Break and scratch

[Patrick Johnson]

Here is Chinese 8 ball player Zheng Yubo absolutely hammering a rack. He has all the same tendencies as Shane with a very early rise and a lot of shoulder action. He uses an open bridge to break which I find even more amazing that he is able to generate so much power. The cue ball does a huge leap and he kind of loses control of it... But the power... He almost clears the bottom half of the table. Amazing.

And comes up dry - lol.

You can see by the CB path afterwards that he hits it off center to the right - imagine the power when he hits it perfectly square.

pj
chgo

 

[FranCrimi]

His cue control is remarkable with so much movement. He stands up most of the way before starting his stroke, straightening his arm out and swinging from the shoulder for maximum power. The second break in the first clip (@ 0:30) is a thing of beauty.

pj
chgo

It sure is. I think the only reason he's down at all is probably just to aim and lock in his bridge hand. His bridge hand stays perfectly still throughout all that movement.

 

[FranCrimi]

And comes up dry - lol.

You can see by the CB path afterwards that he hits it off center to the right - imagine the power when he hits it perfectly square.

pj
chgo

I'm glad to see that break. I use an open bridge to break as well. There aren't many of us around. I can break very hard when I allow the cue to come up out of my bridge hand. You have to work a little harder to keep it straight, as you can see, but it's worth it.

 

[Pidge]

Of he hits it square he smashes the table lights. I agree with Fran, you do have to work much harder with an open bridge... I can't do it. I deem to remember Colin on YouTube breaking with an open bridge.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I'm glad to see that break. I use an open bridge to break as well. There aren't many of us around.

I do when I'm not breaking off the rail (rarely).

I can break very hard when I allow the cue to come up out of my bridge hand.

Yeah, my cue lifts out of the V on lots of my open-bridge spin shots - it doesn't go far, just up and over a knuckle or two, and it doesn't affect anything. I've gotten used to it - my stroke consistency would be worse if I tried to control it.

pj
chgo

 

[Neil]

Here is a slow motion clip of his 10 ball break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxZP-JS4g5s

I would guess less than a half tip maybe only 1/8.

Here is a montage of ten and eight ball breaks on a 7 foot Diamond. The times the cue ball does not get kicked it appears to have just a little or no top spin. I would guess he is aiming just a hair above center and if he misses hits dead center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SS_aBdFVJ8

Here's a screen shot of his first break. Looks like he is actually hitting the cb about 3-4mm above center. (keep in mind that bottom half of tip is what makes contact on above center hit)