aim point on break

[berlowmj]

The speed & accuracy of my break are developing, but I am uncertain about the precise point I should be aiming at on the one ball in 9 ball, the headball in 8 ball...

I often hit the one ball & the headball with significant force, but with varying degrees of success.

 

[Black-Balled]

Please remember, you must phrase your input in the form of a question...

A good reference point is the base of the front ball: where it touches the table.

 

[androd]

The speed & accuracy of my break are developing, but I am uncertain about the precise point I should be aiming at on the one ball in 9 ball, the headball in 8 ball...

I often hit the one ball & the headball with significant force, but with varying degrees of success.

you must hit the one in 9ball you don't have to hit the head ball playing 8ball.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

The speed & accuracy of my break are developing, but I am uncertain about the precise point I should be aiming at on the one ball in 9 ball, the headball in 8 ball...

In both cases you want to transfer maximum force to the rack and exert maximum control over the CB. The way to do both is to hit the head ball perfectly straight on with no cut angle - i.e., aim straight through the head ball's center of mass (3-D center).

For example, if you break from the side rail, you want to "aim" the head ball to a point on the foot rail near the diamond next to the opposite corner pocket, like this:

CueTable Help

You know you've accomplished your mission when the cue ball stops after impact without caroming to the side at all.

P.S. This doesn't apply to the second-ball break for 8-Ball (because you can't hit the second ball square). For that break you want to hit the second ball as full as possible (for maximum power transfer and cue ball control) without clipping the head ball (which loses both objectives).

I often hit the one ball & the headball with significant force, but with varying degrees of success.

An accurate hit with less power transfers more power into the rack than a powerful hit with less accuracy. Aim your break as carefully as any other shot and slow it down to the speed that allows you to hit dead center and stop the CB, then increase speed from there in increments, keeping the CB under control.

pj
chgo

 

[ne14tennis]

Where I hit them

I choose to break from the right side, a cueball width out from the second diamond. From there I aim a straight line to the 1 ball (In 9 ball). I use the same spot for 8 ball and aim a straight line for the second ball in the rack. If the tables are fast, I use a medium break. Hit them too hard and they just all bounce off the left side and cluster up back on the right side. If the tables are or conditions are slow, I move the cue ball to 1 diamond in and 1 diamond up from the head rail and hit them harder. If the tables are real slow I abandon the side break for 8 ball and just hit the 1st ball.

I know there are dozens of variations, but that works for me.

 

[abbassi]

Recently I have been aiming at the light reflecting on the one ball with good results. If there is a flourecent above the table, there will be an arc shaped reflection. Try aiming at the bottom point of the arc.
Just makes it easier to aim.

 

[penoy78]

You might want to get the Joe Tucker cd's. I've seen them and they are just great to practice with and you learn so much. No matter what your skill level is.

 

[srs314]

I always tell people I've helped never to go across the face of the ball and to always favour the side you are on of the 1 ball.

I've found crossing the face of the 1 ball results in too many balls off the table or in that side pocket, so just stay away until you have a reason.

Just my opinion!

 

[ceebee]

The speed & accuracy of my break are developing, but I am uncertain about the precise point I should be aiming at on the one ball in 9 ball, the headball in 8 ball...

I often hit the one ball & the headball with significant force, but with varying degrees of success.

Here's the way I learned. I broke a little closer to the rack for accuracy's sake. I shot from a line between the side pockets. I made a mark on this line & shot the lead ball straight on. If nothing happened, I moved my mark inward or outward until something happened. Then I tried it again & again. I tried different speeds too. Doesn't take too long to learn where to aim.

You have to rack real well, for this to give you good results.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Regarding the 9-ball break, I agree with what Patrick Johnson stated, and it matches what I heard Mike Sigel say about the 9-ball break. Essentially, wherever you place the cue ball, the object is to hit the 1-ball solid (as though it is a straight-in shot), this transfers the maximum energy to the rack.

I'm not big on the cut-break as I just don't like the cue ball moving much off the break so I can't really comment on the best way to go about that, but I would be interested in hearing from those that have ideas (CB placement, how much cut, what spin) on this form of 9-ball break.

 

[3andstop]

A good reference point is the base of the front ball: where it touches the table.

IMO, that says it very well, and all ya need to know in a nutshell. Hit center mass no matter what angle you shoot from, and the 1 ball is resting on it's center vertical axis.

 

[cigardave]

For a full-face hit on the 1-ball, something that helps me is to focus on the following:

1. Make damn certain that I'm setting up to hit whitey on the vertical centerline... VERY important.​

2. Set my bridge height to hit whitey ~1/2 tip below center ball.​

3. Most importantly, using my cue, aim directly at the center of the 1-ball (as if the cue ball is not even there). Assuming you're still on the vertical centerline of the cue ball and that you are stroking directly at the center of the 1-ball with your cue tip, whitey will hit the 1-ball full in the face. It has no other choice. Monitor where your tip is pointing at the completion of your break stroke. It should be pointing directly at the foot spot.​

 

[softshot]

The speed & accuracy of my break are developing, but I am uncertain about the precise point I should be aiming at on the one ball in 9 ball, the headball in 8 ball...

I often hit the one ball & the headball with significant force, but with varying degrees of success.

then you are not hitting it square every time.. try this

cut your break speed in half and shoot 10 breaks at half speed focusing on a square solid hit on the headball...

once you are confident of that aim line.. ratchet up the force a little at a time until you reach a point where you are gettin inconsistancys,, back off 1 notch on the speed and that is YOUR best break speed.

good luck