Break Hypothesis
Joey A,
What a great thread topic. I have been meaning to write something similar to this exact question. I personally think you are onto something regarding fast-twitch muscle ability.
I have been weight training for 17 years. At my strongest, I weighed 180 lbs., and I was able to deadlift 320 lbs., squat 300 lbs., and bench 270. During this time in my life, I trained for a “slower-twitch” strength, or the ability to lift heavy weights for a few repetitions. Also, during this time, I think my break was seriously underwhelming. While I no longer train as seriously as I used to, I still have the ability to bench weights that are significantly higher than my body weight.
Once I downloaded the break speed app., we had a session at our pool hall which sounds similar to what happened at your pool hall, in which various people tried their hand at finding out their top break speed.
There is a fifteen-year old that recently started playing at the pool hall. Provided his mixture is right he might be able to run a rack of nine-ball on a 9foot, but he has yet to do so. In any case, I bet this kid a soda that I would beat him on break mph. I go first and clock in consistently at 19.5 (controlling the cue ball). This kid, who cannot do one single push-up, and who is on a steady diet of fast-food, chips, and soda, on his first try, clocks in at 25.6 mph. He then proceeds to lay down a 26 mph on his second try. Since then, I have seen him hit 27mph.
Because of this experience, my hypothesis is as follows:
Break speed has little to do with brute strength. It would seem break speed has more to do with a technique that allows someone to generate tip speed. In observing many pro-level-players it seems that many of them have some movement in which their body lifts up. SVB does this in a way that is probably the most pronounced, however almost all of the pros with big breaks do this. I also think this process might be aided by lighter arms as they are less muscle laden and easier to accelerate.
I have spent sometime practicing in a way in which I try to mimic the motion of SVB. Using this method, I have been able to, at times, generate speeds between 20.5 and 21.5mph. In doing my best SVB impression, I have noticed that I have a much harder time getting an accurate hit on the cue ball and rack. Interestingly, even when my speeds have been lower (in the 19 mph range) whilst working on my SVB technique, I think the results have been MUCH better on the occasions when I have been able to get accurate hits on the cue ball and rack. Maybe there is something to this “lifting up technique” that helps apart from speed?
I hope this long post adds to the discussion, and I am interested to hear what others say.
Some here have simply posted speeds, and I think it is more interesting to think about some of the following questions:
What techniques and abilities lead to increased speed?
Is more speed necessarily better? (one poster suggested that SVB's breaks are in the 22mph range, and he is widely considered to be the best breaker, or at least one of the best).
What training can someone do to improve break RESULTS and maybe speed?
kollegedave
