Help with my break shot

bwally

bwally

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am asking for some help with my break. Up until recently I didn't take my break shot as serious as I should have. Right now I have improved alot but still lack knowledge and experience to make the adjustments needed. I don't pocket a ball nearly as much as I should and any input from the members here is greatly appreciated.

Here is a video I took of three of my 10-ball breaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu2jTkdSQv4&feature=context-gau

Thanks in advance.. :)
 
Probably full side view. The keys to a strong break are things like weight-shift, lengthening of the lever arm that delivers the cue, and a measure of follow-through. Those things can best be seen from the side.

Of course we won't see if you are hitting the rack squarely. It doesn't take much error in that regard to lose a lot of the force of the cue ball. But you'll see that happening yourself and you can work on your precision.
 
I saw all I needed to see...

1)Stay still while you swing the cue. SOME pros stand up a little, just as they are contacting the CB. You're standing upright before you even begin your forward stroke. Quit doing that.

2)You're trying to DRIVE the cuestick through the ball with your arm and shoulder muscles. That's not necessary, and only complicates the break swing, in terms of timing and tip placement. Let the cuestick and timing do all the work...trust me it's a whole lot easier.

3)Stop believing the hype. NOBODY...even the top pros...make a ball on the break every time. In fact, the average is about once every other rack, on average...and that's the pros. Yeah, yeah...I know...so and so made a ball (or more) 12 racks in a row...on that day, in that match, on that table. The averages speak for themselves...especially playing 10 ball.

Hope this helps...

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
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swest...Just a couple things here. IMO the stroke need not change for the break...it's just a faster swing. The start and finish remain the same, and the grip pressure CAN remain the same (hopefully loose). Extending your normal followthrough won't make any difference on the quality of the break (I think you know this, but wanted to make sure). Long followthroughs don't do anything specific to create a better outcome...even though we see many pros do them (like JA). Again, the weight of the cue and really great timing, allow the cue to do all the work! Anything else is extraneous!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

swest said:
Probably full side view. The keys to a strong break are things like weight-shift, lengthening of the lever arm that delivers the cue, and a measure of follow-through. Those things can best be seen from the side.
Click to expand...
 
10 ball is the toughest for me to make a ball on. It doesnt matter what size table either, bar table or 9, it's tough.
 
Scott Lee said:
swest...Just a couple things here. IMO the stroke need not change for the break...it's just a faster swing. The start and finish remain the same, and the grip pressure CAN remain the same (hopefully loose). Extending your normal followthrough won't make any difference on the quality of the break (I think you know this, but wanted to make sure). Long followthroughs don't do anything specific to create a better outcome...even though we see many pros do them (like JA). Again, the weight of the cue and really great timing, allow the cue to do all the work! Anything else is extraneous!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I probably wouldn't have come back with specific advice to him (other than the usual - This is what works for me - disclaimer). I just figured that someone (like yourself) might do better advising him with a full side view.

With respect to what I <did> say, I guess there are a couple of things I'd add. Yes, you can deliver the same stroke for the break, but, at least in my own case, my personal strength is so pitiful that if I don't lengthen my arm (i.e. unhinge my elbow) and stroke more from my shoulder then I find that my accuracy/power ratio really begins to suffer.

[edit]

And, yes, with respect to follow-through, I am on the same page as you. I use the idea of follow-through strictly as a mnemonic to help me maintain consistency in my stroke speed.

Thanks.
 
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Sam...I would sure love a chance to show you how to "use what you have" to create a great break. There are lots of "under 100 lbs." players who have developed a great break using just the cue and timing! Maybe we'll get a chance to meet up some time, and I can show you!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

swest said:
Yes, you can deliver the same stroke for the break, but, at least in my own case, my personal strength is so pitiful that if I don't lengthen my arm (i.e. unhinge my elbow) and stroke more from my shoulder then I find that my accuracy/power ratio really begins to suffer.

And, yes, with respect to follow-through, I am on the same page as you. I use the idea of follow-through strictly as a mnemonic to help me maintain consistency in my stroke speed.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Sam...I would sure love a chance to show you how to "use what you have" to create a great break. There are lots of "under 100 lbs." players who have developed a great break using just the cue and timing! Maybe we'll get a chance to meet up some time, and I can show you!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Well I don't get out much these days (meaning out of the Phoenix area), but if you're ever down this way let me know... and we'll meet at Bullshooters.
 
Too true about size and strength. I used to gamble with a woman at the local hall who won prizes in Vegas during apa week with 30+mph breaks and she was probably 5'2" tall and maybe 115lbs. Man she used to snap the nine a lot too!
 
JolietJames said:
Too true about size and strength. I used to gamble with a woman at the local hall who won prizes in Vegas during apa week with 30+mph breaks and she was probably 5'2" tall and maybe 115lbs. Man she used to snap the nine a lot too!
Click to expand...

Which is precisely why I have tried to model my break after Xiaoting Pan:

Xiaoting Pan's break
 
Scott Lee said:
Sam...Sounds good! I'll let you know the next time I'm in Phoenix! I've given lessons and done pool schools at Bullshooters.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Cool. I had no idea.

Jerry Breisath has given private/group lessons at BS (wintering in AZ from WI) for a number of years. I hooked up with him back when I started up shooting again (after a lapse of many years). I did not know that you had also been there.

Thanks. I look forward to it.
 
Sam you are dead on about the things you asked about being able to see from a side view...

Every pro I know who possesses a stellar break works on timing to shift the weight and lengthen the lever so they can generate speed without using the lower arm only...
 
Sam...Jerry is one of my first mentors, and a longtime friend. I had the honor of teaching with him and Mark Wilson at the BCA Kids summer camp 20 years ago.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

swest said:
Cool. I had no idea.

Jerry Breisath has given private/group lessons at BS (wintering in AZ from WI) for a number of years. I hooked up with him back when I started up shooting again (after a lapse of many years). I did not know that you had also been there.

Thanks. I look forward to it.
Click to expand...
 
I like your upward movement, maybe just move up and forward more. Also, I try and keep my arm in one solid long lever and throw in a shoulder pop just before contact. The rest of your movements look good. Watch Alex, Shane, Jasmin break. They all crush the rack and have different movements, try emulating them and see what works for you. Good luck!
 
swest said:
Which is precisely why I have tried to model my break after Xiaoting Pan:

Xiaoting Pan's break
Click to expand...


Thank you for putting up that video. I watched it repeatedly for a few minutes. Then found a few more videos with her in it. Tried to look at every part of her body from the feet, to the hips, to the arms, to the bridge length.

Went downstairs to my table and IMMEDIATELY started absolutely CRUSHING the rack that way. Pocketed at least 2 balls on the break every time. Made 4 balls once (and of course I was then hooked, lol).

The first couple of times the cueball got loose on me a bit. So, I made a slight adjustment and then I had the cueball jumping about 2 feet straight up in the air on contact, then dropping right in the middle of the table. Pretty startling change in the results of my break. Just from studying one pro for a few minutes.

Of course your results may vary, but I've really been in a funk with my break lately and I was completely out of whack. Something about that break gives me structure. I really like it.

I'm glad I have a BreakRak now, so I can work on it even more.
 
There was another youtube video that I watched a couple of years ago that detailed this breaking style, and taught me some of its nuances. It was really quite a good training video. Alas, I have been unable to find it. If anyone else knows anything about it I'd like to see it again.

The video was of a guy, and he was describing the elements of the break as he demonstrated it. I can't remember his name.
 
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