Hello all,

My name is Gavin York and I work as a snooker coach at Barratts Snooker Club in Northampton.

This is my second post and my first for a very long time. Somehow I seem to have not found the time to write another lesson. Anyway I have decided to cover the Stance this week.

In the first post that I did I covered how a player can get his cue on the line of aim. The Stance should enable a player to be comfortable on the shot whilst he looks down the cue along the line of aim. There are a lot of different stances within the professional ranks. However most of the top players all share similarities in the way that they are down on the shot.

In my opinion it is often best to have the leading leg (right leg for right handers) on the line of aim. This helps to get the chest in the correct position so that the cue can brush the chest as a player cues. This helps to keep the cue on the line of aim. The left leg can be placed square or slightly forward of the right leg and is bent at the knee. I think it is best if the player places his weight slightly forward for stability and also has a good distance between his feet. I am over 6 feet tall and my feet are about 3 feet apart on most of my shots so I would say that shoulder width apart should be the minimum.

The biggest fault I see with the stance is with the set up of the bridge and grip hand. The distance from the ‘V’ on the bridge to the cue ball should be about 10-12 inches or 25-30cm. Using this the cue grip should come down vertically from the cueing elbow when the tip is at the white. I often see players whose grip is behind the vertical or inside this vertical when the tip is at the white and this can cause a lot of problems.

The other fault I see is players with their cueing elbows sticking out or moving out when the shot is played. I know their are some very good players who do not have their cueing elbow perfectly aligned with their cue and head. However many of the greatest cueists such as Steve Davis, Hendry, O’Sullivan, Robertson, Murphy and Trump all have their cueing elbow over the head. I think it just makes it easier to cue in a straight line. To form this alignment the bridge shoulder needs to come round so that the chest points more to the side. The cheek should be close to the bridge arm shoulder and this will bring the cueing shoulder and elbow behind the head. Most players I have coached find it easy to do this and instantly find cueing easier.

I hope this post will help some of you with your game. Please reply with your comments and if you are interested in one to one coaching with me then I have a website at www.121snookercoaching.com

Many thanks.

Gavin

IBSF head coach and owner of The Snooker Gym, Nic Barrow is hosting a FREE online seminar tonight, all the details are below;

Are you interested in improving your game, getting more breaks, and getting your cue control a little bit closer to that of Ronnie O’Sullivan?

Are you a coach or academy owner in the business of improving your own game, your student’s game, and want to get more business?

If the answer is ‘yes’ then you are invited to a free online seminar on Tue 11th September hosted by me. We will use Dartfish video analysis for snooker that I have been using since 2002.

In just 45 minutes you are going to learn

- The three key areas of technique can be dramatically improved with the help of video analysis.

Which areas? These will be revealed on the night!

- Three Dartfish analysis software tools that make most difference to improving your game- even if you don’t buy the software you will learn a lot from this module

- How using video has helped me gain new clients in a total of 90 countries

Places are limited, and once all the spots are gone, they are gone!

Remember, there is no cost and you are sure to get some useful ideas for yourself.

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/695322288

Leading experts in the field of golf and snooker coaching are to join forces to share knowledge that should prove beneficial to both sports.

The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), which represents more than 7,000 professionals and is recognised as the leading educational body for the industry across the world, has teamed up with International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF), a member of the World Confederation of Billiard Sports, which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

The collaboration will see a sharing of coaching ideas and practices and has been welcomed by PGA director of education and career development Kyle Phillpots and Nic Barrow, IBSF head coach.

Given the number of similarities in both sports and the high percentage of professionals that play both, the decision to work together was straightforward.

Phillpots said: “Nic and I initially had an informal conversation about coaching and it stemmed from that because of the similarities of coaching snooker players and golf players.

“Both use specific equipment to move a stationary ball, be it be for putting or potting. There are numerous similarities with regards to ball control in both sports, long and short games in both, plus various scenarios to get out of testing situations.

“Both skills rely on biomechanics, the analysis of movement and the effects that the smallest detail in the swing or cueing action can have on the outcome of the shot.

“We use state-of-the-art computer technology and high-speed photography to examine cause and effect and this kind of technology can be harnessed in snooker coaching too.

“As we share our knowledge, I am sure snooker coaching can provide us with methods of analysis and coaching that the PGA training department can draw on and use.

“We have a world-renowned education programme, but are always looking at ways we can improve this and having this relationship with the IBSF is another example of that.”

The IBSF, which represents 83 national governing bodies across the world, uses techniques such as hypnosis, biofeedback and awareness-based learning in its player improvement programmes.

IBSF coaches benefit from a varied range of teaching techniques, root cause analysis and building business skills, which can ultimately lead to IBSF coach examiner status.

Pascal Guillaume, president of the IBSF said: “Since founding the IBSF Coaching Academy in 2005, we have always looked at other sports to open our minds to coaching and playing principles that can work in snooker. With golf, we hope to have a long and lasting relationship that can benefit the coaches and players of both sports for many years to come.”

For more information on the PGA National training Academy click here or to contact the IBSF Coaching Academy, visit www.ibsf.info or www.thesnookergym.com

There are 3 changes in the calendar for next season which will not please a lot of people but generate a big smiley face for others.  All three changes I refer to are the relocation of ranking events in the UK.

The first and probably the most controversial is the moving of The Welsh Open form Newport and no it will not be to Cardiff!  the move has actually already been reported by Welsh journalist and fellow TSB blogger Gary Baker back in February for The Echo (A Swansea based paper).

The move will see The Welsh Open going to what has been dubbed as the home of Snooker in Wales, Llanelli.  You have probably heard of this small Welsh town before as it is the base of Terry Griffiths’s Matchroom which is a practice base for players like Matthew Stevens and Marco Fu, it is also the home of professional Snooker referee Eirian Williams and Janie Watkins founder of Global Snooker and now media offices for On Q Promotions used to live there.

I asked Barry Hearn about this move a few weeks ago and he said “Llanelli is only one of several places we are in talks with”  watch out for my article coming up next week which will cover the actual venue they are planning to move to and why this move could see the end of The Welsh Open!

The second move would see The Masters going to Alexandra Palace, this has only been rumored but you can see why it would be a possibility with the huge costs of renting The Wembley Arena and Barry Hearn’s existing connections with Alexandra Palace through his PDC Darts.  If World Snooker get it right with this one we could see around 13,000 people making the trip in January to watch The Masters at its new venue.

The third move would see The UK Championships move back to The Barbican Center in York, a source has told us that the Barbican are in discussions with World Snooker for the 2011/2012 season, The UK Championships was based at The Barbican form 2001 to 2006 before it moved to Telford, the center has undergone a refurbishment and The UK Championships would be welcomed back to York with open arms after it being hosted in a dulled Telford for the past 4 years.

The World Snooker coaching team of Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths and Chris Lovell delivered its first course at the World Snooker Academy in March.

Download course details

This new and innovative coaching programme, developed by the WPBSA, centres around three areas.

The Basics – led by Terry Griffiths, this section ensures that the coach can safely go away knowing that he or she can instruct the basics of the game to any player.

Technique – led by Steve Davis. This is a unique opportunity to learn at first hand from a six times World Champion how technique can influence success. Using current playing examples, Steve engages the group through small workshops to analyse, practice and answer questions on all those things a player may ask of their coach.

The roles and responsibilities of a World Snooker coach – led by Chris Lovell. This much anticipated part of the course for the first time examines what is expected of a World Snooker Coach and their responsibilities to safeguarding/child protection, preparing an exciting development programme for a player and most importantly how to market and promote themselves in their area.

Coaching Students at The Academy, Sheffield

The emphasis is all about creating and developing the team. Chris Lovell said: “I’ve been blessed that since the age of 16, I’ve been in and around a culture that puts its people and the team first, thanks to my employers North Lancs Training Group. For over 41 years Jim Harkness MBE, the man behind the group, has taught me a philosophy that in business if you bring companies together and encourage them to work together and mix socially, they will pool their resources and generate new ideas, which will develop into better ways of delivery.

“This is key to the course…14 people came together not knowing each other, but within two hours they were beginning to share their ideas to examine the basics of snooker coaching. This strength grew throughout the two days, which included a social evening in the heart of Sheffield.

“The honour of earning the World Snooker coaching badge was also integral to the course, with all successful participants being given a polo shirt, jacket, bag and presentation folder, all branded with the WPBSA and World Snooker logos. This will enable them to be fully professional when they are growing the game in their areas.”

You’re never on your own with the WPBSA…that was also a strong message from the team that once coaches go back to their areas, the y have the full support from Steve, Chris and Terry.

Regular get togethers are planned in the form of workshops and seminars. Support from the top is key and WPBSA Chairman, Jason Fergurson opened the course and took part in the initial ice breaker.

The group was made up of people from the UK, Israel and Germany.

Steve Davis said: “The atmosphere and camaraderie level among the group was excellent. Everyone went away inspired and feeling that they could make a real difference to the participation levels of snooker in their area, and that’s what this new programme is all about.”

Steve has also set up a Facebook page for the members of the coaching team - CLICK HERE

The next course is scheduled for July; dates to be confirmed. For more information and to download an application form, CLICK HERE

What course participants said:

“I really want to thank you for your hospitality over the last two days. I was very apprehensive about the course and in awe of meeting Steve Davis and Terry Griffiths, but that was short lived as they were great fun and put us all at ease straight away. I can’t believe how much I have learnt during this two day period and again I put this down to your ability to make people feel at home”. Just wished it could have gone on for another couple of weeks! Can’t wait for the seminars”.

Luke Walker

“Hi Chris, just wanted to thank you again for organising the coaching course these past two days. It’s difficult to put into words just how inspirational it was. At first my intention was to be able to simply help people become better players and perhaps help to introduce people to the game. The work you have done, however, opened my eyes to how much good can be achieved through the game we love. As I said, the empowered feeling I have to extend your work in my area is immense. Please do pass on my thanks to Steve, Terry, Jason and Andrew as the whole team was instrumental in the success of the course. Thanks again.”

Andrew Green (a very proud World Snooker Coach!)

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a World Snooker Coach. I wear the polo shirt and jacket with a great sense of pride. I regard this as one of the great achievements of my life. Of course I realise that the real work is about to begin.”

Tom Wright

“Just wanted to say a big thank you for the course put on in Sheffield this week. It was great to meet you all and to hear your thoughts on the game, technical blueprints and how to enthuse others and grow the game. Overall the event has left me feeling that snooker is once again in good hands”.

Ben Truppin

“Thanks again for yours and Steve’s time and effort with the course. Everybody back here’s really pleased I passed. I am being interviewed this week by a Rotherham/Barnsley business magazine. Our club is 80 years old in May so we have arranged with the council’s events team and ACT for Rotherham to have marquees in the town square on Saturday 7th May. We are putting up tow 6ft tables so the kids can have a free go at the sixty second challenge and the winner gets a free session with their school mates and some coaching at the club. This initiative I have taken from the course”.

Richard France

“Thank you for the two beautiful days. To me it was a great experience to be there. The intensive work on our skills, lead by Steve, Terry and Chris gave me a burst forward. The course was what you can expect, it was completely professional. The whole group has this enthusiasm for snooker, it was superb to see how they made a team of us. I have to thank all for the warm welcome, the respect and these very good days. We are looking into the future with confidence that we achieve our objective – growing the game. Being the first certified coach by the WPBSA in Germany, I will continue to give my best.”

Ole Steiner

“Thank you again for a great day last Thursday, I was proud to be part of the team and you ran and organised the day very well. With the team now in place the growth of the coaching programme is going to be excellent.”

Andrew Highfield (official coach)

Nic Barrow of www.TheSnookerGym.com and IBSF head coach conducted a coaching day with members of www.TheSnookerForum.com last year, here is some of the footage from that day.

Psychology

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Psych

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Psych 2

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Psych 3

Break Building

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Bldng

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Bldng 2

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Bldng 3

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Break Bldng 4

The Grip

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Grip

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 2

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 3

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 4

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 5

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 6

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 7

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 8

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Grip 9

The Stance

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow The Snooker Forum Stance 2

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 3

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 4

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 5

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 6

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 7

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 8

Snooker Coaching Nic Barrow with The Snooker Forum Stance 9

See more of Nic Barrow’s video content on his youTube channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/nicbarrow

Well it looks like the staff at World Snooker are back to work and have finally done The German Masters Draw.

German Masters Draw

Click the draw above for a larger image.

Hello all,

My name is Gavin York and I work as a snooker coach at Barratts Snooker Club in Northampton.

This is my first post for a new coaching blog which hopefully will help some of you with your game. I thought that I would start at the beginning so I have chosen the pre-shot routine and walk in as my first topic.

The pre-shot routine and walk in are designed to get you down into the stance with your cue on the line of aim. Hopefully that line of aim is the correct one to play a successful shot. Many people get down to the shot and are not on this line of aim. The body then tries to compensate for this error by swinging the grip and cue across leading to a ‘wonky’ delivery. Some players will learn to pot very well like this but the amount needed to compensate for the initial error will differ with each shot and depending on how off line the initial walk in was. Obviously this makes it very inconsistent.

A more consistent approach is to get the cue online every time and then as long as the cue is delivered in a straight line then the shot will be a success. If the shot is unsuccessful it is much easier to work out whether you walked in off line or delivered the cue ‘wonky’.

My suggestion is to stand back from your chosen shot. Place both feet together and chalk your cue as you pick your line of aim and get your eyes and nose on that line. Take a step in (right foot for right handers) placing the foot on the line of aim, continuing to keep your head on the line of aim. Throughout the walk in the head should stay on the line of aim. Place your tip straight down close to the white and your cue down before bringing your chest to the cue. This is very important. Two errors that I often see are players feathering as they go down to the white and players not putting the cue on the line first before the chest. Only start feathering when you tip is at the white and you have had a few moments to check your line and that the tip will strike the white where you intend to.

Anyway, have a go at walking in properly and if you can get it right you should find potting a lot easier. Judd Trump has a good pre-shot routine and an example can be shown here:-

Let me know what you think about todays blog and if it helps your game at all.

For anyone interested in one to one coaching please check out my website at

www.121snookercoaching.com or email me at gavin@121snookercoaching.com