How did you develop a really good safety game?

Thanks for all the tips guys.

This last one from Klockdoc really resonates. If anyone can get to where they regularly block with only 2 OB's on the table, that's gotta translate to your game big time.

I've heard from a few people that (that particular) Grady's DVD is fantastic for your game. I'll track that down.

Bartrum, you still asking me for the 7 and out or have you finaly grown some hair?

;)
 
safty DVD's

Bert Kinister, for many years released a DVD with winning safeties for that particualr year. Meaning that for all the pro matches he had watch he logged the safties that proved winners. So you get a bunch of one hour DVD's with interesting creative safties that get your juices flowing. he alos comments in his unique style gives you his opinion how to best perform the safty and how to possibly conter attack it.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Thanks for all the tips guys.

This last one from Klockdoc really resonates. If anyone can get to where they regularly block with only 2 OB's on the table, that's gotta translate to your game big time.

I've heard from a few people that (that particular) Grady's DVD is fantastic for your game. I'll track that down.

Bartrum, you still asking me for the 7 and out or have you finaly grown some hair?

;)
Click to expand...

ill play even
 
Safeties

Like everything else in Pool, you start small with the basics of safety play and build on it. Learn how to kill the cue ball after hitting an object ball.

Most safeties are a result of a close shot to begin with. Cue ball control is the most important factor in safety play.
 
"How did I develope a good safty game?" I always say NO jump cues allowed in any set I played. Sorry, the devil made me say it. Johnnyt
 
When you come to the table with this layout, offense is a wing and a prayer, so you should be thinking defense all the way.

When Im thinking defense, the easiest option is for only 1 ball to tavel. If you can lock someone up with a stop shot or little cueball movement, you have less to focus on. The stop shot should be automatic so object ball speed is really your only thought. When I have to depend on both balls getting to a certain point, my odds go down a lot.

So a safe like this is the first thing I see. Here are some others I like:

CueTable Help



CueTable Help



Not to say you have to play safe with these layouts, but the principal of the stop shot safe is the key.
 
Lucked into this one

:embarrassed2:

Disregard-post was off topic

My apologies

3railkick
 
Last edited:
cleary said:
When you come to the table with this layout, offense is a wing and a prayer, so you should be thinking defense all the way.

When Im thinking defense, the easiest option is for only 1 ball to tavel. If you can lock someone up with a stop shot or little cueball movement, you have less to focus on. The stop shot should be automatic so object ball speed is really your only thought. When I have to depend on both balls getting to a certain point, my odds go down a lot.

So a safe like this is the first thing I see. Here are some others I like:

CueTable Help



CueTable Help



Not to say you have to play safe with these layouts, but the principal of the stop shot safe is the key.
Click to expand...

Very good points, but how many times have you played a great safe like the one in shot #1, only to be kicked safe, or have the guy kick the ball in, and run out? Offense is often well rewarded in 9 ball and 10 ball...

Sometimes, you have to shoot when you have a shot. Even if this shot is not necessarily one of those times, I have lost a lot of games after playing what I THOUGHT was a great safe.

The safety in shot #2 is flat out NASTY...that's the kind of safe that wins games, matches, and tournaments....imo.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Please, I'd like to ask only those advanced in safety play in 9 or 10 ball.

I was playing yesterday in a US Open qualifier. I was tied with the eventual winner of the exemption when he put this safe on me.

CueTable Help



That's a strong shot! One I probably would not have seen, much less attempted. On a few occassions this week I have had strong players look at table layout and QUICKLY SEE and execute a safe. Advanced safes that I don't quickly (if even) see.

Beyond watching a gazillion hours of matches, how did you develop your safe play so you can see them and execute them? Did you have a mentor? Is there a great instructional resource out there? Are there drills to practice them?

Thanks,

Matt <-- wants to lock 'em up FIRST next time!
Click to expand...

That's a good safe and it's been used against me, and I've used it too. It's not hard to execute because the 8 is in "big ball" position, meaning if you can stop the cueball where your opponent is, much of the table is blocked out - so there is a lot of room for speed error on the 7.

The best teacher, and the most memorable teacher, is experience. The more you play better opponents, the better safes you'll see. If you are a weak kicker, you're doomed against a skilled player. So practice those kick shots (and jumps) - and that means two rail kicks too and kicks that will likely leave you safe.

You can gain something by buying a really great tape/dvd I'd recommend from Buddy Hall "How Do You Win From Here". I watched this tape a hundred times and practiced most of the shots. It's a really advanced safe and kick safe tape. If you practice the shots, it will open your eyes up to some of the safes and escapes that would take years of play to gain.

That being said, I learned a lot more about safety play from better players than me -especially Filipinos. I learned from them when it's a good time to play a safe and what a good safe really is.

Chris
 
Last edited:
the420trooper said:
Very good points, but how many times have you played a great safe like the one in shot #1, only to be kicked safe, or have the guy kick the ball in, and run out? Offense is often well rewarded in 9 ball and 10 ball...

Sometimes, you have to shoot when you have a shot. Even if this shot is not necessarily one of those times, I have lost a lot of games after playing what I THOUGHT was a great safe.

The safety in shot #2 is flat out NASTY...that's the kind of safe that wins games, matches, and tournaments....imo.
Click to expand...

The beauty of these shots is that they come up often. A lot of times (for me) a run out is not gonna happen. So If I play something like this on the 4-5 ball and can open the rack up a little. Maybe hit the object ball into a cluster with a stopshot locked on a ball, I like my odds. And if Im lucky enought to get ball in hand, I like my odds even better.

You are right about thinking offense, because a good safe sometimes leads to a loss of game. But you have to know your own abilities as well as the person you are playing. If you cant get out from here, you better play a good safe while you can. My runout game is getting better and better, but until Im where I need to be, a good safe keeps me in the game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top