How to BREAK (and CLEAR) - Part 1 | 8 Ball pool tips and techniques

In this video, Mick Hill the 6x world 8 ball pool champion explains the break-off shot, and explores the different approaches and techniques to maximise your chances to making a ball off the break.
He then goes on to explain the clearance from what initially looks like a congested bottom half of the table.
► Chapters
0:00 Welcome
0:25 Racking of the Balls
1:20 Breaking Position
6:30 Cut Break
8:40 Break & Clear
Don't forget to like the video, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss another video. Thanks for watching.
► Socials
TikTok: / mickmachinehill
Instagram: / mickmachinehill
Facebook: / mickthemachinehill
Twitter: / mickmachinehill

[@adammoore2380]

Great stuff Mick, could watch you play all day. It's one thing to have your talent for the game but to be able to communicate your thought process and shot selection so well is another gift in itself, fair play. Welcome to KZbin.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you’re enjoying the channel. Plenty more to come and please do let us know if there is anything in particular you want us to cover. 👍

[@CornishTigerTV]

Hi,@@mickthemachinehill could you please talk a little bit about technique, such as stance and grip. I feel like a lot of videos cover snooker and American pool but not English pool.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Of course. We’ll add it to the list.

[@mattcurtis79]

Mick, please keep doing this series. This is hands down the best pool video I've ever seen. A true great of the game really explaining, in detail, how to play. This is exactly what I've been wanting for years!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you’re enjoying the videos. Plenty more to come.

[@CrazyGamerZ12121]

Thanks Mick. Could listen to you all day love when your on commentary. Really explain everything to detail and easy.... Also putting up all them curtains up not to show off all your trophies was a great idea🤣😊

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂 not my place

[@jezza42]

Great content Mick, a fountain of knowledge. Looking forward to many more to come.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you’re enjoying it. 👍

[@jamieedwards9087]

Best coaching I've seen. In-depth explanations and demonstrations. Thanks Mick

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks Jamie. Glad you liked it. Much more to come. Let us know what you would like to see covered in future videos.

[@Vince_Paul]

At last Mick Hill the legend of the game is on KZbin, with a foundation of knowledge on the game, explained so everyone can understand. For those starting out in the sport and for experienced to get a better understanding. Great to see you on KZbin Mick, looking forward to much more great content.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you.

[@craigstewart5062]

Brilliant coaching👏 nothing against other top professional players who explain pool but your methods and how you put them across are the best in my eyes. We're all very grateful for this chanel and look forward to more content in the future, thank you.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks @craigstewart5062. There is plenty more to come and please let us know what you would like covered.

[@patricklinyard1119]

@@mickthemachinehill I commented on your Ultimate Pool pattern play video, it was a joy to watch. More pattern play videos would be appreciated but in all honesty I am happy to watch any video where you are commentating. I enjoy hearing how you approach the game.

[@Zhesn]

Could watch these all day, very helpful to see how you explain each ball which promotes thinking about each shot. need to get practising now!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad they are of use. More to come!

[@patricklinyard1119]

This is awesome. Genuinely happy with this content. Subscribed immediately. Well done. 👏👏👏

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks for subscribing, glad you like the content. More to come. 👍

[@Michaelkaydee]

Learnt a lot about ball choice here... _Asante_ 👍🏽

[@Bart_Depestele]

Great video amigo, thank you

[@jamesgallagher1992]

Great to see the great mick hill teaching🤘

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you think so!

[@jama211]

Amazing, thank you so much

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you liked it!

[@curtjaymusic3327]

It's Inspiring to watch your videos brother. Definitely learning a whole lot than just learning how to break, it goes down to planning. I'm inspired. Ur my inspiration, a Mentor I wish to have. Keep up the good work Brother...

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you.

[@cykelmand]

Been really enjoying your knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing. You know an incredible amount. :)

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you

[@jamesmulholland540]

Wake up to this , nice I'm subscribed mick

[@dandaman3723]

It'll be nice to hear where it all started for you. A tour around Dudley and seeing the old venues you use to play in whilst playing in the leagues. Maybe head down to the old Minnesota Fats and P.J's (well the areas as they've been closed some years). Every midlander who played pool in the leagues around Dudley aspired to be Mick Hill. Keep it up 👍🏼

[@james3339]

Watching on a phone, it looks as though the balls are racked very high beyond the spot. Anyhow, very good information. Thank you

[@mickthemachinehill]

Just the perspective of the camera.

[@stephenmclaughlin252]

Great explanation on how to make the clearance and choice of shot. More examples please and thanks.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Will do. Thanks.

[@medallion39]

Awesome stuff!! Would love to see you do a video on your stance and set up such as how you get your grip hand on shot line etc etc

[@mickthemachinehill]

Great suggestion. Thanks

[@stephenhodgkinson3300]

Loving it 😊

[@mickthemachinehill]

Great stuff!

[@onniroy4975]

You make it look so easy that it is frustrating when I try to clear on my table. BTW I have the 8ft Super Supreme that you played on during the Sky Sports era. Your break off shots on that larger table were simply amazing!!!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks. Plenty of practice helps.

[@J-oker251]

Great video mate, enjoyed your explaining your thought process, and showing where on the white u are striking

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@briantreadwell2206]

I like the strike point on cue ball, I just do not see the game the way you do - easy when you do it! Love the presentation style

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@johnnyhalliwell8086]

Hi Mick Great tutorial, like the way you explain clearly thru the frame. I personally look for the last ball that would get me on the 🎱 easiest & work my way to it. I find keeping it simple is key, especially in a match. The big shots come up now & again but you dont have to make them happen. My game has improved a lot lately by gradually tweaking odd things.. I.e Playing a trace of side on rail shots etc, but mainly by playing right thru the cue ball.. getting the ball closer to the next ball to make it more straightforward. Learnt a lot from Stephen Hendry's channel about allowing for the side when playing shots with side as you push the cue ball away from the object ball, I'm getting used to the adjustment you have to apply & it's making my game much better. I love the way you develop the game in your favour by using the opponents balls as buffers to hold for the next shot. Have to learn these international rules soon as our league has just adopted them this upcoming season🙄 I prefer the blackball rules as I think they're fairer but I'm sure I'll embrace these ones once I get my head around them. Thanks for uploading this quality info.. Cheers & Happy New Year Johnny🎱

[@mickthemachinehill]

thanks for commenting

[@jasonparker6138]

Glad you have a channel now, Mick. I insta-subscribed, naturally 😁

[@mickthemachinehill]

Welcome aboard! Hope you find the videos useful. Please let us know what you would like to see covered in future videos. 👍

[@jasonparker6138]

@@mickthemachinehill Yep, I'm already finding them very useful! Tips on picking the right patterns are what I'm especially interested in. Thanks!

[@richardclingempeel6111]

I have a lot of success breaking about two inches off the side rail at the line, hitting about 8 o'clock. Most of the time the corner ball goes in the corner pocket, and the 8 goes towards the side, or the corner where I'm breaking from. You don't have to use a lot of power, but follow through is very important.

[@ManChildCowFunkEra]

Well done on the channel and thanks for the great teaching 👌

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you! Let me know what you would like to see in upcoming videos.

[@D.P.G]

@@mickthemachinehill Part 2 please!

[@mickthemachinehill]

@@D.P.G Coming very soon.

[@westforlan]

excellent video . very informative for a novice like myself

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulc8821]

Subscribed straight away for your knowledge Mick, after watching your tutorial on the ultimate pool Channel I was hoping you would start your own 👍

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks for subscribing. Lots more to come. 👍

[@droidhacking]

Great video, watched many of your games on ultimate pool. Wanted some advice, I bought a pool table which I play casually on weekends but seems to be a cheap fast cloth. Would you recommend Hainsworth Match cloth?

[@mickthemachinehill]

It's a very nice cloth and so is the Precision.

[@droidhacking]

@@mickthemachinehill thanks for replying, what about Strachan 861? I believe they use that on the IPA?

[@stephenprice3529]

great video, would like a video on doubles at some point? never know when to play with side or plain ball

[@mickthemachinehill]

Great suggestion! We will add it to the list of things to cover in future videos. 👍

[@geraldpalmer4697]

Brilliant and fan forever and will definitely tell all the players at Midlington tavern south Australia also Mount compass

[@mickthemachinehill]

Please do! Hopefully be over soon to visit.

[@craigoreilly5495]

Thanks for the video Mick! Really glad you’re creating valuable content like this! One question; What do you mean (and i hear it on Ultimate Pool a lot) by the ‘timing’ of a break? It’s just a single shot and I can’t get my head around what aspect timing has in it?

[@mickthemachinehill]

Maybe that’s a topic for a future video. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

Glad you’re starting your own channel

[@mickthemachinehill]

I’m a bit late to the party, but all good things and that!

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

@@mickthemachinehill plenty of time to grow it.

[@EVil-ob8in]

Hey Mick, I’m using my snooker cue for pool and I don’t have a break cue. Can you do a video or provide some advice on choosing a break cue? Larger or smaller tip than 9.5mm. Lighter or heavier than 17.5oz? Thanks in advance

[@franklindebruin2074]

If you just knew the influence you have on the English pool world Mr Hill you have played such an integral part in my life and my love of cue sports I want to that thank you for everything and I hope everybody appreciatea this videos and your knowledge you are the Goat then Mr Potts them everybody 3lse but thamm you for everything hope to meet you in person someday your fan Franklin de bruin.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks Frankie for your kind words. Hope the videos help you and your game. 💪

[@eric4389]

Really good plain talking video enjoyed it

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@toziassmitt]

Which table is that in the video mick? Thanks for the content! Brilliant stuff

[@mickthemachinehill]

It's a SAM Atlantic Champion 7ft x 4ft from SAM Leisure

[@redmen2008]

Mick is a natural

[@whitenoise225]

More walkthroughs looking back over games.. like what you did with Simon for UP website would be great. That cloth looks to have a purple-ish tint like hainsworth match.. is it match or superfine ?

[@mickthemachinehill]

Yes, we plan on doing some post match analysis videos. The cloth is Hainsworth Match in Silver, freshly re-clothed.

[@whitenoise225]

@@mickthemachinehill best cloth on the market ! Looking forward to the more videos 🎱

[@someone-rz5yc]

Great channel mick would love to know why you arent playing in the world championship anymore

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks. Currently in China playing Chinese 8 ball.

[@someone-rz5yc]

@@mickthemachinehill oh all the best then

[@TraiChan147]

Lets Goo

[@F.Butler03]

Hi mick, how do you practice for tournaments? I tend to just play frames against myself but I don’t know if this is the best way to practice. Cheers

[@mickthemachinehill]

will answer that in a future video

[@bakrianouar]

Mick " The best coach" Hill

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the channel.

[@haydenwalton2766]

looking forward to the next video. 'how to stare at the ceiling when you fuck up'

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@haydenwalton2766]

@@mickthemachinehill good to see you've finally got around to making some videos mick. I reckon a lot of people will be wanting to see some of your ideas on advanced pattern play. 'good things can happen'

[@DavidAllewell]

Loved every minute of the masterclass you did with Ultimate Pool, so seeing you've started your own channel is an absolute delight. Looking forward to more videos! The exposure/brightness seems a little bit high, it seems to wash you and your hands out a little bit (which might be a problem if you're gesturing with your fingers for distances and such). Hopefully an easy fix! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing your level of thinking throughout videos. There's lots of channels for beginners, but there's a real lack of content for budding and higher-level amateurs, which I can imagine you have a lot to offer.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks for the feedback David and glad you enjoyed it. We'll see if we can grade the video to compensate for the natural light we had coming through. There is plenty more planned but we would like to hear what you would like to see. Let us know.

[@DavidAllewell]

@@mickthemachinehill One thing I find I struggle with is deciding when is the right time to "go for game" vs playing safe in a single-frame scenario. Perhaps a video discussing that and ways to manage your natural eagerness to just go ahead and win the frame if perhaps there's a dubious chance available? Another video could be any tips you have for making doubles and playing off rails to escape snookers, as both of those are now so prevalent in the game (especially coming from World Rules myself where a deliberate foul was usually preferred over a snooker escape)

[@doctor_gibbo1392]

My breaks I get a fantastic explosion and pot a ball 90% of the time. Problem is it's usually the white...

[@mickthemachinehill]

🤦‍♂️

[@James-C-Callan]

What size table do you use ? 6 or 7 foot?

[@mickthemachinehill]

7ft x 4ft

[@jamiew1664]

Hi mick, love your video mate... im prob only a few years older than you, been playing all my life, dad owned a pub all thru my childhood, i played pool everyday. I lived in australia for 20 years and saw u play there. I lived in sydney so i mostly played american pool, im back in the UK now and for the first time im hitting balls again on an english table.. wow.. playing english pool is quite difficult again after playing american pool for so long. so i really appreciate your tips here mate. Id love to come and meet you for a chat about pool one day. Im based in coventry, i can hear by your accent mate that your from the midlands??

[@jamiew1664]

6:15sec, very nice that you gave a shoutout to wheeler there. hehe. (joke)

[@mickthemachinehill]

Yeah midlands based. Coventry has a great pool scene, whether its the Coventry City Pool League or nearby Warwick, Kenilworth and Leamington Leagues. Join up and get involved!

[@jimmybrown3380]

Do some trick shots as well 👍

[@mickthemachinehill]

🤔 maybe a couple, lets see

[@nakkadu]

What a strange view on the cut break, hitting the head ball is much easier than hitting the next ball to it, not sure why you'd say the standard break is a skill that professionals should do. I think with the standard break the cueball is more unpredictable and an in off is more likely.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Controlling the cue ball is a lot harder on a front ball break than the cut break.

[@crohnac]

whats the table size?

[@mickthemachinehill]

7ft x 4ft

[@crohnac]

@@mickthemachinehill cheers mate. great vid

[@stephencharlesworth5036]

Who’s the best breaker in the game right now? There’s a few candidates imo

[@stephencharlesworth5036]

Tom Jack Gaz to name a few off top of my head

[@mickthemachinehill]

Who do you think is?

[@stephencharlesworth5036]

@@mickthemachinehill Tom? Not sure

[@stephencharlesworth5036]

Maybe he hits the hardest?

[@stephencharlesworth5036]

Is it the most controlled break? Trying to get a good cue ball or power n hope white stays on the table

[@nedronez]

You said break with hand on table but you broke using the rail...

[@mickthemachinehill]

Can do either.

[@WhatsInAName718]

He said that if you break with your hand on the rail you have a longer bridge between hand and cue ball which is less accurate and certainly not as good for beginners, Mick has his cue ball not quite on the line to make the bridge shorter, and he is a pro so his accuracy isn't too bad 😆 do what is best for you but hand on rail is not as sturdy for some players

[@medallion39]

Are English tables lower than American tables? You really seem bent low

[@mickthemachinehill]

I believe the height is the same. 29”-31”. But maybe Google it to check.

[@ddeboy002]

Well first off your racking of the balls is illegal. Read the book Billiard rules 2022. Only break hard enough to send 5 balls to the rails. If they're good they'll know how to play-if not - you win automatically.

[@davidbrian6498]

Balls are set up in accordance with International Rules. You're welcome. 😊