Pool glossary · Strategy & Safety
Safety
Also called: Safety shot, Defence, Playing safe
When should you play a safety in pool?
A safety is a shot played to leave the opponent without a good shot rather than to pocket a ball. Play safe when your chance of running out is low and a good safety gives you a better next turn.
Step by step
- 1Ask whether you can run out from here. If not, consider a safety.
- 2Find where the cue ball and object ball can be separated or hidden.
- 3Choose the speed that leaves the opponent the hardest possible shot.
- 4Make sure you still hit a legal ball first and a rail after contact.
In more detail
The best safeties use distance and blockers: separate the cue ball from the object ball, hide it behind other balls, or freeze it to a rail. Under call-shot rules you may declare a safety so a pot does not count.
People also ask
Is playing safe a bad habit?
No — it is a core skill. Playing safe when the odds are against you wins more matches than forcing low-percentage shots.
Train it at the table
- Beginner · 15 minLock-Up SafetyLeave the cue ball frozen behind a blocker.
- Beginner · 15 minLong Safety LagLeave the cue ball on the far rail with the object ball distant.
- Advanced · 25 minSafety BattleExchange safeties until a mistake.
- Intermediate · 15 minHide-Behind-the-Blocker SafetyContact the target ball softly and leave the cue ball hidden behind a blocker ball.
More guides on safety
Strategy & Pattern Play
9 Ball Rotation Strategy: Plan the Next ConnectionStrategy & Pattern Play
8 Ball Pattern Play Strategy: Choose Better Routes