HELP: 9 Ball - Break from the Box

MuchoBurrito

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In the 9b league I play in, we have to break from the break box. I can pot the wing ball with some consistency when breaking from the side rail, but I haven't figured out yet how to pot the wing ball (or the 1 ball) when breaking from the break box.

I played 2 sets (races to 7) last night and only potted a ball once on my break.

Needless to say this can't continue lol.

Any tips?
 
Where exactly on the one ball are you hitting...? You may need to do a cut break and worry about pocketing the one instead of the corner ball.
 
I've been breaking as close to the ride rail as permitted (where the first diamonds on the short and long rail intersect) and hitting the 1b square.

I've tried changing my speed, and while I've noticed that harder is not any better from this spot, it's still not doing much for me.
 
1-2 inches off of center, left or right (depending on the rack) square into the 1 ball with controllable speed makes the wing ball for me.

Some tables seem to be finicky with this break though, in which case I'll try and a cut break, if nothing's working for me I'll give up hope and opt for a safe break leaving the cue ball on the end rail behind a ball if possible with 1 up table somewhere. That's in desperation lol
 
Pay Close attention when you are breaking time and see where the 2 ball behind the one ball. Each one should had towards the side pocket depending upon the speed. Move closer towards the center of the table in half inch increments if you balls are traveling below the center pockets.

I agree with everything Superiorduper said too.
 
I've been breaking as close to the ride rail as permitted (where the first diamonds on the short and long rail intersect) and hitting the 1b square.

I've tried changing my speed, and while I've noticed that harder is not any better from this spot, it's still not doing much for me.

To simulate the angle of the hit from a box break, you need to do a cut break, aim to the left of the center of the 1 with low and a tiny bit of right (if breaking from your right side) to keep from scratching in the side. That basically gives you a hit similar to the rail break. You also want to check the rack to make sure it's tight, then you can hit more square to play the 1, or just a random ball to go in. If it's not tight, check the balls behind the wingball, whichever has a small back between them, break with that cut break on the same side as the gap.
 
Buddy Hall vid

Buddy Hall had a You Tube video showing how he broke from the box.
 
Cut the ball a bit like you're aiming it from the side rail. You'll also need to make sure the "L" pattern in the rack is frozen (close to frozen doesn't count).

Or you can break them and hit it fairly square (see SVB break from US Open). Then you'll need to make sure there is a gap between the very back ball in the rack and the ball in front of it, on the same side as the wing ball pocket.
 
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