What is a "Perfect" break-ball + Cue Ball position?

BigRigTom

BigRigTom

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I asked this question on the main forum from ignorance on my part and while I received a lot of great advise and opinions and comments.... nobody actually answered my question.
I know there will be certain preferences based on the way one shoots but there must be a couple of "smart" choices that I can use as a starting point of learning how to properly break the second rack.
Being right handed and following some advice given on the main forum I set up this situation to begin my practice session....I can make the one ball consistently but it seems that the break and cue ball position is a wild assed guess even if I attempt to hit it the same it comes out way different every time!
Based on my experience in 8 ball and 9 ball I should be able to make the one and cause the cue ball to strike the 14, 2, 11 or 5 but I have NO IDEA what good any of that will do for me and so far it has not been significantly "good" no matter what I do.
What is the BEST way to avoid the cue ball getting glued to the rack?

HELP!:eek:

CueTable Help

 
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BigRigTom said:
I asked this question on the main forum from ignorance on my part and while I received a lot of great advise and opinions and comments.... nobody actually answered my question.
I know there will be certain preferences based on the way one shoots but there must be a couple of "smart" choices that I can use as a starting point of learning how to properly break the second rack.
Being right handed and following some advice given on the main forum I set up this situation to begin my practice session....I can make the one ball consistently but it seems that the break and cue ball position is a wild assed guess even if I attempt to hit it the same it comes out way different every time!
Based on my experience in 8 ball and 9 ball I should be able to make the one and cause the cue ball to strike the 14, 2, 11 or 5 but I have NO IDEA what good any of that will do for me and so far it has not been significantly "good" no matter what I do.
What is the BEST way to avoid the cue ball getting glued to the rack?

HELP!:eek:

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

I am not the best guy to tell you. Blackjack, Steve Lipsky and many others will probably give you better detailed info.

Based on the way you have it set up now, I would use a lot of top spin. I think that would help you plow through the rack.

I would prefer that the cue ball was a little closer, under the side pocket. I think I would also prefer that the object ball was a little bit higher.
 
Thanks for your input Dennis. Keep in mind that I am practicing and since I can start anywhere I want I was wondering if there are certain ways to start that make more sense than others.

Can you do a cuetable diagram of where you would place the one ball & cue ball to start a NEW session of practice?
Then also tell me how you would strike the cue ball in order to pocket the one and expect to get a good break on the rack?
 
What works for me may not work for everyone else, but here it goes. My comments are on the cuetable, but I should also mention that the 15/3/13 balls are usually pushed out a few ball widths and become good candidates for secondary break shots.

CueTable Help

 
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Tom

Break shots are not an exact science. you learn what to do and what to stay away from by experience - in other words, trial and error.

I was taught neat in- neat out.

That means having the cue ball contact ONE ball in the stack causing the balls to disperse - then get the cue ball free. You don't want your cue ball to get knocked around.

If you want to go into the stack, its not enough to just pick which ball to go into. You have to pick an exact spot where you want to contact that ball in the stack. In your shot, different things will happen if I contact the 11 high, and different things will happen if I contact it low. the same goes with whether I use follow draw, sidespin, etc.

Your diagrammed shot has many things wrong with it, mainly that the cue ball is too far away from the break ball. You want to get a little bit closer than that.

In the below diagram, notice the position of the cue ball is just above the side pocket and parallel with the break ball - not too far away -

CueTable Help



You're never going to get the "perfect" position without having to work for it. This goes back to proper planning prior to execution. Interpreted, that means that you need to careful plan your end patterns so that when you get to the break ball, you have the advantage over the elements of the table, balls, cloth, the rack, and so on. In 14.1, most mistakes are made because we end up at a disadvantage with those factors.

Proper planning - begin with the end in mind... look for a very easy end pattern and work towards it -
(see both pages)

CueTable Help



Identify which balls serve a purpose, and which balls do not serve a purpose. Minimize cue ball movement by following stop shot patterns when you have them available.

Another factor is this - and you need to repeat this to yourself constantly -

If you don't have too much don't try to do too much.

More runs end by trying to do too much with the cue ball. Never use power and force to compensate for horrible break ball/cue ball position.

If you do not have an ideal break ball - don't try to blast the cue ball into the rack of balls. That only helps your opponent.

If you can contact the stack and nudge a few out - do so and try to create a secondary break ball, or a dead ball to break the rest of the balls open.
 
Blackjack is right on target.

For me, I look for the break ball(s) early, and do my best to keep them in place, or plan to 'bump' one into a favorable position as I work around the rack.

Once you decide where you want to end, you work the rack backward (in your head) to get there.

But, the "best" break shot for you is the one you are most comfortable/confident with. That will give you an edge.

Also, whenever hitting the stack, either on the break shot, or later in the rack, ALWAYS either glance the stack, or hit the corners of the stack. (unless it is a small cluster of balls) You can 'power' through a rack with the right English sometimes (Mike Siegel is good at it), but if you hit the stack poorly, or have the wrong English (which I do a lot) you can get stuck. Glance or aim to hit the corner balls and you can slow your stroke and just pop out a couple balls. Chip away at it so to speak, rather than the huge 'smasher' break. I try to do it that way also because if (when) I miss I don't leave a wide-open table for my oponent.

If you want a good collection of 'normal' break shots to practice with to find your favorite, get the Byrne's (probably spelled wrong) book of pool and billiards as he has a LOT of great break shots from all over the table. Just having some ideas from that book can save you- like when you end up behind the rack with your break ball and cue ball...
 
Thanks again guys! These are exactly the kinds of tips and advise I was looking for.
I am kinda slow at work right now so I set up the break scenario that Blackjack diagramed and I am goitng to try it out now. If I can accomplish anything that I am not embarrassed by I will post the video for you all to criticize....:confused:

I will let you know how it goes.
 
BigRigTom,

Thanks for posting this question. I just started playing/practicing 14.1 and have been trying to figure this out!

Thanks for everyones reply, it's greatly appreciated!
 
OK folks....I figure you all need a good smile to get you through the week end so....:eek:
Using the advise several of you so graciously provide I practiced and practiced and practiced and then video recorded my 1st break and run in 14.1.
I posted it on YouTube.com and of course I show how I totally screwed up on the transition to rack # 2 just so you could all get a good chuckle out of that....you deserve to smile though if you can get thru the boring 8 minutes it took me to sink 14 balls.:boring2:

No problem though...I have already learned a lot and I just wanted to say thanks again and I will keep picking up tips when they are available. This is a great new challenge for me. Maybe someday I will even run my age of 58 to be 59 in October....o crap...I have to get 58 before Oct. 6th. or it will be 1 ball harder after that.:(

Here is the link if you have up to 8 minutes to kill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdtVvH9SaX0

Then feel free to criticize till your heart is content.
 
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