snooker pro tips 36 is a very clear and simple explanation of side.every snooker player should watch it.I'm sure a lot of people don't realise how the different striking positions on a cue ball can effect its path.nice one...
I think your videos are brilliant neil. I have been practicing seriously for the past 6 months and I have used yor videos to help me. The break off has been inconsistent for me but now I have seen it explained I know exactly what to do and will practice and perfect it thanks to you.
hey neil...that other guy doesnt know squat about snooker...we all know that....plzz stop comparin yourself to him...coz u are droppin down to his level in doing so... u are a proffessional coach and u have an awesome series of videos that have helped me a lot...thanks a lot ......ZIA ( INDIA )
That's where I've been going wrong...I normally strike the cue ball at 3 o'clock. (It usually hits the blue on the way up). Now I'll try 4 o'clock. Great videos by the way.
hi there ........great question ......technically you are correct there is an element of drag ......however the shot is about the speed its hit ........but more importantly the side on the cueball ........the danger is hitting the blue .......so aiming at 4/5 o'clock imparts a little more side on the cueball thus helping to miss the blue.....please take a look at snooker pro tips 36 .....i explain it there ......please get back in touch and let me know ......neil
Good explanation of a good break off shot. Correct in stating that bottom cushion behind green and brown is the safest place as opposed to trying to get it behind a baulk colour.
perfect tips for a beginner, thanks. What is the best thing to use to raise your glasses so can see when getting down on the table? I don't have contacts as not needed all the time and not intending on buying the Big Taylor glasses.
The second break-off was pretty well executed with good reds to boot, but after taking advice from a pro I played recently, I have another suggestion for more able players. There is a slightly more difficult way of getting a perfect break with the white more in line with the brown and the reds tucked back into the pack.... Line white about half inch right of centre between brown and yellow. Play to cut the last red under 1/4 ball, with right hand side (about 4 O'clock), hard enough for the red on the left side to cannon across and back into the pack. It's a thinner cut with a similar cue ball path made by more spin. Hit correctly the white will travel round and finish near the cushion behind the brown and leave absolutely nothing on.The issue here is more spin increases the deviation of the white from bulk line to red - it takes practice to aim right. This break is for top players playing top players who will punish a loose red and non-perfect cue ball. Generally, I'd agree the second one shown is ample for most players until they're more confident with side. On the flip side of the coin, you may want a loose red or 2 to make a return safety difficult or tease a difficult pot. I just wanted to throw my chips in because I feel this is a perfect break for those that can. Have to say, I appreciate someone taking the time to show all these tips and doing it very well. I've played since a kid and took many years to get decent through my own learning. However, I've since had coaching and taken advice from some great players and it's funny how so many things were spot on when never been shown - but some simple tips make life so much easier on the baize. Thank you Neil.
very insightful - although many see this as a simple shot - using the green and brown to cover paths to the corner pockets is excellent. Although from my experience when using the end red to break off, i find it tends to come back up the table over the centre pockets. Is this because my white is too near the yellow when i break off?
thanks very much for taking the time to reply ........glad to be of help and i hope you continue to use and get the advice you require from Snooker Pro Tips...........neil
@the147break I would practice blue off it's spot trying to follow with the white into the pocket after it. Keep trying that until you have it nailed down.
Hi neil. When you say play 4-5 o clock on the cue ball, I don't understand why 4-5 clck rather than1-2 . Surely by including a trace of screw along with the side by playing 4-5 you are widening the angle which the cue ball comes away from contact off the pack which will pull it towards going in off or to the right of the corner pocket as opposed to playing 1-2 which narrows the angle as it comes off the pack avoiding the in off?
@Mitjitsu its now more important than ever at the top level of the game ....because all the players now are such brilliant long potters .......thanks for taking the time to leave a great comment
hi Neil, was wondering if you could help me with something on the break-off shot. when im practising the second break you show, i find that it works (ie i get back to baulk and leave the reds safe) perhaps 1 in 3 goes, whilst the other 2 goes i will usually hit the blue full and leave an easy starter. im hitting roughly 5 o'clock on the cue ball and aiming for the last red. thanks for all the videos by the way, ive started playing snooker much more recently and find them really useful!
i would have thought that the best position would be to snooker the opponent behind the green (or yellow). Can you not pot (though unlikely) if a red is standing out in a pottable position? Thanks
Hi Neil - another cracking video! I am struggling to play the "correct" (pro-style) break-off shot. I don't seem to be swinging the cue ball wide enough off the reds. Consequently, the cue ball either hits the blue, or goes the other side of the blue and I've then put too much pace on. Do you think I'm just not getting enough bottom/side on the white? Or could I be hitting the last red too thin? Am I right in thinking you should only connect with the end red? And if so, allow for throw?
Hi Neil I watch you videos all the time and they are extremely helpful. 1 questions though... I have been playing snooker for about 6 months now and my form is good and everything and my cueing action is solid and strait. but no matter how much I try I can seem to feel confident on any of the shots in snooker no matter how easy they are. On a pool tale I can knock in any shot I want but on a snooker table I just feel nervous all the time. Any advise on that?
quite simply trevor, i was asked to do a clip on the break off .......i also know that "snooker tips" has done 1 ......however ........did he explain in his clip where to strike the cueball .....no..........did he explain where the cueball should finish ......no...........i have done both.....yes and also a break off shot for the beginners....if its terrible,negative and pointless ....ask the top pro's on tv why they break off the same way as in this clip
hello neil i watched your vids everyday now the only thing i got to know about this snooker game too late and now its only been 1 year i have been playing but still i improved mine game kinda good by my own and after watching your vids i am improving myself a lot now so first of all thanx for your help and i want you to tell me does snooker table matters while playing i am talking about the old or new table here as whenever i want to run or screw the cue ball i cannot do it on the table where i play so table where you or players play is different or its just my game is not reached that good yet please reply
Hi Neil. When attempting the break using side as per the video, I aim for the bottom right red but always hit the one up from it. How do I correct this?
Hi Neil! Your tips have improved my game immensely! There is an open tournament that I'm thinking of entering. They only use 6 reds because of time limitation. Is there a break that you could recommend for this application? By the way, I ran a 60 or 67 the other day! I counted 3 pinks but my opponent only counted 2. Regardless, that's my highest so far and in due much to your advice! Thanks again!
it would be nice to get a snooker every time off the break, but, if you tired this and didnt get tight, white would be around the baulk line and any pot available would be easier. if white is close to the cushion, any pot over the length of the table is MUCH more difficult and risky if it goes wrong, as becomes playing a safety. generally, this first "phase" of the frame is more about forcing your opponent to make a mistake you can exploit than going all out.
i normally break using from between the yellow and the brown with the cue ball about an inch away from the brown on the baulk line and i use top right on the cue ball, i get generally the same result, but is this a bad thing to do?
Trevor, Your comment was terrible, negative and pointless. You might also want to learn how to use punctuation correctly as well. Not too clever from where I'm sitting. Out of interest what videos have you taken the time to do to help people other than list a load of favourites done by others, clearly better than you? Oh. None. Well done. It's ok - I expect an abusive reply. Nice video, Neil. Informative, helpful and you took your time to explain it well to the first time player.
Neil.i cant understand why you put the side on the cue ball at 4/5 o'clock.surely this is dragging the cue ball down the table and will wear off around blue spot.why not apply it at 3 o'clock?btw,the clips are excellent and much appreciated
heyy im a snooker player playing since years now. potting is never consistent but when i get going i dont stop. i am just not confident about pausing and releasing the cue to finish the shot, can you please help me with that. thanks
your break off left the black clear. many times a red hits the black off it spot when i play it - how can i stop this? ideally i want both black pockets clear and black still on its spot
more than likely you are hitting the end red to thick .........try a slightly thinner contact .......please reply and let me and everyone else know the result
I'm having a little trouble with this because in my headphones this comes across incredibly quiet. It might be a problem with my headphones but it's definitely not a problem with my hearing. Is there any way you could amplify the sound a little? Other than that, I think your vids are great.
I have to admit from watching snooker over the years. The break off seems to be one the most underdeveloped shots. I remember Matthew Stevens being particular prone to weak/bad break offs, which many of the elite players were able to ruthlessly exploit with a frame winning clearence.
hye, hows your local snooker scenes nowadays? I didn't noticed americans like you have hobbies into snooker than 9ball. best luck and have a great games of snooker
this is not that difficult if you are able to put side on the cue ball, which i find is relatively easy. its bloody backspin i cant seem to get perfect. i think i may need to change my cue action.
you simply would never teach any player let alone a beginner the break off shot you are trying to explain .......3 simple reasons 1) the natural in-off to the corner 2) how many players do you ever see breaking off in this manner ......so whats the point ....you'll get the angles and hitting edges from the normal break off 3) purely an exhibition shot or a player showing off and serves as no serious practice ........neil
snooker pro tips 36 is a very clear and simple explanation of side.every snooker player should watch it.I'm sure a lot of people don't realise how the different striking positions on a cue ball can effect its path.nice one...
I think your videos are brilliant neil. I have been practicing seriously for the past 6 months and I have used yor videos to help me. The break off has been inconsistent for me but now I have seen it explained I know exactly what to do and will practice and perfect it thanks to you.
Well your second break off was epic! Great videos as always, Neil. Many, many thanks for taking the time to upload them.
hey neil...that other guy doesnt know squat about snooker...we all know that....plzz stop comparin yourself to him...coz u are droppin down to his level in doing so...
u are a proffessional coach and u have an awesome series of videos that have helped me a lot...thanks a lot ......ZIA ( INDIA )
That's where I've been going wrong...I normally strike the cue ball at 3 o'clock. (It usually hits the blue on the way up). Now I'll try 4 o'clock.
Great videos by the way.
Great tip! I've been putting the white in the bottom right corner too much off the break but I'll test this out. Thanks!
clear explanation and demonstration, will be very helpful for starters like me....tx a lot....
hi there ........great question ......technically you are correct there is an element of drag ......however the shot is about the speed its hit ........but more importantly the side on the cueball ........the danger is hitting the blue .......so aiming at 4/5 o'clock imparts a little more side on the cueball thus helping to miss the blue.....please take a look at snooker pro tips 36 .....i explain it there ......please get back in touch and let me know ......neil
I'm from Colorado USA Thanks for helping me to better understand this Awesome game!
Good explanation of a good break off shot. Correct in stating that bottom cushion behind green and brown is the safest place as opposed to trying to get it behind a baulk colour.
thanks neil, i usually hit about 2 oclock but i like the results you get from 4 to 5 oclock, nice i shall try this next time.
perfect tips for a beginner, thanks. What is the best thing to use to raise your glasses so can see when getting down on the table? I don't have contacts as not needed all the time and not intending on buying the Big Taylor glasses.
The second break-off was pretty well executed with good reds to boot, but after taking advice from a pro I played recently, I have another suggestion for more able players. There is a slightly more difficult way of getting a perfect break with the white more in line with the brown and the reds tucked back into the pack....
Line white about half inch right of centre between brown and yellow. Play to cut the last red under 1/4 ball, with right hand side (about 4 O'clock), hard enough for the red on the left side to cannon across and back into the pack. It's a thinner cut with a similar cue ball path made by more spin. Hit correctly the white will travel round and finish near the cushion behind the brown and leave absolutely nothing on.The issue here is more spin increases the deviation of the white from bulk line to red - it takes practice to aim right.
This break is for top players playing top players who will punish a loose red and non-perfect cue ball. Generally, I'd agree the second one shown is ample for most players until they're more confident with side. On the flip side of the coin, you may want a loose red or 2 to make a return safety difficult or tease a difficult pot. I just wanted to throw my chips in because I feel this is a perfect break for those that can.
Have to say, I appreciate someone taking the time to show all these tips and doing it very well. I've played since a kid and took many years to get decent through my own learning. However, I've since had coaching and taken advice from some great players and it's funny how so many things were spot on when never been shown - but some simple tips make life so much easier on the baize. Thank you Neil.
@weixiang918 your welcome glad you liked it
very insightful - although many see this as a simple shot - using the green and brown to cover paths to the corner pockets is excellent. Although from my experience when using the end red to break off, i find it tends to come back up the table over the centre pockets. Is this because my white is too near the yellow when i break off?
thanks very much for taking the time to reply ........glad to be of help and i hope you continue to use and get the advice you require from Snooker Pro Tips...........neil
@the147break
I would practice blue off it's spot trying to follow with the white into the pocket after it.
Keep trying that until you have it nailed down.
Hi neil. When you say play 4-5 o clock on the cue ball, I don't understand why 4-5 clck rather than1-2 . Surely by including a trace of screw along with the side by playing 4-5 you are widening the angle which the cue ball comes away from contact off the pack which will pull it towards going in off or to the right of the corner pocket as opposed to playing 1-2 which narrows the angle as it comes off the pack avoiding the in off?
@Mitjitsu its now more important than ever at the top level of the game ....because all the players now are such brilliant long potters .......thanks for taking the time to leave a great comment
hi Neil, was wondering if you could help me with something on the break-off shot. when im practising the second break you show, i find that it works (ie i get back to baulk and leave the reds safe) perhaps 1 in 3 goes, whilst the other 2 goes i will usually hit the blue full and leave an easy starter. im hitting roughly 5 o'clock on the cue ball and aiming for the last red.
thanks for all the videos by the way, ive started playing snooker much more recently and find them really useful!
on the red on the end, what angle do you hit it at to force that path around the table?
Thank you for this. could you load a video where we can see the cue tip and cue ball to get an idea of how much side to use please for the break off
i would have thought that the best position would be to snooker the opponent behind the green (or yellow). Can you not pot (though unlikely) if a red is standing out in a pottable position? Thanks
Hi Neil - another cracking video!
I am struggling to play the "correct" (pro-style) break-off shot. I don't seem to be swinging the cue ball wide enough off the reds. Consequently, the cue ball either hits the blue, or goes the other side of the blue and I've then put too much pace on.
Do you think I'm just not getting enough bottom/side on the white? Or could I be hitting the last red too thin? Am I right in thinking you should only connect with the end red? And if so, allow for throw?
Hi Neil
I watch you videos all the time and they are extremely helpful.
1 questions though... I have been playing snooker for about 6 months now and my form is good and everything and my cueing action is solid and strait. but no matter how much I try I can seem to feel confident on any of the shots in snooker no matter how easy they are.
On a pool tale I can knock in any shot I want but on a snooker table I just feel nervous all the time. Any advise on that?
quite simply trevor, i was asked to do a clip on the break off .......i also know that "snooker tips" has done 1 ......however ........did he explain in his clip where to strike the cueball .....no..........did he explain where the cueball should finish ......no...........i have done both.....yes and also a break off shot for the beginners....if its terrible,negative and pointless ....ask the top pro's on tv why they break off the same way as in this clip
hello neil i watched your vids everyday now the only thing i got to know about this snooker game too late and now its only been 1 year i have been playing but still i improved mine game kinda good by my own and after watching your vids i am improving myself a lot now so first of all thanx for your help and i want you to tell me does snooker table matters while playing i am talking about the old or new table here as whenever i want to run or screw the cue ball i cannot do it on the table where i play so table where you or players play is different or its just my game is not reached that good yet please reply
Hi Neil. When attempting the break using side as per the video, I aim for the bottom right red but always hit the one up from it. How do I correct this?
Hi Neil!
Your tips have improved my game immensely! There is an open tournament that I'm thinking of entering. They only use 6 reds because of time limitation. Is there a break that you could recommend for this application?
By the way, I ran a 60 or 67 the other day! I counted 3 pinks but my opponent only counted 2. Regardless, that's my highest so far and in due much to your advice!
Thanks again!
it would be nice to get a snooker every time off the break, but, if you tired this and didnt get tight, white would be around the baulk line and any pot available would be easier. if white is close to the cushion, any pot over the length of the table is MUCH more difficult and risky if it goes wrong, as becomes playing a safety. generally, this first "phase" of the frame is more about forcing your opponent to make a mistake you can exploit than going all out.
i normally break using from between the yellow and the brown with the cue ball about an inch away from the brown on the baulk line and i use top right on the cue ball, i get generally the same result, but is this a bad thing to do?
Im Hopefully Going To Get A 6ft Table In June So I was Wondering How Big Is The Table You Are Using
Trevor,
Your comment was terrible, negative and pointless. You might also want to learn how to use punctuation correctly as well. Not too clever from where I'm sitting.
Out of interest what videos have you taken the time to do to help people other than list a load of favourites done by others, clearly better than you? Oh. None. Well done. It's ok - I expect an abusive reply.
Nice video, Neil. Informative, helpful and you took your time to explain it well to the first time player.
Neil.i cant understand why you put the side on the cue ball at 4/5 o'clock.surely this is dragging the cue ball down the table and will wear off around blue spot.why not apply it at 3 o'clock?btw,the clips are excellent and much appreciated
if mis break then cue ball touch any other colour it is foul or not without hit any red ball
Regulation size for snooker tables like this one is 12ft length x 6ft width.
heyy im a snooker player playing since years now. potting is never consistent but when i get going i dont stop. i am just not confident about pausing and releasing the cue to finish the shot, can you please help me with that. thanks
I just tried that.Not perfect but better than before!
Awesome brake..😎
great video. highly useful
Excellent video.
your break off left the black clear. many times a red hits the black off it spot when i play it - how can i stop this? ideally i want both black pockets clear and black still on its spot
more than likely you are hitting the end red to thick .........try a slightly thinner contact .......please reply and let me and everyone else know the result
Nice. Great tips.
I'm having a little trouble with this because in my headphones this comes across incredibly quiet. It might be a problem with my headphones but it's definitely not a problem with my hearing. Is there any way you could amplify the sound a little? Other than that, I think your vids are great.
@derelict1933 you have a pm
I have to admit from watching snooker over the years. The break off seems to be one the most underdeveloped shots. I remember Matthew Stevens being particular prone to weak/bad break offs, which many of the elite players were able to ruthlessly exploit with a frame winning clearence.
nobodies perfect .....and the difficulty in doing the clips is talking and playing at the same time
thank you russ
hye, hows your local snooker scenes nowadays? I didn't noticed americans like you have hobbies into snooker than 9ball. best luck and have a great games of snooker
That's probably why he showed more than one genius.
thank you john
@mrjustusjoseph Yes.
this is not that difficult if you are able to put side on the cue ball, which i find is relatively easy. its bloody backspin i cant seem to get perfect. i think i may need to change my cue action.
I want to see Ronnie O'Sullivan pot a red on the break. He's done everything else that breaks the game open.
Sick vid :)
hi lisa .....is it sick as in good ......if so thanks for the comment neil
thanks for the video :)
I love smashing the red balls on the break off. Really annoys my opponents.
potting ball while break off!! like punch
Very helpful, but i seem deaf in my right ear now.. Ha ha..
>VHS
nice thanks
Ive seen the persons videos he's referring to and they are giving completely wrong information.
you simply would never teach any player let alone a beginner the break off shot you are trying to explain .......3 simple reasons 1) the natural in-off to the corner 2) how many players do you ever see breaking off in this manner ......so whats the point ....you'll get the angles and hitting edges from the normal break off 3) purely an exhibition shot or a player showing off and serves as no serious practice ........neil
Are you talking about the screw break off...which you did? Confused.
GARBAGE
on the red on the end, what angle do you hit it at to force that path around the table? and what height on the cue ball?