If you are getting smooth results in one area and pulling in others it is usually your angle.

When start on difficult areas it can be hard to see or keep you arm the same so you can change your angle without noticing. When you feel it start to pull stop double check your angle and then continue.

The nicks are too much pressure on the blade, did you try to force the blade through were it pulled? Remember light touch if it doesn't go and your angle is correct then yeah it might need a good strop.

Once you feel comftorable with an area you can try the scything motion this helps cut the whiskers easier but in return is easier to cut yourself.

Man it feels weird to give advice to a barber I hope I didn't offend