Breaking mechanics explaination

M4verick

M4verick

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm trying to master the break lately but it seems that I just can't put all the motion together. I can swing and hit but I can't followup with the cue.

I tried to mimic the way how the pros doing it (full body motion with lean and switching weight to forward leg only) but I simply can't put all those things together in a full power break.

There's something I'm doing wrong and I want to discover what.

Can you give me any advice or recommend some online guides about the bak mechanics (posture, weight distribution etc.)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Another source of information that breaks down the elements of the breakshot a tape done by Bert Kinister titled "The Big Bang"

He has this video on his online library, that is setup as a pay for access.

http://www.bertkinister.com/products/14

Once you get past the fact that Bert is very 'intense' on this video, there are a lot of good points that he makes regarding the break shot.

I had bought that tape years ago and implemented as much as I could physically do. Remember this type of break shot is a very athletic move, that requires the highest degree of timing for all of the moving body parts. With that said, it is not something you can master without lots of practice.
 
M4verick...That isn't surprising, and common for many players. The first mistake is trying to do what you see the pros do. They have perfect timing, and also can overcome bad habits (like lunging at the rack) with lots of persistence. The truth is you simply do not need anything other than the weight of the cue, and good timing. With a perfect pendulum swing, you can generate a 20+mph break, which is plenty to break the rack wide open, and keep control of the CB. You do not need the body movement you see in a lot of these "instructional" break videos. What you do need, is a solid bridge, and loose grip, and a perfect strike on the CB. You certainly do not need the extensive followthrough you see many players trying to mimic. When I teach players about the break, I show them how to use the weight of the cue and timing. If you really want to improve your break, get rid of the body movement, and work on a "normal" swing. There doesn't need to be any more finish on a break stroke than there is on any other normal stroke (mine is 6 1/2 inches).

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

M4verick said:
I'm trying to master the break lately but it seems that I just can't put all the motion together. I can swing and hit but I can't followup with the cue.

I tried to mimic the way how the pros doing it (full body motion with lean and switching weight to forward leg only) but I simply can't put all those things together in a full power break.

There's something I'm doing wrong and I want to discover what.

Can you give me any advice or recommend some online guides about the bak mechanics (posture, weight distribution etc.)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all your advices, I will check that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Scott Lee said:
M4verick...That isn't surprising, and common for many players. The first mistake is trying to do what you see the pros do. They have perfect timing, and also can overcome bad habits (like lunging at the rack) with lots of persistence. The truth is you simply do not need anything other than the weight of the cue, and good timing. With a perfect pendulum swing, you can generate a 20+mph break, which is plenty to break the rack wide open, and keep control of the CB. You do not need the body movement you see in a lot of these "instructional" break videos. What you do need, is a solid bridge, and loose grip, and a perfect strike on the CB. You certainly do not need the extensive followthrough you see many players trying to mimic. When I teach players about the break, I show them how to use the weight of the cue and timing. If you really want to improve your break, get rid of the body movement, and work on a "normal" swing. There doesn't need to be any more finish on a break stroke than there is on any other normal stroke (mine is 6 1/2 inches).

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

See that confuses me. I naturally follow through the length of the table when I break but then again I have developed my break to use my core muscles along with my forearm muscles. I twist my core when breaking to generate more force and use that instead of jumping or using my legs to power towards the table.

Granted I need to 'wind up' by twisting the opposite way before breaking and I have started lifting weights to strengthen my core and forearm but I have been able to get a 27mph break using this technique and I feel it is a lot easier to time then the others out there.

People have also told me I look like I'm performing a dance step when doing it lol.
 
zpele...I never said one CAN'T break the way you break...just that the 'gyrations' are not necessary to accomplish an accurate and repeatable break stroke...and those movements will actually work against most players. BTW, the extra followthrough has zero effect on the outcome of the break...the CB is gone 1/1000th of a second after the tip touches it, rendering any extra movement extraneous. We teach a natural finish against the body, which doesn't strain anything, and delivers a fast, consistent break shot, using just the weight of the cue, a loose grip, and perfect timing. The break is about cue stick speed and timing...not strength. Nobody needs to "wind up"...people choose to, but it's unnecessary. In the end, it's all about accurancy, no matter how you get it done. You might get the job done quite well...but that doesn't mean it will work for others. I prefer to teach something that can work for anyone, provided you practice it correctly. Watch Shane Van Boening...he's not wild at all...that's what I teach.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com



zpele said:
See that confuses me. I naturally follow through the length of the table when I break but then again I have developed my break to use my core muscles along with my forearm muscles. I twist my core when breaking to generate more force and use that instead of jumping or using my legs to power towards the table.

Granted I need to 'wind up' by twisting the opposite way before breaking and I have started lifting weights to strengthen my core and forearm but I have been able to get a 27mph break using this technique and I feel it is a lot easier to time then the others out there.

People have also told me I look like I'm performing a dance step when doing it lol.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Scott I have a question, I think simple is good way for most players to think about the break shot. My question is you talk about timing to get the speed, I would like to know what timing is. I would like to know so I figure out how to improve my break.
Thanks.
 
ipoppa33...Try this. Let your stroking arm hang limp at your side. Move your grip hand to your shoulder, using only the forearm and elbow (no shoulder rotation). Move slowly. Do it again, and try to move as fast as possible, again withough involving the shoulder. In order to make this movement really fast, the bicep has to remain very relaxed...meaning the grip has to be relaxed too. The bicep is a quick twitch muscle fiber...a white muscle, that responds to brain commands. The bicep finishes against the forearm (often also against the chest too), so with a loose grip you can literally throw the cuestick through the space the CB occupied, at a high speed. Because there is a 3-1 weight ratio between cue and CB, the cue can generate a LOT of kinetic energy, without excess body movement, and in a straight line through the CB. Hope this explains it for you.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

ipoppa33 said:
Scott I have a question, I think simple is good way for most players to think about the break shot. My question is you talk about timing to get the speed, I would like to know what timing is. I would like to know so I figure out how to improve my break.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Stan...To me, the most important function in this type of break swing is that it is in no way forced. It's very natural, and rhythmic, once your brain understands what your natural range of motion is, and you train yourself to keep a loose grip. You also end up with a natural finish, instead of a forced, extended followthrough. BTW, I use the same range of motion for almost every shot...consequently my followthrough remains at 6 1/2 inches, regardless of the stroke speed...lag to break!

Scott Lee
www.poolknoweldge.com
 
zpele said:
See that confuses me. I naturally follow through the length of the table when I break but then again I have developed my break to use my core muscles along with my forearm muscles. I twist my core when breaking to generate more force and use that instead of jumping or using my legs to power towards the table.

Granted I need to 'wind up' by twisting the opposite way before breaking and I have started lifting weights to strengthen my core and forearm but I have been able to get a 27mph break using this technique and I feel it is a lot easier to time then the others out there.

People have also told me I look like I'm performing a dance step when doing it lol.
Click to expand...


I agree with your method. That extra follow through that you get is a result of your speed and power. I also find that encouraging players to strive for that extra follow through helps them to generate more power, and even accuracy as well.
 
One of the nice things about this site is that instructors can have different opinions about how things work, and what style suits which player, without denigrating into name calling, etc. Like I have always said, there is more than one way to skin a cat. The technique I described is taught by several master level PBIA instructors, to the success of their students. You can certainly make something more complicated, and still have success with it too. I just happen to prefer KISS!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
I have watched Shane in person and studied him on dvds both at the DCC and recently at Tunica. He spends literally hours practicing his break. He shows up early for his matches and does nothing but practice his break for at least 30 minutes before his match. His achieves his great break with perfect timing. I've tried it, and can do it once in a while. It takes perfect timing. There are easier ways to break. Unless you think you are capable of playing at Shane's level, I wouldn't worry about trying to break like him. Scott's way is a lot easier and effective.
 
lstevedus said:
I have watched Shane in person and studied him on dvds both at the DCC and recently at Tunica. He spends literally hours practicing his break. He shows up early for his matches and does nothing but practice his break for at least 30 minutes before his match. His achieves his great break with perfect timing. I've tried it, and can do it once in a while. It takes perfect timing. There are easier ways to break. Unless you think you are capable of playing at Shane's level, I wouldn't worry about trying to break like him. Scott's way is a lot easier and effective.
Click to expand...

Yes. It takes hard work to become great and to stay great.

If you want to have a great break shot in your arsenal, you have to work hard.
 
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