🎱 Kick Shot Secrets

Welcome to October and to this week’s edition of Stroke of Confidence.

This is shaping up to be a scary good month for pro pool tournaments. Huge events like The Hanoi Open, Women’s World 10-Ball Championship, Men’s World 8-Ball Championship, The Reyes Cup, Philippines Open, and more are all happening in October.

This week we’re covering something that’s been requested more than just about any other topic: a two-rail kicking system. If you’ve ever felt like you’re guessing when you’re kicking, this one's for you.

This week’s topics:

• Two Rail Kicking System

• Identifying your emotional triggers

• Break & runs with Fedor Gorst

Let’s dive in:

Alive and kicking

Many readers every week request tips to improve their kicking game. We have covered one rail kicks before, so this week we are focusing on two rail kicks.

When you are faced with a safety, nothing builds confidence like having a kicking system you trust. A two rail kicking system with a parallel shift is one of the simplest and most reliable tools you can add to your game. It allows you to find a path to the object ball without falling into guesswork.

Here is how the system works in its most basic form:

• Find the midpoint between the cue ball and the object ball — Imagine a straight line connecting the two balls and pick the halfway point along that line.

• Using your cue, draw a line from that midpoint to the center of the pocket formed by the two rails you plan to use — This pocket is the corner between the short rail and the long rail that the cue ball will be contacting before the object ball.

• Parallel shift that line over until it passes directly through the cue ball — Keep the line perfectly parallel and slide it over until it runs through the center of the cue ball. That shifted line now becomes your aiming line. The parallel shift preserves the angle you need while adapting it to the actual position of the cue ball. Many players will get sloppy while shifting so pay attention that you are keeping the line perfectly parallel.

• Hit along that line with top running spin (imagine 10:30 or 1:30 if the cue ball was a clock) — The running spin helps the cue ball hug the rails more naturally and follow the expected path. Without the spin, the angle may lengthen and miss the object ball.

What makes this system so valuable is that it gives you a repeatable method. Instead of eye-balling it or using the diamonds, you now have a way to create the correct angle with accuracy.

Check out this video from Dr. Dave explaining this system in more detail. Watching his breakdown is a great way to see the system in action and learn how to adjust for real-world conditions and other factors like spin and speed.

If you want a training tool that takes the guesswork out of multi-rail kicks, the ICA Training System is hard to beat. It gives you clear reference points for the rails, shows you how to line up shots with accuracy, and makes practicing repeatable. Instead of chasing “feel”, you get a structured way to see the angles and build real consistency.

My glove: Moori Professional Billiards Glove

A glove might not look like much, but it can completely change how smooth your stroke feels. The Moori Professional Billiards Glove gives you a consistent, slick surface for your cue to glide through—especially useful in humid rooms or when your hands sweat from pressure situations.

Why I like it:

• Smooth, consistent stroke – No more fighting with sticky shafts or sweaty bridge hands.

• Fingerless design – Keeps your fingertips free for feel while still giving you glide where you need it.

• Trusted brand – Moori is best known for high-quality tips, and their glove is just as solid.

Downsides:

• Sizing matters – Be sure to get the right fit. Too loose and it bunches, too tight and it feels restrictive.

• Not as durable as leather – Like most cloth gloves, it will eventually wear out with heavy use.

If you’re tired of inconsistent feel in your stroke or just want a simple way to smooth things out, this glove is a smart pick. Grab yours here:

🧤 Moori Professional Billiards Glove

🧰 See more gear I use and trust here.

*Buying through this link helps support the newsletter at no extra cost to you.

Don’t get triggered

I’ll never forget a time where I played a lower skill ranked player who took forever between shots. When they finally did shoot, it was usually a safety. They didn’t try to run out, they just waited for me to get frustrated and make a mistake.

Their strategy worked. I got impatient and rushed shots. My frustration became more about them then it was about the game and the layouts.

That match taught me a lesson I’ve never forgotten: some players will beat you skillfully, some will beat you emotionally. One of the fastest ways to lose your edge is letting something or someone get under your skin. If you don’t know what sets you off, you’re giving away control.

Here are a few ways to prepare and respond:

• Identify your triggers — Slow play? Bad rolls? Loud spectators? Once you acknowledge what rattles you, you can see it coming earlier and prepare mentally.

• Build in a reset — Something simple: a deep breath, wiping your cue, or stepping back before you shoot. Small rituals and your pre-shot routine can help keep you grounded.

• Stick to your process — When someone speeds up or slows down, don’t mirror them. Stick to your own rhythm and routine.

• Play against the table, not the player — Your opponent might be loud, slow, lucky, or obnoxious. None of that changes the layout in front of you.

• Take the emotion out of decisions — Just because you want to run out doesn’t mean you should. Don’t let frustration push you into a low-percentage shot.

• Use chair time wisely — When you're sitting, reset your mind. Don’t stew and replay the miss. Take deep breaths and plan your next move. Sitting time is recovery time.

• Zoom in on something small — When you feel yourself spiraling, focus hard on one specific detail on the table like the shine on a ball or the edge of a pocket. Locking in on something visual can interrupt the emotional noise and anchor you in the moment.

• Make practice uncomfortable — Train in loud places. Use a shot clock. Play your friend and tell them they’re allowed to heckle you. That way pressure and frustration don’t feel like strangers during a match.

Playing to your full ability requires staying calm. If you can recognize your triggers and meet them with patience instead of frustration, you’ll stop handing racks away before they even start.

📚️ Our favorite books on the mental game for pool.

Play like The Ghost

If you want to see what elite-level control really looks like, watch this video of Fedor “The Ghost” Gorst running racks in 8-ball, 9-ball, and 10-ball—all from his point of view.

Fedor is arguably the best player in the world right now, and this video gives you a rare look at what he sees when he plays. You’re not just watching a highlight reel, you’re seeing the game unfold through the eyes of a world champion. As a sponsored Triple Sixty player, he represents the brand behind the new TS1 shaft — their latest performance model that’s built with the same focus on precision and feel you see in his game

Watch it and take note of each part of his process. His pre-shot routine, smooth stroke tempo, precise tip placement, and how he moves through patterns with total calm and control. There’s something to learn on every shot. Be sure to check out his YouTube channel for more great pool content, including behind-the-scenes looks at life on the road as a full-time professional.

🟢 PERI 9-BALL Open - IN PROGRESS
Oct 02–05 | 9-Ball | Watch
Peri Pool Arena, Da Nang, Vietnam

🟢 Hanoi Open Pool Championship
Oct 07–12 | 9-Ball | Watch
Hanoi, Vietnam

🟢 Predator WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship
Oct 08–12 | 10-Ball | Watch
Bali, Indonesia

🟢 Yalin WPA Men’s 8-Ball World Championship
Oct 09–13 | 8-Ball | Watch
Bali, Indonesia

🟢 Reyes Cup
Oct 16–19 | 9-Ball | Watch
Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Philippines

📖 Our favorite books on the mental game
🧰 Gear I Trust: What’s in my case
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That’s all for this week! Keep working on your game, watch some of those big tournaments this month, and try the kicking system next time you’re stuck behind a ball. It might surprise you.

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