I need breaking technique in 8-ball as I get older.

Zerksies said:
You need good technique and not power. You need enough to break open the pack land a ball into a pocket and land the cue ball into the center of the table.
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I used to break (9-ball) pretty decent when I was younger but now it's hit/miss and just try and park the CB and make a wingball. I get the 1 over a corner pocket and the 2 on the opposite corner. If I don't make a ball off the break I'm usually in trouble
 
preacherman said:
Hi all AZ billiards friends,
I'm in my 60's and not a big guy. My break has never been powerful, but even less so as I age.
Can you all give me suggestions on being successful on a break in 8-ball (as a senior).
I am back to playing in local 8-ball league, but I find that while my breaks spread the balls well, rarely does anything go in on the break, which has left a nice spread for my opponent to run balls. I need to start getting atleast 1 ball in on break! And advice is appreciated.

Jim (Preacherman)
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Stand up taller.
Lock in front arm/bridge hand
Loose grip hand
Don't worry about speed at first - focus on hitting the head ball solid.
 
Matt_24 said:
Stand up taller.
Lock in front arm/bridge hand
Loose grip hand
Don't worry about speed at first - focus on hitting the head ball solid.
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I gave a youngster this same advice over the weekend, and on his first attempt he hit the head ball so solid it looked like SVB breaking. Before he was bent over it and trying to "execute/murder" the head ball and could barely break. World Champion Jimmy Reid gave me breaking advice 20 years ago, stating you almost want it to be like your "slapping" the rack, not crushing the rack.
 
preacherman said:
I have always seen more results (though not great) with a heavier break cue.
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Best breaks usually come from a slightly lighter cue combined with more speed. Unless you can move the heavier well a lighter/faster cue combo is better. I tried a 23oz brk. cue yrs ago and my results were way worse than a 18.5oz cue moving faster. It is a personal choice deal for sure.
 
preacherman said:
I have always seen more results (though not great) with a heavier break cue.
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Power to weight ratio. You cannot defy science, it works on sports cars, motorcycles, baseball bats, golf clubs etc. You can move a lighter cue faster than a heavier cue, although a heavier cue "feels" better on breaking, it is a lot slower

The heavier break cue could possibly be providing you a more accurate hit on the 1 ball vs a lighter cue
 
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People like heavier break cues because it's stabilizing their stroke a bit allowing for a better hit on the head ball. If they had the same accuracy plus increased speed due to a lighter cue they would love that as well.
 
Matt_24 said:
I gave a youngster this same advice over the weekend, and on his first attempt he hit the head ball so solid it looked like SVB breaking. Before he was bent over it and trying to "execute/murder" the head ball and could barely break. World Champion Jimmy Reid gave me breaking advice 20 years ago, stating you almost want it to be like your "slapping" the rack, not crushing the rack.
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because, thats how you generate the most speed
 
I have enjoyed everyone's input here, all good. I am now also in my mid 60's. Just purchased a high dollar break cue, guess
I will go back to the break cue I have used for 30+ years. I play pretty much bar box and the plastic racks are junk as they are
bent, twisted, out of shape. Even at home, the more effort I put into getting the first three rows solid, the better the break.
Really tough to get first 3 rows tight, but, it's huge in results. That said, I think everyone here has some very very good information.
 
If you are playing league 8 ball, on a 7’, just perfect the second ball break. Dr Dave has an excellent video on exactly this. I play in an open 8 ball league, the team that wins every year, all five guys second ball break.
 
worktheknight said:
I have enjoyed everyone's input here, all good. I am now also in my mid 60's. Just purchased a high dollar break cue, guess
I will go back to the break cue I have used for 30+ years. I play pretty much bar box and the plastic racks are junk as they are
bent, twisted, out of shape. Even at home, the more effort I put into getting the first three rows solid, the better the break.
Really tough to get first 3 rows tight, but, it's huge in results. That said, I think everyone here has some very very good information.
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Nice of you to say.
I'm sure I speak for all of us, you're welcome!!
Something I never could grasp was using a high dollar snap stick on those tiny tables!!
It's overkill at its finest.
Just about any piece of tapered lumber will get the job done on a bar box.
 
Focus on follow through. Place your cue ball. Do two or three follow through strokes slightly to the side of the cue ball. Really focus on the follow through. Then repeat.
 
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