Break Shot Knowledge?
- Thread starter mnorwood
- Start date
Shortstop on YouTube is straight pool specific instruction
Zerksies
Well-known member
I like Bob, i have never been much of a straight pool player, But he explains the game in a way that i would of never tought with straight pool.
There really is a lot for this. I have instruction from Grady, Rempe, Sigel, Fleming and probably my favorite, Niels. Niels has several good videos. I would say this is feel more than anything though. A lot of breakshots you can use draw or follow and hit softer or harder. Anyway, hope this helps.
There are general guidelines, like follow on a thin shot (standard side of the rack break) and draw on a fuller shot (where follow will take you to the same pocket as the break ball).
I think the best way to learn is to practice specific ball positions. Place donuts in the break ball and cue ball positions, and find out what works for that position. Mostly you will vary speed and draw/follow. Use side spin to affect the cue ball when it hits the cushion. (Some use outside to avoid skids.) See if you can find several good ways to hit the break for that position.
Now, move the break ball half an inch up or down the table. Work with that position.
I found one position where the shot changed completely depending on which part of the pocket the object ball went into, and that was a table with 4 1/2-inch pockets. That small change in cut angle changed which ball I hit first in the rack, and so completely changed the best spin/speed to use on the cue ball. Since one side would make the cue ball freeze if I used follow, draw was best.
And try a wide variety of shots on each position. A shot that used to be absolutely standard at 14.1 in the 1970s and I never see today, is a tough-to-reach and slightly off-angle break that hits low on the rack. The standard shot then was to roll the shot in with the cue ball not quite reaching the cushion by the pocket where the break ball was pocketed. Nearly always, it seemed, a ball would come out of the back of the rack and be perfect for a second break. You don't have to smash them like Hohmann, especially if you often miss those power breaks when they are a little awkward. With the soft roller, you take a chance that only a safety will be left, but you are much less likely to lose control of the table.
You do have to find a way to get the cue ball away from the rack. If the cue ball sticks, you are likely to have neither a shot nor a safety. In your practice, learn when you need to do to get loose.
Finally, gaps in the rack can have a huge effect on the result of the break. I remember how easy it was to break just after the tables at the rec center got reclothed. It was due to tight racks, which were generally impossible after a month.
I sometimes do that to the extent of planning where the cue ball would go if the rack was not on the table.Where you hit the rack is rather irrelevant if you miss the breakshot. I’ve only been able to run high numbers when I could successfully pretend/convince myself when down on the shot, that the break ball was the only OB on the table!
Capelle's book on straight pool has a ton of break shots with discussion. You can get it in ebook format or paper. Bob (shortstop on pool) also has a straight pool book. The guy mentioned above.