In this thread, let's examine a mistake I often see straight poolers make. The principle is called "deny the long response."
Consider the position in the top diagram. You've gotten wrong on the break shot, as we all do from time to time, and you have decided not to go for it, so it's time to play a safety.
The Wrong Safety (Center Diagram)
The shot I see league players play far too often is shown directly below, in which the one ball is ducked below the rack, with the cue ball left against the pack to ensure that no shot is left on the one ball. While this ensures that no shot is left, it's a very poor safety, for opponent will simply play safe uptable off the edge of the pack and your next safety will have to be played from the other end of the table, and you'll become the underdog to win the safety battle.
A Much Better Safety (Bottom Diagram)
There are many reasonable safety shots available, but let's consider just one of them. In the bottom diagram, the safety played is to hit the one ball more or less full, sending it two rails back near the center of the table, while using a little follow to leave the cue ball under the pack. Now you're on even footing in the safety battle, haqving given up no advantage.
Remember, when you play safe, deny the long response. Otherwise, you'll become the underdog in the safety battle that follows!
Consider the position in the top diagram. You've gotten wrong on the break shot, as we all do from time to time, and you have decided not to go for it, so it's time to play a safety.
The Wrong Safety (Center Diagram)
The shot I see league players play far too often is shown directly below, in which the one ball is ducked below the rack, with the cue ball left against the pack to ensure that no shot is left on the one ball. While this ensures that no shot is left, it's a very poor safety, for opponent will simply play safe uptable off the edge of the pack and your next safety will have to be played from the other end of the table, and you'll become the underdog to win the safety battle.
A Much Better Safety (Bottom Diagram)
There are many reasonable safety shots available, but let's consider just one of them. In the bottom diagram, the safety played is to hit the one ball more or less full, sending it two rails back near the center of the table, while using a little follow to leave the cue ball under the pack. Now you're on even footing in the safety battle, haqving given up no advantage.
Remember, when you play safe, deny the long response. Otherwise, you'll become the underdog in the safety battle that follows!