🎱 Kicking With Consistency

Welcome back to Stroke of Confidence and thanks for being here. This week we’re breaking down how spin affects your kick shots and why understanding that can turn guesswork into consistency. Let’s get into it.

This week’s topics:

• Effects of tip position when kicking

• The danger of chasing perfection

• World 10 Ball Championships best shots

Let’s dive in:

Kicking the habit

When most players think about kicking, they focus only on aim. They look for the contact point on the rail and hope they send the cue ball somewhere in the neighborhood of the object ball. But kicking is more than just lining up the rail. Tip position changes everything. Spin affects the angle into the rail, the angle out of the rail, the speed of the cue ball, and even how it behaves after contact.

A solid kicking game is a way to turn defense into offense, escape from traps without selling out, and even create safeties on purpose. Tip position helps you adjust for tight angles, long distances, and awkward cue ball placements. When you know how different spins react off the cushion, you do not rely on luck. You rely on skill.

Here are some key ideas to keep in mind when working on your kicking game:

• Center ball is your base – If your only goal is to make a clean hit, center ball is the safest place to start. It travels predictably, enters the rail cleanly, and gives you a consistent reference for your aim. Build everything else off this foundation.

• High ball shortens the angle – When you hit slightly above center, the cue ball carries forward roll into the rail. That roll grabs the cushion and pulls the cue ball into a tighter rebound angle. Use this when your natural line feels too long or you need the cue ball to return on a sharper path.

• Low ball adds length – Striking below center creates a sliding cue ball that holds its line longer before gripping the rail. Sliding lengthens the angle and opens the path coming off the cushion. This helps when the natural kick feels too tight or when you need extra reach to hit a distant ball.

• Speed affects how much spin takes hold – A soft kick allows spin to grip the rail. A firm kick reduces how much the rail responds to your spin. When you learn how speed and spin work together, you gain precise control over the angle.

• Practice the same kick with different spins – Pick a simple one-rail kick and shoot it with high, low, inside, and outside spin. Watch how each variation changes the path. This builds feel faster than any system on paper.

When you understand how tip position changes the cue ball’s behavior, you gain control that most players never develop. You can turn a tough situation into a smart, calculated shot. You can choose the line, choose the speed, and choose the outcome with far more confidence than before.

Take some time to experiment with kick shots and different spins. The more comfortable you get with these reactions, the more prepared you will be when the match puts you in a tight spot. Check out the video below for a cool method that will make dialing in your tip position on kicks much easier.

Our chalk of choice: Taom V10 Chalk

For years, I used the same chalk everyone else did. It was cheap, familiar, and got the job done. But after testing out Taom V10, I didn’t go back. This isn’t about hype or chasing trends. It’s about finding gear that actually helps you play better. Taom did that for me.

Here’s what changed:

• No more chalk dust everywhere – My case, cue shaft, hands, and table all stay cleaner. That alone makes it worth a look.

• Quiet confidence on tough shots – Whether it’s a power draw or outside english, I trust the cue ball will do what I expect.

• Feels better going on – No gritty texture, no uneven clumps. It applies smooth and clean every time.

• It lasts forever – I’ve had pieces last over half a year. It costs more up front, but you get your money’s worth.

If you’ve been using the same old cube just because it’s what you’ve always used, this might be the upgrade your game needs. Small changes like this can add up fast. Give it a try and see what you notice.

🟢 Taom V10 Green
🔵 Taom V10 Blue 

🧰 See more gear I use and trust here.

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

Perfect is the enemy of good

A lot of players fall into the trap of chasing perfection. They expect to run every rack, make every ball clean, and never miss shape. And when that doesn’t happen (which it won’t) the frustration starts to build. They tighten up and question their ability. They play worse trying to be perfect.

Expecting perfection isn’t a sign of high standards. It’s a sign of unrealistic thinking. Pool is a game of mistakes. Even the best in the world miss. The goal isn’t to avoid all errors. It’s to respond to them well. To stay composed, make smart decisions, and keep competing even when things don’t go as planned.

Here’s what to focus on instead of perfection:

• Aim for consistency, not flawlessness – Your goal should be to perform at a steady, reliable level throughout the match. You don’t need to be brilliant on every shot. What wins games is the ability to do the right things over and over.

• Accept misses without overreacting – When you miss, don’t spiral. One bad shot doesn’t define your match. Take a breath, clear your head, and focus on the next opportunity in front of you.

• Play with intent, not fear – Trying to avoid mistakes makes you tense. It makes you second guess. Instead, step into every shot with a clear plan. Play to execute your decision, not to avoid failure.

• Train for recovery, not just execution – When you practice, don’t just run drills. Practice getting back into rhythm after a miss. Practice breathing, resetting, and focusing again. That’s a skill you’ll use just as often as draw or follow.

• Lower pressure, raise focus – Perfection creates pressure that you don’t need. Let it go. When you focus on the task, not the outcome, your game becomes more fluid. You’ll stay more relaxed, and relaxed players make better decisions.

• Notice when your expectations spike – That little voice that says, “I can’t miss this,” adds weight. That’s when your stroke tightens. When you hear that voice, step back. Take a breath. Remind yourself to focus on the process, not the result.

• Play to improve, not impress – If you’re trying to look flawless, you’re adding stress. Shift your focus to getting better each time you play. Every shot becomes a rep. Every rack becomes a learning chance. That’s how real progress happens.

Let go of perfect. Focus on playing smart, staying steady, and building confidence through every decision, not every result. Perfection is not what makes you a better player. The ability to respond well and keep moving forward is what separates good from great.

📚️ Our favorite books on the mental game for pool.

World 10 Ball Championships

10-ball doesn’t allow shortcuts. Every ball has to be called. No slop, no lucky rolls, no accidents counting as wins. It’s a game that demands total control, from your break to your pattern to your cue ball. You have to think your way through the rack. That’s why it’s often considered the most complete test of skill in pool.

At the 2025 World 10-Ball Championship, Ko Ping Chung came out on top over Alex Kazakis in a high-level final that showed exactly what this game is all about. If you want to see how the best navigate pressure, handle tough layouts, and still come up with creative solutions, this highlight reel is a must-watch. It’s not just about big shots. It’s about precision, discipline, and smart pool from start to finish.

🟢 2025 WPBA Dr Pool Jacoby Tour Championship
Nov 12–16 | 9-Ball | Watch
Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center, Rothschild, WI

🟢 WNT International Open
Nov 19–23 | 9-Ball | Watch
St Augustine, FL

🟢 Predator Spain Events: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Mixed Doubles, Junior World Championships
Nov 25– Dec 2 | 9-Ball | Watch
Gandia Palace Hotel, Spain

🟢 WNT Stocks Memorial
Nov 28–30 | 9-Ball | Watch
Front Royal, VA

📖 Our favorite books on the mental game
🧰 Gear I Trust: What’s in my case
👤 Follow us on Facebook
📸 Follow us on Instagram
📰 Want to start a newsletter like this one?

That wraps it up for this week’s edition of Stroke of Confidence! Hope everyone enjoyed and learned something that they can take to the table this weekend. Keep practicing and finding ways to level up. See you in a week.

P.S. Want to sponsor our newsletter and get your business in front of thousands of pool fanatics? Reach out to us at [email protected].