How to Break a Rack in Pool

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Getting a good break in life is always nice. But when you're playing pool, it's essential.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A pool table
Pool balls
A rack
A pool cue
A special pool cue for breaking

Step 1: Position cue ball

Position the cue ball as close as you can to the head string, the imaginary line behind which you have to shoot. You can usually spot the best place to put your ball by looking for the telltale wear marks on the cloth.

Step 2: Hold the cue correctly

Hold the cue correctly, which means as level as possible with the tip poking through a loop made with the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand. The forearm on your dominant hand should be at a 90-degree angle to the floor.

Tip: You can get a special cue made just for breaking. Many players choose a slightly lighter, faster one.

Step 3: Aim at the center of the cue ball

Aim your cue so that it will hit the cue ball at dead center. Hitting the ball even a fraction to the side will result in a bad break.

Tip: The tip of the cue should be about an inch from the cue ball.

Step 4: Target the head ball

Target the closest or "head" ball, which is usually the number one ball.

Step 5: Stand up straight with knees bent

Stand up straighter than you normally would when taking a shot, but keep your knees bent.

Step 6: Experiment with backswings

Experiment with different backswings. Some pros like to reach their arm back a few inches farther than usual when they break, while others like to shorten their reach.

Tip: Bring your arm back slowly and steadily when getting ready to hit the cue ball.

Step 7: Push your body forward

Hit the cue ball as hard as you can while still maintaining accuracy. Move your hips and torso forward for more power, and follow straight through with the cue. If you're doing it right, your back foot should end up in a little kick.

Tip: At the moment your cue hits the cue ball, your forearm should be at a 90-degree angle to your cue.

Step 8: Test your focus

Test your focus. Break a few times while looking at the cue ball, then break while focusing on the head ball. Use whichever style works better for you.

Step 9: Practice

Practice over and over, noting how the balls are breaking so you can adjust your speed or stance. In a standard break of a rack of 15 balls, you're most likely to sink the two balls directly behind the head ball. If you're getting wild results, try hitting with less power.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• recreation
• games
• pool
• breaking
• shooting
• balls
• playing

[PanWitSyr]

Am I immature because I noticed in the "what you need" part, the second and third items were balls and a rack?

[haider87]

Yeah this video sucks. I definately do not break like this. Just having a narrator does not make you legit.

This should be a how to narrate an instructional video video.

[messicristiano]

hahhaha the guy dont have a idea what is doing

[TheEmoTrinityXXX]

WOW!!!! 12 whole cues?? xD

[PhenixReviewz]

wtf? You dont hit a fucking ball like that, why is even even pulling the stick upwards??

[ProdigyKimXP]

@UrbanWandrer There's no right way to break. In pro tournaments, if there are no restrictions, many players break from the left rail, or the right side, but not a single pro gets a ball in on the break every time. Also note that every table breaks differently. You have to adapt and find a breaking spot and style that suits the table. Some tables at pro tournaments break very difficultly. Sometimes u will see 80% of the breaks come up dry.

[ProdigyKimXP]

@WalkingDude19 Not true. Pros spend hours and hours practicing their break. It's not a simple shot and there are many different breaks (power, soft, cut breaks). Good break form takes time to develop. You can just hit the ball really hard starting out, but working on actual technique for your break helps u tremendously. A good break separates a good player from a fantastic player at a competitive level, especially in 9 ball.

[bird80]

You know most of the info in the vid is solid but, good God, get a good player to demonstrate. It's hard to believe any of what is being said by watching this hack.

[kmuskrat]

this video fucking sucks

[locke862]

anybody else notice when the guy was breaking at step 7, he didn't have "proper" holding of the cue?

[theguitarfarmer]

ridiculous