Are there any

[DonsSmidget]

Are there any specific drills to help improve my break (both 9 and 8 ball) other than racking and breaking over and over? I have a fairly soft break and while it is improving over time, it's not where I want it to be yet. It is the one part of my game that is improving waaaaay slower than the rest. Probably because I practice everything else so much more!

 

[krupa]

Are there any specific drills to help improve my break (both 9 and 8 ball) other than racking and breaking over and over? I have a fairly soft break and while it is improving over time, it's not where I want it to be yet. It is the one part of my game that is improving waaaaay slower than the rest. Probably because I practice everything else so much more!

A friend of mine has a breakrak. It works pretty well.

--matthew

 

[FranCrimi]

The breakrak looks like a good idea. Good for practice with no racking. But you would still have to check yourself with a real rack occasionally to see how you are progressing.

One thing I don't recommend is to practice shooting at break speed without the breakrak or a full rack. It's too dangerous. Balls can easily go flying.

I was once showing a group why it wasn't a good idea to practice break shots without a rack. I was a bit too elevated in my angle of attack and the cb jumped off the bottom rail and flew back at me and hit me in the chin at lightening speed. Yeouch! Definitely don't do that.

 

[Mark Avlon]

Accuracy on the break is key. Practice your stroke at higher speeds and increase your speed a little when it's straight and true. Use a stripe for the cue ball and it will tell you how your stroke is. Align the stripe with the shot line.

 

[softshot]

Are there any specific drills to help improve my break (both 9 and 8 ball) other than racking and breaking over and over?

when did that method stop working for you? do you have any Idea why it stopped working?

or are you saying you want a great break without practice??? (hint... never gonna happen)

those gimmick racks are "ok" for working on CB control on a break shot.. but they will never tell you anything about ball spread or your ability to read the rack.. or which ball goes where when you break from spot X.

there are no shortcuts

 

[Scott Lee]

I agree with Mark here. We teach our students to be able to stroke with break speed, so that you can learn to relax the grip, and relax the bicep...almost everyone tenses up when they break, which is unnecessary. Using a stripe as the CB, shoot the stripe into a corner pocket. That way you won't have an accident like Fran's!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Accuracy on the break is key. Practice your stroke at higher speeds and increase your speed a little when it's straight and true. Use a stripe for the cue ball and it will tell you how your stroke is. Align the stripe with the shot line.

 

[FranCrimi]

I agree with Mark here. We teach our students to be able to stroke with break speed, so that you can learn to relax the grip, and relax the bicep...almost everyone tenses up when they break, which is unnecessary. Using a stripe as the CB, shoot the stripe into a corner pocket. That way you won't have an accident like Fran's!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

If anyone's going to shoot a ball at break speed into a pocket ---- word of advice --- don't miss.

 

[Brian in VA]

You have to admit, Fran, that the result did speak to how well you were keeping your head down.

I'm glad you weren't permanently damaged by this. Pool balls really hurt when hitting people at high speeds. Don't ask me how I know this. :grin:

Brian in VA

 

[DonsSmidget]

No softshot. Never did I state I didn't want to practice.... never stated that anywhere. I was looking to see if there were OTHER things I could add that would help improve my break.

Thank you all for your input.... I have been working on taking shots at higher speeds using a striped ball instead of the cue, and it is helping. I was much more relaxed last night in my match with my break and it made a ton of difference. Still needs alot of work but I do see the improvement. Thanks all for your time it is greatly appreciated.