Pool players commonly believe a missed shot is caused by faulty aiming; However, most missed shots are caused by a stroke that inconsistently strikes the cue ball with varied deliveries. The single biggest swing problem is a swift back-swing when we accelerate the cue on the back-swing away from the cue ball, it often results in muscles tightened to slow the cue to exchange direction from back to forward.

Golfer Lee Trevino says, “Show me a golfer with a swift back-swing and a thick wallet and i’ll get my clubs.” The point I seem to be constantly trying to make is that pool playing is more intricate and exacting than what people give it credit. To play better we need the tip of the cue to strike the cue ball precisely where we expect, even variations as slight as 1/16 of an inch can cause a severe loss of accuracy. For improved cueing always use a slow back-swing and a smooth exchange from back to forward with continuous acceleration through and beyond where the cue ball rests.

Pro players are much more careful and exact with how straight and smooth they are with the back-swing. Amateurs merely view the back-swing as a formality to get past to finally shoot and see the results.

The main cause of missed shots is a jerky, abrupt, and quick exchange from back-swing to fore-swing. Try to slow down and smooth out the transfer using a rhythmic tempo that reminds you of pendulum that does not appear to stop moving but smoothly changes direction.