![]() ![]() Cue ball path in a 2nd-ball breakīilliards Digest 8-ball guru Larry Schwartz recommends using another strategy if the rules say you win by sinking the 8 on the break. But we do know that your best friends are the two balls after the head ball, which tend to meander toward their respective side pockets. Obviously, the 8-ball break is more complex than the 9-ball break, so it's difficult to control any of the object balls with any precision. The first two balls after the head ball are the most likely to drop in an 8-ball break Expert players will adjust the position of their cue ball along the headstring, and/or the speed of their break, until they can reliably sink one or more of these balls. The key balls to watch are the head ball (1 in the photo) and the wing balls (7 and 3), as they are the most reliable. Obviously, these are best-case scenarios. This a map of the tendencies of the object balls on a 9-ball break. Ball path tendencies after a 9-ball break ![]() ![]() Another option is to switch sides and/or the speed of your stroke. Depending on the result, they could move in a few more inches, which usually will affect the path of the 1 ball as it flirts with the side pocket (and the wing balls to a varying degree). Unless the rules mandate breaking from the box, most pros start breaking from a point a few inches from either the left or right rail. Second, if you know your table ahead of time, check out an earlier match to see where the players are breaking and what speed seems to be working. Previous players may have found the best cue-ball position for the break, so you should see marks for that position, and streaks leading to the foot spot. First, check the cloth for tell-tale signs of wear. Everybody has their own interpretation of these principles, and you can see Thorsten Hohmann's down below.Įvery table breaks differently, but there are a few ways to find the sweet spot in a hurry. Most pros favor their front foot on the break, and it's a good idea to stand more upright than you would on a regular shot, but make sure you still keep your legs bent. Some experts suggest narrowing your stance, which helps if you plan on propelling your hips and torso forward on the break stroke. Some pros may use a hair of left or right if they're consistently scratching on otherwise solid breaks (for example, “a little left if you're always scratching in the right side pocket,” says Shawn Putnam), but they're professionals. You want to keep the cue ball from scratching, and side English will impel the cue ball to dance around the table until it falls drunkenly into a pocket. "They think, 'I have to break hard.' But you want to win."Īvoid using too much left or right hand English. For example, "some people refuse to soft break because they are stubborn," says Thorsten Hohmann. That could mean switching cue ball positions, changing speeds, or even trying a less-than-full hit on the head ball (in extreme situations). In the end, the only good break shot is the one that sinks a ball, so be prepared to be flexible and adjust your strategy. In pool, if you hit the 1 ball at dead-center, you don't have to hit them as hard to get the action."įrank Says: The easiest way to improve your break is with your own dedicated break cue! Break cues have stiffer shafts and harder tips that are designed to maximize power transfer and will increase your chances of making balls on the break! ” "If you hit a golf ball at dead-center at 105 mph, you are going to hit it just as far as somebody swinging at 120 mph and hitting it off center. "It's like hitting a golf ball," says Johnny Archer. An accurate, dead-center hit will transfer all of the ball's momentum - i.e., power - into the rack. The number one rule in breaking is to hit the head ball - almost always the 1 ball - as fully as possible. These two aspects are intimately related. Energy transfer through the rack is much greater with a full ball hit Over the years we’ve asked a lot of professionals, like Thorsten Hohmann, Johnny Archer, and Jeanette Lee, what they think is the key to a dominating break shot, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tips, tricks, and secrets. Properly executing a solid break shot can be the difference between winning and losing, so knowing how to maximize your opportunities is essential. It’s not just about having the right equipment (although choosing the best break cue does help), but having the correct technique to shatter the rack. The break happens at the beginning of every game, and might just be the most important shot of any match. ![]()
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