🎱 Pressure Is A Privilege

Hey there — glad to have you back for another edition of Stroke of Confidence!

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This week’s topics:

• Long & straight shots

• Performing under pressure

• Buddy Hall’s legacy

Let’s dive in:

⭐ Skills & Drills

Keeping things straight

If you’ve ever dogged a long, straight-in shot and had no idea why—you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common struggles our readers mention. On paper, these shots seem easy. There’s no cut angle, no spin needed, just a straight delivery. But in practice, they expose every flaw in your fundamentals.

Here are a few things to keep in mind on long, straight in shots:

1. Small errors get magnified
On a long straight shot, even the slightest miscue—like a little side spin or aiming just a hair off—can make you miss. There’s no margin for error, which means your fundamentals and mechanics need to be tight.

2. Deliver with confidence
One of the most common mistakes is trying to "guide" the cue ball instead of letting your stroke do the work. A tense, guided stroke often leads to unintended spin or a jabby follow-through. Instead, focus on a relaxed backswing and smooth, committed follow-through.

3. Stay down and trust it
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: staying down is key. Players often miss these shots because they lift up too early to see the result. Trust your aim, stay down through the shot, and watch it from the table level—not from your feet.

4. Stance and setup matter
A solid, balanced stance sets the foundation for everything else. If your body isn’t stable and aligned with the shot, it’s hard to deliver the cue straight—especially on long shots where precision is key. Take your time getting set.

This week’s video from Sharivari breaks down why these shots give us so much trouble and what to do about it. Click the link below to watch his video and subscribe to his channel for more helpful pool content.

Want your video featured in the Stroke of Confidence newsletter? Reach out to us at [email protected].

🗳️ Quick Poll

🧠 Mindset Mastery

Pressure is a privilege

Many players dread pressure. The hill-hill match. The last ball in a big game. The crowd watching. The stakes. The nerves.

If you feel this way you are definitely not alone. Many of our readers have stated that this is something they struggle with. But here’s the truth: pressure means you’ve earned a meaningful moment.

In the book It Takes What It Takes, Trevor Moawad reminds us that pressure doesn’t show up randomly—it finds people who have put themselves in a position to do something that matters. You don’t feel pressure in warmups. You feel it when the game’s on the line.

Think about it: if you’re feeling pressure, that means you’ve worked your way into a position where what you do next actually counts. That’s a good thing. That means you’re growing and performing well.

So the next time your heart starts racing before a tough shot, or you feel those nerves creep in during a tournament—flip the script. Don’t say, “I hate this feeling.” Say, “This is what I came for.” Pressure is proof that you’re performing. You don’t get better by avoiding those moments—you grow by leaning into them. 

The best way to get comfortable with pressure? Put yourself in those tough spots on purpose. Join a tournament where better players play. Bet a few dollars on a game with a friend. Even setting a timer and forcing yourself to shoot quickly can simulate pressure. The more you face these moments, the more you’ll start to welcome pressure instead of fearing it.

Purchase It Takes What It Takes and more of our favorite books here: https://stroke-of-confidence-pool.beehiiv.com/c/book-recommendations

🤯 Get Inspired

RIP Buddy Hall 1945-2025

We lost a true legend in the pool world recently. Buddy Hall, known to many as “The Rifleman,” passed away at the age of 79.

Buddy wasn’t just one of the greatest nine-ball players to ever live—he helped define what great pool looks like. His cue ball control was next-level. His smooth, deliberate stroke was one of the most copied in history. And his “clock system” for aiming is still taught today by many instructors.

Over the years, Buddy racked up more than 100 professional titles, including multiple U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. But more than his wins, it was how he played the game—with calm confidence, smart strategy, and quiet class—that earned him lasting respect.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, but his impact goes far beyond trophies. He inspired generations of players—pros and amateurs alike—not just to win, but to play the right way. With control, patience, and a love for the craft.

So if you’re heading to the table this week, take a page from Buddy’s book. Slow down. Think a little deeper about your cue ball. Approach the game with focus, but without ego. That’s how you honor a legend like Buddy Hall—not just by remembering him, but by learning from the way he played.

Rest easy, Rifleman. And thank you.

Want your video featured in the Stroke of Confidence newsletter? Reach out to us at [email protected].

💥 Quick Links

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Thanks for spending a few minutes with us—hopefully something in here gave you a new idea, a little boost, or just something cool to chew on. Enjoy your weekend, sneak in some table time if you can, and we’ll be back in your inbox next Thursday!

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