https://youtu.be/Ji_jFE6QVmQ?si=cZe1wpS7ku5geKpk

After you check out my article I highly recommend watching Dr. Dave, above, on some of the different options for playing a safety. (Video)

Safeties: The Art of Defense in Pool

Safeties – they’re those shots where you miss on purpose, right? Sounds weird, but it’s a big deal in pool. It’s all about putting your opponent in a tough spot so they can’t easily score.

When to Play Safe

You should play a safety when:

• You can’t see a good shot to pocket a ball.
• You’re worried your opponent will make an easy shot.
• You want to punish them for missing a shot.
• You want to slow the game down.

When Not to Play Safe

You probably shouldn’t play safe when:

• You have a good shot at pocketing a ball.
• Your opponent is already in trouble.
• You risk giving your opponent an easy shot.
• You think putting pressure on them is better.

Different Kinds of Safeties

There are a few ways to play a safety:

• Classic safety: Put the white ball behind another ball so your opponent can’t reach a pocket easily.
• Angle safety: Control where the white ball goes to make it hard for your opponent.
• Kick safety: Use the side of the table to bounce the white ball and make it tricky.
• Combo safety: Use a mix of these for the best result.

Getting Better at Safeties

• Practice: The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
• Visualize: Picture where you want the white ball to end up.
• Try different shots: Experiment to find what works best.
• Watch others: Learn from how good players play safeties.
• Know the table: Understand how the balls behave on the table.

Advanced Tips

• Mind games: Sometimes, just playing a safety can make your opponent nervous.
• Turn defense into offense: Good safeties can set you up for a good shot.
• Control the table: Use safeties to position the balls where you want them.

Are you ready to start playing some small events? https://poolplayers.com/
Are you a beginner and need help getting started? https://billiardsguru.com/beginner-pool/

Safeties are a big part of pool. They help you stay in the game and can even help you win. Remember, though, it’s usually better to make a shot than play safe.