Lesson
10

The Break

Power from the legs, cue ball in the center of the table

Goal

Spread the rack well and stay at the table.
123495678break from the side
Break from the side rail and hit the 1-ball full. The cue ball comes back to the center of the table and the balls spread evenly.
Video lesson

Key points

In 9-ball, many players break from the side, about a hand's width off the rail, to send the 1-ball into the side pocket.
Hit the head ball full, slightly below center, so the cue ball bounces back and stops in the middle of the table.
Speed comes from a smooth tempo and transferring your weight, not from swinging your arm.

Common mistakes

Popping up out of your stance on the break
Hitting above center and sending the cue ball flying off the table
Hitting the head ball off-center, so the cue ball careens into a rail
Drill
Break 10 times and record where the cue ball ends up and how many balls go in. The goal is a cue ball within half a meter of the center of the table.