Top 10 BEST SAFETIES of All Time … And How to Shoot Them

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that recreates and analyzes the 10 best safeties of all time executed by pros other than Efren Reyes. Check it out:

Shots Included with [YouTube Timestamps] and Source Video Links:
Intro [0:00]
1. Mario He – jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=2099
2. Albin Ouschan – 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=61
3. Justin Hall – kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=1826
4. Darren Appleton – hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=2395
5. Niels Feijen – tough bank hide with distance, against Albin Ouschan [5:09]: https://youtu.be/ptmqWFCU-FA?t=920
6. Skyler Woodward – thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=969
7. Francisco Bustamante – carom off three rails to hide, against Thorsten Hohmann [8:00]: https://youtu.be/uJ-ixqSywDc?t=614
8. Alex Pagulayan – full-hit follow-the-rail hide, against Skyler Woodward [8:51]: https://youtu.be/ALy6VtA78uw?t=525
9. Justin Bergman – carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=1610
10. Shane VanBoening – long CB hide off two cushions with distance, against Warren Kiamco [11:40]: https://youtu.be/VYENsVH4pzw?t=2109
BONUS: Efren Reyes – two rail kick with carom off three rails, against Shane VanBoening [13:00]: https://youtu.be/qKdBhPg01VAt=47m18s
- Wrap Up [15:14]
---- shot montage [15:42]

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[sjm]

Wow, not knocking any of these safeties but most of these are nothing special in my eyes and few merit inclusion in a top 1000 safeties video. One problem is that , in some cases, you're giving players credit for details of the result that were surely unplanned, but my bigger issue is that you have not dug into the subject of dynamic defense. When a safety develops offense, it represents the highest height of achievement in defensive play. As we know, this happens far more often in one pocket than in nine ball, but it applies to both games.

A dynamic safety, as I choose to define it, is one in which not only is the cue ball placed skillfully, but in which problem balls are simultaneously addressed or additional opportunities are created. Any of these can be achieved simultaneous to a safety: 1) breaking a cluster (usually, but not always, using the object ball of the safety), 2) taking a ball or more off the rails, 3) improving runout chances by moving one or more balls to simplify the pattern that will be needed, 4) repositioning the nine ball advantageously, and 5) all sorts of other strategic nuances can be in play when defense is played.

The three best ever, in my view, at playing their defense dynamically were Reyes, Varner and Pagulayan. I cannot offer any footage of some of their efforts, but I recall Varner once played a shot (approx. 1998) in which he not only hid the cue ball superbly, but he used the object ball to open up two different clusters that were not near each other (he actually reproduced the shot in one of his Billiards Digest columns because of its instructional value). I, similarly, recall Pagulayan finding two different dynamic safeties in a single rack at the World Cup of Pool (not sure what year, approx. 2014, and John Morra was his Team Canada partner) and, in one of these cases, I'd have bet the house against nearly any other player even finding the defensive shot that set up a win for Canada in that rack. I also recall Reyes, adding to an already sound distance oriented safety on the eight ball, leaving his opponent jacked up against the nine ball in the process. I asked him after the match, which occurred in about 1999 at the BCA Open, whether it was intentional, and he said it was.

The greatest defense, to me, is that which shows the greatest imagination and attention to detail (for example, Mario He's jump safe certainly showed great imagination), and while the shots in this video were well executed, few of them displayed the kind of imagination that I'm looking for before I call a defensive shot truly exceptional.

It's the way that the defensive greats get just a little more out of their defensive shots that gets me excited when it comes to safety play.

Sorry to be so critical, Dave, for I love your videos, but I'm calling it like I see it.

 

[Sharivari]

Very good video Doc. My favorite is #8.

 

[dr_dave]

Wow, not knocking any of these safeties but most of these are nothing special in my eyes and few merit inclusion in a top 1000 safeties video. One problem is that , in some cases, you're giving players credit for details of the result that were surely unplanned, but my bigger issue is that you have not dug into the subject of dynamic defense. When a safety develops offense, it represents the highest height of achievement in defensive play. As we know, this happens far more often in one pocket than in nine ball, but it applies to both games.

A dynamic safety, as I choose to define it, is one in which not only is the cue ball placed skillfully, but in which problem balls are simultaneously addressed or additional opportunities are created. Any of these can be achieved simultaneous to a safety: 1) breaking a cluster (usually, but not always, using the object ball of the safety), 2) taking a ball or more off the rails, 3) improving runout chances by moving one or more balls to simplify the pattern that will be needed, 4) repositioning the nine ball advantageously, and 5) all sorts of other strategic nuances can be in play when defense is played.

The three best ever, in my view, at playing their defense dynamically were Reyes, Varner and Pagulayan. I cannot offer any footage of some of their efforts, but I recall Varner once played a shot (approx. 1998) in which he not only hid the cue ball superbly, but he used the object ball to open up two different clusters that were not near each other (he actually reproduced the shot in one of his Billiards Digest columns because of its instructional value). I, similarly, recall Pagulayan finding two different dynamic safeties in a single rack at the World Cup of Pool (not sure what year, approx. 2014, and John Morra was his Team Canada partner) and, in one of these cases, I'd have bet the house against nearly any other player even finding the defensive shot that set up a win for Canada in that rack. I also recall Reyes, adding to an already sound distance oriented safety on the eight ball, leaving his opponent jacked up against the nine ball in the process. I asked him after the match, which occurred in about 1999 at the BCA Open, whether it was intentional, and he said it was.

The greatest defense, to me, is that which shows the greatest imagination and attention to detail (for example, Mario He's jump safe certainly showed great imagination), and while the shots in this video were well executed, few of them displayed the kind of imagination that I'm looking for before I call a defensive shot truly exceptional.

It's the way that the defensive greats get just a little more out of their defensive shots that gets me excited when it comes to safety play.

Sorry to be so critical, Dave, for I love your videos, but I'm calling it like I see it.

Thank you for the honest feedback. It certainly would have been good to include some two-way or three-way offensive safeties. If you or others can find links to any of these, please share them. I have lots of examples in VEPS, VENT, and VEEB, but I don't have any links to pro match examples.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Very good video Doc. My favorite is #8.

Thanks Sharivari. I appreciate it. Keep up the great work with your recent YouTube series. I think it is some of your best work to date.

Concerning shot 8, I think Alex was just showing off. That was a very odd shot choice and it required an absolutely perfect hit. But I'm glad he shot it so I could include it in the video.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[justnum]

Wow, not knocking any of these safeties but most of these are nothing special in my eyes and few merit inclusion in a top 1000 safeties video. One problem is that , in some cases, you're giving players credit for details of the result that were surely unplanned, but my bigger issue is that you have not dug into the subject of dynamic defense. When a safety develops offense, it represents the highest height of achievement in defensive play. As we know, this happens far more often in one pocket than in nine ball, but it applies to both games.

A dynamic safety, as I choose to define it, is one in which not only is the cue ball placed skillfully, but in which problem balls are simultaneously addressed or additional opportunities are created. Any of these can be achieved simultaneous to a safety: 1) breaking a cluster (usually, but not always, using the object ball of the safety), 2) taking a ball or more off the rails, 3) improving runout chances by moving one or more balls to simplify the pattern that will be needed, 4) repositioning the nine ball advantageously, and 5) all sorts of other strategic nuances can be in play when defense is played.

The three best ever, in my view, at playing their defense dynamically were Reyes, Varner and Pagulayan. I cannot offer any footage of some of their efforts, but I recall Varner once played a shot (approx. 1998) in which he not only hid the cue ball superbly, but he used the object ball to open up two different clusters that were not near each other (he actually reproduced the shot in one of his Billiards Digest columns because of its instructional value). I, similarly, recall Pagulayan finding two different dynamic safeties in a single rack at the World Cup of Pool (not sure what year, approx. 2014, and John Morra was his Team Canada partner) and, in one of these cases, I'd have bet the house against nearly any other player even finding the defensive shot that set up a win for Canada in that rack. I also recall Reyes, adding to an already sound distance oriented safety on the eight ball, leaving his opponent jacked up against the nine ball in the process. I asked him after the match, which occurred in about 1999 at the BCA Open, whether it was intentional, and he said it was.

The greatest defense, to me, is that which shows the greatest imagination and attention to detail (for example, Mario He's jump safe certainly showed great imagination), and while the shots in this video were well executed, few of them displayed the kind of imagination that I'm looking for before I call a defensive shot truly exceptional.

It's the way that the defensive greats get just a little more out of their defensive shots that gets me excited when it comes to safety play.

Sorry to be so critical, Dave, for I love your videos, but I'm calling it like I see it.

Its not critical

Its growing the community and sharing the experience.

SJM gave me some interesting things to think about before I produce the top5 safeties all beginners should know and guard against.

 

[dr_dave]

Its not critical

Its growing the community and sharing the experience.

SJM gave me some interesting things to think about before I produce the top5 safeties all beginners should know and guard against.

Agreed. All feedback is good. And he made an excellent point.

Regards,
Dave

 

[sjm]

Thank you for the honest feedback. It certainly would have been good to include some two-way or three-way offensive safeties. If you or others can find links to any of these, please share them. I have lots of examples in VEPS, VENT, and VEEB, but I don't have any links to pro match examples.

Thanks,
Dave

Right on, Dave. Multipurpose safeties raise the tactical portion of the game to very lofty heights, and are a thing of great beauty.

It won't be easy, as these shots aren't especially common, but I'll browse around a bit and see if I can find anything.

 

[dr_dave]

Right on, Dave. Multipurpose safeties raise the tactical portion of the game to very lofty heights, and are a thing of great beauty.

It won't be easy, as these shots aren't especially common, but I'll browse around a bit and see if I can find anything.

Thanks. I'll start keeping them on my radar also, especially when I see them in future matches.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that recreates and analyzes the 10 best safeties of all time executed by pros other than Efren Reyes. Check it out:

Top 10 BEST SAFETIES of All Time … And How to Shoot Them

Here's the direct YouTube video link.​

Shots Included with [YouTube Timestamps] and Source Video Links:
Intro [0:00]
1. Mario He – jump safe, against Bashar Hussain [0:35]: https://youtu.be/8l22PVMLcds?t=2099
2. Albin Ouschan – 3-rail bank hide, against China team [1:30]: https://youtu.be/xi2KtnHkp8k?t=61
3. Justin Hall – kick and stick with stun forward, against Nikos Ekonomopoulos [2:30]: https://youtu.be/omQ35O_N_co?t=1826
4. Darren Appleton – hide behind small ball with distance, with Mark Gray [3:27]: https://youtu.be/w8DF4lqN6IQ?t=2395
5. Niels Feijen – tough bank hide with distance, against Albin Ouschan [5:09]: https://youtu.be/ptmqWFCU-FA?t=920
6. Skyler Woodward – thin hit kick freeze hide, with Shane van Boening [7:12]: https://youtu.be/6fMHRkcsCfU?t=969
7. Francisco Bustamante – carom off three rails to hide, against Thorsten Hohmann [8:00]: https://youtu.be/uJ-ixqSywDc?t=614
8. Alex Pagulayan – full-hit follow-the-rail hide, against Skyler Woodward [8:51]: https://youtu.be/ALy6VtA78uw?t=525
9. Justin Bergman – carom off three rails for hide and distance, against Niels Feijen [10:43]: https://youtu.be/aNZJURtAflE?t=1610
10. Shane VanBoening – long CB hide off two cushions with distance, against Warren Kiamco [11:40]: https://youtu.be/VYENsVH4pzw?t=2109
BONUS: Efren Reyes – two rail kick with carom off three rails, against Shane VanBoening [13:00]: https://youtu.be/qKdBhPg01VAt=47m18s
- Wrap Up [15:14]
---- shot montage [15:42]

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy,
Dave

What do you guys think about Darren's choice in shot 4 and Alex's choice in shot 8, as compared to the options I demonstrated?

I know ... they made the right choices because the shots worked. But I'm looking for a more holistic and objective analysis than that.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[sjm]

What do you guys think about Darren's choice in shot 4 and Alex's choice in shot 8, as compared to the options I demonstrated?

I know ... they made the right choices because the shots worked. But I'm looking for a more holistic and objective analysis than that.

Thanks,
Dave

I reckon few would have played the shot Darren played in Shot 4, but I think you may have overlooked a small detail here. It appears that Darren intended to leave the object ball on the head rail, which means that he had one extra chance for a passable defensive result had he failed to snooker his opponent. It doesn't appear that you've tried to do the same with the object ball in your attempts at his shot. Hence, Darren's shot may have had slightly more defensive justification than is readily apparent. Had he played behind the two blockers and failed, he surely sells out the rack., That said, I feel that the safety behind the two blockers is far easier to execute than hiding behind the nine, and despite his exceptional execution of the shot he chose, which is no bargain even at pro level, I don't agree with the choice.

I'm OK with Alex's choice in shot 8, although your alternatives are reasonable, too. I'm guessing Alex hit the object ball just a little further than intended here, and had hoped to leave it in a less favorable spot as he snookered opponent.

 

[dr_dave]

What do you guys think about Darren's choice in shot 4 and Alex's choice in shot 8, as compared to the options I demonstrated?

I know ... they made the right choices because the shots worked. But I'm looking for a more holistic and objective analysis than that.

Thanks,
Dave

I reckon few would have played the shot Darren played in Shot 4, but I think you may have overlooked a small detail here. It appears that Darren intended to leave the object ball on the head rail, which means that he had one extra chance for a passable defensive result had he failed to snooker his opponent. It doesn't appear that you've tried to do the same with the object ball in your attempts at his shot. Hence, Darren's shot may have had slightly more defensive justification than is readily apparent. Had he played behind the two blockers and failed, he surely sells out the rack., That said, I feel that the safety behind the two blockers is far easier to execute than hiding behind the nine, and despite his exceptional execution of the shot he chose, which is no bargain even at pro level, I don't agree with the choice.

I'm OK with Alex's choice in shot 8, although your alternatives are reasonable, too. I'm guessing Alex hit the object ball just a little further than intended here, and had hoped to leave it in a less favorable spot as he snookered opponent.

Good point about the Darren's choice leading to better separation with the possibility of leaving it close to the head cushion. I should have mentioned that in the video.

I still think Alex was just showing off. That shot is really tough ... it needs to be hit perfectly, and it is difficult to control both the CB and OB, as he demonstrated by sending the OB much too far. The alternative shots are much easier and can be very effective, IMO.

Thanks again for the input,
Dave

 

[alstl]

Excellent video. On #8 I think a great way to clock someone's speed is how well they play shape on a ball sitting in the pocket like the shot on the one ball Alex had. I would suggest you making a video of how to put the cue ball wherever you want it with a ball sitting in the pocket.

It looked to me like Woodward had no cut on the 1 ball and attempted a 2 way shot. If the cue ball hadn't clipped the 8 he would likely have been behind the 4/7.

With Pagulayan that safe was his best option given position of the 3 but being able to control that ball with high English was a world class safety.

Thanks for putting the work to find those shots.

 

[dr_dave]

Excellent video. On #8 I think a great way to clock someone's speed is how well they play shape on a ball sitting in the pocket like the shot on the one ball Alex had. I would suggest you making a video of how to put the cue ball wherever you want it with a ball sitting in the pocket.

Done. See:

It looked to me like Woodward had no cut on the 1 ball and attempted a 2 way shot. If the cue ball hadn't clipped the 8 he would likely have been behind the 4/7.

I may have been off a little with ball placement, but I did the best I could using all views in the original video. I agree that he was attempting a two-way shot.

With Pagulayan that safe was his best option given position of the 3 but being able to control that ball with high English was a world class safety.

This shot was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. The hit and speed had to be perfect. Agreed ... world class. Personally, after trying all the options, I don't think his shot was the right choice (for most players anyway).

Thanks for putting the work to find those shots.

You're welcome. And thank you for watching and commenting.

Happy Holidays,
Dave

 

[alstl]

Done. See:

I may have been off a little with ball placement, but I did the best I could using all views in the original video. I agree that he was attempting a two-way shot.




This shot was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. The hit and speed had to be perfect. Agreed ... world class. Personally, after trying all the options, I don't think his shot was the right choice (for most players anyway).



You're welcome. And thank you for watching and commenting.

Happy Holidays,
Dave

It's a fun shot to hit causing the cue ball to return to the rail with high English but when I hit it I'm unable to control the exact path of the cue ball. Alex obviously had practiced that shot and knew how to control it. He got the spin without over hitting it.

That entire topic is why I dislike jump cues. It lowers the impact of ability on the game. Good safety play shouldn't be negated by a gimmick which is exactly what a jump cue is..

 

[dr_dave]

What do you guys think about ... Alex's choice in shot 8, as compared to the options I demonstrated?

It's a fun shot to hit causing the cue ball to return to the rail with high English but when I hit it I'm unable to control the exact path of the cue ball. Alex obviously had practiced that shot and knew how to control it. He got the spin without over hitting it.

The "spin" is the easy part since the CB is just rolling. The tricky part is getting the cut angle and speed perfect to avoid the double kiss and get the CB to move sideways and stall just the right amounts, which can vary with cushion and cloth conditions. That's why the shot is so ridiculously tough.

That entire topic is why I dislike jump cues. It lowers the impact of ability on the game. Good safety play shouldn't be negated by a gimmick which is exactly what a jump cue is..

A really well-played safety can eliminate a jump-shot escape. Also, most people like to watch a skillfully-executed and impressive jump shot as a reply to a weak safety. And jump shots require well-practiced skill and put added pressure on your opponent if you have the skills.

Regards,
Dave

 

[markjames]

sjm brings up excellent points.

i would just say, your video is excellent as always, but the ‘best of all time’ in the title is problematic.

thank you for all you do

 

[dr_dave]

sjm brings up excellent points.

Agreed.

i would just say, your video is excellent as always, but the ‘best of all time’ in the title is problematic.

I agree that it might be a bit of an exaggeration for "click bait" appeal. Although, this was the best collection of safeties I could find (not including Efren's Top 10). If you or others have videos links to share showing more-impressive safeties (with time stamps to the shots of interest), please do so. Thanks.

thank you for all you do

You're welcome. I aim to swerve.

 

[sjm]

Dave, take a deep bow for helping to increase the collective interest in safety play here on the forum.

I have always found defense, kicking and two way shots to be the most interesting parts of nine ball, and my posts of the last fifteen years here certainly evidence it, but your work is tending to bring far more positive attention to many of the less celebrated parts of the game. It is just one more way in which you are being an asset to the game and a catalyst for the chronicling, cataloging, studying and further development of the theory.

Your efforts are admired and appreciated.

 

[dr_dave]

Dave, take a deep bow for helping to increase the collective interest in safety play here on the forum.

I have always found defense, kicking and two way shots to be the most interesting parts of nine ball, and my posts of the last fifteen years here certainly evidence it, but your work is tending to bring far more positive attention to many of the less celebrated parts of the game. It is just one more way in which you are being an asset to the game and a catalyst for the chronicling, cataloging, studying and further development of the theory.

Your efforts are admired and appreciated.

Thank you. I appreciate the appreciation.

Happy Holidays,
Dave