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Why it matters
Thinking about a missed shot makes you tense, and tension makes the next shot harder. The table doesn’t remember your last shot. Each shot starts fresh, so your mind should too.
How to do it
- 1
After a miss, take one slow breath out.
- 2
Say one short word to yourself, such as “next”.
- 3
Go back to your routine: stand behind the shot and decide.
- 4
Judge yourself on how well you followed your routine, not on the result.
Common mistake
Fixing your stroke in the middle of a match
After a miss, it is tempting to change your stance or grip right away. Wait until practice. In a match, trust what you have trained.
Try it tonight
Exercise · All levels
Miss and reset
Play a rack of 9-ball on your own. After every miss, do your reset (breath, word, routine) before the next shot. Count how many of your shots after a miss go in.