head ball or 2nd ball 8 ball break

[Russ Chewning]

maybe my problem is just that I feel like I need low outside to avoid the scratch, but I'm actually just increasing the odds and I should stick to center, which should send it to the foot rail instead of towards the hole.

Creedo,

Multiple good players on here have told you that using low outside is perfectly acceptable. If you are scratching, and are using a consistent stroke, then change your aim line slightly. That's it. It's not rocket science.

If really good players are telling you a really good way to break, and you are having problems with performing this break, there are two options...

Get someone to show you the proper way to use this break, then practice and make it your own, or... resign yourself to the fact that you'll never get it, quit, and find something else to try. Then when that does not work.. Quit...Rinse and repeat.

I'm sorry if I am being a little blunt, but the guys on here are not expecting you to step up to the table and hit the break like Johnny Archer. They are, however, giving you different methods for hitting the second ball break.

Saying to yourself "Well, I just can't hit the break the proper way, I'm just gonna quit trying and do it my own way." is being rather unappreciative of the help they are trying to provide you.

To put it another way... NEVER tell yourself you "can't" do something. Negativity is a poolplayer's worse enemy. You need to step up to the table with a cocksure attitude like you never missed a ball in your life.

It has been said about Cornbread Red, that he was one of the best at putting down the money ball. When confronted with a long, hard, tough shot for the money, he would derisively snort "HAW HAW HAW!" and bang the ball in a hundred miles an hour. This is the attitude you need to have about pool. An utter distain for doubt.

Now go out there and learn to own the second ball break..... Don't lemme hear anything that even sounds like "mebbe I jsut can't do it."

And when I come into your town to play some pool, and I hear a loud "HAW HAW HAW" and a ***THWACK*** coming from the back of the room, I'll come over and say hi..

Russ

 

[dabarbr]

maybe my problem is just that I feel like I need low outside to avoid the scratch, but I'm actually just increasing the odds and I should stick to center, which should send it to the foot rail instead of towards the hole.

I use the low and outside english to keep the cue ball from going to the back rail which will limit my options if I make a ball. The tables in vegas this last week were playin easy for the break. I can't remember not pocketing a ball on the break through out the whole tournament. I scratched once. We came in second in the team open, meaning we played many games. To keep the ball from going air borne and leaving the table I try to use a level cue. These days I don't have a good break so I consider this last week was a success regarding my breaking.