Why do you miss when you miss?

[JLW]

Let me start off this thread by clarifying that I'm talking primarily about intermediate and above level players here. I'm not talking about people who are still learning how to hold a cue and how to move their arm when they shoot. Obviously, they miss most of their shots because their technique is s&^t. I'm talking about people who have reasonably good strokes and can run a rack here and there.

There has been a great deal of interesting discussion on this board lately about aiming. Lots of talk about different methods of aiming and the pros and cons of each method. It got me to thinking. The goal of working on aim is to improve your shotmaking ability. And so much of making shots seems to be external; you have to have good body posture and alignment, have a proper grip, have a straight stroke, be balanced over the ball, utilize effective bridges, and on and on. But, IMO, when you miss, the cause is very often internal. Sure, poor mechanics can cause misses. But in intermediate and above players, I think other elements are very often responsible. Here are a few I came up with:

Lack of focus- often due to not establishing and utilizing an effective pre-shot routine; when a player just doesn't have their head in the game.

Rushing the shot- letting yourself be taken out of your game. Often due to a lack of confidence and a desire to "hurry and get the shot over with before you miss it."

Indecision- not deciding exactly what you want to do at the table before you shoot.

Poorly played patterns and position- results in sometimes leaving yourself extremely difficult shots that you must attempt in order to keep your run alive.

Not playing the equipment- for example, trying to use lots of side spin on a Snooker table. Very difficult to do effectively and can result in lots of balls jarring out of the pockets.

These are just a few off the top of my head. But I think you get the idea. It seems to me that one of the things that sets pros and amateurs apart is the fact that pros have mastered the internal game as well as the external game. Agree? Disagree? I would really like to know what others think. Why do we miss?

 

[LastTwo]

Tate said it best a few weeks ago, we mainly miss because of indecision. I have found this to be very true. Often on shots where I haven't bothered to get the exact cueball path mapped out in my head I end up missing the shot because I haven't really decided what I want to do, and I just use a vague position pattern. Other than indecision, other reasons for a miss are problems in either your alignment or your stroke. On tough shots you are not used to, aim is usually the culprit IMO.

 

[Loun]

The main reason I miss is two fold. The first would be Indecision as well. Sometimes i tend to get down for a shot and then start looking around at the next ball im trying to get position on. If I worry to much about getting that position I very often miss harder than average shots and even a dead straight shot from time to time. I attribute this also to applying english to get the cue where i want and not compensating enough for altered path of the cue ball (on longer shots) and the spin induced onto the object ball.

btw both of which stem from not enough practice practice practice practice!

-Lou

 

[TheConArtist]

Let me start off this thread by clarifying that I'm talking primarily about intermediate and above level players here. I'm not talking about people who are still learning how to hold a cue and how to move their arm when they shoot. Obviously, they miss most of their shots because their technique is s&^t. I'm talking about people who have reasonably good strokes and can run a rack here and there.

There has been a great deal of interesting discussion on this board lately about aiming. Lots of talk about different methods of aiming and the pros and cons of each method. It got me to thinking. The goal of working on aim is to improve your shotmaking ability. And so much of making shots seems to be external; you have to have good body posture and alignment, have a proper grip, have a straight stroke, be balanced over the ball, utilize effective bridges, and on and on. But, IMO, when you miss, the cause is very often internal. Sure, poor mechanics can cause misses. But in intermediate and above players, I think other elements are very often responsible. Here are a few I came up with:

Lack of focus- often due to not establishing and utilizing an effective pre-shot routine; when a player just doesn't have their head in the game.

Rushing the shot- letting yourself be taken out of your game. Often due to a lack of confidence and a desire to "hurry and get the shot over with before you miss it."

Indecision- not deciding exactly what you want to do at the table before you shoot.

Poorly played patterns and position- results in sometimes leaving yourself extremely difficult shots that you must attempt in order to keep your run alive.

Not playing the equipment- for example, trying to use lots of side spin on a Snooker table. Very difficult to do effectively and can result in lots of balls jarring out of the pockets.

These are just a few off the top of my head. But I think you get the idea. It seems to me that one of the things that sets pros and amateurs apart is the fact that pros have mastered the internal game as well as the external game. Agree? Disagree? I would really like to know what others think. Why do we miss?

You said right there for me, rushing the shot, jumping up, not being consistent with my preshot routine, taking my eyes off the ball, thinking about too much things at one time. Cole 'TheConArist'

 

[prewarhero]

You said right there for me, rushing the shot, jumping up, not being consistent with my preshot routine, taking my eyes off the ball, thinking about too much things at one time. Cole 'TheConArist'

that's it right there.

 

[Ronoh]

Practice what you preach.

I like the order in which you put them in, as if you've gone through all these stages. But yet, this stage is easy correctable.

Lack of focus- often due to not establishing and utilizing an effective pre-shot routine; when a player just doesn't have their head in the game.

Lack of focus (imho) is caused by not balancing sleep with play time. I agree, there are other factors to how an individual player can play like a God for 2+ racks, then they pooter out. But I think a good night's sleep helps before a match, which; in my humble opinion, can help keep your focus at it's peak when it's practice/match time.

_____________________________

I like this idea... help analyse the situation.

Rushing the shot- letting yourself be taken out of your game. Often due to a lack of confidence and a desire to "hurry and get the shot over with before you miss it."

I think "Rushing the shot" signifies overconfidence. How often have you siad to yourself "I've done the shot a billion times, it's a sure thing", and wind up missing? I see that in players all the time, usually, when they're "rushing the shot".

_____________________________

This next one, I consider one of the most ubused tactic when sharking, else, it wouuldn't be called sharking

Indecision- not deciding exactly what you want to do at the table before you shoot.

You all can fill in the blanks on this one, when it's Player vs. Player (PvP). If you have "Indecision" when you're practicing, then there's something wrong (if you'er truely "pacticing" and not goofing off). Practice is where your get your confidence and your overcofidence. Practice is where you learn to learn what you did wrong, in order to correct your mistake so it doesn't happen again. Practice with the same mental additude as you would in a match.

______________________________

This one only shows lack of knowledge.

Poorly played patterns and position- results in sometimes leaving yourself extremely difficult shots that you must attempt in order to keep your run alive.

I hope I'm not being too obtuse by saying; "Graduate from high school first". Comment is not ment for the OP, but the person that maybe reading this and doesn't understand. (and, yet does)

_______________________________

This would be first in my book.

Not playing the equipment- for example, trying to use lots of side spin on a Snooker table. Very difficult to do effectively and can result in lots of balls jarring out of the pockets.

My only question (to the person reading that wonders "why do I do so BAD on/against this talble/person?"). Why are you playing ther person, and not the table? Gain confidence of the table, gain confidence of the game.

________________________________

Thanks for reading my ramblings, was just an observation.

Always remember, maintain focus.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

Indecision VS. Eye sight

I agree that indecision is the main reason a player misses a majority of shots--however, when a player really trys and properly uses all of hers/his talents and still misses the shot it may be because eyesight is the first sense to diminish under pressure. A shooter with "no fear" may not experience this.

 

[Blackjack]

Why do we miss?

Because we are human.

 

[Ronoh]

I agree that indecision is the main reason a player misses a majority of shots--however, when a player really trys and properly uses all of hers/his talents and still misses the shot it may be because eyesight is the first sense to diminish under pressure. A shooter with "no fear" may not experience this.

I ment a "mental focus" not a visual one. Sorry if I explained it wrong. only doing my best

 

[Celtic]

Lack of focus- often due to not establishing and utilizing an effective pre-shot routine; when a player just doesn't have their head in the game.

That there is my problem 95% of the time. I miss when I dont take the time to look at the options and make a well informed decision on my next shot "before" I get down to shoot it. And the pre-shot routine of standing behind the shot and visualizing it as I step into the shot and into my stance is crucial to "feeling" the shot. If I dont do this then the other problems you brought up are the result, rushing the shot and lack of focus go hand in hand, if I am rushing the shot I dont have time to do my pre-shot routine and therefore will get myself into trouble with my shape play and if I rush into the shot without looking at all the options and making the choice of my shot "before" I get down to shoot it indecision will creep into my head due to my lack of planning and being unsure I am shooting the proper shot.

I dont chalk my cue after every shot because I need to, I do so in an effort to slow myself down and give me something to do as I figure out the specifics of my next shot. It is one of the ways I create a pre-shot routine and get a rhythm going. It is a way I keep myself from going into the next shot before I have had time to decide on the proper shot and let those other problems you mention take place.

 

[TheConArtist]

Could you imagine how boring the game would be if you never missed a shot? I know it would be a dream to be the ultimate shot making machine but my dream would be to have the best stroke in the game, to have that eye. Well my stroke is purdy gooder, i can almost spell my name with the cueball when i use english lol, naw just playing. Cole 'TheConArtist'

 

[JohnnyP]

Bad Stroke

I don't run a rack of nineball very often, so take this FWIW.

In nineball, you are often left with longer shots, which are usually shot with stun or a little draw. This requires a firmer stroke than just rolling the ball. I have no trouble rolling the ball, but stroking it is another matter.

One night, I was watching one of the guys at DannyK's trying to draw the ball. The harder he shot, the more I could see that he pulled his cue off line, but he had no idea why he was missing.

That got me to thinking, so as an experiment, I picked up some accelerometers and mounted them on the butt of my cue, to measure the "goodness" of my stroke. I connected them to a laptop-based data collection system, and shot a few balls.

The red traces show the back and forth "stroke", while the green traces show the side to side "swerve". The "fuzzy" stuff in the center is the hit.

The first photo shows the output from a bad stroke, resulting in a miss. Note the oscillations in the swerve trace after the hit. This means the shaft is vibrating, after an off axis hit. Note also that the swerve trace shows a "glitch" before the hit, foretelling trouble.

Of course, intended english will cause oscillations after the hit, but the swerve trace should have no glitches before the hit.

The second photo shows a straight stroke (and I made the ball). You will see that the swerve trace is fairly flat, both before and after the hit.

Notice though, that the red trace shows the hit occurs below the "zero g" line, meaning that my timing was off, and I hit the ball late, as the stick was decelerating.

DannyK's is now using the measles cue balls, so it's easy to see unintended spin on a straight in shot. Of course, spin means an off axis hit, deflecting the cueball. AAAARGHHH.

 

[Opie]

I think one reason alot of people miss is because of the shape on thier next ball. People often times try to get TOO perfect on thier next shot. I do it sometimes and see others do it alot too. Whenever someone has an easy shot and could play position for an average shot, they often times try to do too much with the cue ball ( too much english,too much power) to make thier next shot really simple and wind up jarring the ball or if they make it then their position is way off. I don't know how many times I've seen someone shooting at a ball and tried to play position too perfect and became frozen against thier next ball.

 

[CaptainJR]

How about I just say what it isn't.

I believe the shots your talking about missing are shots that we expect to make rather than very difficult shots that we know can be missed.

The problem is not lack of PRACTICE. And I'm not insinuating that I practice a lot. I'm saying without changes in mind set I'd miss these no matter how much I practiced.

 

[drivermaker]

When I miss, I miss just because I miss. I sometimes also notice the earth moving, twisting, turning, shifting, or shuddering in my transition from backstroke to forward stroke and it'll throw me off. The best thing you can do after a miss is blurt out a "f*#k or a g*ddammit" and then go park your ass.

 

[CaptainJR]

When I miss, I miss just because I miss. I sometimes also notice the earth moving, twisting, turning, shifting, or shuddering in my transition from backstroke to forward stroke and it'll throw me off. The best thing you can do after a miss is blurt out a "f*#k or a g*ddammit" and then go park your ass.

LMAO great answer.

 

[sonia]

An Exercise In Futility

Let me start off this thread by clarifying that I'm talking primarily about intermediate and above level players here. I'm not talking about people who are still learning how to hold a cue and how to move their arm when they shoot. Obviously, they miss most of their shots because their technique is s&^t. I'm talking about people who have reasonably good strokes and can run a rack here and there.

There has been a great deal of interesting discussion on this board lately about aiming. Lots of talk about different methods of aiming and the pros and cons of each method. It got me to thinking. The goal of working on aim is to improve your shotmaking ability. And so much of making shots seems to be external; you have to have good body posture and alignment, have a proper grip, have a straight stroke, be balanced over the ball, utilize effective bridges, and on and on. But, IMO, when you miss, the cause is very often internal. Sure, poor mechanics can cause misses. But in intermediate and above players, I think other elements are very often responsible. Here are a few I came up with:

Lack of focus- often due to not establishing and utilizing an effective pre-shot routine; when a player just doesn't have their head in the game.

Rushing the shot- letting yourself be taken out of your game. Often due to a lack of confidence and a desire to "hurry and get the shot over with before you miss it."

Indecision- not deciding exactly what you want to do at the table before you shoot.

Poorly played patterns and position- results in sometimes leaving yourself extremely difficult shots that you must attempt in order to keep your run alive.

Not playing the equipment- for example, trying to use lots of side spin on a Snooker table. Very difficult to do effectively and can result in lots of balls jarring out of the pockets.

These are just a few off the top of my head. But I think you get the idea. It seems to me that one of the things that sets pros and amateurs apart is the fact that pros have mastered the internal game as well as the external game. Agree? Disagree? I would really like to know what others think. Why do we miss?

DRIVERMAKER, THERE IS NO WAY TO HELP THEM, DON'T YOU SEE?

 

[drivermaker]

DRIVERMAKER, THERE IS NO WAY TO HELP THEM, DON'T YOU SEE?

And I often ask myself....why try? I need a vacation.........

 

[time_is_now]

most misses on makeable shots are from trying to hard or not putting in a good solid effort........in other words........lack of relaxed concentration; relaxed concentration being a state where you don't get lazy yet you don't over try or over think about stuff that is not relevant to the task at hand......most players that are puts up large runs miss when they start think about what they are doing to do so well.....simply they let the mind get in the way

 

[chefjeff]

I think that most misses come from doing something that you should NOT be doing, as opposed to leaving out something you shold be doing. When you miss, write down the reason immediately. Usually, you'll analyze this and see that it is something you should NOT have done, vs something you should have done. Then simply take out what NOT to do.

This is removing the negatives first, as opposed to adding more positives. That is, clean out the closet before hanging more coats in it.

Jeff Livingston