improve breaks

[patrick john]

gm everyone, another question which needs your expert advices. I am generally a moderate player who achives breaks of 25 - 30 regularly and can't seem to get out of this numbers however hard I try.

What is the secret to improve further , is it a regular choach is required , method of cueing, concentration or others which i am not aware off.

[Robert602]

If you're regularly getting 30s then there's nothing desperately wrong with your technique, you just need to start learning how to break-build.

I'd say the main thing to go from your level to the next stage is to think two shots ahead. That is to say, don't just think about getting in a position to pot the next ball, think about getting on it in such a way as you'll be able to get onto the ball after it.

Of course, without seeing you play it's very difficult to say with confidence what needs to improve most, but the above is my best guess based on my own experience.

[RaNeN]

I'd say the main thing to go from your level to the next stage is to think two shots ahead. That is to say, don't just think about getting in a position to pot the next ball, think about getting on it in such a way as you'll be able to get onto the ball after it.

Very good point there by Rob!!!

This may be a little dificult(is the spelling correct?? ) in the beginning, but once you do this I am sure you will make breaks above 50!!

Also concentration plays a huge part. When you get easy pots make sure you get good position on the next ball. Now, this is like a chain process from one easy shot you make good position on the next ball and since you have made good position, I assume this is also an easy shot so pot this and get good position on the next ball. Its like a chain easy pot-position-easy pot-position..................!

All this is easier said than done. Practise!

[trevs1]

Scoring heavily is all about controlling the white ball, controlling the white ball and controlling the white ball.

That 'IS' the secret to it and it's not a 'BIG' secret.

I'd say the best bit of advice for someone looking to improve scoring power is to make a conscious effort to put the white that 'bit' closer to the next object ball, time and time again. You may find you are inconsistent with it but stick at it.

If you keep setting a high standard for yourself, you have something to aim for. Anyone who plays the game to a high standard would likely say the same thing. Controlling the white ball well, will offer you the best chance of making consistently higher breaks, it's not rocket science.

[patrick john]

multiple advices given , but totalling it up makes the few ones who are interested in improving the game more optimistic. I trully thank all of you who take time to share your valuable knowledges through this platform. tqvm

[Welshsteve]

The best way to practice close cue ball control is to do a line-up, where you put the reds all in a line, in line with the colours down the centre of the table - see http://www.snookergames.co.uk/practise.html

I started doing this recently, and regularly get breaks over 50 (highest 96 ). It does help loads.

[The Statman]

I remember Walter Lindrum was interviewed on television in about 1935. (Well, I obviously don't remember it, but I remember seeing it a few years later!)

In it, he demonstrated how to make a 100 break at billiards, and afterwards the interviewer said "I see, Walter. So how do you make a 1,000 break?" Walter replied simply: "Just make nine more 100s."

It is the same principle here. You are capable of getting frequent 30s, and I know this sounds flippant and condescending, but all you need to do is repeat whatever you managed to do to get to 30, and keep going.

Of course, in many situations you will make 30-odd from loose reds and then find that the pack needs developing – and this is when thinking two shots ahead becomes vital. You need not only to get on the black, but get on it with the correct angle to develop the pack nicely.

It is often worth looking to see if there is one loose red left, in such a position that you can go into the pack and be likely to be on the 'loose' red even if the pack does not open out to leave you on anything.

[trevs1]

I remember Walter Lindrum was interviewed on television in about 1935. (Well, I obviously don't remember it, but I remember seeing it a few years later!)

In it, he demonstrated how to make a 100 break at billiards, and afterwards the interviewer said "I see, Walter. So how do you make a 1,000 break?" Walter replied simply: "Just make nine more 100s."

It is the same principle here. You are capable of getting frequent 30s, and I know this sounds flippant and condescending, but all you need to do is repeat whatever you managed to do to get to 30, and keep going.

Of course, in many situations you will make 30-odd from loose reds and then find that the pack needs developing – and this is when thinking two shots ahead becomes vital. You need not only to get on the black, but get on it with the correct angle to develop the pack nicely.

It is often worth looking to see if there is one loose red left, in such a position that you can go into the pack and be likely to be on the 'loose' red even if the pack does not open out to leave you on anything.

I think in some ways you're over-complicating the original poster's question. Advanced stuff like how and when to develop a pack of reds, doing so when an open red is still likely to be available, even though you're crashing into the pack, is a more of a 'thought process' of an experienced player.

Advice on break building need not be so complicated surely. To score big (make decent breaks) you have to pot consecutive balls (naturally).
This is far easier to acheive on a consistant basis if you're left with nothing but easy pots. Positional play is 'THE' key to making breaks....it's as simple as that. When you look at ana average club player, why is they'll usually break down? I'd wager it's more often as a result of poor position rather than missing 'on the hole' shots.

[The Statman]

Yes you are right. I did rather go off on a tangent didn't I!

Nevertheless I think it is often true that the reason many players get frequent 30s but not much more, is that the free reds start to run out – either meaning the pack needs splitting (something in which I certainly do not profess to be an expert!) or that they have been able to that point to play 'approximate' position knowing there will be a choice of reds to play for from an area, but will now need to rely on more precise position as the available reds become fewer.

[trevs1]

Yes you are right. I did rather go off on a tangent didn't I!

Nevertheless I think it is often true that the reason many players get frequent 30s but not much more, is that the free reds start to run out – either meaning the pack needs splitting (something in which I certainly do not profess to be an expert!) or that they have been able to that point to play 'approximate' position knowing there will be a choice of reds to play for from an area, but will now need to rely on more precise position as the available reds become fewer.

This is my point.

If the same level of application is focused on 'all' shots positionally, heavier scoring becomes easier by a mile.

Get working on being close to your object ball.

[Welshsteve]

Yes you are right. I did rather go off on a tangent didn't I! ...

Easily done when you get into something. My wife always starts to snigger when I describe every detail of a good break I achieve HAHA :lol:

[The Statman]

This is my point.

If the same level of application is focused on 'all' shots positionally, heavier scoring becomes easier by a mile.

Get working on being close to your object ball.

Absolutely. That is the key, of course.

It is only natural to be less strict with yourself when you know that if you overrun or underrun there will be alternatives available, but when the alternatives are not there, you need to be precise.

Treat every shot with the respect it deserves.

[RaNeN]

This is my point.

If the same level of application is focused on 'all' shots positionally, heavier scoring becomes easier by a mile.

Get working on being close to your object ball.

Wasnt this what I said? I used "good position" instead of "close to object ball".

I am just glad for what I said was also right!

Cheers!

[icantplay]

yo.
every time you play a shot, make sure you think of the spot you want your white to finish, dont think of an area, think of the exact spot. this will gurantee youre concentrating properly. dont worry though if you find it difficult, it takes years and years to get it to the inch, but so long as youre thinking it, then youre doing the best possible for the standard you are now, which is THE most important step to improvement.

[jimbo]

some more tips

If you are consistently making 20s and 30 breaks, it may be that you are getting nervous or trying too hard to get over that "barrier". If that's the case why not try relaxing a bit and stop "trying" so hard? Easier said than done I know. Do get some bigger breaks you need a lot confidence, which can be shattered if you are trying too hard and miss important balls. What worked for me sometimes is thinking to myself that I'm not bothered if I miss, I'll just see how many balls in a row I can pot.

Also, to improve break-building I suggest always playing for a choice of reds if you can. Try to imagine what will happen if you hit the shot too hard or too soft... will you be on another red? This is easier at the start of breaks of course, but its amazing how much easier you can make breaks by playing for a choice of reds, instead of *i have to be perfect on this red*.

Just my 2 cents

Jimbo