I haven't put anything up here in a while, but I figured I would post this, as I have gotten a lot of questions about how to extend your time at the table. This is sort of just tossed together tidbits of stuff that I have sent to members in recent PM's - I hope it helps your game.
About Big Runs...
IMO, the key to putting together big runs on any table under any conditions, is being able to gage the speed correctly. This will help you with breaking up clusters, manufacturing break balls, and break shots.
Many of my students do one of two things when dispersing the balls -
a) they hit them timidly
b) they smack the $hit out of them
I am content when I have all the balls free, which translated means that none of the balls are touching each other. From there, you can plan your patterns, clear pockets and get through the rack. Many players tend to clear away all the open balls before dealing with their clusters.
Remember, if you have trouble spots, clusters, or problem balls, deal with them immediately. Every time you pocket a ball that is in the open, you take away an opportunity to deal with that cluster.
Look at the situation below:
In this diagram, we have a 3 ball cluster in the rack area, and a few good balls that can be used to break it up.
From where the cue ball is, you can pocket the 13 and draw back into the cluster. I would contact the cluster mildly, merely splitting them up. You don't want to hit the cluster too hard, you merely want to split the balls from touching each other.
You can also pocket the 6 and get better on the 13 (from the other side) to break it up. Remember, when you pocket the 6, you eliminate another ball that could be used later. I would not touch the 6 ball - yet.
The 5 and 13 serve as possible break balls. Using either of them to split this cluster could dangerously remove both balls from the equation.
I would not try to use either the 10 or the 14 in this situation.
This leads us back to using the 13. It is there. It is simple. It is immediate. It does not pose a threat to mess up our break balls (especially the 13). I also have the 6 ball as an insurance ball.
Dealing with these situations correctly - and doing so when you have the opportunity to do so - will assist you in running more balls.
About Big Runs...
IMO, the key to putting together big runs on any table under any conditions, is being able to gage the speed correctly. This will help you with breaking up clusters, manufacturing break balls, and break shots.
Many of my students do one of two things when dispersing the balls -
a) they hit them timidly
b) they smack the $hit out of them
I am content when I have all the balls free, which translated means that none of the balls are touching each other. From there, you can plan your patterns, clear pockets and get through the rack. Many players tend to clear away all the open balls before dealing with their clusters.
Remember, if you have trouble spots, clusters, or problem balls, deal with them immediately. Every time you pocket a ball that is in the open, you take away an opportunity to deal with that cluster.
Look at the situation below:
In this diagram, we have a 3 ball cluster in the rack area, and a few good balls that can be used to break it up.
From where the cue ball is, you can pocket the 13 and draw back into the cluster. I would contact the cluster mildly, merely splitting them up. You don't want to hit the cluster too hard, you merely want to split the balls from touching each other.
You can also pocket the 6 and get better on the 13 (from the other side) to break it up. Remember, when you pocket the 6, you eliminate another ball that could be used later. I would not touch the 6 ball - yet.
The 5 and 13 serve as possible break balls. Using either of them to split this cluster could dangerously remove both balls from the equation.
I would not try to use either the 10 or the 14 in this situation.
This leads us back to using the 13. It is there. It is simple. It is immediate. It does not pose a threat to mess up our break balls (especially the 13). I also have the 6 ball as an insurance ball.
Dealing with these situations correctly - and doing so when you have the opportunity to do so - will assist you in running more balls.
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