I cant make up my mind. Its either the soft break or crack em and risk losing the cue ball. Any suggestions?
The Break
- Thread starter czarofrockland
- Start date
T
Timberly
Guest
The table usually makes that decision for you. Some tables only break well with a hard break and some only break good on a softer break. You should practice breaking at different speeds. If you practice different speeds you'll also get a chance to work on where to hit the cue ball to get the most control of it.
czarofrockland said:
Whenever you're playing on unfamiliar equipment AND it matters, you should always break softer than you normally do. The point behind a good break is to make a ball and get position. If you find you can do this at half-speed then you've pretty much found gold. Why complicate things by breaking a million miles per hour?
Watch your opponent, see where they're breaking from and the speed they're using. If they're more successful than you, try immitating them but do this within the realms of sanity. I do not recommend the big break by any stretch (even though I do resort to it from time to time). It's a huge risk if you're having a problem with control. However, there are the occasions where exerting a little extra is called for. When you have a big lead or trying to narrow one down, you're allowed a bit of flexibility. If you're breaking at hill-hill, CONTROL THAT ROCK.
Remember, the worst thing you can do on the break is scratch. Failure to pocket a ball isn't always bad. In fact, if your opponent needs to push-out, it can be a huge advantage. Giving up ball-in-hand, however, is NEVER good. In the end, you want that tell-tale sign of success. You want that rock parked right in the middle of the table. If you can do that from anywhere at most speeds you're willing to employ, the rest will fall in place.
czarofrockland said:
Never sacrifice accuracy for power.
Here are some articles on the break
Breaking To Win
Mastering The Break
I also recommend Charley Bond's book "The Great Break Shot" - priceless information.
Hey thanks a lot the articles I think will help a lot.
as yor opponents get better the break gets to be so crucial, especially in 9 ball. I cant tell you the times ive done something stupid with the break and it immediately led to me losing, a scratch that leads to a run out or some easy 1-9 or 2-9 combo. Alot of times if im in the lead in a race i will dial my break back some.........just like my regular pool stroke but faster, i stay down and get good extension and thats it........no raise up and jump thru like busta or archer. I get a good break, i park the rock in the middle of the table and if i dont make soemthing i didnt leave much either. I think it just depends on where you at in a match and how youre games working for you. I do know once i settle on a break and i seem to be winning.........DONT CHANGE. Its like you have to feel the tempo of the match........maybe im breaking and im not making anything but im not leaving anything and im getting back to the table to run out.........i dont start looking for another spot to break from to try and make a ball, i keep doing whatever is working, even if its not making anything.
