's an angled shot, he will play with a trace of helping side. So if it's a left cut, he will put half a tip-width of right side on. And in terms of top, centre ball or middle height on the cue ball, he tells you on every shot. As he says in other videos, he can't tell you where to hit on the cue ball as everyone has a different angle with their cue. Some are more parallel than others to the bed of the table (e.g Ding), some are more sloped (Ronnie, Higgins, etc). This affects how high/low you need to strike.

[@astvaldurheidarsson]

I really like your videos Michael but this one....geez! You realize that you are holding the cue ball in your hand loads of times and to us, the viewers, it's like you're 10 meters away mate and you keep saying "So I don't want it spinning that way, I want it spinning this way, but that way is worse than this way!" You have to either come up to the camera so we can see what the **** you are talking about OR.....get another camera that is closer :). But keep up the good work but this video was a tough watch I won't lie.

[@fmsd91]

Did I just hear "negative spin"?

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

You did. You don’t want it in your life.

[@SnookerHubUK]

Why on earth would you play with side when potting the final black?! You wouldn’t be using “helping side” by any chance? 😂

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

I just love a trace!!! 😃

[@Charlie.c19]

Might as well play with a trace if you know that it means you have no negative spin on the white

[@SnookerHubUK]

@@Charlie.c19 What’s “negative spin”?

[@Charlie.c19]

@SnookerHubUK If it's a left cut, you don't want any left spin on the white (negative spin) as the white is naturally rolling to the right. If it's a right cut however, the white will be naturally going to the left. Therefore, a trace (less than a tip width) of left spin will be sending the white spining a bit more (helping side) in the direction that it's already travelling. If you put a trace of right side on a left cut - as in, you're cutting the yellow in from next to the blue spot - the white will automatically be rolling to the right on/after contact. So if you try to play centre ball, accidentally putting a trace of left spin on, the white will be fighting negative spin to get to where its going. How do you avoid this? Playing with a trace of helping side on every angled shot, meaning you never accidentally put check side on when you want a trace of running side.

[@SnookerHubUK]

@@Charlie.c19 But he’s potting the final black so the side will have no relevance 🤷‍♂️ Running side and check side are only for when playing for position.

[@GordonCockfield-js7gt]

1) greatest break builder of all time Michael 2) Ronnie 3) Jimmy Savile

[@gordoncockfield]

As it 'appens. Stop pinching my name to go on about savile.

[@GordonCockfield-js7gt]

@@gordoncockfield 1) greatest break builder of all time Michael 2) Ronnie 3) Jimmy Savile

[@GordonCockfield-js7gt]

@@gordoncockfield Bot

[@AKBARSHAH-te5gv]

@@GordonCockfield-js7gt Which era Jimmy Savile played snooker? As Pakistani snooker fan never heard of him. Everyone knows the great Ronnie O'Sullivan & Michael here in my country . Love them both ♥ Pakistan ❤

[@fatroberto3012]

Please don't put music, even what you think is a quiet drum beat loop, on your introduction speech. Anyone with the slightest hearing difficulty will struggle to make out half the words and will be unable to correct the problem by increasing the volume.

[@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff]

When will STEPHEN LEE be on the channel?? Channel is in desperate need of STEPHEN LEE

[@gordoncockfield]

Take the doughnut. Roll it forward through the sugar. Trace of icing. Stuff it in yer gob. Perf.

[@end-game2030]

This will ruin so many armatures and their game. Side is used for potting mainly and not position play unless you need a resction off a cushion. Now Holt is getting amateurs (who do not play every day) to use the side for position play, potting, and everything else. So now these amatures will destroy their basic game, trying to play like this. So now you have to look at side for potting and position play, work out the deflection of the object, and cue ball when putting side on. How hard or slow are you hitting the ball and how you have to change your side taking this into consideration etc etc. Keep your game simple if you only play a few hours a week and on different tables. Club scene and not professional circuit. If you're taking Holts advice, your game is going to absolutely tank unless you're playing every day and on similar tables. Every shot is going to be like a mathematical question for you. Good luck.

[@Charlie.c19]

A trace of side. As in, less than a full tip width. You will be surprised by how little it gets thrown off as a trace of side the opposite way the cut is going means you can almost aim exactly how you would plain ball. Trust me, try it. You probably already do it without noticing.

[@R-Tap]

A demo class for the guy who's highest break is around 30.

[@ash6415]

That’s 90% of players then 😂

[@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching]

This video is for every level. Knowing how the white will move is a huge part of the game. 👍