About me
Luk Simoens
Coaching requires more than knowledge
My knowledge of snooker, neuroscience and performance coaching forms the professional foundation of my work. But knowledge alone does not make someone a good coach.
Effective coaching requires the ability to observe and listen attentively, recognise complex connections and understand what the person in front of you needs. My analytical mind, understanding of people and broad life experience help me guide players with depth, care and personal attention.
The person behind the coach
Engaged, perceptive and non-judgemental
I am naturally someone who observes closely, listens carefully and looks beyond the first answer. I quickly recognise connections between details and often notice what remains unspoken. This helps me understand not only the game, but also the person in front of me.
In my coaching, I combine calmness and empathy with clarity and honesty. I give players the space to explore, ask questions and arrive at their own insights. At the same time, I clearly articulate what I observe and bring structure when things feel complex or confusing.
Children, recreational players and players with international ambitions do not require the same approach. That is why I adapt my communication to the person and the situation. The way I guide someone may differ; the attention and care I bring to my work do not.
A life journey that comes together
Experience that extends beyond the snooker table
Snooker has been a common thread throughout most of my life. As a competitive player, I came to understand the game from the inside. I becameI became Brabant provincial champion and competed at the 1993 World Under-21 Championship in Reykjavik. But the coach I am today has been shaped by much more than my experience as a player.
For twenty years, I ran a medium-sized company. I was responsible for people, organisation and difficult decisions. This taught me to understand different personalities, communicate clearly and bring structure to complex situations — without losing sight of the person behind the problem.
My creative background and education in filmmaking also influenced the way I see things. They sharpened my eye for detail, patterns and perspective. Today, these different worlds come together in my coaching: analytical and structured, yet always focused on the person behind the player.
My way of coaching
I don’t teach. I coach.
I do not start from a predetermined lesson that dictates what a player should learn. I start with the player. By observing, listening and asking the right questions, we explore together what already works, what is holding back development and where focused guidance can make a genuine difference.
To make that possible, I create a safe and professional environment. A player should feel able to ask questions, make mistakes, experience doubt and examine even deeply ingrained habits or beliefs — without feeling judged. That sense of safety does not mean that everything remains optional or without direction. I honestly articulate what I observe, bring structure and provide clear guidance whenever necessary.
This makes coaching a carefully guided process rather than one-way instruction — a process in which insight, trust and responsibility come together. I do not simply impose solutions, but neither do I leave a player to search alone.
Professional expertise
Deepening knowledge. Sharing knowledge.
My experience as a coach began almost ten years ago. Since 2022, I have worked professionally as a snooker coach. Over the years, I have coached hundreds of players of different ages and levels. I combine this extensive practical experience with continuous study and professional development. As a Chris Henry Level 2 Snooker Coach, I achieved exceptionally strong assessment results. Today, I not only coach players but also contribute as a tutor and co-author to the education of other snooker and cue-sports coaches.
In my work, I connect snooker expertise with insights from neuroscience, motor learning and mental performance. I translate that knowledge into clear observations and practical guidance at the table. Not to analyse as much as possible, but to identify what is genuinely relevant for the individual player.
I have also developed my own coaching resources and tools, including How to Play Snooker!, the Player Dashboard, the Practice Library and the Snooker Plan. These resources support players not only during coaching sessions, but also help them better understand their development, practise with greater purpose and take responsibility for their own process.
Results in practice
Development made visible
Good coaching cannot be measured solely in titles, victories or breaks. Nevertheless, results can make visible what players are able to achieve through focused guidance.
Belgian achievements under my guidance (2022–2026):
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5 Belgian championship titles
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6 runner-up finishes at Belgian championships
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81 tournament victories
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43 runner-up finishes
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53 highest-break awards
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Last-16 and last-32 finishes at European and World Championships for Under-21 players
Behind these figures are players, each with their own story. Some achieved significant sporting milestones; others rediscovered confidence, structure or enjoyment in their game. For me, the true value of coaching lies in that personal progress — whether it becomes visible on the podium, at the table or in the way someone approaches their game.