CUE ACTION: Should I Use the WRIST? / Snooker Tutorial for Beginners

Should I use the wrist in my cue-action?
If you truly want to improve your snooker game, absolutely YES! Wrist action is one of the most important elements of your cue action. It is a good habit that makes you feel and look more professional on the snooker table.

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Is it necessary to include it into your game?
The answer is simple. Imagine this: You are at snooker tournament and have to play a long shot, with a lot of power and accuracy, but at the same time you try to tighten and block arm movements like a robot. Where will the power come from then? Maybe of your body?

If this extra power comes from your body, that means you will make more movements and it will probably weaken your game and performance. This could add pressure on you as well.

When playing delicate safety shots, you will not see the importance of using the wrist action, but in modern snooker we must try our best and start to think about different aspects of ensuring good cue action.

Most of the beginners think that they should not use the wrist movement and simply lock the wrist. To be honest, I also went through such a period myself. Believe me, it’s not effective and will not lead to any good results in your snooker. It will only be leading you up and down a blind alley, which is affecting your confidence on the table and mental toughness throughout.

In 99% of the cases, good wrist action does not come naturally. It is possible that you are not able to judge yourself and the right position of your wrist correctly. That is because sometimes we are feeling pretty good on the snooker table, but somehow we are making bad hits at the same time.

Take a video of yourself and see what the position of your wrist is when it is hanging naturally. What is the positions of the hand, forearm, shoulder? Do they create a straight line down towards the thumb? Wrist action is important, because it really can be a booster for your game.

Hand muscles are very complex and are capable of much finer movements than the forearm and upper arm muscles. So, focus on these elements, pay close attention to exactly how you are moving and take control of your body and mindset. Remember, the key is balance. I’m not talking about actively attempting to snap or flex. Nothing more than free movement of your arm in loose wrist position.

The longer you have been playing, the harder it will be to develop the good habits and that’s normal. They are difficult to apply, but it's worth it!

What would happen if you chose to work on your wrist action?

You should use your wrist. It will help you to shorten the move of your arm when pulling back the cue, and also to keep your elbow high, which make your cue action better. When the elbow stays high, this means less movement in arm, especially in the shoulder, and less chance of making mistakes. It gives you a lot of power into your shot, which is good for long potting. Without using the wrist action, the elbow drops and you need much more power to be able to reach certain speed.

More or less of that movement?
Take a look at professionals. It’s a fact that most of them use this technique. Some of the fastest snooker players, like Judd Trump, Neil Robertson etc, use a lot of that wrist flick to apply the power into the shots. Mark Allan is using it 70-80% of his technique.

I am Brando - the EBSA Assistant Head Coach and WPBSA World Snooker Coach. A full-time snooker coach. I am also a Eurosport commentator and a snooker player myself.

What other topic would you like to learn more about?
In my videos I will cover topics like snooker coaching, snooker tutorials for beginners, best practices, pro tips, and practice routines.

Let me take your snooker skills to the next level!

[johnteather]

Dear Snooker Coach Brando,
I am nearly 80 years. Having taken up this great game for interest and health purposes, very late in life, I have spent many hours searching out advice of all sorts including many kind youtube coaches. They have all added something to my snooker knowledge. Technically and mentally. I came upon your channel accidentally and I decided to have a look at what you offered as a coach.
I thought I would leave some comments in order to help your young or inexperienced viewers decide on the value of using their snooker time in viewing your advice given in these videos. Please excuse this long winded comment. Which is at odds with your instructional technic and lesson duration. Here is the point of my comment: Brando you are very good value. Your concentrated lessons are easily absorbed and very much to the point. The content is extremely pertinent and I'm sure will form a very good foundation for your viewers. The content is spot on and I would advise even players of some experience to vist your youtube channel to refresh their game regularly. Thank you for doing this for everyone. Good luck with your snooker profession and in life.

[SnookerOveranalyst]

The topic no one talks about! Great content

[ekunited]

Dang! A lot of videos and forums said not to use the wrist because it brings in inconsistency but I like the idea of that effortless stroke with the wrist. Now, I'm interested on when you will be making a video on, "How to use the wrist"

[dirttycash]

ive been wondering this for a while now. thanks for this video. i consider myself a good player but struggle with cue power cant wait to try. thanks from canada

[sj]

This is one of the most imformative videos ive seen and backs up what I thought when I watched a recent video of Ronnie from behind. He definately moved his wrist on the follow through.

[brianwelsh]

Great video Brandon this also helps a player not to over grip the cue the wrist is the main power force in the cue action

[staezione]

Thanks for these video's. Using my wrist in my action made it possible to cue straighter also. I don't twitch as much as with a locked wrist.

[mcdebra]

this is so helpful and now i know how to exert more effort to my shots. this is also helpful when breaking the shots

[EynkiYoom]

Amazing.. I play for a very long time.. And I play decent.. And never knew about it.
Finally a video that enlightens.

[nandagopalmotog]

Great video, as usual ! Always noticed Ronnie drives from the elbow, with the elbow slightly dropping on takeaway from address position, returning to address position and finally dropping, just after delivery and contact with the cue ball 👍

[ipzusbf]

This is a great suggestion... Thanks a bunch.. From Thailand

[SarfrazAhmed]

Great.. Love from pakistan.. Following you aince many years.. Very precisely you describe like chris henry

[umersaeed]

You are an awesome teacher. Please talk about the Mark Selby's Style which makes him a World Number 1. Please.. Thank. :)

[princerajput]

please make a vedio on the eye moment in between the feathers and last delivery

[suriyasrai]

Nice tips Coach.. Will you please make a video on Rest play..

[mohammedwaliuddinsaif]

Hi Brando, I have been playing 8 Ball pool for more than 10 years now, and I am pretty good at it. 3 months back I switched to snooker and I realize that I am missing even the easy pots. After watching some videos now I can break 35-40 I need to up my game.
I am facing difficulties with the alignment of the shot, I get confused with the sides, before I use to think there is not much difference between pool and snooker, and when I experience it for the 1st time I felt like a beginner. I don't know if it is common or I am a special case

[LearnEnglishwithHamidAli]

Great job sir! Could you tell me how to keep the cue action close to my body/chest for better control as I dont keep due to my enormous height.

[vishwanathgummaraju]

Coach, logical and practical to implement for power shots. One query; say for delicate nudges such as rolling up the cue ball, would it be advisable to lock the wrist? and thank you for the great lessons. I keep revisiting again and again. Your Vish

[vigneshraj]

Superb i need more lesson on aiming techniques sir

[dermotshaw]

I am a beginner. I have tried to use more of a wrist flick for added power but I find that it causes errors in my action. I find it harder to keep the cue on the right line. Or i dont hit he cue ball where I want. Have you any advice surrounding this. Great video though mate 👍