How to to Improve Improve Y How By Emily Duddy Work on The Break
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reak from the side rail, the side you feel more comfortable with. Bridge hand on the rail. Pull your last stroke back slowly, like pulling an arrow on a bow. Pause slightly before you follow through & hit the 1 ball square, like playing a stop shot. Time the forward movement of your arm with the upward & forward momentum of the body.
Practice Cue Ball Control Drills Set up a particular shot & then designate 4 different cue ball positions on the natural line. For example a 3 rail inside English shot. Then use a 4 click system of power, 1 being the softest & 4 being strongest to correspond with to each spot. Shoot at least 10 shots for each spot. Then switch sides. Look for a video demo of this drill on my social media soon.
You might hear people refer to being on the right or wrong side of the object ball in 9 ball. So what does that mean? In the most simple of definitions the “right side” of your next object ball is the side that gives you natural position to the next shot. Natural position is being able to move the cue ball with less force into your chosen zone. Since you have to play 1-9 in order the next ball is predetermined so you can, & should, establish a pattern as early as possible. The more you can maintain moving the cue ball around naturally into the largest V Zone for the next shot, the easier your 9 ball pattern will be to maintain. Of course we are only human & pool is difficult! You will often have to come with the shot or take what the table is giving you. Just do your best & always keep learning.
Identify the V Zone This is where you draw a position zone for the next ball using the lines for where good & bad position exists. There may be multiple different possible V Zones for the layout. This process will help you identify possible position options & help you select the best one based on the right side of the ball. You should choose the V Zone based on your skill level & situation. For example if you’re in an important league match or tournament you might want to play the safer position or easier to execute zone. If you’re practicing you might choose the one out of your comfort zone to learn more.
Figure out the Right Side of the Next Ball
Play the Longest Line into Position Many professionals are taught with the help of a coach to think about finding the longest line into the V 59
