Look at controlling
either the cueball or the object ball. Trying to control both makes the safety
much more difficult.
It's generally easier to control the cueball. So learn
your tangent lines and speed control so you can put the cb where you need it.
If
possible, try and freeze the cb to another object ball. But, unless you are at
an advanced level, or actually, your opponent is, you generally don't need to freeze
the cb, just get it stuck behind another ball but too close to jump.
When
using the cb for the safe, see if you can hit the ob into a cluster to break them
up. That way, you can run out when given the opportunity.
Try and leave
as much distance as possible between the cb and ob.
Don't put the ob
near a pocket, and try not to put it on a rail. If ob is within about 6"
of the rail, it can become what is called a 'big ball' to hit. That means that
you can hit it directly, or come off the rail and hit it. If it's farther off
the rail, they pretty much have to hit it directly on their kick.
If
possible, try to plan it to where they will have to kick 2 or more rails to hit
the ob.
Don't put ob too near any money ball, they just might get lucky.
If you can't break out a cluster with the ob, try and put the ob in a general
area that you can break out the cluster if you get ball in hand.
Sometimes
your only safe or best safe is to just tie up several balls to make his run-out
difficult. When doing this, don't tie up say the 6&7 if the 5 is right there
to break them out. You can also put another ball on the same rail as a ball already
on the rail, with the higher ball nearer the pocket.
Don't take the safety
shot for granted. Take the same amount of time you would to make a difficult shot.
You are going for precision on one or both balls here. It's not a shot to be taken
too lightly. Give it it's due respect.
