Spotting the 10 ball

[loggerhead12]

Why aren’t they breaking like Shane taught the world then, and making 2-4 balls on the break like he was, even with the wood rack in TAR 1?

Prob'ly the same reason I don't - cause I can't.

 

[skor]

what's wrong with breaking from rail?
just like any break, it works if you doing it right....

 

[sudocrushms]

Why aren’t they breaking like Shane taught the world then, and making 2-4 balls on the break like he was, even with the wood rack in TAR 1?

Less risk (especially with hand racking). If you break from center and don't make a ball the odds are good you leave a wide open table for your opponent. Breaking from the side (with intent to make the 1) leaves more congestion on the side you broke from.
If the center break is working, run with it.
If not...break from the side and trust you're better tactically.

 

[Cornerman]

I meant SIDE rail.

Oh, I would do that for sure. Back then before template racks. It was the best way to sneak the head ball into the side pocket. I learned to break that way playing 90-yr old at the senior center on their 9’ table. Made the head ball in the side every time.

 

[InsertCleverNameHere]

Less risk (especially with hand racking). If you break from center and don't make a ball the odds are good you leave a wide open table for your opponent. Breaking from the side (with intent to make the 1) leaves more congestion on the side you broke from.
If the center break is working, run with it.
If not...break from the side and trust you're better tactically.

This way of thinking only works on low level play. Competent players and especially pros have a massive massive advantage just by making the first ball even when they don’t run out.