Why break shots are missed (IMO)

[Straightpool_99]

Over the years I've seen many explanations why otherwise great players (and less great ones) miss break shots. Frequently the explanation given is taking your eyes off the ball and looking at the stack, and for sure that is part of it. The difficulty of the larger angles should of course also be mentioned.

I think, though, that another big factor is the fact that straight pool is often played rather softly and delicately. Sometimes players even start to get a bit of hesitation in their follow through. They are sort of punching the ball around (softly) and focusing very much on position and speed as the pocketing is often a given. The game has a certain rhytm to it, and when you play 9 ball, the shots are frequently medium speed and larger cut angles, except the break shot, which is wildly different and played with a different cue. In straight pool, often you have many small stop shots, run throughs and soft draws without much angle to them. You get a certain feel and timing on those. But then the break shot comes up which is usually played at a completely different speed and with a large angle. It is quite common, I have observed, to botch the timing of this shot. People do not stroke through the ball, they poke at it, and they often rush their forward transition on the delivery stroke. My best solution so far is to play it like a position shot to help curb that "poke" or "jerk" tendency I so often see. You get better control over the speed, then, too. Just forget the stack is there and pretend you are playing off it like a rail or going through the area, x number of rails to a spot somewhere on the table.

Just an observation. I guess, maybe it's not all that original, but maybe someone might find it useful.

 

[Straightpool_99]

Watch this and tell me what you see:

 

[DynoDan]

Watch this and tell me what you see:

I see the table that should be the official standard for all future record high-run attempts (Diamond/no template). Banging the breakshot into a corner (hard enough to spread a triangled rack) often bobbles it.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I see the table that should be the official standard for all future record high-run attempts (Diamond/no template). Banging the breakshot into a corner (hard enough to spread a triangled rack) often bobbles it.

Mika has one of the straightest cue actions ever. I've had the opportunity to see it live more than once and I've always marveled at it. This breakshot he missed because he mistimed his back-forward transition, which is almost unheard of for him. But it is really common in straight pool break shots as a cause of misses. You've had a lot of soft shots and then you have to hit one hard, and it throws you off your stroke rhytm.

 

[justnum]

Mika has one of the straightest cue actions ever. I've had the opportunity to see it live more than once and I've always marveled at it. This breakshot he missed because he mistimed his back-forward transition, which is almost unheard of for him. But it is really common in straight pool break shots as a cause of misses. You've had a lot of soft shots and then you have to hit one hard, and it throws you off your stroke rhytm.

Mika is also a great player for an audience.
Saying a hall of famer made a slight mistake in one match from his pro career, its picky.

As for the match multiple innings is common. The match is a good display of why playing 14.1. an be more exciting without defensive play.

 

[Dan White]

Over the years I've seen many explanations why otherwise great players (and less great ones) miss break shots. Frequently the explanation given is taking your eyes off the ball and looking at the stack, and for sure that is part of it. The difficulty of the larger angles should of course also be mentioned.

I think, though, that another big factor is the fact that straight pool is often played rather softly and delicately. Sometimes players even start to get a bit of hesitation in their follow through. They are sort of punching the ball around (softly) and focusing very much on position and speed as the pocketing is often a given. The game has a certain rhytm to it, and when you play 9 ball, the shots are frequently medium speed and larger cut angles, except the break shot, which is wildly different and played with a different cue. In straight pool, often you have many small stop shots, run throughs and soft draws without much angle to them. You get a certain feel and timing on those. But then the break shot comes up which is usually played at a completely different speed and with a large angle. It is quite common, I have observed, to botch the timing of this shot. People do not stroke through the ball, they poke at it, and they often rush their forward transition on the delivery stroke. My best solution so far is to play it like a position shot to help curb that "poke" or "jerk" tendency I so often see. You get better control over the speed, then, too. Just forget the stack is there and pretend you are playing off it like a rail or going through the area, x number of rails to a spot somewhere on the table.

Just an observation. I guess, maybe it's not all that original, but maybe someone might find it useful.

I agree with this and would add a couple of thoughts. I think if you miss break shots it could be said that you don't really understand your stroke completely. Break shots are hit harder than other shots, like you say, but they also often require unusual body positions, reaching over the table, longer then typical bridges, etc. Your stroke will likely break down if you don't understand what it takes to deliver the cue properly under these conditions. This is what I found in my game. I set up break shots and hit from each side of the rack alternatively. I would do this for maybe two or three racks for several days in a row. I began to understand what I was doing wrong each time I missed. It was like, "Hey, I let my finger grip the cue on that one," or "My elbow dropped down on that one" and so on. It gives you an appreciation of what matters and ultimately it makes your stoke better on all shots.

 

[Dan White]

I see the table that should be the official standard for all future record high-run attempts (Diamond/no template). Banging the breakshot into a corner (hard enough to spread a triangled rack) often bobbles it.

With pockets that tight I think Willie's record would be safe from all comers.

 

[sjm]

With pockets that tight I think Willie's record would be safe from all comers.

I don’t agree. If you put up $1,000,000 for someone to break Shaw’s run on 4 1/2 inch pockets, I think the record would fall within six months.

 

[Dan White]

I don’t agree. If you put up $1,000,000 for someone to break Shaw’s run on 4 1/2 inch pockets, I think the record would fall within six months.

Yeah but who besides you has pockets that deep? Maybe fatboy?

 

[soyale]

lately in my practice sessions ive missed 3, 4, 5 break shots in a row. Paying table time to rack. My back hurts after a half hour from spending so much time bent over the rack.

from what ive noticed, it doesnt seem to make a difference whether i overthink it or underthink it. i can measure up all the angles pat flemming style and slowly get down with careful methodical pre shot routine and practice strokes. Or sometimes, i just set the break ball near the stack and get down and whack it. There doesnt seem to be any higher degree of efficiency with one style or the other for me.

sometimes i ignore the stack and just try to shoot the ball in. Sometimes i ignore the ball and just shoot at the stack, “knowing” that contact w the ob will pocket and thus disregarding it in my mind.

The conclusion that ive drawn from all of these experiments: i cant shoot pool to save my life.

 

[measureman]

lately in my practice sessions ive missed 3, 4, 5 break shots in a row. Paying table time to rack. My back hurts after a half hour from spending so much time bent over the rack.

from what ive noticed, it doesnt seem to make a difference whether i overthink it or underthink it. i can measure up all the angles pat flemming style and slowly get down with careful methodical pre shot routine and practice strokes. Or sometimes, i just set the break ball near the stack and get down and whack it. There doesnt seem to be any higher degree of efficiency with one style or the other for me.

sometimes i ignore the stack and just try to shoot the ball in. Sometimes i ignore the ball and just shoot at the stack, “knowing” that contact w the ob will pocket and thus disregarding it in my mind.

The conclusion that ive drawn from all of these experiments: i cant shoot pool to save my life.

I told you that the game wasn't that hard,you are over thinking it.
I don't use any aiming system nor do I measure angles.

 

[soyale]

I told you that the game wasn't that hard,you are over thinking it.
I don't use any aiming system nor do I measure angles.

Bruce, i will concede that. I tend to overthink most things in life. However, what im saying here is that whether i think about it or not, i miss half my break balls.

In this, pat talks about getting a visual on the line to the stack, the line to the pocket, and the line off the stack. Thats all i meant by “measuring up,” i dont have any kind of aiming system either.

What im coming to realize is that knowing the lines doesnt help much when you fail to pocket the break ball for no reason at all.

the way i phrased my comment was probably too defeatist but it was intended as humor. my contribution to the conversation is from the perspective of a banger on the outside looking in.

why are break balls missed? Sometimes, its just cause you cant shoot. If thats the case, LEARN TO SHOOT. hopefully this helps some other beginners

 

[measureman]

It all depends on the position you get for the break shot that makes some really hard.
But if you play it right you should have an 18 inch shot with a 45 degree angle,that makes it a lot easier.

 

[soyale]

It all depends on the position you get for the break shot that makes some really hard.
But if you play it right you should have an 18 inch shot with a 45 degree angle,that makes it a lot easier.

Embarrassingly, i am talking BOTH balls in hand here. zero reason to miss the shot.

i know the question of missed break shots was posed at actual 14.1 players, but i reckon there’s a few guys like me reading this thread and wondering why the hell they cant get a run going.

my thinking is that if you cant make the shot with both balls in hand then maybe you need to dial it back and learn how to pocket a ball.

 

[measureman]

Embarrassingly, i am talking BOTH balls in hand here. zero reason to miss the shot.

i know the question of missed break shots was posed at actual 14.1 players, but i reckon there’s a few guys like me reading this thread and wondering why the hell they cant get a run going.

my thinking is that if you cant make the shot with both balls in hand then maybe you need to dial it back and learn how to pocket a ball.

Try practicing a break shot with no balls racked.
Just set it up and fire it in hole.

 

[garczar]

Yeah but who besides you has pockets that deep? Maybe fatboy?

Matchroom.

 

[alstl]

With pockets that tight I think Willie's record would be safe from all comers.

Willie's 526 was on an 8 foot table with buckets although he said he tried it again and ran over 600 the next time. I think perhaps the most impressive run was Appleton's 200 in competition vs Bustamante. Not sure what the pockets were on that table but I think they were under 5".

After that the 10' record which I think is 309. They tried a 10' table for the DCC contest one year and only one player for the entire week ran 100. That 10' table humbled a lot of pros.

I do agree with 4 1/2 pockets nobody would get 526 and on a 10' table nobody would get 309.

 

[measureman]

Willie's 526 was on an 8 foot table with buckets although he said he tried it again and ran over 600 the next time. I think perhaps the most impressive run was Appleton's 200 in competition vs Bustamante. Not sure what the pockets were on that table but I think they were under 5".

After that the 10' record which I think is 309. They tried a 10' table for the DCC contest one year and only one player for the entire week ran 100. That 10' table humbled a lot of pros.

I do agree with 4 1/2 pockets nobody would get 526 and on a 10' table nobody would get 309.

A 10' table was normal back in the day and the old timers were used to it.
If today's top 14.1 players played all the time on 10' tables you would see some big runs.
Crane and Mosconi each ran 309.
Greenleaf ran I think around 285,probably could have run more but he was probably falling down drunk by then.

 

[alstl]

A 10' table was normal back in the day and the old timers were used to it.
If today's top 14.1 players played all the time on 10' tables you would see some big runs.
Crane and Mosconi each ran 309.
Greenleaf ran I think around 285,probably could have run more but he was probably falling down drunk by then.

Problem with today's players is they are addicted to gimmicks like the jump cue and extension. Force them to use a mechanical bridge like the old timers and they would struggle on a 10' table. I was watching a match with a high level pro doing commentary - I won't use his name because he already takes enough abuse - and when a player used the mechanical bridge he said "I don't see how he can make a ball with that thing".

I counted 7 times Pettman used the mechanical bridge during his 100 ball run and he wasn't just cinching balls he was playing position. Crane was excellent with the mechanical bridge. Take away the extension and it's unlikely any of today's players would get to 309. Perhaps a player with a snooker background would have a chance but it's a long shot.

 

[soyale]

Problem with today's players is they are addicted to gimmicks like the jump cue and extension. Force them to use a mechanical bridge like the old timers and they would struggle on a 10' table. I was watching a match with a high level pro doing commentary - I won't use his name because he already takes enough abuse - and when a player used the mechanical bridge he said "I don't see how he can make a ball with that thing".

I counted 7 times Pettman used the mechanical bridge during his 100 ball run and he wasn't just cinching balls he was playing position. Crane was excellent with the mechanical bridge. Take away the extension and it's unlikely any of today's players would get to 309. Perhaps a player with a snooker background would have a chance but it's a long shot.

I agree. Similar to how if you took away the leather tip im sure todays players wouldnt fare nearly as well as the old boys that were handy with a mace.

jokes aside, can you explain further why you believe the extension to be a “gimmick”? Several of the guys we all watch play with an extension full time. If the 64” cue only broke down into two pieces instead of three would that make it less gimmicky?

you are completely right though, proficiency with the rest declined right along with the rise of bar boxes, from what i can surmise. i cant use that thing at all, to the point where i dont even try any more.