Why do most shots get missed by players?

nick serdula

nick serdula

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When players do not address the shot they are not successful. I am talking stone cold players by the way.
Address every shot. From there you set up.
With out properly addressing the ball how can anything happen successfully.
Your Cue must move across your body in line with your line of sight.
If you do not see the line by addressing the shot your head will move to the line. Problem?
Screws every thing else up.
Address your shot. From there everything moves but your head off the line of sight.
Watch a cheetah run. Same thing. It's head does not move off it's target.
Good eye. Bad eye. Bs.
Set up on the shot before you step to it. Address your shot. Think you are doing it? Take a picture. You will see everything but your head over the shot in line with your Cue in line. Why?
Think Cheetah.
Then learn to stop your onion using a center ball stroke.
Consider this an early Christmas present all!
Good luck,
Nick :)
 
For me one of my biggest problems is being unsure about my shot, Maybe it is the way I want to apply english or exactly where I want to put the cue ball next or even if I am shooting the right ball. It all starts before I am even down on the shot. I have learned that I really need to have only one plan in my mind before I get down to take a shot and if I get down and I am unsure then I need to stand up and figure it out.

You are certainly right though that it all starts with how I address the shot. The other thing that I need to remind myself and my teammates is step into your shot rather than just getting down on it.
 
Other than the obvious - that their stroke isn't good enough for their aiming system..

I miss about 50% of the time because I just take it for granted and don't focus. About 10% of the time it's a relatively difficult shot. Another 10% are new shots that I haven't hit that many times. Up to 20% could be nerves and having a case of the hops/yips. A quarter of the time I'm making the shot more difficult than it should be. Another tenth of the time it could be due to not making up my mind before pulling the trigger. Last, but not least, my calculations are probably off.
 
Shannon.spronk said:
For me one of my biggest problems is being unsure about my shot, Maybe it is the way I want to apply english or exactly where I want to put the cue ball next or even if I am shooting the right ball. It all starts before I am even down on the shot. I have learned that I really need to have only one plan in my mind before I get down to take a shot and if I get down and I am unsure then I need to stand up and figure it out.

You are certainly right though that it all starts with how I address the shot. The other thing that I need to remind myself and my teammates is step into your shot rather than just getting down on it.
Click to expand...

Stepping into the shot I have learned is critical I like to get my right foot square and the butt over the arch of my foot right on the shot line

1
 
Besides what you mentioned, a bad stroke gets most of the blame imo.
I have a set up where I line up three ring enforcers .
When I miss I look at the tip where it landed ( the second ring is 8" away from the cue ball spot ). It's almost always off that ring .
Below B-level players would probably be shocked if they had this setup.
Their stroke needs correction. Never mind the setup which is probably whacked too.
 
A large # of shots are missed because the eyes leave the shot early and go to another spot, like position, or the pocket, or other balls. It's very hard for a lot of players to keep their eyes locked until the shot is complete.
 
Albatross Cues said:
Aloha

One word....."Concentration".

Aloha
Click to expand...

Concentration is up there indeed. "Pleasure of Small Motions" by Bob Fancher addresses this subject very well. Concentration does not mean what many think it does and it hurts them. A very recommended read. Everyone that wants to improve their pool game will greatly benefit from it, I know I did.

Also, lack of consistency in your execution. (once again, the book addresses that part.)
 
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Fundamentals cramped situation

The biggest reason Ive encountered starts at set up. Unless I make sure I have a free straight swing for my stroke I will feel the pinch somewhere and it affects the shot.

Shot line over the arch for me is a bit pinched off. I like the shot line over the pad of the first foot this way if I have to adjust I have some room either way.

I would have to say its due to an error in fundamentals most of all.

one stroke said:
Stepping into the shot I have learned is critical I like to get my right foot square and the butt over the arch of my foot right on the shot line

1
Click to expand...
 
Most amateurs miss because of numerous reasons. Alignment and not hitting where you intended on the white are 2 of the main culprits.

Most pros miss because they don't give the shot enough attention. They hit the white ball well but don't take time to think about the finer aspects of a shot and take for granted the ball is already made and drift off in thought of the next shot or the whites intended position.

I can't remember the last time I missed a shot that I gave my full attention. I get bored easily and sometimes my attention is solely on where I'm hitting the white instead of checking to make sure my tip is pointing in a direction that's going to make the ball. A bad habit of mine but it's hard to get out of if like me, you have the attention span of a baboon.
 
Black balled will love this.

This is something stone cold players do. Pro level so to speak. Drop a piano in front of them as they hit the ball and they do not care, except Earl.
This is why they miss. Usually straight in shots or balls just off the rail enough that spin can't help open the pocket.
Easy shots especially.
I am talking about the killers. Not the whiffers here.
Nick :)
 
nick serdula said:
When players do not address the shot they are not successful. I am talking stone cold players by the way.
Address every shot. From there you set up.
With out properly addressing the ball how can anything happen successfully.
Your Cue must move across your body in line with your line of sight.
If you do not see the line by addressing the shot your head will move to the line. Problem?
Screws every thing else up.
Address your shot. From there everything moves but your head off the line of sight.
Watch a cheetah run. Same thing. It's head does not move off it's target.
Good eye. Bad eye. Bs.
Set up on the shot before you step to it. Address your shot. Think you are doing it? Take a picture. You will see everything but your head over the shot in line with your Cue in line. Why?
Think Cheetah.
Then learn to stop your onion using a center ball stroke.
Consider this an early Christmas present all!
Good luck,
Nick :)
Click to expand...

I've been playing pool for years and years and can honestly say
that this single thing that you describe changed my game more
than anything else.
This was many years ago but I had been playing pool for too long
when someone told me this.

Getting down on a shot and having already shot it over and
over in your head and having lined up the stick to the cue ball to
the object ball BEFORE going down is a huge thing.

Very nice summation of what everyone should do and ALL
the pros do before every shot.

For those who are not doing this, start doing it now!

It will change your game for the better.

And merry Christmas to you too sir.
 
PoolBum said:
Hello shot!
Click to expand...

To: Shot

14-1 Onehole Blvd.
Outsville, USA.
99999

Re: Stroke

Dear Shot,

Please come home... all is forgiven. I promise I'll step up to my shot and stay down through the stroke. About that back arm... we'll discuss that at a later date... thank you.

Sincerely,

Shortstop
 
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