Congrats on the win last night Michael!!! - I love how you tell it how it is. I'd love to come and see you for a coaching session, it's just a bit of a trek from the North West.. good luck in the comp proper mate, I'll have a little flutter On You 😎👌
@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching For me, it's where I go to improve on advice that I've already been given. I think your advice makes most sense when you already know a little bit. It may appeal more to the snooker nerd than the snooker casual. It's fine dining versus McDonald's
Great win over Gary Wilson - Congratulations. I was cheering out loud & my wife thought I'd lost my mind. Keep it up, I'll be watching even though it's 5:AM in Canada.
So true! Especially the points made towards the end. If you watch even the great Mark Williams, his action is so simple back 4 or 5 inches and through the same. It is, or should be a simple movement most of us should be able to do instead of focusing on other unnecessary stuff maybe? How one does it is up to themselves. I also think amateurs (inc myself) try and hit the cueball too hard causing body movement and losing that 8 or 10 inch straight cueing line needed. Also a lot of us are unaware that we tend to ‘steer’ the cueball through the hitting area. Great video again Michael, love your approach and ideas, make a lot of sense and simplifies the game to a great extent👍👏
I agree mate. Good video. The best way to improve at snooker is to play and play and play. No amount of 'you must do this, you must do that' is going to get a player to a great level. If the balls are going in and the white is getting to the position you want, it doesn't matter at all on anything else. Heck, play standing on your head with your feet if it's consistent and works.
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time tinkering with my cue action, trying to get a straighter delivery and and smooth transition from the back-swing to the follow through. And what I've discovered is like Michael says this isn't the reason I was missing. Subtle differences in cue action make very little difference. Sometimes I was playing and everything felt like it clicked into place and I couldn't miss a ball and other times I didn't feel like I could keep the cue ball on-line. I could visibly see the cue-ball swerving left or right off-line especially on long pots with stun or screw. I knew it wasn't my aim of the angles and it didn't seem to matter if I hit the ball perfectly in the centre. Finally I discovered what my issue was... it was my body alignment. On occasion I was lining my body up correctly and I could hit the cue-ball perfectly on-line even the full distance of the table. But on other occasions I was cueing across the ball. I thought that I was lined up straight but I wasn't. I've found that starting my practice with 10 mins of long pots with slow run through, then some stun shots, straight and with angles. This helps me to get my alignment zoned in. I believe this is the single biggest reason that I was missing balls. What are your thoughts Michael? Would you like to do a video on alignment? Tips and tricks to ensure that to align correctly
your a legend in my eyes bonny lad,i love your tips,its helped me beat the lads in the club.i got a nice 22 cleareance and won the re spot all because i was thinking of your tips, the pause helping the most❤😂
I think the tips you're referring to would make sense if they were applied to someone who had never picked up a cue and played a game of snooker in their lives. They'd be a clean slate. But I think the majority of us into the game have literally been playing since we were kids. So by the time we've reached late teens, we've already formulated our stance and playing style. And we stick with that until there comes a point where we decide we want to improve our game. We head to RUclips for tips and see where we're 'going wrong' but that means we're constantly trying to rewrite our muscle memory on how we play that shot. Doing this on multiple aspects of your stance etc all at the same time while you're trying to take a shot can really throw you off your game. I think you can probably push through it if you keep at it enough but I'd guess that's what's going on with tips causing negative instead of positive results.
They wouldn’t even if it was an absolute beginner. You find your own set up living by a few fundamental rules. If your technique is going to repeat it has to be comfortable or “natural”. As soon as you go down the road of creating what is preached as a “perfect” set up you are asking for trouble. A lot of these coaches and channels aren’t helping. The irony is 90% of people struggle to improve for none of the reasons in this video. Focusing on making these changes distracts players from correcting the mistakes that is actually hindering their improvement. I see it all the time.
Says the guy with a beautiful cue action.... I agree and understand with where your coming from. But you have a lovely action. Yes it doesn't matter as long as you can repeat it but there is a caveat in that it needs to be somewhat ok.
I've been stuck in the COD for a while now because of stuff like this. Now I'm trying to remind me self to stop thinking about all this gubbins other than what playing is actually about; potting balls. Best RUclips channel for snooker 100%. Coming from a pro who's been there, done it and got the tshirts, it's invaluable
Great video, Michael. This has been playing on my mind for months. Ever since I started to film my practice session, I noticed my elbow dropping. I didn't realise this was happening. it's in my head now, but as you say, everyone is different, and if it works great 👍
Thanks Michael. Really helpful advice. I'm glad you keep busting these myths. Great Vids and we are all different. I was once coached using a grip and stance that was so alien to me but I adapted it and much better now 🙏🏽
Problem is the same for everyone! It's keeping the cue online after contact is made with the white. Just a slight deviation on the follow through and you miss the pot, simple as that. Gripping the cue a little tighter on contact helps, it compensates for the weight of a static white ball.
Agree with this. Very similar to golf, there's text book swings and ideal methods but many off the best golfers in the world arnt doing it that way and still win
This is absolutely true, it’s the same. I’m really surprised with the resistance I get on my channel when I make this point when there’s so many examples in professional snooker and other sports. When I make this point the response I get is that “it’s different for pros”! The thing is it isn’t. It’s a different level obviously but the game itself is the same. I’m genuinely fascinated by it all.
Thank you Michael the reason most like you is your not the same as the rest your trying to make things simple and that’s what most need especially me I’m improving I whatched Steve Davis he said most overthink try to go on auto pilot 🎱
Obvious what channel you are on about. I tend to agree with your points though. I think the RUclips coach needs to explain that his suggestions are what work for him and he repeats that. Keep up the good videos please, I look forward to see if you offer advice for someone starting again after a 25 year break, I was an ok club player but nothing more.
Thank you. That’s just it. They don’t work for him. He’s a decent club player at best. The game is the same whether you’ve just started or coming back after a 25 year gap! The basic fundamentals (nothing to do with stance, grip, elbow etc) with always help you at whatever level you play. If you go back to them you will start to pot balls again.
The ‘and I’ve potted it’ cracked me up! Great video! Any chance in the future of a video about how to spot double kisses when playing the up and down safety please…it gets me a lot and I don’t why I can’t see when it’s on, some help would be much appreciated. Cheers
Here’s a little tip - if the white (around baulk area), object ball (at other end of the table) and a corner pocket are all in a straight line, if you try to play a safety off that ball, it’ll double kiss EVERY SINGLE TIME. Try it, it’s mind blowing
I'd like a video on how to find out why you're missing! I have no doubt you’re right, but if people don't know why they're missing, they will inevitably end up down a rabbit hole!
If you're going through a bad spell/in a rut, working on a certain part of cue action can be a help, even if it's all in the mind it's still important.
Michael, I enjoy your channel very much and I agree with the message you’re trying to get across. My question is - what if you can’t find something you can repeat? What would your advice be? Me for example get a lot of unwanted left hand side but only with shots with lots of power. I know I don’t get any side with less power - I use the spotted white cue ball to check that. Would love to hear your advice on that.
Most likely your hitting across,because you are pulling the cue to the chest as you get down to the shot. Get down with the cue online then bring the chest to the cue.
Thanks that’s likely it. I am working on my walk in and it seems there’s a problem in the final phase as you say. I was curious on Michael’s view on how to get to the place where “I have found something I can repeat and crack on” if it’s not changing things 😉
It’s impossible for me to give advice on what you are doing without seeing you. Sorry. Finding something you can repeat shouldn’t be too difficult. Take a look at this it might help. ruclips.net/video/YQPSgdk-los/видео.htmlsi=hW3f2PiOGOPTbdiI What I will say is I’ll be surprised if it’s got anything to do with the way you walk into the shot. You could always book in to see me. If Nottingham is too far do online sessions. Email me on Michaelholtsnooker@outlook.com
Thanks for replying. Sadly I’m too far away from Nottingham. I wish it was as simple as you say. Maybe it’s the amount of time at the table or the fact I first picked up a cue at the Agee of 39 and not when I was a kid that it doesn’t come as easily to me. I’ll keep trying though ;) Good luck at the tour and with your channel. I really enjoy the videos here.
After the cue hits the cue ball, my cue is steering left, as if hitting the chest is throwing it offline. It doesn't look pretty, honestly and it did cause me to fall into the dredded circle of death, especially if you look at close ups of top players, they cue like a dream (Ding, Kyren), it's a pleasure to watch them play.
Surely the point of the textbook ‘orthodox’ cue action is that it’s the easiest to repeat shot after shot. That’s why most coaches consider it important.
Not really. There’s 128 players on the pro tour and 128 different cue actions. Asking people to set up using a few basic rules enables them to find something they can repeat. People are dragged into constantly tweaking their set up searching for this “perfect” set up by channels and “coaches”. The worst part about it is it’s not why they are missing in the first place. The doom loop never ends…
As long as your basics are sound the key should be focusing on the shot and what you're trying to do with the cue ball. Having messed around with my technique over the years the worst thing you can do is consciously think about what you're doing because you're taking away all your focus from the shot in front of you.
Dude you gotta stop putting other channels down Anybody pro who watches snooker channels don’t do it for advice Amateur’s are amateurs for a reason Any amateur who makes it pro isn’t watching learning videos on RUclips By all means give coaching videos and share what you know but leave out the dissing of other channels Your not gonna succeed on RUclips like that and you won’t win fans or sponsors for your own career Go and do what you good at and go win tournaments Your good enough but you need to change your attitude man Just go and win dude
But a lot of these channels are talking nonsense and not helping people. It’s not personal, I’m sure most of the channels and “coaches” mean well but the reality is what they say isn’t the way to improve. As someone that plays to a high level I know what you need to be thinking about to improve, most of the information out there is distracting people from it. Like I say I only know this because I play to professional level, 99.9% of coaches have never played to a level anywhere near it. How could they know?
Most of your videos are full of things that are unlikely to be the reason we miss, could you give us a few with actual reasons you reckon we miss? haha
There is a big difference between a good RUclipsr player/amateur/RUclips pro that can play using a Clickbat title and you, and actual professional using a Clickbat title. Fire away with the Clickbat. 👍❤️
How come other professionals including the best ever keep saying it’s all about the cue action? If he had Niels cue action he wouldn’t miss etc. Pro’s know the shots, know where to aim but then still aren’t as good on there opposite hand because the cue action isn’t as good?
Congrats on the win last night Michael!!! - I love how you tell it how it is. I'd love to come and see you for a coaching session, it's just a bit of a trek from the North West.. good luck in the comp proper mate, I'll have a little flutter On You 😎👌
Literally, if it works it's correct. It's criminal that this channel doesn't have a lot more subscribers
Correct.
I must admit I thought it would grow quicker. I just have to keep going I suppose…
@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching For me, it's where I go to improve on advice that I've already been given. I think your advice makes most sense when you already know a little bit. It may appeal more to the snooker nerd than the snooker casual. It's fine dining versus McDonald's
Great win over Gary Wilson - Congratulations. I was cheering out loud & my wife thought I'd lost my mind. Keep it up, I'll be watching even though it's 5:AM in Canada.
So true! Especially the points made towards the end. If you watch even the great Mark Williams, his action is so simple back 4 or 5 inches and through the same. It is, or should be a simple movement most of us should be able to do instead of focusing on other unnecessary stuff maybe? How one does it is up to themselves. I also think amateurs (inc myself) try and hit the cueball too hard causing body movement and losing that 8 or 10 inch straight cueing line needed. Also a lot of us are unaware that we tend to ‘steer’ the cueball through the hitting area. Great video again Michael, love your approach and ideas, make a lot of sense and simplifies the game to a great extent👍👏
Micheal, riddle me this one. My cue action is shite, and I can repeat it. Problem is, the repetition is me playing shite 😂😂
😅😅😅
Same here
Player yesterday, like ive never held a cue before @wiganer9912
I agree mate. Good video.
The best way to improve at snooker is to play and play and play. No amount of 'you must do this, you must do that' is going to get a player to a great level.
If the balls are going in and the white is getting to the position you want, it doesn't matter at all on anything else. Heck, play standing on your head with your feet if it's consistent and works.
I don't usually make comments. Absolutely loving your channel and how you put your teachings across. Perth
Thank you, really appreciate it.
Keep potting. 👍
Congrats on qualifying for the UK championship. Looking forward to seeing you on the tv again! East mids legend!
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time tinkering with my cue action, trying to get a straighter delivery and and smooth transition from the back-swing to the follow through. And what I've discovered is like Michael says this isn't the reason I was missing. Subtle differences in cue action make very little difference. Sometimes I was playing and everything felt like it clicked into place and I couldn't miss a ball and other times I didn't feel like I could keep the cue ball on-line. I could visibly see the cue-ball swerving left or right off-line especially on long pots with stun or screw. I knew it wasn't my aim of the angles and it didn't seem to matter if I hit the ball perfectly in the centre. Finally I discovered what my issue was... it was my body alignment. On occasion I was lining my body up correctly and I could hit the cue-ball perfectly on-line even the full distance of the table. But on other occasions I was cueing across the ball. I thought that I was lined up straight but I wasn't. I've found that starting my practice with 10 mins of long pots with slow run through, then some stun shots, straight and with angles. This helps me to get my alignment zoned in. I believe this is the single biggest reason that I was missing balls. What are your thoughts Michael? Would you like to do a video on alignment? Tips and tricks to ensure that to align correctly
your a legend in my eyes bonny lad,i love your tips,its helped me beat the lads in the club.i got a nice 22 cleareance and won the re spot all because i was thinking of your tips, the pause helping the most❤😂
I think the tips you're referring to would make sense if they were applied to someone who had never picked up a cue and played a game of snooker in their lives. They'd be a clean slate. But I think the majority of us into the game have literally been playing since we were kids. So by the time we've reached late teens, we've already formulated our stance and playing style. And we stick with that until there comes a point where we decide we want to improve our game. We head to RUclips for tips and see where we're 'going wrong' but that means we're constantly trying to rewrite our muscle memory on how we play that shot. Doing this on multiple aspects of your stance etc all at the same time while you're trying to take a shot can really throw you off your game. I think you can probably push through it if you keep at it enough but I'd guess that's what's going on with tips causing negative instead of positive results.
They wouldn’t even if it was an absolute beginner. You find your own set up living by a few fundamental rules. If your technique is going to repeat it has to be comfortable or “natural”. As soon as you go down the road of creating what is preached as a “perfect” set up you are asking for trouble. A lot of these coaches and channels aren’t helping.
The irony is 90% of people struggle to improve for none of the reasons in this video. Focusing on making these changes distracts players from correcting the mistakes that is actually hindering their improvement.
I see it all the time.
Says the guy with a beautiful cue action.... I agree and understand with where your coming from. But you have a lovely action. Yes it doesn't matter as long as you can repeat it but there is a caveat in that it needs to be somewhat ok.
Totally agree. 👍 People are overthinking it.
I've been stuck in the COD for a while now because of stuff like this. Now I'm trying to remind me self to stop thinking about all this gubbins other than what playing is actually about; potting balls. Best RUclips channel for snooker 100%. Coming from a pro who's been there, done it and got the tshirts, it's invaluable
Well played Mike - best of luck in the next round.
Just remember.... helping side and there's no such thing as the middle of the cue ball....
Another video based on common sense. Doing a great job with this channel. I love it
Michael keep doing this you’re taking coaching to new levels by saying things like don’t worry if it’s not perfect
Thank you. ☺️
Great video, Michael. This has been playing on my mind for months. Ever since I started to film my practice session, I noticed my elbow dropping. I didn't realise this was happening. it's in my head now, but as you say, everyone is different, and if it works great 👍
There are ways to stop it if it is creating inconsistency in your strike. If it isn’t…keep potting!!! 😃
I was on the edge of my seat watching you against Gary Wilson!
So glad you got through. Brilliant!
Thanks Michael. Really helpful advice. I'm glad you keep busting these myths. Great Vids and we are all different. I was once coached using a grip and stance that was so alien to me but I adapted it and much better now 🙏🏽
Thank you. I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Yes, if it’s not comfortable it won’t repeat.
Keep potting.
Problem is the same for everyone! It's keeping the cue online after contact is made with the white. Just a slight deviation on the follow through and you miss the pot, simple as that. Gripping the cue a little tighter on contact helps, it compensates for the weight of a static white ball.
Great stuff, Michael. Keep doing what you're doing. Always enjoy watching and learn a few things too.
Thank you. ☺️
Agree with this. Very similar to golf, there's text book swings and ideal methods but many off the best golfers in the world arnt doing it that way and still win
This is absolutely true, it’s the same.
I’m really surprised with the resistance I get on my channel when I make this point when there’s so many examples in professional snooker and other sports.
When I make this point the response I get is that “it’s different for pros”! The thing is it isn’t. It’s a different level obviously but the game itself is the same.
I’m genuinely fascinated by it all.
Wearing black socks helped me a lot , i got this advice from a decent coach ,
You need to try pink socks…it’s mind blowing!!! 🤯
Thank you Michael the reason most like you is your not the same as the rest your trying to make things simple and that’s what most need especially me I’m improving I whatched Steve Davis he said most overthink try to go on auto pilot 🎱
Obvious what channel you are on about. I tend to agree with your points though.
I think the RUclips coach needs to explain that his suggestions are what work for him and he repeats that.
Keep up the good videos please, I look forward to see if you offer advice for someone starting again after a 25 year break, I was an ok club player but nothing more.
Thank you.
That’s just it. They don’t work for him. He’s a decent club player at best.
The game is the same whether you’ve just started or coming back after a 25 year gap! The basic fundamentals (nothing to do with stance, grip, elbow etc) with always help you at whatever level you play.
If you go back to them you will start to pot balls again.
Makes complete sense. Consistency is key.
Excellent win in the UK the other day Holt!
The ‘and I’ve potted it’ cracked me up! Great video!
Any chance in the future of a video about how to spot double kisses when playing the up and down safety please…it gets me a lot and I don’t why I can’t see when it’s on, some help would be much appreciated. Cheers
Here’s a little tip - if the white (around baulk area), object ball (at other end of the table) and a corner pocket are all in a straight line, if you try to play a safety off that ball, it’ll double kiss EVERY SINGLE TIME. Try it, it’s mind blowing
I'd like a video on how to find out why you're missing! I have no doubt you’re right, but if people don't know why they're missing, they will inevitably end up down a rabbit hole!
Congrats on qualifying for York MH 🎉
Good luck at the Barbican. Really nice to see you on the big stage again.
Thank you.
Michael, rather than cue action, should the focus be on cue delivery and being able to deliver the cue along the line of aim?
Caved in, did yah? Congrats on the qualifiers.
So why am i missing if its not all the reasons you described. It would be help if you made a video why i am missing.
Unbelievable performance in reaching the UK Championship Michael. Will be routing for you in York
Thank you. ☺️
If you're going through a bad spell/in a rut, working on a certain part of cue action can be a help, even if it's all in the mind it's still important.
Has anyone found Ronnie's cue action?
Michael is making
right elbow 90• and hitting the ball a good idea or bad
Michael, I enjoy your channel very much and I agree with the message you’re trying to get across. My question is - what if you can’t find something you can repeat? What would your advice be? Me for example get a lot of unwanted left hand side but only with shots with lots of power. I know I don’t get any side with less power - I use the spotted white cue ball to check that. Would love to hear your advice on that.
Most likely your hitting across,because you are pulling the cue to the chest as you get down to the shot. Get down with the cue online then bring the chest to the cue.
Thanks that’s likely it. I am working on my walk in and it seems there’s a problem in the final phase as you say. I was curious on Michael’s view on how to get to the place where “I have found something I can repeat and crack on” if it’s not changing things 😉
It’s impossible for me to give advice on what you are doing without seeing you. Sorry.
Finding something you can repeat shouldn’t be too difficult. Take a look at this it might help.
ruclips.net/video/YQPSgdk-los/видео.htmlsi=hW3f2PiOGOPTbdiI
What I will say is I’ll be surprised if it’s got anything to do with the way you walk into the shot.
You could always book in to see me. If Nottingham is too far do online sessions. Email me on
Michaelholtsnooker@outlook.com
Thanks for replying. Sadly I’m too far away from Nottingham. I wish it was as simple as you say. Maybe it’s the amount of time at the table or the fact I first picked up a cue at the Agee of 39 and not when I was a kid that it doesn’t come as easily to me. I’ll keep trying though ;)
Good luck at the tour and with your channel. I really enjoy the videos here.
Should I be working on my poor temperament?…😉
JUST WANNA BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY...
GET IN THERE HOLTY 💪 💙 L16 YOU GO!!!!
Nice video Mike! Lift the leg and finish to the leg cue action instead of the chest Lol! Another video coming soon on ‘36 different cue actions?’ haha
I might just do it… ☺️
After the cue hits the cue ball, my cue is steering left, as if hitting the chest is throwing it offline. It doesn't look pretty, honestly and it did cause me to fall into the dredded circle of death, especially if you look at close ups of top players, they cue like a dream (Ding, Kyren), it's a pleasure to watch them play.
Does the cue steer left after impact for any of the 128 players on tour?
great win last night last 16 of a major well done
Congratulations on beating Gary Wilson. Well deserved.Good luck in next round.
Glad i came across your channel otherwise i would be in circle of death
I think vertical is wrong and out a bit is right, vertical at impact is probably ideal
Surely the point of the textbook ‘orthodox’ cue action is that it’s the easiest to repeat shot after shot. That’s why most coaches consider it important.
Not really. There’s 128 players on the pro tour and 128 different cue actions.
Asking people to set up using a few basic rules enables them to find something they can repeat. People are dragged into constantly tweaking their set up searching for this “perfect” set up by channels and “coaches”.
The worst part about it is it’s not why they are missing in the first place. The doom loop never ends…
Look at Michael in the UK 😊 keep it going
As long as your basics are sound the key should be focusing on the shot and what you're trying to do with the cue ball. Having messed around with my technique over the years the worst thing you can do is consciously think about what you're doing because you're taking away all your focus from the shot in front of you.
Absolutely true. 👍
It works mate . Look at the views already compared to last vid lol
Congrats on your UK quals win \0/
Thank you. ☺️
well done on win today keep it up
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉for the 6-1 win over Gary today… I hope U can go far & win the title…
Dude you gotta stop putting other channels down
Anybody pro who watches snooker channels don’t do it for advice
Amateur’s are amateurs for a reason
Any amateur who makes it pro isn’t watching learning videos on RUclips
By all means give coaching videos and share what you know but leave out the dissing of other channels
Your not gonna succeed on RUclips like that and you won’t win fans or sponsors for your own career
Go and do what you good at and go win tournaments
Your good enough but you need to change your attitude man
Just go and win dude
But a lot of these channels are talking nonsense and not helping people.
It’s not personal, I’m sure most of the channels and “coaches” mean well but the reality is what they say isn’t the way to improve. As someone that plays to a high level I know what you need to be thinking about to improve, most of the information out there is distracting people from it.
Like I say I only know this because I play to professional level, 99.9% of coaches have never played to a level anywhere near it. How could they know?
When i see Mark Allen's Playing styling then I came to know that It's not all about cue action.
Its about wrist action.
Most of your videos are full of things that are unlikely to be the reason we miss, could you give us a few with actual reasons you reckon we miss? haha
Michel holt also need the Coaching 😅😅😅
Practice...practice.. practice....did I mention you've got to practice....lots.
Too busy doing the business on the match table for youtube. Bravo Mr! H
Yep i agree.
Step one, keep the freakin cue parallel people
I've figured out why I'm missing..I'm just s**t at snooker
There is a big difference between a good RUclipsr player/amateur/RUclips pro that can play using a Clickbat title and you, and actual professional using a Clickbat title.
Fire away with the Clickbat. 👍❤️
Thank you. ☺️
Yeeeeeooooooo \0/ 👏 👏
Want to get better? One word....Timing!
What do you mean when you say timing?
@@MichaelHoltSnookerCoaching You tell us Michael
How come other professionals including the best ever keep saying it’s all about the cue action? If he had Niels cue action he wouldn’t miss etc. Pro’s know the shots, know where to aim but then still aren’t as good on there opposite hand because the cue action isn’t as good?
It was funny because you tried but you wasn’t even believing what you was saying 😂😂
Excellent vídeo.Make vídeo about Stay Still affter strouk.Head Still