Break Shots on 9-ball

For consistent and effective break shots you want to achieve a good stick speed through the cue ball. A heavier stick gives a more solid hit and a lighter stick will give a much faster speed. Make sure the tip of the cue is hard and flat for a better result.

The most important aspect of the break is that you make sure you follow through with the cue as far as possible giving as much energy on the cue ball as possible. Some players break from the side at 9-ball for a couple of reasons. First, the rail is the best bridge you can have because it’s solid and not going anywhere. Secondly, there is a higher percentage of making a ball, either the 1 ball or a wing ball. You usually want to contact the 1 ball full with the cue ball and use hard bottom right english from the right side. Or hard bottom left from the left side.  The white ball should slide to the side rail and bounce back the center table. This is the break practiced by 99% of the professional players.  3 balls make direct runs on pockets plus the other wild cards that can find a home in a pocket.  Hitting it hard helps but most importantly is to make a attempt at hitting the one ball cleanly and getting the cue to this short rail. The ball closest to your breaking side goes right in the corner every time. The one ball goes at the side pocket and if it misses it runs towards the opposite corner.  The bottom rail ball in the rack goes two rails back to where you are standing and makes a run at the same pocket the one ball will run at if it were to miss in the side pocket.  Watch Mike Sigels breaking instructional video by clicking the link at the top. Watch the pros break and this is the technique.

Glasses and your game

To breath or not to breath

Breaking in 9 ball

Different Tables

Perfect Practice