If you're like me and have trouble hitting center ball on the break- try this:

BWTadpole said:
Honestly, I think a lot of problems with the break can be solved if you make a full effort to only move your stroking arm at first, trying to get full power out of that. Once you've got the motion for that, try putting more power into it bit by bit. Gotta warm it up.
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This is a very good point. No sense trying to go from 0-60 right out of the gate. I wonder if that break drill thingy I saw somewhere on here is any good. Has anyone actually used it and can you remember where it is or who carries it?
 
lady9ball said:
When I first saw his signature, it reminded me of this quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi:

"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny."

I heard Arun Gandhi speaking on NPR one day, and IIRC he told a story where his Grandfather had said these words directly to him. So far I've been unable to find anywhere where he wrote or spoke them publicly.

:)
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Here's a little reference for you:
http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/36464.html
JoeyA
 
Fart sniffer said:
the idea for keeping your bridge hand steady is to contact the cueball closer to center so you don't lose speed from hitting unintentional English.
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Agreed, but if you keep your bridge hand steady but don't stroke perfectly straight, it is nice if the cue ball can still go straight. This can happen if your bridge length is well matched to the "natural pivot length" of the cue (as described and illustrated in my November '07 article).

Regards,
Dave
 
My Opinion

will probably differ from others previously. First, to keep your bridge hand stay steady and planted, I suggest shortening your stroke on the break, 1 to 2 inches. Don't worry the power will be there, and your consistency will go way up for breaking.

I see far too many players with way too long a stroke for the break. They either let up a little at the end of the stroke, or just use their arm, and not their body, to break the balls.

Second, I do not advocate a center ball hit on the cue ball. The reason is because the cue ball skids during the break, and when it hits the rack, it is like a 'stun' shot, which in turn, skids the object balls before they start rolling. Stun shot = less object ball action.

I break 8 and 9 ball mostly with the 8 ball break using inside low english, 3/4 low, 3/4 left (from right side of table), reversed for left side of table break. The object balls break better, get more action, and are rolling with spin on them, in lieu of a skid and then a roll.

I know many might disagree with me, but I have played 46 years, and have studied the break very intently over the years.
 
I know Neil isn't the type of guy to respond like I would, but do you guys realize that his post is meant as advice to those that have the a similar problem? All these wonderful other posts trying to give him advice are a bit misplaced.

I would hope that in the end, those with similar problems actually got something out of Neil's help. For those of you trying to help him, I got news for you: As I implied in my post, his bad break is still pretty damned good. Shortening his bridge or bridging at the pivot point isn't advice that will help him, IMO.

Neil has a longer bridge, smooth take back, and an effortless forward break stroke. His speeds get over 26mph without looking like he's exerting effort. And that lower effort leads to better control. That's what a break stroke should be like. You could have a field day studying him break. But, by all means, give him pointers.

Fred
 
I can't speak for others, but I certainly wasn't offering direct advice to Neil. His advice (to keep the bridge hand stable and still) was excellent. I was just posting additional general info and advice related to the break that might be of interest to people (not all, but some).

I apologize if any offense was taken.

Regards,
Dave

Cornerman said:
I know Neil isn't the type of guy to respond like I would, but do you guys realize that his post is meant as advice to those that have the a similar problem? All these wonderful other posts trying to give him advice are a bit misplaced.

I would hope that in the end, those with similar problems actually got something out of Neil's help. For those of you trying to help him, I got news for you: As I implied in my post, his bad break is still pretty damned good. Shortening his bridge or bridging at the pivot point isn't advice that will help him, IMO.

Neil has a longer bridge, smooth take back, and an effortless forward break stroke. His speeds get over 26mph without looking like he's exerting effort. And that lower effort leads to better control. That's what a break stroke should be like. You could have a field day studying him break. But, by all means, give him pointers.

Fred
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Thanks for the thread Neil! It's nuances of the game like this that can help amateurs like myself elevate their game. That's why I like coming here.
Must be nice to shoot around with one of the great straight pool champions.
Hope your back to 100% & good luck at the US Open.
 
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Thanks

Wazuela said:
Thanks for the thread Neil! It's nuances of the game like this that can help amateurs like myself elevate thier game. That's why I like coming here.
Must be nice to shoot around with one of the great straight pool champions.
Hope your back to 100% & good luck at the US Open.
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For everyone giving learned input, thanks. I have played for years; however, I have only been learning or caring to learn for the past five. Open forums such as this are great tools. Thanks to all.:thumbup:
 
Fart sniffer said:
Practicing with Thorsten lately and remembering how certain people break made me realize what I was doing wrong on the break..........my bridge hand was moving. It may seem simple and it may not be what is wrong with your break but once I focused on keeping my bridge hand still my break improved 20%. His bridge hand doesn't move and the only error he seems to make is elevation-wise on the cue ball, it reminds me of Dickie Renk (The Bomber) with his huge hand that didn't move while breaking.

Usually I hit left or right maybe half of the time when trying to break hard, not much maybe a tip left or right but enough to take quite a bit of energy and accuracy off of the ball. Plus even if I got lucky enough to squat the ball if something kicked it into the rail there was so much spin on it that it would take off like a top around the table.

This may or may not help you, but I hope it helps at least one other person.


Disclaimer: I am not to be held liable for any damage done by flying cueballs or if I screw up your game in any way, shape or form. Thank you.
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I often forget about keeping my bridge hand firm on the table - lifting it as I break and rise up.

Good tip!
 
Thank you Fred your post summed it up very well, though some of the information shared here may not have been seen by everyone so it's good that people posted it. And thank you everyone for posting comments and compliments, my break could always be better and just wanted to try and help those that may be having the same issues I was.

Thorsten left just today for the World Championships, we have spent quite a bit of time hanging out lately and I hope that I helped him prepare for the tournament. Practicing and going to the gym makes me realize just how undisciplined (and out of shape) most of us are and why are games stagnate, we did the PAT test once and it helps point out weaknesses and form structure where there wasn't any before.

We are going to try and teach the PAT testing method more here locally and hopefully get it more recognized nationally, it can't hurt trying it out and I believe everyone can benefit from it. Anyways, thanks everyone for the input and comments keep them coming!!
 
Fart sniffer said:
Thank you Fred your post summed it up very well, though some of the information shared here may not have been seen by everyone so it's good that people posted it. And thank you everyone for posting comments and compliments, my break could always be better and just wanted to try and help those that may be having the same issues I was.

Thorsten left just today for the World Championships, we have spent quite a bit of time hanging out lately and I hope that I helped him prepare for the tournament. Practicing and going to the gym makes me realize just how undisciplined (and out of shape) most of us are and why are games stagnate, we did the PAT test once and it helps point out weaknesses and form structure where there wasn't any before.

We are going to try and teach the PAT testing method more here locally and hopefully get it more recognized nationally, it can't hurt trying it out and I believe everyone can benefit from it. Anyways, thanks everyone for the input and comments keep them coming!!
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Thanks for posting this thread, it has drawn out some people that have given good advice. I must say that I notice the difference in my break. More control, more speed, and making more on the break so as to keep shooting.

Thanks again Neil and everyone,

Dwight
 
That's awesome Dwight, thank you for posting that it means a lot to me knowing that someone actually tried it and it worked. Sorry I won't be able to make it to your tournament I hope it fills up and you send some great representatives to the Open. Take care everybody and keep posting suggestions/comments please.
 
Took your advice a couple of days ago, Fart, and saw some major improvement. I'm crushing the rack and making balls on the snap much more consistently than before.
 
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