Top 10 Safeties Every Pool Player Must Master

Dr. Dave demonstrates the top 10 categories of safeties that every pool player must learn to master. Effective defensive play is one of the main things that separates the great players from the good ones, so it is an important skill to practice. Safety categories covered include:
Intro (0:00)
1. Stop and Hide (0:21)
---- two-way shot (1:08)
2. Roll Up and Snuggle (1:34)
3. Equal-Separation Hide Behind Blockers (2:16)
4. Finesse Equal-Separation Hides (2:38)
5. Finesse Fractional-Ball Hides (3:21)
6. Separate and Hide Against Long Rail (4:05)
7. Come into the Line of Blockers (4:30)
8. Thin-Hit Hide (5:17)
9. Send Ball Straight Down Table and Hide (5:37)
10. Kick-and-Stick Hide (6:22)
---- "big ball" effect (6:40)

NOTE: With the jump shot at 5m47s, I claimed that the bump of the 8 with the shaft of the cue might be a foul under some rules. However, the CB did not jump over the 8, so it is not considered an "impeding ball." However, it is a bit risky disturbing a ball that is very close to impeding a jump. A referee who doesn't have video instant replay might call this as a foul when he or she sees the 8-ball move.

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Good Luck With Your Game!!!

[DrDaveBilliards]

*Safety Categories:*
Intro (0:00)
1. Stop and Hide (0:21)
---- two-way shot (1:08)
2. Roll Up and Snuggle (1:34)
3. Equal-Separation Hide Behind Blockers (2:16)
4. Finesse Equal-Separation Hides (2:38)
5. Finesse Fractional-Ball Hides (3:21)
6. Separate and Hide Against Long Rail (4:05)
7. Come into the Line of Blockers (4:30)
8. Thin-Hit Hide (5:17)
9. Send Ball Straight Down Table and Hide (5:37)
10. Kick-and-Stick Hide (6:22)
---- "big ball" effect (6:40)

*NOTE:*
With the jump shot at 5m47s, I claimed that the bump of the 8 with the shaft of the cue might be a foul under some rules. However, the CB did not jump over the 8, so it is not considered an "impeding ball." However, it is a bit risky disturbing a ball that is very close to impeding a jump. A referee who doesn't have video instant replay might call this as a foul when he or she sees the 8-ball move.

*Supporting Resources:*

[koolaidman]

Dr. Dave, you are a gift to the billiards community. Thank you for continuing to produce these videos

[dpbuc]

Dr.Dave, your knowledge and the simplicity in the way you teach is unrivaled.
Einstein" If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough".

[sam]

Dr Dave your modesty and your self-applauding is honestly why I keep coming back to your channel to improve my game!!

[karlisulpe]

The one and only Dr.Dave! Highly appreciate the amazing content you’re putting out there, we’re quite lucky to have you!

[nickelassr]

Dr Dave's videos on YouTube are the only videos I see where the comments are all positive. Dr Dave you know you're doing something right if that's the case

[dougstreichan]

You have helped my game so much over the past two years. This is a very useful video.

[Gotwired]

Some shots you might want to put in a follow up:

1) bank a ball near the rail with stun run through to hide the cue ball behind a ball further down the rail (grady mathews showed this shot in one of his videos)

2) ticky shot to get a similar result as #1

3) stick opponent on top of a ball so they only have a jacked up long shot (sometimes called a Chinese/Taiwanese safety)

4) 2 way bank to miss short

5) using hold up english to get behind blocker

6) after hitting the object ball, bump a ball close to the rail with the cue vall to get it off the rail slightly to become a more effective blocker.

7) roll up behind the side pocket tit when the object ball is on the wrong side of a side pocket (sometimes comes up, but mostly just for fun)

[JustInTimeMinistries]

Thanks so much for putting this together Dave. I shared this with many of my friends because its something that needs to be learned. Have a blessed day!

[marthalavigne]

Very good safeties!! I picked up some useful shots from this, as I don't do safeties at all. I always try to make my shot. I will have to rethink doing safeties now.

[metsownyou]

Thank you very much Dr. Dave. Your videos are amazing and have helped my pool game tremendously!

[Andypro]

Awesome advice Dave. I'd also love to see a follow-up video about how to "find" safeties when they aren't obvious. That situation comes up way too often in rotation games where you have no shot and have to manufacture some way to hide regardless of the table layout.

[joemartinez]

thanks Dr. Dave thats something I don't practice but I've seen a lot of people pull that on me and they beat me everytime, now I have an idea on how to play dirty pool on them too.

[rayzucchero]

To the point, very helpful, nice job Dr!

[Rubster]

You cracked me up at 2:46. Thank you for keeping it honest 👍.

[grobbs]

I'd love to see more of these if you get a chance! Maybe more strategy on how to think about safeties in general

[jaroslavcech]

As always DrDave - a brilliant video and inspiration to practice and enhance my pool skills, cheers!

[eduardosblog]

Thanks so much Dr. Dave . The last safety is incredible. I didn't know it 😎.

[billmankin]

Fantastic video, thank you much. Would love to see a follow up on how to play safeties while improving position, such as multi-ball corner jams and blockers. This kind of finesse shot has won many games for me, but I would love to see your take on these situations.

[larrybrockway]

Thanks Dr Dave!! Playing safety’s is not my cup of tea! I am go for it kind of guy, Which gets me in trouble a lot! So I will take your advice and practice your safety shots!! Keep up the great job! Wife and I just Celebrated our 2000s game in 75 days eight ball and nine ball!