Keith - Please Help!

OldHasBeen

OldHasBeen

Tom Ferry
Keith - As You know, I am a fairly accomplished player. I am just starting to get back into the game seriously and need some help & or a place to start.
THE NINE-BALL BREAK.........
I have a decent break but I am slowly becoming convinced that the NEW soft break MIGHT be better & more reliable.
I am not talking about the tournament SOFT BREAK made possible by the Sardo Rack but a variation of it which can be used with just the standard tight rack that is used everyday, everywhere.
I am currently putting the cue ball about 2 inches off the rail and trying to hit just below center with a medium hard stroke.
I find that sometimes the One goes into the side but even if it doesn’t, it seems to land in the center of the table by the kitchen line. THIS IS GOOD IF ANOTHER BALL IS MADE ON THE BREAK and I find that I am making more balls on the break than with a good power break.
The cue ball seems to be going to the rail just below the side and landing in the about the center of the table. THIS IS GOOD ALSO.
Who can I ask (Pro) about this type of break? Who is using it or a variation of it? Do you use it? What is your general feedback on this?
TY & GL
 
Tom, I use the side break myself. I go from side to side until I can find the right spot.

Going back to the fundamentals of breaking, I would try to go 6 inches to the left or 6 inches to the right, whichever is comfortable, and just try to pop the balls square and get the cue ball up in the air, so it will squat in the middle of the table or thereabouts.

The main thing is popping the cue ball, and then you can go to more strengths when developing a feel for the break.

Hope this helps some. ;)
 
Yes - It Worked - Thanks

KEITH - It did work.
I have been concentrating on the softness aspect because of what I've seen on TV using the Sardo Rack.
Your right! By concentrating on the POP 1st and then adjusting from there, I am able to make at least 1 ball every time. The Cue Ball is staying fairly close to center and if I don't make the one in the side, it is going up near a corner pocket. I'm not trying to Power Break or to crush the rack, I'm just breaking hard enough to get "the pop" and scatter the balls. Have you ever tried putting the cue ball closer to the rail, maybe 1.5 /2 inches away and using your bridge hand on top of the rail. It is giving me an easier "POP" with less force and therefore more control.
Last night I was able to put a 2, a 3 & two 4's together in an 8 ahead set.
TY VM - Tom
 
Tom, I usually end up on the side rail myself when I break, but when I start out on new equipment or whatever, I try to take the cue ball just a little bit off the center of the spot, like I told you before, to develop the stroke and get the pop down. On newer felt, the balls will slide in from the side break a lot better than they will from the break just off the center spot.

I know how to break, Tom. I just don't have as good a break as a lot of the other players. I wish I did because all them guys might be able to get the 7 if I had their break. ;)

Johnny Archer is a good example of a good breaker. Bustamante and Earl Strickland are good ones as well. It's pretty nice to be playing 9-ball when you're playing 7-ball and everybody else is playing 9-ball. It sure makes a big difference.

I've tried several break cues as of late, and it seems like the ones with the brown ferrules with no tips makes the balls mix a little better than my own shooting cue. However, that is still one of my problems today, my break.

Best I could do with this thread, Tom. I hope it helps you, and God bless.

Your friend,
Keith
 
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