Long Kicks

This is series of shots I made during a solo practice session several weeks ago at SoHo Billiards. For the most part, I'm going to let the diagrams speak for themselves (as always, click to enlarge). Whenever I go in to practice I always find myself practicing safeties. This time was no different, and getting out of this initial safety (shot #1) turned into a really interesting and challenging scenario. I would've loved to have been with another person to discuss this. In my opinion, shot #4 is the best shot of the series. Sure, #2 and #3 were nicely made kick shots (albeit at pocket hangers), but the aim and speed on #4 had to be just right. After #4 is where I went against my own rule that I always tell my teammates, which is "Don't try to be a hero." In #5 the angle on the kick was way too thin and I ended up hitting the 8 first and breaking up the cluster. Instead, before taking #5 would it have made more sense to just pick up the cue ball and hand it over (or, to take it back one step, doing the same after shot number #2)? Or how about about intentionally shooting the cue ball into the 8 and nudging it closer to the 2 ball? Lots of scenarios, lots of outcomes.