How do I dump a slump

Mr.psychopath

Mr.psychopath

Twichy
Silver Member
I'll start off by telling you that I'm not an "A" player I'm probably closer to a strong "B". I play league 8-ball for fun mostly and am currently a 5 in cpa. Now on to the problem. I cant seem to win while playing in the league, it doesnt matter what handicap I play I lose. It's just not fun anymore it's to the point where I just dont care. I play lights out everywhere else but the second its time for a league match I dog it, I've been losing to everything from a 3 to a 7 consistently and it just seemed to start this season. The season before I played every night only against 6's and 7's and only lost twice out of 18 games. When I first started noticing myself slip I tried playing more and focusing on the fundamentals. I even went to the tried and true method of K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) and that didnt seem to work, so I tried pushing myself trying to challenge myself and nothing. It's almost like its not even me playing anymore I dog simple shots and make unbelievable ones or I'm winning by a mile and then next thing I know its the rubber match and I lose, or run the rack to the second last ball and miss. I even go for the stupidest or hardest shot on the table with out even thinking when there is a much more simple way, kinda like my brain isnt in the game anymore.

Sorry to rant on like that. I'm sure it makes for horrible reading due to all the gramatical errors, but this is just so frustrating and I had to get it off my chest.


Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.
 
If you're a SL5, you're supposed to be inconsistant, thats why you're not a 6 or 7.

Winning 16/18 is a great record though, did you stay a 5 the whole time?
 
I know Im not supposed to be consistent so to speak but this is hands down the worst I have ever been out of the four years I have played my record has never been below 80%, and I very rarely play anyone below a 5until recently. To answer your other question I've been very lucky I have never moved from being an SL-5.
 
Have you read the book about the law of attraction? I don't have it handy or I'ld get you the author's name, but it's a really short and easy read. WELL worth it.

td
 
The game never changes, only the mind set changes. Pretend your somewhere else if you need to. Stop thinging and start playing.
 
Try focusing your practice on the easy parts of the game. This is where your probably having trouble. If you miss an impossible shot big deal. It sounds like your missing shots you should or feel like you should be making.

I will tell you one thing is certain you can't miss the easy ones and win...80% of this game is making easy shots. Start with this part of the game. It sounds dull and it is. It also makes you win more if you never miss easy shots.

I'll put the object ball on the spot and shoot it in the corner over and over never touching the cue ball with my hand...This is a very easy drill try it...let me know when you get past 100 without missing or touching the cue ball. This drill will show you just cause in your mind the shot is easy does not mean the ball will fall. Just cause the last thirty times you shot that shot the ball fell Does not mean this time it will...
Plus "I am just playing a game". I tell myself that before every break...
 
Each time, before you start to play. That means Practice, Warm up, actual playing, get a note pad and pen (pencil... doesn't matter) and write down the things in your game that you do well. Nothing that has any negative words in it. Don't say something like "I won't dog it". That's a negative statement.

Examples: I will have a smooth relaxed stroke.
I will split the pocket.
I will decide what I am going to do prior to getting down on the shot.
I will have fun.
If I start to feel tense, I will smile. (laugh to myself)

Do this, and start looking at all the positive things, instead of focusing on the negative. There are lots of books about this. Check out some things on Tao Sports, or their like.

Good luck.
 
Scare yourself out of it!!! Mark Grace (I know, baseball reference, but follow me here) had a good way of breaking a slump. If he wasn't hitting the ball, he'd find a SLUMP-BUSTER.....he'd bang the biggest, fattest, uglyist, most disgusting female he could find. You don't wanna go thru that EVER again....you'll hit your way out of a mini-slump to to avoid it too :p :cool:
 
Take a break go for a bicycle ride, and gt you mind of the game, and you will return refereshed! Also if you have some Accustate TYPE Matches, watch them, and get you juices flowing again.
 
Mr.psychopath said:
I'll start off by telling you that I'm not an "A" player I'm probably closer to a strong "B". I play league 8-ball for fun mostly and am currently a 5 in cpa. Now on to the problem. I cant seem to win while playing in the league, it doesnt matter what handicap I play I lose. It's just not fun anymore it's to the point where I just dont care. I play lights out everywhere else but the second its time for a league match I dog it, I've been losing to everything from a 3 to a 7 consistently and it just seemed to start this season. The season before I played every night only against 6's and 7's and only lost twice out of 18 games. When I first started noticing myself slip I tried playing more and focusing on the fundamentals. I even went to the tried and true method of K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) and that didnt seem to work, so I tried pushing myself trying to challenge myself and nothing. It's almost like its not even me playing anymore I dog simple shots and make unbelievable ones or I'm winning by a mile and then next thing I know its the rubber match and I lose, or run the rack to the second last ball and miss. I even go for the stupidest or hardest shot on the table with out even thinking when there is a much more simple way, kinda like my brain isnt in the game anymore.

Sorry to rant on like that. I'm sure it makes for horrible reading due to all the gramatical errors, but this is just so frustrating and I had to get it off my chest.


Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

OK Here is my take on it...

You say your playing 8ball and your having a hard time winning on league night. It may not be a slump at all considering you said your playing good at other places. Are you sure your not trying to run out un-runable racks. Do you run out most of your balls and get snookered? If that the case then you should develop a different strategy. Or it could be your just dogging it in the league.
 
The moment you started slumping is the moment you admit slumps exist. Just flat out refuse to believe in slumps. Slumps are like the easter bunny and santa clause.

The word has a lot to do with a gambler's mentality and it isn't based on rational logic. A slump isn't any more real than a "hot" slot machine or a "cold" run of cards in poker. It's sort of a copout word that makes a series of losses sound like some cosmic force is making you lose... as if it's a streak of bad luck and you just have to ride it out.

Every game is new and nothing that happened in the previous game has any effect on it. If you are somehow letting your annoyance at a past loss or missed ball affect your future shots... fix it. You have to force yourself to shoot each rack as if you are confident and winning. Be absolutely carefree about losses or misses.

The only time you need to get mad is when you give less than 100% and you are fully aware of it. If you do your best and shoot with full care and control and still lose than you don't need to be sad about the outcome, as there was nothing you could have done to avoid it.
 
Each game play at least 3 safes, then run out. They must be productive safes, put the cb in an exact spot.
 
Go put some money on the rail. This helps me cause I sure don't want to give you my money!!!
 
Ask one of the better players on your team to watch you play. You may be doing something you dont realize, maybe a pause in your stroke, a dip, something.

If Im in your area sometime soon, I'll shoot a few games with you if you want. I am currently a SL6 in 8ball but have played as a SL5. I dont always play good but I know what good looks like. (big problem in itself)
 
CreeDo said:
The moment you started slumping is the moment you admit slumps exist. Just flat out refuse to believe in slumps. Slumps are like the easter bunny and santa clause.

The word has a lot to do with a gambler's mentality and it isn't based on rational logic. A slump isn't any more real than a "hot" slot machine or a "cold" run of cards in poker. It's sort of a copout word that makes a series of losses sound like some cosmic force is making you lose... as if it's a streak of bad luck and you just have to ride it out.

Every game is new and nothing that happened in the previous game has any effect on it. If you are somehow letting your annoyance at a past loss or missed ball affect your future shots... fix it. You have to force yourself to shoot each rack as if you are confident and winning. Be absolutely carefree about losses or misses.

The only time you need to get mad is when you give less than 100% and you are fully aware of it. If you do your best and shoot with full care and control and still lose than you don't need to be sad about the outcome, as there was nothing you could have done to avoid it.
Click to expand...

Good post.
 
Dumping a slump

1. Find Mr. Slump with money.
2. Arrange a game and have Mr. Slump see you play well and win money.
3. Arrange another game and allow Mr. Slump to bet on you and win.
4. Now have a partner play you and let Mr. Slump bet a lot on you.
5. Now dump Mr. Slump.


Sorry, I had to do it...:grin::kma:
 
Sometimes, a week off can help. Don't even hit a ball. Go to the gym, watch movies, whatever. I just did it. I was kind of "pooled out." It CAN happen.
 
crawfish said:
Sometimes, a week off can help. Don't even hit a ball. Go to the gym, watch movies, whatever. I just did it. I was kind of "pooled out." It CAN happen.
Click to expand...

Best advise it the thread, by far. Slumps happen and everyone has them, even Efren. If you're not doing well in league play, you may want to consider giving it up for a session. Personally, I wouldn't play league at all, but, that's just me;)
 
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