Here's a set of screen captures from Virtual Pool 3 showing the most common 1 Pocket break. The idea is to move balls only toward the breaker's pocket (on the right below) and to position the cue ball "behind the stack", blocking it from the open balls and the safety area near the breaker's pocket.
It's also best to position the cue ball close to the side rail to limit opponent's control of it. On most tables the inside sidespin shown in the picture below would keep the cue ball closer to the rail than shown.
This break must be aimed very accurately, clipping the head ball very (but not too) thinly, and hit with good speed control to avoid scratching or leaving the opponent an easy shot, so practice is important.
Critique of the break shown below:
Positives
- Balls moved toward the breaker's pocket and not toward opponent's pocket. It isn't unusual for the bottom corner ball to move toward opponent's pocket, sometimes leaving a makeable shot - moving it little or none is a primary goal, but not as easy as this example might suggest.
- Cue ball blocked from open balls nearest breaker's pocket.
Negatives
- CB positioned too far uptable, giving too much access to the open balls, including offensive banks, and the safety area near the breaker's pocket. Best is 2-3 diamonds from the foot rail.
- CB too far from the side rail, giving too much CB control and sometimes leaving direct shots at opponent's pocket (if the near-side balls move more than shown, which isn't uncommon). Best, of course, is frozen to the rail.
- CB is hit unnecessarily high, increasing swerve and making accuracy more difficult. This break shot is hit slowly enough that the CB will reach full forward roll even if hit with little or no follow.
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