A good player as to strike the ball makes a precise adjustment to deal with two dimensions.
1. To join the line of the ball as early as possible.

2. To place the pony to the ball accurately, in order to be able to hit through the required circle and aim in the exact direction of the chosen target.
A ball-chaser normally rushes to the ball without consideration of either dimension and adjusts much too late, with the last stride of the pony.