POWER BREAK
I. The better player you become, the more important the break becomes!
II. Checkpoints:
- Stand more upright with feet closer together so you have more room to drive your arm forward.
- Solid firm bridge.
- Loose grip = "Hammer Break" (not too loose though). Let the hammer/pool cue do the work to get the best result.
- Much longer follow through allowing the cue tip to remain in contact with the CB for a longer time equals more power. Look at where you cue is AFTER you break to see if you followed through enough and stayed on the same plane.
- Leave the CB in the center of the table. If it does not end up in the center, observe what happened so you can adjust.
- Remember, without accuracy, power is almost useless. Therefore, first only use about 80% of your power until you are hitting the ball accurately. THEN, add power AFTER .
- After you are hitting the ball accurately combined with max power, add body movement. Uncoil from hips and legs.
- Kick back foot out for extra power with good timing
III. Tips:
- Choose a spot beyond the 1-ball as a Karate fighter would choose a spot beyond the boards they want to break.
- Study table in advance to find a sweet spot which results in pocketing more balls.
- Learn about Joe Tucker's Racking Secrets to read the rack and prevent someone from giving you a bad rack and/or know what to do with it if they do.
- Listen to the sound.
- VISUALIZE the break shot before you execute it.
- Try different break cues and tips to see what helps you break the best. Your opinion about this may change as your break gets better and more accurate.
IV. Measure:
~You can't get to where you want to go unless you know where you are ~
- Measure your break with distance. Shoot from the headspot and aim straight ahead to the middle diamond and measure how many rails you can get the CB to hit. Your goal is 5 rails. Record your results.
- Get your mph reading with phone application. The fastest recorded on a 9' is approximately 33mph.
Choose a previous workout that you didn't get to spend as much time as you liked doing.
Also do the "Bart Mahoney's" Straight Stroke Drill - Place the CB on the headspot. Place to OB on the rail on both sides of both center diamonds of the both ends of the table spaced just enough to fit another ball in between them plus 1/4" on both sides. Shoot the CB to the end rail between both balls and have the CB come back and hit the cushion between the 2 OB on the other end of the table.
Come to lab to work on various shots. You will need help with last weeks workout where you choose your 386 Drill. Or schedule a private lesson. It's only $20/hour for Master Class students.:)
Have you done your challenges? Did you all play against Walter yet? If not, please do.
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