Why break shots are missed (IMO)

I agree. Similar to how if you took away the leather tip im sure todays players wouldnt fare nearly as well as the old boys that were handy with a mace.

jokes aside, can you explain further why you believe the extension to be a “gimmick”? Several of the guys we all watch play with an extension full time. If the 64” cue only broke down into two pieces instead of three would that make it less gimmicky?

you are completely right though, proficiency with the rest declined right along with the rise of bar boxes, from what i can surmise. i cant use that thing at all, to the point where i dont even try any more.
It's a way for people who are too lazy to learn the game to be able to play.
 
It's a way for people who are too lazy to learn the game to be able to play.
interesting. i guess thats me. I never would have equated using the rest with “the game” so i guess thats the difference. Thanks for your insight
 
interesting. i guess thats me. I never would have equated using the rest with “the game” so i guess thats the difference. Thanks for your insight
I'll give another example from baseball. In 2021 MLB decided to crack down on pitchers doctoring the baseball using stuff like spider tack. Umpires were going to the mound to inspect pitchers for the sticky stuff. Immediately walks and batters hit by pitch skyrocketed because the pitchers of this generation can't control the ball without the gimmick junk. MLB quickly realized they had a bunch of highly paid pitchers who can't play the game without the junk so they backed away.

In both pool and baseball the question isn't whether yesterday's players could compete today. The question is whether today's players could have compete 50 years ago under those conditions.
 
I'll give another example from baseball. In 2021 MLB decided to crack down on pitchers doctoring the baseball using stuff like spider tack. Umpires were going to the mound to inspect pitchers for the sticky stuff. Immediately walks and batters hit by pitch skyrocketed because the pitchers of this generation can't control the ball without the gimmick junk. MLB quickly realized they had a bunch of highly paid pitchers who can't play the game without the junk so they backed away.

In both pool and baseball the question isn't whether yesterday's players could compete today. The question is whether today's players could have compete 50 years ago under those conditions.
Without disagreeing, i’ll put forth that it’s a moot point whether or not todays players can play yesterdays game.

How about fast cloth? Tight pockets? should we go back to buckets and rugs so that its more like the game of yesteryear?

seems we fundamentally disagree whether the rest is an integral part of the game, so i think our discussion is over. again, thanks for your insight, the pitching analogy was well thought out.
 
……we fundamentally disagree whether the rest is an integral part of the game…..
I suppose, if the ‘rake’ had never been invented, and cue extensions had alway been standard equipment, I might be as skillful with it. It puzzles me how anyone can shoot well stretched over the table using a 2 foot open bridge (I sure can’t).
 
Try practicing a break shot with no balls racked.
Just set it up and fire it in hole.
But then it's a scratch... maybe that's why I miss em so much. My brain says 'NO don't make that shot, you'll scratch...' yea, that's got to be it... I think I cracked the code haha. It's my subconscious really saving me ;)
 
But then it's a scratch... maybe that's why I miss em so much. My brain says 'NO don't make that shot, you'll scratch...' yea, that's got to be it... I think I cracked the code haha. It's my subconscious really saving me ;)
Ste up a break shot that wont scratch with out a rack of balls.
 
But then it's a scratch... maybe that's why I miss em so much. My brain says 'NO don't make that shot, you'll scratch...' yea, that's got to be it... I think I cracked the code haha. It's my subconscious really saving me ;)

If your subconscious has doubts, then practice kiss pool and get it out of your system.

My 14.1 game is improving, the part that slows me down is fixing bad habits, missing knowledge, lack of thought and not new equipment.

Finding a way through the rack for a break feels like eating at a buffet, focus on the worthwhile choices and ignore less tasty choices.
 
After that the 10' record which I think is 309. They tried a 10' table for the DCC contest one year and only one player for the entire week ran 100. That 10' table humbled a lot of pros.
The players aren't putting up the big numbers but I believe that Immonem/Melling match was one where they both averaged about 25 balls per inning, and it was far more thrilling to watch than Sigel's 150 and out against Zuglan. Sigel was nice because that's a big accomplishment, but it didn't have me on the edge of my seat, except the last rack.
you are completely right though, proficiency with the rest declined right along with the rise of bar boxes, from what i can surmise. i cant use that thing at all, to the point where i dont even try any more.
I'll go left handed and I rarely use the bridge, never on a 7 footer. That can become a liability when I get on a 9 footer.
 
I'll go left handed and I rarely use the bridge, never on a 7 footer. That can become a liability when I get on a 9 footer.

i also use my left hand for shots i cannot reach with the extension or shots that require more precision than the extension can afford. i seem to have a better success rate shooting off-hand than i ever did with the rest.
 
i also use my left hand for shots i cannot reach with the extension or shots that require more precision than the extension can afford. i seem to have a better success rate shooting off-hand than i ever did with the rest.
Yes, but the times when I can't reach with either hand, I'm a lot less effective with the bridge. I guess it evens out but I need to make it a point to practice with the bridge.
 
Back
Top