Check the line before you get down.
Check that the pot is straight: look behind the white for the red’s centre on the line to the pocket. Repeat one short layout instead of comparing different angles.
If you feel you must steer the cue after getting down, stand up and rebuild the setup. Aim and body alignment deserve a check before you decide the delivery is at fault. A comfortable, balanced stance will vary with height, build and how you see the shot.
Reference: 147 Academy: The Stance
Notice the bridge and the grip.
Your bridge supports the cue. Check whether the hand remains steady while you prepare and strike, and whether the cue has room to travel without being forced sideways. Keep the shot short enough that you do not need an awkward reach.
Notice whether your cueing hand becomes noticeably tighter at delivery. Extra tension is worth discussing rather than treating a stronger squeeze as the answer. A coach can help you find a grip that supports the cue without unnecessary tension; you do not need to copy another player’s hand shape exactly.
Reference: WPBSA Blueprint: The Basics · 147 Academy: The Cue Grip
Give your preparation and finish a fair chance.
Rushing makes it harder to know what happened. Use a calm preparation and a comfortable pace on each attempt. Check the tip position before the final delivery; accidental side spin adds another variable to a simple straight-pot exercise.
Watch for lifting your head or body as you strike. Try keeping the body quiet through the delivery rather than jumping up to follow the red. These are observations to test, not proof that one movement explains every miss.
Reference: WPBSA Blueprint: The Basics
Turn the miss into a useful coaching question.
Repeat one short layout ten times. Record pots, miss direction and one preparation detail. Choose one focus for the next set, and compare attempts rather than judging the most frustrating shot.
If the same difficulty persists, show the coach the actual layout and describe what you noticed. “I miss this short red to the left and my bridge sometimes moves” is something they can inspect. A written guide cannot check your sighting, balance or cue delivery in person.
Reference: 147 Academy: Practice Routines — Learning
A few quick questions.
Does missing to one side identify the fault?
No. Different setup and delivery problems can produce a similar miss. Use the pattern as a question for a coach, not as a diagnosis.
Should I copy a professional’s stance exactly?
No. Comfort, balance and a clear cueing line matter. Stance varies with the player’s build and sighting; personalised observation is more useful than forcing an identical pose.
How quickly will these checks fix my potting?
There is no fixed timeline. Keep the exercise manageable, observe one thing at a time and get help when you cannot tell what is changing.