Manufacturing Break Ball Drills

Steve Lipsky

Steve Lipsky

On quest for perfect 14.1
Silver Member
Although I'm not a big fan of drills, for those of you who may not be entirely confident with manufacturing break balls, here are a few you should try.

At the heart of all these drills is correct speed control. None of the shots is difficult, yet it's "uncomfortable" moving balls around when we're not used to it. Get used to it! Proper 14.1 often dictates it - but only when you're doing it on purpose...

There are other ways to manufacture a break ball of course, but these are some of the ones involving rails and thus are a little harder than the more obvious ones.

None of this is groundbreaking, but if you haven't worked on any of this in a while, it might be a good way to spice up your practice routine.


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Those are some nice shots when done in a match!!!

I played 14-1 today, and screwed up my position, lost the cueball and hit the 2 ball so it was no longer a good break ball.

Luckily I managed to make the 14 and hit the 2 once again on my next shot, to make it a great breakball. Needless to say, I missed the breakball, of course :eek:

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I especially like the first shot, not just for creating a break ball, but for separating small clusters, too. Something feels good about bumping a ball out of the middle of the rack into break position!

dwhite
 
thanks Steve for reminding us how important this game element is and providing some drills. (I made my high run of 47 due to manufacturing a break ball twice, otherwise it wouldn't happen)
 
These are some excellent drills and I look forward to working on them.

I feel good when I create a break ball while playing, doubly so when I actually wind up using it.

Reps to you for the post
 
Oh, I should also mention - unless you are absolutely sure of your speed, always err on the side of too hard for these shots (except #4, which should be erred too soft).

The reason is obvious, and yet we are all guilty of forgetting it from time to time. If you move a ball too hard, and it gets out of prime break position, it will still often be usable to some degree (sometimes in the side pocket). If you move a ball too softly, and it stays in the rack, it's fairly useless to you.

Straight pool is all about these types of decisions. Always knowing which side to err on during difficult executions might add 25% to your average runs during a game.

- Steve
 
This same thought / execution process should also be considered for the creation of key balls as well. Knocking balls out near center table is a good way to place a useful ball(s) for connecting to the break ball later in your sequence.

_Rick
 
Steve, those are some really awesome shots! Thanks for posting those!

I'm not sure if I have posted this diagram before, but its fits here... I have many more examples that will be in the book in different situations. This is a common one that always comes up. Dana, I believe I showed this one to you when you were down here - as a matter of fact, I think this shot came up 2 or 3 times that night.

Once again - thanks Steve!

2008_nudgingballs.gif
 
Steve Lipsky said:
Although I'm not a big fan of drills, for those of you who may not be entirely confident with manufacturing break balls, here are a few you should try.

At the heart of all these drills is correct speed control. None of the shots is difficult, yet it's "uncomfortable" moving balls around when we're not used to it. Get used to it! Proper 14.1 often dictates it - but only when you're doing it on purpose...

There are other ways to manufacture a break ball of course, but these are some of the ones involving rails and thus are a little harder than the more obvious ones.

None of this is groundbreaking, but if you haven't worked on any of this in a while, it might be a good way to spice up your practice routine.


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Click to expand...


Good stuff, Steve. But I think this one should be included too:

http://CueTable.com/P/?@3AQOA4BEdU4CPYU3PDXG4VEdU4VKgq3kDXG3kOBp4kCxg@

Lou Figueroa
 
Steve Lipsky said:
Although I'm not a big fan of drills, for those of you who may not be entirely confident with manufacturing break balls, here are a few you should try.

At the heart of all these drills is correct speed control. None of the shots is difficult, yet it's "uncomfortable" moving balls around when we're not used to it. Get used to it! Proper 14.1 often dictates it - but only when you're doing it on purpose...

There are other ways to manufacture a break ball of course, but these are some of the ones involving rails and thus are a little harder than the more obvious ones.

None of this is groundbreaking, but if you haven't worked on any of this in a while, it might be a good way to spice up your practice routine.
Click to expand...

Let me add my thank you.

One idea about developing a feel for speed.

Anyone fortunate enough to have access to a Carom table,
a mighty rare bird these days, can get tons of benefit from
pratcing a simple Balkline nurse.

Good practice for any serious 14.1 or One Pocket player.
Rumor has it Hopkins did it on a regular basis.

Dale
 
Blackjack, if those are diagrams from your future book, they look much better than the first version you came out with (dark solid balls I mean)!
 
Hi Steve,
I have seen you play many times in Pa. and Maryland you make the game look very easy. You are a amazing talent to watch. I was wondering if you ever have done clinic's ?
Thanks. Jody
 
pdcue said:
Let me add my thank you.

One idea about developing a feel for speed.

Anyone fortunate enough to have access to a Carom table,
a mighty rare bird these days, can get tons of benefit from
pratcing a simple Balkline nurse.

Good practice for any serious 14.1 or One Pocket player.
Rumor has it Hopkins did it on a regular basis.

Dale
Click to expand...


I couldn't agree more. Heck, just some quality time spend practicing any straight rail billiards skill is going to improve many dimensions of anyone's pocket game. I've spent the last ten years or more doing just that. I simply bought a set of carom balls and use them on my Diamond Pro. Believe me, if you're willing to put in the time, it'll improve your pocket games significantly.

_Rick
 
Jody, thanks, that's very nice. I have never done a clinic, but hope to release some kind of video at some point. Far from being the best player to ever do such a thing, my "niche" in that market would perhaps just to be a decent player who explains things very well. Not sure how or if that could work at this point.

In the meantime, introduce yourself at the next tournament!

Thanks again,
Steve
 
nice drills steve.

they all look so easy until they come up in a game and you haven't been practicing them.

if i ever make it back to a table, i will surely put them into my practice routine.
 
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