9 Ball Break Question

DogsPlayingPool

DogsPlayingPool

"What's in your wallet?"
Silver Member
Does anyone here break from the head spot?

I have typically used the side rail break position. I've been scratching in the side too often. I don't make the one in the side with any regularity and it usually ends up down on/near the head rail. I started experimenting with breaking straight on from the head spot and so far am getting some good results.

I use center ball to slightly below. It makes it very easy to control the cue ball into the middle of the table. At least one of the wing balls seem to head straight towards the corner and go if hit hard enough without having to come out of my shoes. The scratch in the side is gone because even if I don't make a straight on hit on the one ball the ricochet is to the side rail, not the side pocket. The one ball stays controlled and ends up in the middle of the table with the CB, not down at the head rail.

More on the theoretical side of this I'm thinking that there is an advantage to this in that the one ball is the ball you have the most control of on the break. Why not break from the center if you can leave both the one ball and the CB in the middle of the table where you most likely have a shot to start your inning? I mean if you sink the one in the side, it's random if you are then going to have a shot on whatever is left as the lowest ball. Is it perhaps better to not attempt to drop the one on the break with a higher percentage you can actually play "position" on the one ball on the break? Of course, keep in mind that part of my thought process is (as I said) I don't make the one in the side with any regularity anyway.

I'd appreciate thoughts on this, especially the experience of anyone that breaks this way or has tried it out.

BTW, I understand I'm scratching in the side too often because I'm getting out of control and not hitting the head ball dead-on so we don't need that lecture.:) But I'm liking this idea of it being easier for me to play shape on the one ball from this position and it does seem easier to control the CB and the one from a head spot break.

Thanks gang.
 
I like to break from the head spot or near it when I'm playing BIH against the ghost. It seems to spread the balls more evenly IMO.
 
Jmho

I have found it necessary to do what works for you. Everyone has diffrent breaks and its just finding one that works.

For instance, I tend to break from the rail at the 1/1 diamond mark. That is one diamond down and one diamond out from the corner pocket. I use slight draw and my cb tends to end up almost dead center table with the one up near the top left corner pocket.

It also depends on the day too. Some days the balls are laying well and poketing one or two, others I cant put a ball down to save my life. When the latter happens I start changing my break.

Also i have begun to learn to stay down on my break. Its just like any other shot on the table why should you be jumping clear up in the air??? I seem to get a more precise hit and better spreads.

JMHO. hope it helps
 
Broke from it or just off it for years back in the '70s and early '80s. I seemed to always make a ball more often, had a shot at the one more often, made the nine on the break more often. I've never broke well from the side. One that I have tried that seemed to work well on a bar tables or on a nine foot, was one diamond out from the side and one diamond in from the head rail.
I've never been able to get the spot break back to where it was all those years ago and I've regretted for years ever changing it.
 
follow through & freeze

DogsPlayingPool said:
Does anyone here break from the head spot?

I have typically used the side rail break position. I've been scratching in the side too often. I don't make the one in the side with any regularity and it usually ends up down on/near the head rail. I started experimenting with breaking straight on from the head spot and so far am getting some good results.

I use center ball to slightly below. It makes it very easy to control the cue ball into the middle of the table. At least one of the wing balls seem to head straight towards the corner and go if hit hard enough without having to come out of my shoes. The scratch in the side is gone because even if I don't make a straight on hit on the one ball the ricochet is to the side rail, not the side pocket. The one ball stays controlled and ends up in the middle of the table with the CB, not down at the head rail.

More on the theoretical side of this I'm thinking that there is an advantage to this in that the one ball is the ball you have the most control of on the break. Why not break from the center if you can leave both the one ball and the CB in the middle of the table where you most likely have a shot to start your inning? I mean if you sink the one in the side, it's random if you are then going to have a shot on whatever is left as the lowest ball. Is it perhaps better to not attempt to drop the one on the break with a higher percentage you can actually play "position" on the one ball on the break? Of course, keep in mind that part of my thought process is (as I said) I don't make the one in the side with any regularity anyway.

I'd appreciate thoughts on this, especially the experience of anyone that breaks this way or has tried it out.

BTW, I understand I'm scratching in the side too often because I'm getting out of control and not hitting the head ball dead-on so we don't need that lecture.:) But I'm liking this idea of it being easier for me to play shape on the one ball from this position and it does seem easier to control the CB and the one from a head spot break.

Thanks gang.
Click to expand...

It all sounds good, but following through so that cue is extended toward the rack when I freeze usually produces good results.

Also, on many tables, the ideal trajectory is visibly worn into the cloth.
 
I agree that it is easier to control the cue ball. One thing I noticed is that the last ball tends to go almost straight back and hit the 9 ball which is still in it's original spot. You've got a better chance of moving the 9, maybe even pocketing it in the side.
 
I break from 4 different locations. All tables have their break spot, up to us to find it. Also, location may not be as important as speed of cueball and squareness of hit......SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
I break from 4 different locations. All tables have their break spot, up to us to find it. Also, location may not be as important as speed of cueball and squareness of hit......SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

I'm with you there Randy.

Pete
 
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