The nationwide Future Stars competition means that one winner will be able to train with Ronnie to get some tips and take home £5,000 in prize money. The Rocket told us what he’s looking for, and how he’s helped last year’s winner, Joel Walker.

 

What are the key things that show someone’s potential?

First of all, potting ability. Can they pot balls, and how effortless is it? That was what stood out more about Joel. Years ago, I never used to worry about position. I just used to think: “Well, the pockets are so big you can pot them from anywhere.” But when you get on the professional tables it’s a different game and you need tighter cue ball control. I asked Joel to try a few things, and he went from making 20 breaks to 60 breaks.

 

When you’re coaching him, is a lot of it about the mental approach rather than technique? 

It’s a bit of both. Sometimes you need experience playing in competitions. They develop your mind and make you more of a competitor, and to be successful you need to know how to compete. If you’re going to be a great player, you don’t need coaching. You can just have a couple of little tips now and again.

 

What kind of tips have you given Joel?

His bridge hand was too far away from the cue ball, so I asked him to get in closer. That way he’ll judge the pace of the white better and won’t have to feel like he’s hitting it so hard. Once you get more control over the white, getting from red to colour and colour to red becomes a lot easier. It’s much better if you can make 60s and 70s without being out of position.

 

What advice would you give to new players?

Just play as much as you can. If you want to become a great player, you’ve got to live and breathe snooker. That was all I ever did, play for hours. I was playing for seven or eight hours a day, but it never felt like it because I enjoyed it.

 

Could you ever beat your fastest 147 [5mins 20secs]?

Never, that was just ridiculous. Sometimes I watch it back, and I’m just not the same player now that I was then. I used to run round the table! It was just silly snooker, really.

 

To see Ronnie’s awesome speedy 147, check out the video below. Anyone 16 or under on 30 April can enter the Rileys Future Stars competition. Click here to check out the website.