KC...usually the top pros play ahead the entire rack. I once watched an interview with Johnny Archer where he explained how he would play a rack backwards after the break with 9 ball. First thing he'd look for was where he wanted the rock (cue ball) to sink the 9, the final money ball. Then he'd think backwards to his first shot. When top pros play 8 ball, they take time studying the rack before taking that first shot then the shots come quickly. Same reason, they've studied the layout and made a decision on how best to run out. Many "bangers" (not a complimentary term) like myself will look for the easiest ball to make. To the pro way of thinking, you want to spot the patterns, then shoot the ball that gives you shape to begin a runout. In rotation games like 9 ball, then the choice is pretty much made. The top pros do it with the break. Shane Van Boening is a master of the break...more of than not, his break will send the wing ball into the corner pocket, the rock will come around to set up on the one ball which is sent to near a corner pocket on the other end.
Don, best recent phrase I liked to describe "playing shape" was "Man, he just has the rock on a string". Same meaning. Like any other game, pool has it's insiders lingo.
My pool playing "honorary nephew" & I on a freeway...he driving, blew past the exit:
"Man, I faded that!" Yep, something a pool player would say.
We bangers can learn a lot by watching the pros...