I think you're example of throwing the cue is a good explanation of the sort of cue action needed for long screw shots. I find when I try to power it through too hard I add side spin and it throws the white offline. As you say I'm more than likely gripping the cue too tight. Thanks for the unique example of the type of speed and grip that is needed.
After many years of playing it gave me more confidence to play the screw shot. I’m playing again next Friday and I hope to put lesson into action. Thanks.
Your tips are always useful. I haven't found a video yet where I didn't apply your suggestions. You are well respected because of your genuine teaching methods, and that is all the more reason to be taking your videos seriously and paying attention to what you have to say. I have found pointers watching completely through your videos and not just watching part way and stopping. You always add very important things to your videos and therefore I really recommend to everyone that you watch the complete videos. You won't be disappointed.
Very much helpful. If you had not explained the point 'tip hitting the cloth'.. i would still struggle with my screw shot. Truly its a treat having a great coach. Thank you.
Thanks for this Steve. Had the best session on the table I've ever had with your in-person coaching. We went through "the cue tip is allowed to contact the table" and that got me another 15-20% more screw and also with less pace on the shot. Great stuff along with transferring the grip from thumb-forefinger, to last three fingers when transitioning through the point I contact the cue ball. It immediately changed me to a "drops the elbow" style player. Love it
Pressure, but grip generally I think is the cause of many problems. Once I became aware of fingers or thumb pushing the cue slightly offline randomly in my cue action, I could develop my grip to be neutral/passive and consistent. Everything improved, and quicker because you can better rely on the feedback you get from shots and hit the white more accurately - which helps screw shots too.
One of the best screw back explanations I’ve seen so far! Tried to explain to a couple friends that there’s no need to use the death grip ever, not even to bring the cue back! Thank you very much!
Dear Steve, Thanks for another perfect lesson! Could you please also advise what mistake in cue delivery causes a jumping effect on cue ball? Players normally are afraid of hitting too low to avoid jumping
In pool on long distance it is normal....and drop elbow is reason for not throwing cue...or throw little around 15cm... cours timi ng and speed on contact must be at spot...
2 questions. 1 what cloth is it your using. (Suspect its no 10 from the look of it) 2 any advice on long deep screw shots on slow thick cloths that are like carpets
I jump the white on average once every time I play - I’ve been trying to work out whether that’s due to my tip or my action. Can you explain what would cause someone to jump the white and therefore how to avoid it so I know what I’m doing wrong, or what my tip should look/ feel like if that’s a contributor. It feels a bit flat but I don’t know how to change that. Thanks.
My backspin and other spin shots have come on in leaps and bounds since I finally got myself a decent 7ft slate bed table to practice on much more regularly, as well as following good advice from channels like yours. But I still find screwbacks over long distances on a 12 ft table a real problem. I mean, you do need to put power into the shot, and as soon as I'm trying to put a lot of power in, I lose the feel on the cueball and don't get that same lovely delicate stroke through it that I can get on shorter shots. It's plainly obvious to me now that good backspin comes from the timing and elegance of the stroke through the ball, not the power, but when power is also required for these 8-9ft distances between balls, I just can't get my head around how to generate that much backspin. I have a lot of power in my right arm, and I also have the experience and feel to generate plenty of backspin on shorter shots, but combining both seems to just hit a dead end for me.
Unless you’re on a heated slate table with a thin cloth you aren’t going to get anywhere near as much screw as you need for the full length of the table
@@DM-kv9kj Fair point. How long has break from life been playing though? I’ve been playing little over 4 years but after reading your comment again I’m sort of at the same stage. I can stroke them in short, medium range and get the feel for striking through the white. Like you say bringing power into it my timing somewhat disappears. Past week, contrary to belief on these shots I’ve shortened my bridge to an extent. Then this gets my timing better and I am definitely striking through the ball and acceleration is at maximum at the cue ball. Bear in mind! All this means nothing if you aren’t confident in striking the bottom of the ball at high speeds.
Hello Barton, I am using the Blue Diamond cue tip, my dad uses the Talisman M cue tip, do you know if these cue tips are good and do u know any better cue tips?
A tip I learned from pool players - American pool balls of which have a lot of markings on them, or you could use a snooker training ball or something - is to use one of these balls as a cue ball, lining it up so you can aim your tip at a specific marking on the "cue ball" and be able to identify whether or not you struck that point by the chalk mark left on the ball. If the chalk mark is higher than expected, the tip probably rose up during the stroke, hence no screwback. Common mistake when this happens is too short a bridge length or too tight a grip. Aside from the above, a great county league snooker player I learned a lot from when I was first starting to learn how to use backspin, told me, there's no specific technique to screwback, you just strike low and the ball with screw back. If it doesn't, then your cue action is bad. Solid advice.
When I play the screw shot, the tip is where it should be at the address but, my cue is more parallel to the table than yours appears to be in the video. Would I get more action if I raised the butt of my cue very slightly?
Fab info Steve i am one of those typical players that u describe and it was intersting how much u put the cue through the shot to achieve the back spin which i was hoping u would also show on your vid in a measurement format but u could see 5.59 onwards from your great camera angles that it was a lot more than most of us imagine. you could tell by watching your cue position on contact to where u finished by the reds in the background and the corner pocket. Cheers 🤞🤞
Hi, I have a reasonably decent screw shot from close range with a very light grip but when the distance between object ball and cue ball is increased and more power is required I really struggle to get action on the cue ball, I think I may be gripping the cue too tightly without being aware of what I'm actually doing, do you have any suggestions to how I can practice this. Thanks
It's hard isn't it as the distance increases. Its essentially the same technique, but you need to 'trick' your mind into thinking that the distance is still small. That way you can hit smoothly and without having to 'force' the shot, which then really helps to get that smooth timing required. Pretend the object ball is only 8 inches away and use the same smooth technique. This helps a lot of players 👍
My understanding is that, the tighter the grip, the more the power is transferred to the cue ball; the looser the grip, the smoother the cue acceleration. Given the same cue acceleration, more power is needed for a long shot. Given the same power, more acceleration is needed for more back spin momentum. One should choose a right grip pressure depending on distance of the balls and the pace required on the balls. For deep screw shot, the cue ferrule is like sliding on the cloth, rather than the cue tip digging down the cloth, to enable more cue follow through without damaging the cloth.
Top video as always. Both me and my brother have been playing a while now and both watch your videos. We are trying to improve break building. Once you have lined up which ball do u concentrate on or look at last?
I see many pro's getting screw back, without hitting the cue ball that low. I can get tons of screw back, but struggle to be precise in position. I've practiced this for hours without really solving the accuracy issue. Is there any value in hitting the cue ball higher when screwing over shorter distances?
I think maximum screw is limited by players phisiology and some people have simply got better muscles to gain higher cue speed. Like neil and judd. I try my best but can't reach pass 15 mph while judd hits it at around 20mph.thoughts?
I would say that players are not limited. It is all about the timing and skill of accelerating the cue at the maximum speed right as it catches the cue ball. It is not about muscle strength at all. It is more about the smooth, sweet and precise stroke that a player makes to generate maximum spin with minimal effort.
I think your point at 4:20 is not accurate. Tightening your grip at the end of your stroke should not increase the weight of your cue, from a science standpoint. Also, wouldn't the grip tightening occur after the tip impacts the cueball? I'm not arguing that your statements about the technique aren't accurate, I don't believe there is a weight increase with grip tightening. If I am wrong, I would appreciate if anyone could explain the physics to me. Thanks.
Hi Jeff, I'm saying that you DO grip the cue BEFORE the strike on a long range really powerful screw shot. That then means that my cue is heavier as my hand / arm / body is connected to it. If at the point of impact I'm not tightening my hand at all, so it's hardly connected to the cue, it's only adding a tiny bit of weight. Make a solid connection with a tight grip, and you'll add more mass. Hope that helps!
I agree that it doesn't change the weight but keeping the cue tight in the hand not only causes the change in cue direction slightly (and probably missing the pot or not hitting the correct point on the cue ball) but also the "force" direction won't be parallel to cue direction that reduces smooth delivery or desirable/efficient acceleration which is required for backspin creation. (BTW, this is my personal idea from physics point of view 😄- it doesn't mean I can execute such shots)
So im a Huge fan of deep screw. There's just something about this shot that drives me crazy. Exhibition shots are always fun to do. I've been trying to perfect the deep screw for a year now so I can talk from experience. I've tried multiple grips and I mean multiple grips. I used to focus on the index finger and opening the rest like a Ferrell. Didn't work well for me in the end. I tried what they call the "pressure grip" which is the one that Ronnie osullivan uses. With a bit of bent wrist outwards so the thumb is straight down parallel with the arm. And I have to say this not only got me the best deep screws that I can make the cue ball go 2 tables length. But I never ever miscued again or scooped up the cue ball. 2 of my biggest problems were resolved with that grip and not only that but was able to get even more power!!!! So it varies from person to person.
We do the same then 😃 On a long deep screw, as I say in the video, it's beneficial to increase the grip pressure. Really great that you can now play this shot really well.
@@BartonSnooker awesome to have you reply thanks! Yes that grip is key. I’m from the US TX and we don’t have snooker tables from where I’m from… but I okay American Pool but I’ll tell you. I watch way more snooker than Pool. I play literally like a snooker player with the whole body placement. Right leg stiff, hip, and left leg bent. Open bridge always even on power shots. I never ever do closed. And the cue on the chin always. It’s crazy because everyone always asks me “have you played snooker before” and I’m like I wish 😂😂😂
Hey Barton! Cheers from India. I have a question which I hope you could answer it. The question is- Can a snooker player play a shot with both his legs off the ground? Is it legal?
I think you're example of throwing the cue is a good explanation of the sort of cue action needed for long screw shots. I find when I try to power it through too hard I add side spin and it throws the white offline. As you say I'm more than likely gripping the cue too tight. Thanks for the unique example of the type of speed and grip that is needed.
Good teacher Barton Lof u ❤
After many years of playing it gave me more confidence to play the screw shot. I’m playing again next Friday and I hope to put lesson into action. Thanks.
Your tips are always useful. I haven't found a video yet where I didn't apply your suggestions.
You are well respected because of your genuine teaching methods, and that is all the more reason to be taking your videos seriously and paying attention to what you have to say.
I have found pointers watching completely through your videos and not just watching part way and stopping. You always add very important things to your videos and therefore I really recommend to everyone that you watch the complete videos. You won't be disappointed.
Very much helpful.
If you had not explained the point 'tip hitting the cloth'.. i would still struggle with my screw shot.
Truly its a treat having a great coach. Thank you.
Thanks for this Steve. Had the best session on the table I've ever had with your in-person coaching. We went through "the cue tip is allowed to contact the table" and that got me another 15-20% more screw and also with less pace on the shot. Great stuff along with transferring the grip from thumb-forefinger, to last three fingers when transitioning through the point I contact the cue ball. It immediately changed me to a "drops the elbow" style player. Love it
Awesome. Thanks for feedback and it was my pleasure to help! 😃
Hi Barton, any chance you can explain how to avoid miss cues on screw shots?
Pressure, but grip generally I think is the cause of many problems. Once I became aware of fingers or thumb pushing the cue slightly offline randomly in my cue action, I could develop my grip to be neutral/passive and consistent. Everything improved, and quicker because you can better rely on the feedback you get from shots and hit the white more accurately - which helps screw shots too.
One of the best screw back explanations I’ve seen so far! Tried to explain to a couple friends that there’s no need to use the death grip ever, not even to bring the cue back!
Thank you very much!
Thanks a lot. Great to help 👍
@@BartonSnooker you did help a lot!!!
That was so funny when you threw the cue, great vid steve.
Hi teacher,
We can't thank you enough, love all your videos ,you make it so simple and so easy, ❤
What also should improve the screw back: well-chalked queue-tip, cleaned white ball and ironed cloth
Dear Steve, Thanks for another perfect lesson!
Could you please also advise what mistake in cue delivery causes a jumping effect on cue ball?
Players normally are afraid of hitting too low to avoid jumping
Great question. I pinged one off the table in a match this evening. It would be nice to see exactly what is going on.
Brilliant audio and visual clip as usual 👏 👌.
Yes, that’s my biggest fear, ripping the cloth. Thanks for the tip Steve, I’ll try it next time out
In pool on long distance it is normal....and drop elbow is reason for not throwing cue...or throw little around 15cm... cours timi ng and speed on contact must be at spot...
Nice tips Barton
2 questions. 1 what cloth is it your using. (Suspect its no 10 from the look of it) 2 any advice on long deep screw shots on slow thick cloths that are like carpets
It's a Strachan Superfine.
Same technique on slow thick cloths, it just won't work as well.
Dave, great video can you explain what causes the cue ball to jump on screw shots thanx just list possible reasons for this pls
It's probably due to like a scooping effect, as in lifting the cue ball as opposed to going through it.
great to watch and learn but will you please show the correct shape of the tip , thanks
Many many thanks🙏🙏
As always… excellent. Thank you 🙏
Off to the club to try that out!
I jump the white on average once every time I play - I’ve been trying to work out whether that’s due to my tip or my action. Can you explain what would cause someone to jump the white and therefore how to avoid it so I know what I’m doing wrong, or what my tip should look/ feel like if that’s a contributor. It feels a bit flat but I don’t know how to change that. Thanks.
My backspin and other spin shots have come on in leaps and bounds since I finally got myself a decent 7ft slate bed table to practice on much more regularly, as well as following good advice from channels like yours. But I still find screwbacks over long distances on a 12 ft table a real problem. I mean, you do need to put power into the shot, and as soon as I'm trying to put a lot of power in, I lose the feel on the cueball and don't get that same lovely delicate stroke through it that I can get on shorter shots. It's plainly obvious to me now that good backspin comes from the timing and elegance of the stroke through the ball, not the power, but when power is also required for these 8-9ft distances between balls, I just can't get my head around how to generate that much backspin. I have a lot of power in my right arm, and I also have the experience and feel to generate plenty of backspin on shorter shots, but combining both seems to just hit a dead end for me.
Unless you’re on a heated slate table with a thin cloth you aren’t going to get anywhere near as much screw as you need for the full length of the table
@@lewis8476 Then how does Break From Life manage to get close?
@@DM-kv9kj Fair point. How long has break from life been playing though? I’ve been playing little over 4 years but after reading your comment again I’m sort of at the same stage. I can stroke them in short, medium range and get the feel for striking through the white. Like you say bringing power into it my timing somewhat disappears. Past week, contrary to belief on these shots I’ve shortened my bridge to an extent. Then this gets my timing better and I am definitely striking through the ball and acceleration is at maximum at the cue ball. Bear in mind! All this means nothing if you aren’t confident in striking the bottom of the ball at high speeds.
Thank you!
I liked very much! Fantastic.
Hello Barton, I am using the Blue Diamond cue tip, my dad uses the Talisman M cue tip, do you know if these cue tips are good and do u know any better cue tips?
A tip I learned from pool players - American pool balls of which have a lot of markings on them, or you could use a snooker training ball or something - is to use one of these balls as a cue ball, lining it up so you can aim your tip at a specific marking on the "cue ball" and be able to identify whether or not you struck that point by the chalk mark left on the ball. If the chalk mark is higher than expected, the tip probably rose up during the stroke, hence no screwback. Common mistake when this happens is too short a bridge length or too tight a grip.
Aside from the above, a great county league snooker player I learned a lot from when I was first starting to learn how to use backspin, told me, there's no specific technique to screwback, you just strike low and the ball with screw back. If it doesn't, then your cue action is bad. Solid advice.
When I play the screw shot, the tip is where it should be at the address but, my cue is more parallel to the table than yours appears to be in the video. Would I get more action if I raised the butt of my cue very slightly?
Fab info Steve i am one of those typical players that u describe and it was intersting how much u put the cue through the shot to achieve the back spin which i was hoping u would also show on your vid in a measurement format but u could see 5.59 onwards from your great camera angles that it was a lot more than most of us imagine. you could tell by watching your cue position on contact to where u finished by the reds in the background and the corner pocket. Cheers 🤞🤞
Awesome. Thanks for the feedback and it's great to help!
Hi, I have a reasonably decent screw shot from close range with a very light grip but when the distance between object ball and cue ball is increased and more power is required I really struggle to get action on the cue ball, I think I may be gripping the cue too tightly without being aware of what I'm actually doing, do you have any suggestions to how I can practice this.
Thanks
It's hard isn't it as the distance increases. Its essentially the same technique, but you need to 'trick' your mind into thinking that the distance is still small.
That way you can hit smoothly and without having to 'force' the shot, which then really helps to get that smooth timing required.
Pretend the object ball is only 8 inches away and use the same smooth technique. This helps a lot of players 👍
@@BartonSnooker thank you for the advice, im planning on booking an afternoon with you later in the year, ill be in touch👍
Good tips.. Thks
Never knew that it was ok for the tip to touch the cloth on a screw shot. That might actually make a difference with my game.
My understanding is that, the tighter the grip, the more the power is transferred to the cue ball; the looser the grip, the smoother the cue acceleration. Given the same cue acceleration, more power is needed for a long shot. Given the same power, more acceleration is needed for more back spin momentum. One should choose a right grip pressure depending on distance of the balls and the pace required on the balls. For deep screw shot, the cue ferrule is like sliding on the cloth, rather than the cue tip digging down the cloth, to enable more cue follow through without damaging the cloth.
Top video as always. Both me and my brother have been playing a while now and both watch your videos. We are trying to improve break building. Once you have lined up which ball do u concentrate on or look at last?
Cheers. The target ball!
Good Video Steve explaining the techniques of screwing the ball. Quite brave on your new cloth as well lol
😁
I see many pro's getting screw back, without hitting the cue ball that low. I can get tons of screw back, but struggle to be precise in position. I've practiced this for hours without really solving the accuracy issue. Is there any value in hitting the cue ball higher when screwing over shorter distances?
Yes! Have a look at this video:
th-cam.com/video/PFc-kIsu4m0/w-d-xo.html
brilliant
I think maximum screw is limited by players phisiology and some people have simply got better muscles to gain higher cue speed. Like neil and judd. I try my best but can't reach pass 15 mph while judd hits it at around 20mph.thoughts?
I would say that players are not limited.
It is all about the timing and skill of accelerating the cue at the maximum speed right as it catches the cue ball.
It is not about muscle strength at all. It is more about the smooth, sweet and precise stroke that a player makes to generate maximum spin with minimal effort.
I think your point at 4:20 is not accurate. Tightening your grip at the end of your stroke should not increase the weight of your cue, from a science standpoint. Also, wouldn't the grip tightening occur after the tip impacts the cueball? I'm not arguing that your statements about the technique aren't accurate, I don't believe there is a weight increase with grip tightening. If I am wrong, I would appreciate if anyone could explain the physics to me. Thanks.
Hi Jeff,
I'm saying that you DO grip the cue BEFORE the strike on a long range really powerful screw shot. That then means that my cue is heavier as my hand / arm / body is connected to it.
If at the point of impact I'm not tightening my hand at all, so it's hardly connected to the cue, it's only adding a tiny bit of weight.
Make a solid connection with a tight grip, and you'll add more mass.
Hope that helps!
I agree that it doesn't change the weight but keeping the cue tight in the hand not only causes the change in cue direction slightly (and probably missing the pot or not hitting the correct point on the cue ball) but also the "force" direction won't be parallel to cue direction that reduces smooth delivery or desirable/efficient acceleration which is required for backspin creation.
(BTW, this is my personal idea from physics point of view 😄- it doesn't mean I can execute such shots)
When I hit low on the cue ball even with chalk I chip the white ball and the white ball jumps
So im a Huge fan of deep screw. There's just something about this shot that drives me crazy. Exhibition shots are always fun to do. I've been trying to perfect the deep screw for a year now so I can talk from experience. I've tried multiple grips and I mean multiple grips. I used to focus on the index finger and opening the rest like a Ferrell. Didn't work well for me in the end. I tried what they call the "pressure grip" which is the one that Ronnie osullivan uses. With a bit of bent wrist outwards so the thumb is straight down parallel with the arm. And I have to say this not only got me the best deep screws that I can make the cue ball go 2 tables length. But I never ever miscued again or scooped up the cue ball. 2 of my biggest problems were resolved with that grip and not only that but was able to get even more power!!!! So it varies from person to person.
We do the same then 😃
On a long deep screw, as I say in the video, it's beneficial to increase the grip pressure.
Really great that you can now play this shot really well.
@@BartonSnooker awesome to have you reply thanks! Yes that grip is key. I’m from the US TX and we don’t have snooker tables from where I’m from… but I okay American Pool but I’ll tell you. I watch way more snooker than Pool. I play literally like a snooker player with the whole body placement. Right leg stiff, hip, and left leg bent. Open bridge always even on power shots. I never ever do closed. And the cue on the chin always. It’s crazy because everyone always asks me “have you played snooker before” and I’m like I wish 😂😂😂
As always sir ❤
There's a fine line between keeping the tip super low and hitting an unintentional "scoop shot."
Hey Barton! Cheers from India. I have a question which I hope you could answer it. The question is- Can a snooker player play a shot with both his legs off the ground? Is it legal?
No
Yeah best not throw my cue in the club, i'd get some evil eye staring, as always awesome video
Shorten you grip hand do everything the same but catch the cue before you throw it across the table
From Thailand - Sir what does it mean 1802?
Sorry.. I get it now, it means 180z
Thank you sir - - ขอบคุณครับ
I never knew I was supposed to hit the table cloth
U broke the code
🙏👌🙏👌🙏🌷💓
You can’t help me. Trust me you can’t. I play pool totally 1-handed.
I'm sure I could Andy 👍
Maybe you could but I can’t afford private tuition.
EXCELLENT!!