This has always been considered a weak point in my game because I was inconsistent in my break. Sometimes, 2 or 3 or 4 balls, other times CB flying off the table or scratching. I knew that making 1 ball with a shot on the 1 was far better, but supressing that urge to break hard was very difficult for me.
You see I am only 5'7", and weighed
140-145 most of my life (158 now), and I have always had to make up in sports because of my size some. I have been working on my break for over a year now, and it has improved. I, too, always use a closed bridge when breaking. I moved my bridge hand 1.5" forward to shorten my stroke upon breaking. I transfer my weight good which I learned when I was young and from Karate.
I have found that my break is just as powerful most of the time. I make balls, and I have a 1 ball shot above 90% of the time. From there, I can usually run the balls out (I am a very good out player - A Rubic player as I call them - one that can figure out how to get out with almost any table)
I still get comments frequently when I break about how hard I hit the balls, but my break is much more consistent, I have a one ball shot usually (and usually a decent one) and I am stringing racks together, and all the guys rated higher than me are starting to sweat a little.
Moral of the story -- accuracy is the most important factor .... Power is sometimes important if you are running balls toward the pocket and they stop an inch or two short of going in. But guys, it is just hard for a guy to break soft ... goes against his nature.
Oh, last tournament I beat a 10 speed. Traded games back and forth, and I pulled ahead 7-5, went to 8-7 me, and I broke and ran the last game out for the win.
I forgot to mention something ... If your break isn't working, steal one from someone that is working consistently. Watch from behind them where they break from, where they hit the 1 ball, and where they cue the cue ball. This can help to break you out of a 'breaking slump'. I did, from a 7
speed (lower than me), but broke good, and it is paying off dividends now.
You see I am only 5'7", and weighed
140-145 most of my life (158 now), and I have always had to make up in sports because of my size some. I have been working on my break for over a year now, and it has improved. I, too, always use a closed bridge when breaking. I moved my bridge hand 1.5" forward to shorten my stroke upon breaking. I transfer my weight good which I learned when I was young and from Karate.
I have found that my break is just as powerful most of the time. I make balls, and I have a 1 ball shot above 90% of the time. From there, I can usually run the balls out (I am a very good out player - A Rubic player as I call them - one that can figure out how to get out with almost any table)
I still get comments frequently when I break about how hard I hit the balls, but my break is much more consistent, I have a one ball shot usually (and usually a decent one) and I am stringing racks together, and all the guys rated higher than me are starting to sweat a little.
Moral of the story -- accuracy is the most important factor .... Power is sometimes important if you are running balls toward the pocket and they stop an inch or two short of going in. But guys, it is just hard for a guy to break soft ... goes against his nature.
Oh, last tournament I beat a 10 speed. Traded games back and forth, and I pulled ahead 7-5, went to 8-7 me, and I broke and ran the last game out for the win.
I forgot to mention something ... If your break isn't working, steal one from someone that is working consistently. Watch from behind them where they break from, where they hit the 1 ball, and where they cue the cue ball. This can help to break you out of a 'breaking slump'. I did, from a 7
speed (lower than me), but broke good, and it is paying off dividends now.
