Fastest Break Speed Ever Recorded?

[dr_dave]

If the cue ball is in the air, as is likely for most break shots, it will slow down less.

Although, it is important to note that the CB is in the air only because it is driven down into the table. Most of the initial bounce (that sends the CB airborne) occurs after the CB leaves the tip. The CB loses speed on this initial bounce. Also, if the CB bounces again before reaching the rack, like it usually does for most breakers, the CB will lose more speed on that bounce also. It turns out that because of the bounces, the CB will actually lose more speed (even though it is airborne much of the time) than it would if it were struck with a level cue (if this were possible) where the CB would be sliding the whole way to the rack. In other words, the bouncing and flight does not help (although, it really can't be avoided ... however, it can be minimized by not elevating the cue more than you need to). For those interested, more info on these effects can be found here:

break CB hop and squat
cue elevation effects

And, for those with strong math and physics backgrounds, a detailed analysis of the effects of hopping on the spin and speed on the CB can be found here:

TP B.10 - Draw shot cue elevation effects

The analysis is applied to draw shots with different cue elevations, but the results also apply to a break shots, where the CB is also doing a combination of hopping and sliding.

Regards,
Dave

 

[eightandout]

how far does the cue ball have to travel (on a break short) to reach its maximum speed? Lets say the max speed is 25 mph.

the reason i asked this question is that it seems that when i break from back near the head rail, instead of near the head spot, i get more speed. but from what everyone is saying, that can't be. so it me be that the cue ball is in the air more or my technique is better back there. thanks

 

[Hits 'em Hard]

the reason i asked this question is that it seems that when i break from back near the head rail, instead of near the head spot, i get more speed. but from what everyone is saying, that can't be. so it me be that the cue ball is in the air more or my technique is better back there. thanks

Not quite. Your difference in speed comes from the difference in bridge length plus bridge elevation. There could be more factors at play too. Whether the cue ball is in the air or not while on the way to the rack has very little to do with your speed. Spin and precision of the hit combined with the initial speed is what is involved in a break. A 19mph break hit perfect will produce better results than a 25mph break will when hit off center. You need to read through all the aforementioned material, then go out and practice breaking. Once you do that, I would then start using the break speed app to see where you think you stand. You may be surprised by the results, but I can almost guarantee that you're breaking slower than you realize. And on top of that you're not hitting exactly where you should be.

What helps the best to break harder is to not lunge your body. Cue speed is produced by hand speed. Hand speed does not come from body speed.

 

[The Renfro]

Although, it is important to note that the CB is in the air only because it is driven down into the table. Most of the initial bounce (that sends the CB airborne) occurs after the CB leaves the tip. The CB loses speed on this initial bounce. Also, if the CB bounces again before reaching the rack, like it usually does for most breakers, the CB will lose more speed on that bounce also. It turns out that because of the bounces, the CB will actually lose more speed (even though it is airborne much of the time) than it would if it were struck with a level cue (if this were possible) where the CB would be sliding the whole way to the rack. In other words, the bouncing and flight does not help (although, it really can't be avoided ... however, it can be minimized by not elevating the cue more than you need to). For those interested, more info on these effects can be found here:

break CB hop and squat
cue elevation effects

And, for those with strong math and physics backgrounds, a detailed analysis of the effects of hopping on the spin and speed on the CB can be found here:

TP B.10 - Draw shot cue elevation effects

The analysis is applied to draw shots with different cue elevations, but the results also apply to a break shots, where the CB is also doing a combination of hopping and sliding.

Regards,
Dave

Stopped reading the very first article right here....

"So with a firm break shot, the CB will always be hopping on the way to the rack, and if the CB hits the rack while airborne, it will hop in the air after hitting the lead ball. This is not something one should try to create (e.g., by elevating the cue even more than normal). However, with a well-struck break (i.e., a square hit with significant speed), it is difficult to avoid the hop. The best scenario is if the CB lands exactly at the same time it hits the 1-ball. Then the most energy possible will be delivered to the rack, and the CB hop will be as small as possible. Although, even in this case, the CB will still hop slightly because the CB will still have a downward motion component when it lands at the 1-ball."

Most of the better professional players are flying the cueball to the rack.. This serves several purposes but I am more or less done debating on this site..... Go watch Shane or DeChaine, Moora or Buste... Dennis... Shaw... maybe not Efren or Earl... Once you realize they are all doing it the main reason will be pretty clear......

 

[Chrippa]

Ha ha. Far out and solid, groovy guy.

Actually, my post was supposed to be serious. If anyone knows me, they know that I work on integrating honesty as fully as possible into every thought and action I create.

This integration requires mostly eliminating the b/s first, before adding anything.

That's how I learned to play good pool. I did not first go learn the "right" way to play; I first learned to examine my self and then dismiss the wrong ways one at a time. This is a dynamic system, not static and requires more looking inward than out.

That's why "change is no change" for me. It's also reflective of my reasons for playing. If I were to play just for money, for example, I'd stick with what works at the time because the immediate gain would be my goal. But no, I have other reasons which require me to constantly integrate new information while still playing the same or better than before. Thus, my focus on playing better over the long run, not necessarily winning at the time.

But I want to win, so I've also integrated Einstein's fourth dimension, time, into my shot. This allows me to go for my main goal, while still going for the win. Time is integrated by a necessary recognition: I am always at THIS shot...ALWAYS...not the last shot, this shot...ALWAYS.

Once I have integrated this, I then can use the 'now' as the center point of my playing, while examining and honestly integrating the past and accurately preticting the future, becasue I have the power to create it.

I don't mean to sound mystical at all. In fact, I think mysticism is DIShonest (that's another discussion). I didn't just come up with these thoughts overnight or during a bowl. I've worked on this type of thinking for decades. It wasn't until about 1994 that I understood their power for playing sports, in our case, pool.

Jeff Livingston

Thanks for the post Jeff. I think you and I have ideas and thoughts about the "game" in a very similar fashion. Had to read it a couple of times since I´m Swedish so I got it but I think it´s very close if not - dead on.

I´m doing it in every game, as I understand you are also.

Peace, love and understanding

Christian

 

[MiscueBlues]

Ha ha. Far out and solid, groovy guy.



Actually, my post was supposed to be serious. If anyone knows me, they know that I work on integrating honesty as fully as possible into every thought and action I create.



This integration requires mostly eliminating the b/s first, before adding anything.



That's how I learned to play good pool. I did not first go learn the "right" way to play; I first learned to examine my self and then dismiss the wrong ways one at a time. This is a dynamic system, not static and requires more looking inward than out.



That's why "change is no change" for me. It's also reflective of my reasons for playing. If I were to play just for money, for example, I'd stick with what works at the time because the immediate gain would be my goal. But no, I have other reasons which require me to constantly integrate new information while still playing the same or better than before. Thus, my focus on playing better over the long run, not necessarily winning at the time.



But I want to win, so I've also integrated Einstein's fourth dimension, time, into my shot. This allows me to go for my main goal, while still going for the win. Time is integrated by a necessary recognition: I am always at THIS shot...ALWAYS...not the last shot, this shot...ALWAYS.



Once I have integrated this, I then can use the 'now' as the center point of my playing, while examining and honestly integrating the past and accurately preticting the future, becasue I have the power to create it.



I don't mean to sound mystical at all. In fact, I think mysticism is DIShonest (that's another discussion). I didn't just come up with these thoughts overnight or during a bowl. I've worked on this type of thinking for decades. It wasn't until about 1994 that I understood their power for playing sports, in our case, pool.



Jeff Livingston

Very well said!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chefjeff]

Thanks for the post Jeff. I think you and I have ideas and thoughts about the "game" in a very similar fashion. Had to read it a couple of times since I´m Swedish so I got it but I think it´s very close if not - dead on.

I´m doing it in every game, as I understand you are also.

Peace, love and understanding

Christian

Thanks for that, Christian. That post was one of my first here on AZB and I had totally forgotten I had posted it.

And boy, do I need that right now. I'm totally lost on my game, even though I'm playing better fundamentally now. I am winning less now as I play better. Strange thing I'm going through and I haven't been able to pin point my exact problem.

Funny how a past thought, lost in time, suddenly gives me some inspiration and insight for today.

Thanks,

Jeff Livingston

 

[measureman]

I hit the cue ball so hard that halfway to the rack it disappeared and reappeared 3 minutes later proving that time travel is possible with enough speed.

 

[phil pool]

I pick Django Bustamante as the fastest breaker!

 

[Sbrogdon]

Break Speed

I was recorded at 29.7 mph by the phone app on a table with the speed contraption setup. I doubt it matters much though.

 

[rossaroni]

Dechaine was launching missiles last year at the BCA tradeshow with the new BK3.... Think he was hitting 38 if my memory is serving me correctly....

You could be correct, but I had a friend spot him 1-2 mph a few years ago....and I know my friend can't hit them 40mph. (nobody can)