Shots to AVOID, especially when under pressure | 8ball pool tips

In this video, Mick Hill shows that the correct shot choice can help eliminate mistakes when combating nerves in a game.
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[@dj_wilson]

the whole time I was saying to myself, "I'd just slow roll forward and play down to the corner" Great video! Also been practicing the stun draw a bit more lately. A good shot for the toolkit.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@edwardglenn6599]

Me too lol

[@stuartculshaw5342]

I did spot it yes, the camera angle may have made it easier to see but it's also brilliant to see the alternatives played out. The skill required to position a screw or stun on unknown cloths is way too risky... find a simpler solution.

[@Xiltch]

One guy I play with plays draw shots more because they struggle to execute follow on shots.

[@scholesy1000]

Mick has got a nice easy manner about him when doing these tips/coaching vids.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Cheers! Glad you like it.

[@giggadygoogog]

4:18 - the best advice I have ever heard on this channel. Without a doubt. Bravo.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you liked it

[@JonBox-ez4vo]

I’ve played pool/snooker 40 odds years, still love it like a teenager ! Started following your channel yesterday- just my cup of tea 👍Thank you 😊

[@mickthemachinehill]

Welcome aboard!

[@PoolSchool]

Great teaching style, simple, clear and effective. Just like the last shot, no need to over complicate things.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you.

[@Ben-Dixey]

You are a great teacher Mick, please keep up these videos. You will have more subscribers than Stephen Hendry in no time.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you and let’s hope so!

[@RacquelDorsett]

Would love to see this lesson done on the crappy pub cues us regular folk get. Six o'clock on the cue ball for me usually ends up in someone's pint lol! Love your videos mate, great stuff.

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@bentones1701]

Buy a cue then, you can pick a half decent one up for £70

[@StephenDonnelly-z2x]

I'd like to see a table with similarly sized pockets to what I find on my local 8 ball tables. They are buckets dude.

[@arconeagain]

I had an incredible game against a bloke on a pub table when I recently moved to a new town. He was so serious, and as the game wore on, I became more serious. It extracted my skills. We were playing world, which I hadn't done for years and had forgotten some of the rules. I didn't know the table or surrounds (uneven floor), most of all, I was using a real crappy pub cue, he had his fancy one. I had a fairly easy shot to get on the eight, and missed. It was a truly epic, tactical game and I should have won. In my mind, I did. If I had been using his cue, I don't think he'd stand a chance because I was seeing the ball that well.

[@DaveX-q1v]

Mick thank you so much for your videos. Your patience and humility really come across and that's wonderful to see from such a legend. I'd also like to thank you for the lack of advertising in your content, I'm sure there's a lot of pressure to plaster logos everywhere.

[@mickthemachinehill]

You are very welcome. Some sponsorship may come in the future to help support and grow the channel. It would allow for us to do some amazing things we have planned, which I'm sure you'll enjoy.

[@_Goldenear]

Mick's very own Sixth Sense video, where some will spot the plot twist much sooner. Brilliant videos, Mick.

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@Neil_Gibson]

I was thrown at first when you said “drawing the cueball across to play the yellow in the same pocket” when you meant the corner pocket. But you made some good points. Thanks.

[@Cosmos_Gypsy]

Mick your advice here is simply fantastic and just what i needed to know. Can't wait to stay tuned for more

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you’re enjoying the videos. 👍

[@eggers173]

I did see that this time Mick, I have been talking about your play style with my mates and what i am starting to realize is that you are very keen on the white ball NOT traveling too far. It feels like smart lazy (for lack of a better term) or getting it done with least risk and least effort, Hats off I am loving the content.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Exactly! Keep things simple.

[@stormoxo6087]

Thumbs up from Australia, thanks Mick , love your down to earth attitude and everything else haha , cheers ! Thanks for the tips !

[@mickthemachinehill]

G’day!

[@dhirajpallin2572]

I misread that as down under attitude.

[@lfcmonkeyyyman6229]

Mick is like the professor of pool.. what most people would explain in 2 minutes, Mick takes about an hour 😄 I think in his first video, he spe t around 15 minutes just on the break!! Love the content tho, very educational!!

[@jagger8655]

LOVED watching you against Django today!! Coming from an American pool player, I would love to see you compete in 9-ball or other styles of billiards. I'm sure it was foreign but from what I saw you were absolutely killing it on the 9fter with full size balls.

[@lallymorrison9197]

I'd love to see a series of drills to practice going from basic - intermediate - advanced. Also I'd love to see you talk through your cue selection and the pros and cons of all the various options. Great content, thanks

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks for the suggestions, will add them to the list of future topics. 👍

[@jessedillon9575]

The best tutorials iv seen mick this is going to help a lot of intermediate/lower level players perfectly articulated 👏

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks.

[@joesimmonds2118]

Awsome. Love the simplicity of the way you see the game. I would have been screwing back all day long with probably no follow up shot. Sometimes I feel that walk around the table is the hardest part of pool!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Best to keep things simple.

[@J-oker251]

Great video Mick, as a average pub player, i have that exact problem, under/over hitting positional shots.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Don’t forget to do a lap around the table next time. 👍

[@snoophoggywhite3624]

Cheers mick, i did see the shot to start with, as it just looked a lot easier, but great to know there was another route

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@Anakoluti]

Love you, Mick! ❤

[@mickthemachinehill]

thanks

[@project-overland]

Excellent advice. This is one of the best coaching series on the web right now. Ps did see the follow through to play to the opposite corner!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@paulkerry69]

Stumbled on this vid by accident. I'm not really a pool player (old school billards is my game) but i must say i found this to be well informative from a coaching perspective keep up the good work 👍

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you

[@PrimalEater]

Thants Mick I stuffed this shot up last night at my club I cannoned a ball an lost the game. 11 o’clock soft grip got it mate. Queensland Australia

[@mickthemachinehill]

Next time!

[@bryanpolden1587]

Haha I was getting ready to comment how I'd just play the centre to get onto the last yellow in the bottom left lol then ya came in with the "however" love ya work Mick👏

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@showtime207]

Just found this channel. Love it. Learned a lot already

[@mickthemachinehill]

Welcome aboard!

[@shawnmushini5406]

You make my game look way below average,😂😂 I have no idea how grip on the cue affects shots,very good content

[@craigstewart5062]

Seen it, great guide to the screw shot technique 👌

[@8ballloz]

Great video Mick! Keep them coming!!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Will do! Thanks n

[@greg7316]

Phew! Happy you ended up doing the right shot at the end.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Never in doubt.

[@mediapartners9950]

Great video thanks Mick 👍🏻

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markezra1513]

Thanx for your advice ,Hills Just like the way you make the game seem simple

[@mickthemachinehill]

👍

[@tomfrench7146]

Loving these videos Mick. As a suggestion a video on how to play doubles from different angles, especially with the object ball close to the cushion would be great. Keep it up 👍🙂

[@mickthemachinehill]

A few people have suggested it, we’ve added it to the list of things to cover. 👍 thanks

[@Mystifyingmage]

Loving these, great advice keep up the great work

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks!

[@Public_Enemy_1]

It's quite amazing,i've been watching hundreds of matches recently and there are so many players out there actually winning tournaments who are just rolling balls and using soft stun shots,their opponents have much more ability but they end up getting beat..It's very strange to watch,i think a lot of it's due to the quality of the cloths and tables,you go back to the days of the mid 90s it would be the opposite,i think quality of cloth has levelled up the game and gives inferior players more chance of winning..It's the same in snooker,i would love to have seen Luca Brecel smashing in balls at Darleston snooker centre on those cloths back in the day on a sunday afternoon pro am.Great channel Mick,from someone who obviously loves the game would love to see something on cues as i'm thinking of starting playing again,would like some info on cuemakers and prices,looking to get a one piece as previously only had 2 piece..

[@mickthemachinehill]

Please ask about the cues at the upcoming live Q&A.

[@Public_Enemy_1]

@@mickthemachinehill Have you got a date set.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Not yet.

[@Jiayne1335]

only just found your channel Mick,subbed and looking forward to seeing you give us novices some great advice.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Welcome aboard!

[@DanielMuiruri-o8l]

Great content, Mick!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cezman74]

Really enjoying these videos.Thanks Mick

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you like them!

[@insert-name1500]

Brilliant. Thanks Michael.

[@mickthemachinehill]

You’re welcome

[@PostcodePool]

Thanks for the videos Mick, very helpful. Any reason you weren’t at the WEPF world champs this year?

[@mickthemachinehill]

I was in China at the time.

[@johnk-pc2zx]

Thankyou Mick, I learned from that.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Great.

[@joangallegofernandez983]

Keep up the good work! Fantastic advices

[@mickthemachinehill]

Will do. Thanks.

[@mainandungu6966]

Thanks Mick for that video. Just to counter check if I got the cue speed tips right... The cue speed is determined by 1. Type of clothe 2. Amount of follow through that is as a result of where you hold your cue 3. How loose or tight your grip is Kindly let me know if I got them right and whether I missed any other factor. Once again thanks for the nuggets of wisdom.

[@mickthemachinehill]

we have more videos on this coming up that goes into more detail.

[@mainandungu6966]

Thank you Mick I will be waiting

[@ianwatkins6202]

I saw it Mick😊 being a snooker player it was the first thought 😊 Nice video!

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@NoName-eo2mv]

I spotted it, but your right, just having a little look at your options can save you the pain, I’m guilty of it, be it laziness or my haste to get on with it, and it can lead to problems like not getting the right angle or if a ball passes another

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@Nickymorris70]

Awesome videos!👍🎱 Neil Buchanan vibes🎉

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you!

[@TechReviewSA]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge machine 🤖

[@mickthemachinehill]

My pleasure!

[@MichaelArbuthnot-dw4bx]

greats tips Mick

[@chackoulahannan6991]

Amazing video. ❤

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you!

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

Mick, can you do a video talking about which type of cue to buy? maybe talking about cue tip size etc

[@mickthemachinehill]

Check out the last Q&A video.

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

ok will do cheers@@mickthemachinehill

[@british-boy6703]

As simple as possible, see a lot of flash players with flashy shots and things going wrong, Mick never does that, I think for that reason he’s arguably the best overall player out there

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you

[@chrislaw4189]

Yeah Chris Melling is a bit like that IMO. Plays some insane shots that almost no one else could pull off, but also loses the white a lot more often than people like Mick.

[@zacbroxson1223]

I was thinking that the whole way and thought you'd end the video playing the stun down 🤣

[@jamestaton680]

Great videos Mick keep them coming, can I ask what table your playing on, looking to buy a new one and like the look of yours 👍

[@mickthemachinehill]

The table is a SAM Atlantic Champion 7ft x 4ft from SAM Leisure

[@ezpzjayzaar]

I would have played a follow shot to have the cue ball close to the rail next to the middle where we want to pot the yellow. From there I would play a draw shot for the black in the same pocket where the second yellow is going (bottom left from the camera view)

[@joebloggs1317]

I still preferred the screw on the first object ball, easy position on the black off the second, leave an angle on the second to either drop straight in behind the black or off the side cushion for the same position.

[@memphisbulls1859]

Amazing how in one short video you’ve summed up 75% of local league pool league players 😂😂 The only thing missing is to blame the table for putting the white behind the opponents ball

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@JohnBrown-wr8co]

Roll forward into middle, ball in opposite side. That shot is fraught with danger, love the tip on just stunning ball across. But thats why youre a World champion ❤

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you.

[@MG-wp4gl]

Brilliant. excellent, vids.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you like them!

[@Everall30]

Remember me kid??...., glad to see have done it brother

[@onniroy4975]

Excellent. So it is stun/screw shot. But only works with the smaller cue ball? With the same size cue ball presumably you have to screw back but it is easier to control being the same weight as the object ball?

[@mickthemachinehill]

We have some videos coming up that explains the cue ball size effect. 👍

[@fnaah_au]

first five minutes I was scratching my head wondering why you wouldn't do exactly what you said to do at the end.... hooray, i'm learning :P

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you saw it!

[@DaneliusUK]

“You draw for show, and follow for the dough”

[@patricklinyard1119]

First in. Boom. Awesome! Keep up the great work.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thanks! Will do!

[@Leinsterken]

Lol i was mid typing this post to say isnt this just a simple roll through when he added that in at the end. I thought mick lost his marbles

[@mickthemachinehill]

😆

[@iulianneagu5276]

Yup saw it first time because this way was easier to get on the black as well

[@mickthemachinehill]

Well spotted!

[@arconeagain]

My pool brain instinctively saw it from the get go. Was wondering why you were going over all the other complicated stuff.

[@mickthemachinehill]

simples

[@JustinBieberFanSA]

Is it not even easier with the follow to come off the rail into the line of the shot instead of crossing the line and possibly end up on the wrong side of the potting line?

[@gurdeepchumber2764]

I wouldve just played screw back but risk going behind red,i need to walk around table more🙈,thanks for the tip though

[@mickthemachinehill]

Always do a lap - if you have the time

[@gurdeepchumber2764]

@@mickthemachinehill get my extra steps in to so a win win lol

[@macallanfinerare2552]

Looked at the table and saw it within seconds and then I kept asking myself: What is Mick doing there? 😁

[@mickthemachinehill]

Glad you spotted it!

[@rorykelly8275]

Hi Mick, what longevity do you think you will put into cue sports? The reason i'm asking is I'm near 60 and can still give a good game.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Tune into the upcoming live Q&A to find out about that.

[@rorykelly8275]

@@mickthemachinehill when will that be please my friend???

[@mickthemachinehill]

Couple of weeks we hope.

[@rorykelly8275]

@@mickthemachinehill ideal I look forward to this.

[@algarvemike]

Any advice on pool cues vs snooker cues, tip size etc.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Save it for the live Q&A coming up!

[@algarvemike]

@@mickthemachinehill I can’t wait for that one. You’re a talented broadcaster…great job

[@someone-rz5yc]

Would love to see your practice routines and what you do before comps and has it changed since you were younger

[@mickthemachinehill]

Great suggestion. Will add it to the list. 👍

[@someone-rz5yc]

@@mickthemachinehill thanks mick great channel you got here

[@BAD3GG]

Thing is, if you get the roll through shot wrong you land wrong side of the ball and no shot on the black, at least with the stun/backspin shot your almost guaranteed an angle for the black

[@mickthemachinehill]

Difficult to get the roll through wrong.

[@droidhacking]

Which cue stick do you use and what do you recommend for an average player?

[@mickthemachinehill]

Save this question for the upcoming live Q&A.

[@droidhacking]

@@mickthemachinehill what time?

[@mickthemachinehill]

Not been announced yet. Likely be in a few weeks.

[@droidhacking]

@@mickthemachinehill I mean you can still read questions out on the live. Would really appreciate an answer asap

[@doctor_gibbo1392]

I sincerely apologise for my childish and utterly puerile mind but 4:18 made me spit my beer out.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Ooohh Matron! 🤣

[@doctor_gibbo1392]

@@mickthemachinehill Carry On Cueing

[@michaeltowers1143]

Could it be any easier? Great vid, Mick

[@mickthemachinehill]

Cheers

[@T-Wrex1864]

That frog eye doh

[@SuperKillbill1234]

is the follow through the same for a follow shot as it is for a screw back shot.

[@mickthemachinehill]

We have some videos coming up about the differences and the effects the smaller cue ball has.

[@SuperKillbill1234]

@@mickthemachinehill great i'm a older player returning to the game after a few years off...thannx

[@jeremygould2946]

Roll the ball forward and shoot the next ball in the opposite corner pocket

[@Vince_Paul]

That come back to one of your rules. Keep it simple. An the simple shot was the third shot. As less chance for error ie getting snookered.

[@mickthemachinehill]

Exactly!

[@Softlad92]

Class

[@mickthemachinehill]

Thank you

[@darrenorr7777]

Nice tips. Tragic video. Hopefully improves with some practice as one of the best

[@darrionkemp7018]

Unrelated, can you please come to South Africa to our new Ultimate Pool Centre & bless us with your GOAT presence in future 🐐

[@mickthemachinehill]

SA is on my list! But not sure when.

[@drewninja899]

mick could you please do an aiming video for the novice,

[@mickthemachinehill]

We will add it to the list of things to cover in future videos. Thanks for the suggestion 👍

[@crazyman1979]

Just don’t get low on the yellow if running through 😩

[@mickthemachinehill]

Yup

[@anthonylarue7924]

Try it

[@-The-Darkside]

I get the lesson and understand all thta, but why not play with a little top spin and knock the second yellow in the bottom left?

[@mickthemachinehill]

Did you not watch it all?

[@-The-Darkside]

@@mickthemachinehill to be fair I commented after the second "miss" lol

[@mickthemachinehill]

🤣

[@yippeeki-yay1691]

My first thought was why not just top it through and leave yourself slightly high on the 8 - but knowing me id have probably jawed the Black..

[@mickthemachinehill]

Are you a twitcher on the 8 ball? 😂

[@yippeeki-yay1691]

@@mickthemachinehill - sometimes, usually when I'm far ahead in the frame - I think it's called complacency, and a few beers 🍻

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@anthonyp4617]

Your profile pic compared to RL reminds me of my uncles facebook pic.

[@KramF10]

It's never "as much action as we'd like", let's be honest 😂

[@mickthemachinehill]

😂

[@chezchesterman5920]

I spotted it straight away... Am still not a pro tho...😊

[@mickthemachinehill]

nice one

[@JussTK]

for those who dont understand, take a look at all your options and opt to play for the one where you dont have to do too much with the cue ball. less work = consistency

[@milancubrilo5090]

Is white ball smaller then object balls?

[@mickthemachinehill]

yes

[@mukesh.dhimar]

??? It was the FIRST thing I spotted.

[@network735]

Why is he dressed like a 15 year old football hooligan? That being said all these guys are awsome I guessing he is a pro pool player. They on another level

[@mickthemachinehill]

Yup, just another pro player 😉

[@qballer1699]

Clearly a follow shot....

[@MyMax147]

Your making it sound complicated and boring

[@mickthemachinehill]

The content we put out is for a wide range of levels, I'm sure there will be videos in future that you might find more suitable.

[@IRISHTRANSPARENCY]

Come on Mick, you're better than this

[@mickthemachinehill]

The content we’re putting out is targeted at all levels of ability. Some won’t be relevant to advanced players but there will be plenty of upcoming videos that will.

[@IRISHTRANSPARENCY]

@mickthemachinehill don't get me wrong I really appreciate you're efforts making these for us.

[@lilyfeng6598]

I appreciate the comparison of these 2 shots. Now I understand what I did wrong.