3 Secrets to the Break Shot

[@TheDrillInstructor]

Yeah, it’s caused a few laughs. But, the data shows the resistance adds up to 17% more torque power to the brake stroke, which increases overall cue ball velocity/speed. This comes from removing the muscle clinching factor so you stroke faster. That’s where the real laughing pays off when someone comments how hard or fast or good your break shot is. Those are the facts.

[@GarrethandPipa]

That has been one of the challenges in coaching over the past 30 years.. the question "what is a good break" and what do I need to change to achieve that break. While not the best player... over the past 54 years I have done my best to provide science in leu of feeling and guessing.

[@TheDrillInstructor]

Thanks for your comments. I feel your experience. Would you consider attending one of my Professional Pool Instructor and Coaching Schools next year, 2025? I hoped you’ll consider it and we’ll get to know each other through it. Thanks and God bless.

[@studentofthegame-7]

Great video! If I may ask, what measurement tool are you using to detect your cue ball speed?

[@Ray-y7x]

I think he’s using the number of times the cue ball goes back and forth cusion to cusion. I use that system-a 1-speed shot is stopping at the far rail. A 2-speed shot is a lag shot. (That’s the speed I try to use consistently when playing. Seldom need much more than that.) The more times it goes back and forth, the higher the speed number. You’ll find that the actual mph number doesn’t matter, but consistently reproducing a soft, medium, or hard shot does.

[@procrastinator6902]

An important detail that I see you implemented, but this never seems to get a mention in break lessons.... standing much closer to the table helps alot. You do have to bring in your bridge arm to a 45⁰ angle or more, but that's ok for just this one shot. So many people neglect this and don't understand why their break is so weak. When you throw a punch, you don't stand so far from the target that your fist doesn't make contact until after your arm has fully extended and, likewise, you don't want to break by contacting the cue ball at the tail end of your stroke. Power increases considerably with not much effort just by being closer. On the forward part, I've discovered that while it helps, a more upward movement seems to be more beneficial because it creates a longer lever with the arm and shoulder. I do a little of both, upwards and forwards. And this is just personal preference, but I go for a decently high pop with the cue ball on my breaks as well. The rack seems like it opens up better and the cue ball control it provides is a big advantage. After landing back on the table and taking a couple centimeter bounce or two it typically stops right there and is at center table. My break and runs started to occur more frequently after I developed a strong pop break. Great video and information, I appreciate it alot.

[@RichardLerner-x9t]

Have you got a real ETA as to if/when Prine will be back in business?

[@Jaxons-dad]

Prine passed away sadly 😢

[@TheDrillInstructor]

Thanks for asking about our new cue products. We are back in business again. Please allow me to give you some background first. I’ve ended the business as it was known, Prine Custom Cues anymore. Why?? Because sadly, Harold Prine died in September, 2023 in a motorcycle accident. It’s taken Linda and me some time to recover and restart. I’m proud to announce, we’ve formed a new partnership with Rob Geer, who worked on building all my cues as Harold’s shop assistant. Rob truly is a great guy and a respected cue builder. What’s new? Rob and I have made both internal and external material upgrades and great design changes. Additionally, we’ve renamed all the products. One significant upgrade we’re most proud of is that we’re producing all our shafts and cues in the USA. We’re using the newest carbon fiber technology developed to date called, Black Diamond Carbon Fiber. What difference does Black Diamond technology in Carbon Fiber really make? Black Diamond Carbon Fiber is more Zero Deflation Performance responsive and offers a noticeably higher quality feel. The same way you can’t ride in a Rolls Royce and not feel the difference. You can’t hit a Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Shaft and not feel the difference. This is not the first time The Drill Instructor will be the first to market with a New Game Changing product. He’s doing it again by using Black Diamond Carbon Fiber Technology to build playing, jumping, and breaking shafts. The New Cues will be known as follows: The PATRIOT Playing Shaft The FREEDOM Jump Cue, and The GUARDIAN Break Cue. We’ve just begun a soft opening. Dates for the full market promotion launch are forthcoming. SPECS: The PATRIOT will offer 3 Shafts: 11.8 mm 12.4 mm with ZDPT Technology, (Zero Deflection Performance Tapering) 12.8 mm with Standard Low Deflection. MSRP $497 The FREEDOM Jump Cue has Two Interchangeable Handles making 3 options: 11” Short Handle 40 inches Weight 4 oz 18” Long Handle 48 inches Weight 8 oz 29” Combined 59 inches Weight 11 oz MSRP $597 The GUARDIAN Break Cue 40-inch 12.8 mm Break Shaft ONLY MSRP $497 The Complete Breaking Cue 30 inch Butt Handle 30-inch Break Shaft MSRP $697 Don’t hesitate to call me directly if you are interested. Discount Pricing is not public yet, but all the pre launch sales we’ve made to date have received Deep Pre-Sale discount pricing. My personal number is 407-927-1484. Call after 1:00 PM EST. Thanks again, and God bless. Dr. Dominic Esposito, a.k.a., The Drill Instructor

[@claudegaumond6754]

At 5:26 this is half tip down and half tip left ...

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Is that a 10' Diamond?

[@TheDrillInstructor]

Yes. It's the 2024 Derby City Big Foot Championship Table signed by Josh Filler. I love it.

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

@TheDrillInstructor Sweet table. I would love to have one!

[@joerandom1175]

"power break ring"....lol

[@GarrethandPipa]

dont be fooled by those who proclaim cue weight means nothing on the break. Calculating the energy | Cue Weight (oz) | 10 mph | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |-----------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | 19 | 127.7 | 154.5 | 183.9 | 215.9 | 250.3 | 287.4 | 326.9 | 369.1 | 413.8 | 461.1 | 510.9 | 563.3 | 618.2 | 675.7 | 735.7 | 20 | 134.4 | 162.7 | 193.6 | 227.2 | 263.5 | 302.5 | 344.2 | 388.5 | 435.6 | 485.3 | 537.8 | 592.9 | 650.7 | 711.2 | 774.4 | 21 | 141.2 | 170.8 | 203.3 | 238.6 | 276.7 | 317.6 | 361.4 | 407.9 | 457.4 | 509.6 | 564.7 | 622.5 | 683.2 | 746.8 | 813.1 | 22 | 147.9 | 179.0 | 213.0 | 249.9 | 289.9 | 332.8 | 378.6 | 427.4 | 479.2 | 533.9 | 591.6 | 652.2 | 715.8 | 782.3 | 851.8 | 23 | 154.6 | 187.1 | 222.6 | 261.3 | 303.0 | 347.9 | 395.8 | 446.8 | 500.9 | 558.1 | 618.4 | 681.8 | 748.3 | 817.9 | 890.6 | 24 | 161.3 | 195.2 | 232.3 | 272.7 | 316.2 | 363.0 | 413.0 | 466.3 | 522.7 | 582.4 | 645.3 | 711.5 | 780.9 | 853.5 | 929.3 | 25 | 168.1 | 203.3 | 242.0 | 284.0 | 329.4 | 378.1 | 430.2 | 485.7 | 544.5 | 606.7 | 672.2 | 741.1 | 813.4 | 889.0 | 968.0 | 26 | 174.8 | 211.5 | 251.7 | 295.4 | 342.6 | 393.3 | 447.4 | 505.1 | 566.3 | 630.9 | 699.1 | 770.8 | 845.9 | 924.6 | 1006.7 | 27 | 181.5 | 219.6 | 261.4 | 306.7 | 355.7 | 408.4 | 464.6 | 524.5 | 588.1 | 655.2 | 726.0 | 800.4 | 878.5 | 960.1 | 1045.4 | 28 | 188.2 | 227.7 | 271.0 | 318.1 | 368.9 | 423.5 | 481.9 | 543.9 | 609.8 | 679.5 | 752.9 | 830.1 | 911.0 | 995.7 | 1084.2 | 29 | 194.9 | 235.9 | 280.7 | 329.5 | 382.1 | 438.6 | 499.1 | 563.4 | 631.6 | 703.8 | 779.8 | 859.7 | 943.5 | 1031.3 | 1122.9 | 30 | 201.7 | 244.0 | 290.4 | 340.8 | 395.3 | 453.8 | 516.3 | 582.8 | 653.4 | 728.0 | 806.7 | 889.4 | 976.1 | 1066.8 | 1161.6 | 31 | 208.4 | 252.2 | 300.1 | 352.2 | 408.4 | 468.9 | 533.5 | 602.2 | 675.2 | 752.3 | 833.6 | 919.0 | 1008.6 | 1102.4 | 1200.3 understanding that transferring the energy from the body to the rack effectively is the key. It is all science.

[@chili015]

Good chart. It's extremely important for every player to understand they have an optimal mph:oz ratio. I'm 6'2", 215 lbs, so I can (in most cases) generate more mph at a higher cue weight than someone significantly smaller than me.

[@GarrethandPipa]

​the point of the chart. That even 12oz difference appro 1/2 pound is on average 50-100% more potential power. The chart was to develop data on how to achieve the pop on a break. Which for me is around 500 units.

[@TheDrillInstructor]

I insist you call me to teach me what all your math means. I can't understand it in its present format. Help me please. Thank you 407-927-1484 Dominic

[@procrastinator6902]

​@@GarrethandPipa Pop seems to rely more on technique than the weight of the cue. I typically break with a 19 oz cue but my tip came off the other night and I had to borrow a friend's; he had one of those Rage 25 or 26 oz things. My speed wasn't nearly as good with the Rage cue but I was able to pop the cue ball with it just as well as I could with my 19 oz Breach.

[@GarrethandPipa]

​@@procrastinator6902 physics govern everything that happen in this universe. Which is why folks of various sizes, shapes, and techniques...shitty or not are able to perform quality breaks time and again. The chart is merely the calculated force generated from a cue weight and a given speed. Whatever your trying to read into this simply isn't true.