Break Building

[Juza]

So i just want to know how many steps you guys think ahead while doing a break? Is it just getting good angle on the next ball so that from there you can move the cue ball where ever you want or are you thinking more ahead? How do you do it?

[..KiD DyNaMiTe..]

I usually plan my next like 2 shots and then keep deciding my next shots from there if I need an angle I'll try get that angle.

My HB is only 53 so dont listen to me

[Semih_Sayginer]

my highest break is only 52, but i know more than players whove had a lot higher. reason - ive watched and studied the game for years.

lots of coaches arent as good as their "students", and were never as good, but they know their stuff technically, and so theyre succesful in coaching.

as has been said my many a professional player, including steve d, the number of shots a pro thinks ahead depends on the table layout and sometimes the scores

if you are 48 ahead and theres 5 reds left, and 2 are in the open and 3 in a cluster, then youll only need to think about 3 ahead to get "over the line", but if you were 20 behind and needed a clearance, or thereabouts, then youd go about getting an angle to break into the cluster, and may do so trying to leave one of the other reds potable whilst doing so.

most good players will think 3 shots ahead, or thereabouts....high on red, low on colour, high on red, for example....

in many circumstances a player will work only 2 ahead, and in others more than 5 ahead.

basically, it depends on the situation, but a good enough "rule of thumb" for a good breakbuilder is 3. but its far from set in stone.

all IMHO

[Obligation]

I just look ahead 1 shot

But I am also rubbish, so don't listen to me.


I suppose it depends on what standard you play at.

[arron_b]

when playing snooker.i think about 2-3 shots ahead.depends where the balls are tho.if they are in a bunch then you can only do so much.

[snookerloopy83]

again 2/3 but try to make 1 ahead as often as possible to make it simple. the game is complicated enough as it is.

[scott]

I agree with snookerloopy, I think of 2/3 ahead but never really worry about anything till I pot the red as the game can be so bloody cruel when you miss.

[garyp]

i cant get over 28 so need all help i can get. i try to look 1 -2 shots ahead but normaly mess up on the first shot. i'm not consistant enough.

[Watford]

I'm murder for not planning properly!
I've started to practice this lot's but under pressure I go too fast and don't plan as I should which is probably three shots for snooker and more than that for pool!

[duvel]

how far u plan ahead depends on your own game,

if you say you aren't consistent enough,
don't plan ahead too much,
common mistake of many players is to plan too much ahead and actually forget to focus on the potting of the ball on...
which off course is needed... if you don't pot the ball... the planning is a waste of time...

on average i used to plane 2-3 strokes ahead, roughly... but when you decide your shot... just stop thinking of anything else then making your shot...don't think of the plan or don't keep planning while cueing... don't hesitate either...

when you decide.. go for it.. when you hesitate.. stop and redo the whole thing....

[MrRottweiler]

I'll only plan one or two shots ahead. The secret to good break building is to use a series of soft stuns and always make the cue ball travel as little as possible. Thats paramount.

Also, In a high break there will always be one or two 'challenging' pots or 'connectors' especially if you don't get the desired position.

[taz147]

I have thought up to 6 shots ahead. Average is 3-4 shots ahead for me. It's all about creating angles to make pot after pot and position after position as easy as you can.
When playing pos on reds try to "think 3" which means try to place the cueball in a spot (when possible of course)where you will have a chance to pot any 1 of 3 reds.
Also imagine the 2 lines on the table when play pos on colors when they are on their spots
1. a straight line from the yellow ball to the top (by the black) cushion
2. a straight line from the green ball to the top cushion
If you can try to place the white somewhere along 1 of those lines (not always possible of course). From somewhere on those lines potting the colors is quite easy
You should also keep in the back of your mind for most shots whether it is ok if you shoot a little hard or a little to soft. Helps to eliminate over or under hitting.
I used to play with my brother with a 4" diameter sheet of paper and we had to place the paper on the table (if there was room for it) where our cueball was to land and if the cueball didn't land on the paper (and you made the pot) then you lost your shot. Helped to create cueball control

[Semih_Sayginer]

good post T147

only slightly "negative" thing id say is the 4" paper sheet to help train you to good cueball control.

quite often the best breaks by the pros are made when the white rolls out of position more than once, sometimes several times, and often too during the completion of 147's

your method will undoubtedly help with cueball control, but it will also mean that the breakbuilder will be practising less recovery shots to regain position during the break.

i like the idea but think itd be better employed during practise sessions, so as not to give up as many practise recovery shots during matches.

[elvaago]

So I purchased this SightRight thing, right? I went to a match and then the referee said I couldn't use it! What's up with that?

[taz147]

Thanks Semih

quite often the best breaks by the pros are made when the white rolls out of position more than once, sometimes several times, and often too during the completion of 147's

That's where my "think 3" comes in

only slightly "negative" thing id say is the 4" paper sheet to help train you to good cueball control. your method will undoubtedly help with cueball control, but it will also mean that the breakbuilder will be practising less recovery shots to regain position during the break.

The idea is to have the fewest "recovery shots" possible.
The idea of it came to me when I was playing my bro and he was so cocky and used to say he "played the perfect position" in which I knew darn well he just lucked out. So I made the sheet of paper and said "next time place this on the table and have the cueball land on it." And from then on we often used it when we practised with one another.

better employed during practise sessions

Couldn't agree more.
If we were playing a match then of course we wouldn't use it but just for practise frames then we sometimes would