Few things confuse a new fan to the game more than the push out after the break. It takes some time to explain the nuanced shot and even then, it takes time for even amateur players who play regularly to fully grasp the strategy and consequences involved.

One way to better understand the thought process and strategy behind push outs is to walk around the table and imagine what the table would look like if I pushed out in various directions, like towards each of the six pockets. Visualizing the resulting position will help you quickly eliminate some of the options. Some areas offer easy safety returns. Like with all shots, taking the time to walk around the table and view the layout from different angles will allow you to see options you may never have otherwise thought of. Too many players push out quickly, either out of frustration or because they see the most obvious option.

That’s a mistake.

Generally speaking, the breaker is at a disadvantage on the push out. Your intent is to make the shot difficult for your opponent, but with some idea as to what you would do if he declines the pushout and hands the table back to you.

My first thought in pushing out is whether I can leave the ball in an area where, even if my opponent is able to pocket the object ball, he won’t likely have a good look at the next ball. The worst mistake is pushing out to an area that allows him an easy safety that could result in your fouling and giving him ball in hand. If I’m going to leave an obvious safe, I want it to be a shot that requires my opponent to go two or three rails with the safety attempt. Don’t make it easy on him.

Leaving him an impossible shot is the same as hooking yourself. When your opponent takes one quick look and hands the table back to you, you know you’ve left yourself in a difficult situation. I would prefer to push out to a spot I’m comfortable shooting from, but in some instances your best option might be leaving a shot that you’re not as comfortable with.

Regardless, the key to pushing out is doing so with the hope of getting the shot back. I’d always rather be at the table. I’d rather take on the risk. You have to be confident in your ability to control the table. When my opponent pushes out, I almost always accept the shot for that reason. The only time I’ll turn it down is if the chances of a return safety are really low.

If you’re familiar with your opponent, you can try to push out to an area that preys on a weakness, whether it be a long reach if your opponent is short, or a jump shot if you are good at jumps and your opponent isn’t, or even a shot that favors a right-hander if your opponent is lefty. I’m comfortable with table-length banks, so if the push out leaves a bank shot, I may just take it on.