'When
building a break it will often become necessary to disturb
balls that are tightly clustered together, for the break
to continue. This happens predominantly around the pink
and black.
Disturbing
balls can be achieved whilst potting a red but often makes
position on the next colour hard to guarantee, so is usually
undertaken whilst potting a colour.
Four of the more common approaches to disturbing the reds
are detailed in this page.
In Fig 1, we see a situation that is synonymous with seven
times world champion Stephen Hendry. A red has been potted
and position obtained 'high' on the blue. A nice angle exists
to pot the blue and cannon into the pink, thus disturbing
the cluster of reds. Play the shot with varying degrees
of pace and below centre striking to experience the ball
reactions.
If
played correctly and with sufficient pace the white remains
in the centre of the table and the reds are promoted around
the pink and black spot. If luck is on your side a red will
be become available providing an opportunity for the break
to continue.
The trick is to hit the pink ball absolutely full in the
face, maximising the movement of the reds and subsequently
avoiding the cue ball sliding off the pack towards the corner
pockets.
In Figure 2, a red has been potted and position obtained
on the yellow. The reds however, are tightly bunched together
below the pink and will need to be opened up if the break
is to continue.
The yellow ball provides the natural angle to disturb the
reds. The shot can be played in varying ways, but try deep
screw and left hand side, with considerable pace, cannoning
off the side cushion into the pack of reds.
Even
if played to perfection this shot may only disturb a few
reds, so fingers crossed that your luck is in and you end
up on a colour. Disturbing the cluster in this way would
give a top professional player enjoyment, that is how hard
it is to play well.
In Figures 3 and 4, a red has been potted and position obtained
on the black.
Again
the reds are tightly bunched and will need disturbing for
the break to continue. In the first example the white has
finished below the black providing a natural angle to attack
the pack. For this shot the white should be struck with
below centre striking and with sufficient pace to dislodge
the reds.
In Figure 4, the white is above the black.
For this shot the black will need to be potted with above
centre striking. Forward momentum will take the cue ball
onto the cushion and up into the pack of reds.
With
a little luck this will disturb the balls in such a way
for the break to continue.
Practice
all these shots and incorporate them into your general play.
Identify other 'set' shots and routines that are regularly
required to disturb the balls clustered together or situated
close to cushions.
The
ability to promote balls that are otherwise unavailable
will increase your break building potential.
