You don't have to get a ball to a cushion but of course that's a foul, as it is on all shots, and you would owe a ball. The word you overlooked is "special". That word means you don't have to do anything special, like get two object balls to the cushion, which is not required on any shot at one pocket.i have not read thru the whole thread so if this was already addressed i apologize just lead me to the post
in the one pocket rules it says this (bolded part by me)
10.3 SELECTING POCKETS AND THE BREAK SHOT The breaker of each rack will choose a pocket, and the opponent gets the other foot pocket. If the breaker does not explicitly indicate a pocket, they are assigned the foot pocket opposite to the side of the cue ball placement for the break. The cue ball begins in hand above the head string. There are no special requirements for the break shot.
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if there are no special requirements does that mean you do not have to hit a rail or make a ball?
Also, since you are not required to make the cue ball touch a cushion after contact with an object ball on any normal shot, that is also not required on the break shot. If it was required on the break shot, it would be a special requirement on the break. That means that if you want, you can kick to the side of the rack and it is not a foul as long as you satisfy all of the requirements of a shot.