Breaking
When I'm teaching about the break I try to get away from the Power aspect and transfer of weight. I actually tell the player to forget they are doing a break shot. I want the player to get all the power from the break out of their arm and no excess body movement is needed.
First I prefer the player breaking with the cue ball as close to the headstring as you can. A lot of players like to break near the head rail (usually close to a diamond off the rail), but think of moving closer 1 Diamond toward the rack. If you were 5 diamonds away and you move 1 diamond closer, you are now 20% closer!!!
Second I place 1 ball on the footspot and have the player do stop shots at 50% power. Once they can consistantly do a stop shot on the 1 ball, I'll have them increase the power a little. Once they can no longer control the cue ball consistanly then we have found the desired speed. (Note: typically on a break, if a player has accuracy problems the cue ball is off to the same side - right or left - consistantly, then its an adjustment in alignment and aiming)
Third I rack up all the balls and have them break with the same speed and control as before. Pretty much everytime a player will be spreading the balls better, controlling the cue ball (not scratching) and liking the results.
