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

So many safeties are just stacking the odds in your favor and not "lock safes".
Creating distance between the object ball and the cueball.
Leaving the cueball on the rail.
Not leaving a shot , even if the opponent can hit the edge of a ball.
Leaving a tough shot with even tougher position on the next ball.

Leaving the cueball on the rail on opening safes that negate the shot even when you leave one is huge. Everyone should practice thinning a ball near the far endrail and bringing the cue ball to the opposite end rail using 2 or 3 rails, preferably leaving the cueball under another object ball.
 
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SBC said:
So many safeties are just stacking the odds in your favor and not "lock safes".
Creating distance between the object ball and the cueball.
Leaving the cueball on the rail.
Not leaving a shot , even if the opponent can hit the edge of a ball.
Leaving a tough shot with even tougher position on the next ball.

Leaving the cueball on the rail on opening safes that negate the shot even when you leave one is huge. Everyone should practice thinking a ball near the far endrail and bringing the cue ball to the opposite end rail using 2 or 3 rails, preferably under another object ball.
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Well stated. Also, a "containing safety" is sometimes the only option, and it can be very effective, especially with distance and with the CB and/or OB on a cushion, especially against a player not strong with safety play.
 
Good ‘stuff’

The key to a good safety game is not to see safeties as a second alternative to potting a ball. It’s a proactive strategy that should be looked at with every visit to the table. No need to pot something like a hanger first...leave it and play safe if it it gets you back to the table in an even better position.

Secondly, so many players fall into the trap of ‘playing the table’. It’s become a mantra of American pool. No, you are playing a person. Know the competition. There is no need to run the table against 98% of players. We aren’t playing top pros. Very few players will even consider playing a safety to counter your safety. Instead they will lose position and likely turn over the table by missing a high risk shot. Even after the match many players will mumble about poor luck and not having Had many opportunities. Usually only wise, seasoned players know how to play against a quality safety game.
 
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Geosnookery said:
Good ‘stuff’

The key to a good safety game is not to see safeties as a second alternative to potting a ball. It’s a proactive strategy that should be looked at with every visit to the table. No need to pot something like a hanger first...leave it and play safe if it it gets you back to the table in an even better position.

Secondly, so many players fall into the trap of ‘playing the table’. It’s become a mantra of American pool. No, you are playing a person. Know the competition. There is no need to run the table against 98% of players. We aren’t playing top pros. Very few players will even consider playing a safety to counter your safety. Instead they will lose position and likely turn over the table by missing a high risk shot. Even after the match many players will mumble about poor luck and not having Had many opportunities. Usually only wise, seasoned players know how to play against a quality safety game.
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Excellent post. "Play the table, not the opponent" is on the short list of the most illogical sayings in the game. Though somewhat more obvious at amateur level where more flaws are found, it's critical to play the opponent even at pro level.

For example, when you push out or play safe:

a) the bank you can leave many an opponent may not be something you are willing to leave Skyler Woodward, Dennis Orcullo or Billy Thorpe
b) the jump shot you can leave many an opponent might not be something you want to leave for Albin Ouschan, Ko Pin Yi or Jayson Shaw
c) the safety you are willing to leave available for many may not be one you can afford to leave for an Alex Pagulayan or a Justin Bergman
d) the kick you are willing to leave for many may not be one you can afford to leave for a Francisco Bustamante or Dennis Orcullo
e) the shot you are willing to leave many an opponent might not be something you can afford to leave for JL Chang, SVB or Josh Filler

Knowing your opponent's strengths and weaknesses will be a big advantage when you choose between offense and defense and also in choosing the right shot for a given situation.
 
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