🎱 Stop Missing Straight In Shots

Welcome back to Stroke of Confidence. Thank you to all of our loyal readers and newcomers. If you know someone who’d enjoy this newsletter, tell them to check it out too.

This week we’re digging into one of the most asked-about shots from our readers: the straight-in shot. A lot of you have said you miss this one way more than you should. It seems straightforward, but on the table it can be brutal. We’re breaking down why that is and how to finally stop missing it.

This week’s topics:

• Why you miss straight shots

• Quieting the voice in your head

• Remembering Mika Immonen

Let’s dive in:

Let’s get something straight…

If you’ve ever lined up a dead straight shot and still bricked it, you’re not alone. These shots feel like they should be easy, but they can be the most frustrating in the game. Most misses on these shots aren’t about aiming wrong. They’re about how your body and cue are working (or not working) together.

Here’s some things that might be throwing you off:

• You’re off the vertical axis – A straight-in shot needs a center hit on the cue ball. If you’re slightly off left or right, you’ll get unwanted spin and the ball will drift off line. Dial in your tip position with our cue ball trainer of choice.

• Your stance is unstable or not aligned – If you’re wobbly or off balance, your stroke will follow. Plant your feet, bend your knees, and get solid before you pull the trigger. Set up properly before you drop into the shot.

• You’re moving your head or body – Lifting your head early to see the result is a common mistake. Stay down until the cue has gone all the way through the shot and the ball is in the pocket.

• Your backstroke tempo isn’t smooth – This throws off your rhythm and timing. A fast or jerky backstroke often leads to a jab forward. Keep it slow and steady.

• Your grip is too tight – A death grip kills your stroke. It locks your wrist and messes with your delivery. Loosen up and let the cue do the work.

• Your follow-through stops short – Don’t poke at the cue ball. Follow through and finish your stroke.

• You aren’t fully committed – If you’re second-guessing while you shoot, it’ll show up in your stroke. Stand back up, line it up again, trust it, get down, and execute.

• You’re not practicing them enough – Most players avoid straight-ins in practice because they feel boring. But they reveal every flaw. Work on them often and with purpose.

Straight-in shots tell the truth. If something’s off, they’ll expose it. That’s why you shouldn’t avoid them. You should be using them as a tool. Check out this video for more helpful tips on straight in shots and why so many players struggle with them.

Having trouble with straight-in shots? The DeadEye Trainer shows you exactly why. If your stroke isn’t straight or you're adding unwanted spin, it lets you know right away. You’ll see instantly if you’re hitting straight or not. It’s one of the quickest tools out there to clean up your stroke and build real consistency.

My cue towel: KONLLEN Billiard Cue Towel

Keeping your cue clean isn’t optional if you want smooth strokes and consistent feel. The KONLLEN Billiard Cue Towel is a simple, effective way to wipe down your shaft or even the cue ball between racks.

Why I like it:

• Practical size – Small enough to fit in your case, big enough to actually get the job done.

• Quick clean – Picks up chalk dust and sweat fast so your cue keeps its slick feel.

• Durable material – Washable, soft, and won’t scratch your cue. You’ll get plenty of use before it wears out.

Downsides:

• Not a deep clean – Great for wiping between shots or games, but you’ll still want a proper cleaner for heavy buildup.

If you want an easy way to keep your cue feeling smooth every time you step to the table, this towel is worth adding to your kit. Grab one here:

🧽 KONLLEN Billiard Cue Towel

🧰 See more gear I use and trust here.

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

Quieting your inner critic

There’s a book called Inner Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey that a lot of athletes swear by. In it, he explains that every player has two selves. Self 1 is the thinker, the voice in your head that tries to control everything. Self 2 is the doer, the part that already knows what to do because you’ve practiced it a thousand times. Pool players have both too, and when you choke or tighten up, it’s usually because Self 1 is running the show.

Self 1 is the talker. It says stuff like “Don’t miss this,” “Your stroke feels off,” or “Everyone’s watching.” It means well, but it doesn’t help. It adds tension, doubt, and overthinking. Self 2 is the quiet one. It’s your muscle memory and feel. It’s the smooth stroke that comes out when you’re not trying too hard. When you’re shooting easy and everything feels natural, that’s Self 2 taking over.

The goal is to quiet Self 1 and let Self 2 do the work. Trust your stroke and let the shot happen. Don’t think about missing—think about where you want the cue ball to go. Take a breath before you shoot to calm the noise. Keep your eyes on the cue ball, stay down through the shot, and if you miss, learn from it instead of getting mad. The less you let Self 1 interfere, the better you’ll play.

The next time the pressure is on and Self 1 tries to boss you around, step back, relax, and let Self 2 handle it. That’s the one that actually knows how to make the ball. Let that version of you shoot.

📚️ Our favorite books on the mental game for pool.

RIP Mika Immonen

Mika Immonen, known to the pool world as “The Iceman,” passed away on September 28 at the age of 52.

His resume speaks for itself. He won the World 9-Ball Championship in 2001, the World 10-Ball title in 2009, and back-to-back US Open 9-Ball Championships in 2008 and 2009. He played in the Mosconi Cup 15 times and was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2014. He was named Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009 and Player of the Decade for the 2000s.

Mika was one of the most intense competitors the game has ever seen. He left a reminder that being great is about more than skill. It’s about heart, fight, and refusing to flinch when the moment is massive. He may be gone, but his impact on the game is permanent. Rest in peace to one of the all-time greats.

🟢 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

🟢 Philippines Open
Oct 21–26 | 9-Ball | Watch
Gateway Mall, Manila, Philippines

📖 Our favorite books on the mental game
🧰 Gear I Trust: What’s in my case
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That’s a wrap for this week. Keep working on those straight shots, stay focused on your fundamentals, and work on quieting that inner critic. See you again next Thursday.

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