You generally won’t read or hear anyone talk about the shots they missed in a match.  The funny thing is that missing is a very important part of the game, and probably the most overlooked opportunity for improvement.  Don’t get me wrong, I would never advise anyone to miss more shots, even though I miss shots on purpose in certain situations.

Please understand when this situation comes up it is not that I am trying to “hustle” anyone or anything like that; it is because of the layout of the table.  As you practice more and become more familiar with what shots you can make consistently, you will only want to shoot those types of shots in a win or lose situation.  If I am confronted with a shot that I feel is not only very difficult to make, but also tough to use to get position on the next shot I will change my strategy and look for another option.  Many times when there are more than two balls on the table, there are ways to shoot at a tough shot and play safe at the same time.  I look from the pocket I’m shooting at and draw a straight line through the other balls on the table, looking to see where I would want the cue-ball to end up if I missed the ball that
I was shooting. Usually, a missed shot will stay close to the intended pocket.

Sometimes you will be shooting the shot with enough speed that it will go to a different part of the table if it’s not made. In those cases, start at that location and draw a straight line through the other balls on the table to see where you would want to end up; play your position with that in mind.

Remember, a missed shot is just a shot that isn’t made for a reason and usually that reason is for you to practice the same type shot until you can make it.  The difference between an amateur and a pro is “an amateur will practice until they can do something right and a pro will practice until THEY CAN’T DO IT WRONG.