Issue with my break….

KenK

KenK

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a fairly powerful break from the head rail where I can get a good spread on the table however more times than not I don’t seem to be able to make a single ball on the break. I have lost my share of games because of this where my opponent will have a run out. I’m currently using a Poison jump/break stick with a g10 tip on there. I’m looking for suggestion on how to improve my break so Im more consistent in making at least one ball on the break. Could it be as simple as getting a new tip and if so which tip would you recommend? Or should I look to upgrade my break stick? Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Ken
 
KenK...First of all, your expectations are out of whack. Not even the best players on Earth make a ball (or more) on the break, every time. In fact, the overall average is somewhere around 50%. Second, it's NOT the cue. It's more likely related to how you're using the cue (too tight of a grip, poor stance, poor timing, etc), and where you're aiming vs. actually striking the CB. The best breaks often occur with a centerball hit on the CB, a square hit on the headball in the rack, and not trying to KILL the rack! Lunging at the rack is another culprit in not getting as much action as you otherwise might. You haven't mentioned what you actually do in your break shot process, but likely one or more of the errors I described can result in the end result you're experiencing. Take a look at these things...see if any of them fit what you're doing, and then try to correct them. Number one would be backing off some on your break speed swing.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
I've been experimenting lately with a break shot that I like a lot...works great on short racks (9 or 10 Ball)...if you're breaking from the box on the right side, shoot with a (very) little low left and aim straight into the head ball as you're looking at it. Reverse if breaking from the left side, then it's a little low right...straight at the head ball. Whitey opens the rack very nicely and squats right in the middle of the table. Last week in a tournament I averaged 1-2 balls per break over the course of 4 sets race to 9, with two 9 balls on the break, and at least 4 hung 9 balls and zero dry breaks in 4 sets. You don't have to hit it 30 mph, either...about 15-18 mph works perfect.
 
Scott Lee said:
KenK...First of all, your expectations are out of whack. Not even the best players on Earth make a ball (or more) on the break, every time. In fact, the overall average is somewhere around 50%. Second, it's NOT the cue. It's more likely related to how you're using the cue (too tight of a grip, poor stance, poor timing, etc), and where you're aiming vs. actually striking the CB. The best breaks often occur with a centerball hit on the CB, a square hit on the headball in the rack, and not trying to KILL the rack! Lunging at the rack is another culprit in not getting as much action as you otherwise might. You haven't mentioned what you actually do in your break shot process, but likely one or more of the errors I described can result in the end result you're experiencing. Take a look at these things...see if any of them fit what you're doing, and then try to correct them. Number one would be backing off some on your break speed swing.

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

Oddly enough I was thinking all of the above. First thing you should do if you can't get your break working is take some speed off, until your hitting square and controlling whitey.

The only thing I would add is practice, practice, practice. If you can work on nothing but your break for 30-60 minutes twice a week, you will see drastic improvements. More if you practice more.

best,

Justin
 
First question I have would be what game are you playing???

Years ago when the cloth was slow and the balls inconsistent players only made a ball playing 9ball about 50% as Scott said.. But on standard equipment today if you aren't making a ball on the break playing 9ball then you need to start taking a hard look at the racks you are getting... In 9ball making balls is about the rack as much as anything... Controlling the cueball and 1ball is the part you have to work hard on....

Playing 10Ball you have a legitimate shot at pocketing 3 balls if you know how to break the rack properly... Joe Tucker does an excellent job in his DVDs going over the 10Ball break... It's a must watch if you play 9ball or 10ball...

8Ball is actually the hardest rack to make balls on if you have a good rack and decent balls because nothing goes in the bottom 2 pockets very often unless they 4 rail... You actually have to work on the 8ball break to develop a break where you have the best chances of getting the head ball or the balls behind it in the side and moving lots of balls up table...

This is not your grandfather's sport anymore... Just getting a solid hit and hoping to make something went the way of the dodo bird when Simonis and Aramith upped the quality of the cloth and balls.....

Chris
 
Scott took the words right out of my mouth.

Back off on the speed a little bit.

randyg
 
KenK said:
I have a fairly powerful break from the head rail where I can get a good spread on the table however more times than not I don’t seem to be able to make a single ball on the break. I have lost my share of games because of this where my opponent will have a run out. I’m currently using a Poison jump/break stick with a g10 tip on there. I’m looking for suggestion on how to improve my break so Im more consistent in making at least one ball on the break. Could it be as simple as getting a new tip and if so which tip would you recommend? Or should I look to upgrade my break stick? Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Ken
Click to expand...

Put your cue ball as close as you can to the head string and halfway between the spot and the rail. Hit the head ball full with no English.

If you break from the left side, a ball should go into the right corner pocket.

Now go at it!:thumbup:


This is for eight ball on a bar box....
 
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