Mental block?

S

StuartK35

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Mental blocks

I've been playing well in 9ball for a good while now. I just moved from a SL 7 to an 8 in APA 9ball as of this week.

I lost my first match as an 8 to a 6 last night, 65-46 race...I lost 46-39.

I don't feel like I played badly but I didn't feel like I could elevate my game enough to get the spread covered against such a good player. Honestly, the 6 played like a 7 or better. I can't control that. I made some mistakes because of over-thinking and worrying about the point spread. I was just getting comfortable playing as a 7 and was winning 60-70% of my matches or better against equally ranked players. It's starting to feel like less fun and hard work just to compete with this handicap system.

How can I overcome these mental challenges and just get back to shooting "my game" the got me here? I'm actually frustrated because I enjoy the game and play quite a bit but I just don't have time to dedicate every single day to working on my game. I do have a table at home but I'm gone much of the time.

Drills to help? Advice?
 
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So were you worried more about the new point spread, or where there expectations that you had in your head to perform well at the new skill level?

The reason I asked is because I am sure that you have had to deal with a point spread before.
 
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Tony_in_MD said:
So were you worried more about the new point spread, or where there expectations that you had in your head to perform well at the new skill level?

The reason I asked is because I am sure that you have had to deal with a point spread before.
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That's a valid question. I suppose my concern was the point spread with the level of player I was playing. Sure I've beaten 4's and 5's as a 7 without any trouble. I also beat 6 and 7 SL players regularly as a 7. However. I was playing a 6 who plays very strong and should arguably be ranked higher. So as an 8, I guess I was mostly concerned about having to perform at least two racks better than someone who plays at or very near my level in my opinion...

does that make sense?
 
Perfect sense.

Now, ask yourself, are you playing your opponent, or the layout of the table?



StuartK35 said:
That's a valid question. I suppose my concern was the point spread with the level of player I was playing. Sure I've beaten 4's and 5's as a 7 without any trouble. I also beat 6 and 7 SL players regularly as a 7. However. I was playing a 6 who plays very strong and should arguably be ranked higher. So as an 8, I guess I was mostly concerned about having to perform at least two racks better than someone who plays at or very near my level in my opinion...

does that make sense?
Click to expand...
 
Playing "good pool" is work for me. In other words I have to work at it to perform at my best. I guess there are players out there that can just hit the balls and play lights out, unfortunately I am not one of them. Maybe you are not either. I know when I play "lazy" I feel as though I played OK but not particularly well. Is that how you felt? Maybe you were doing a little ego protection and not working as hard as you could have since you are new to this level.
Just an idea.
 
Tony_in_MD said:
Perfect sense.

Now, ask yourself, are you playing your opponent, or the layout of the table?
Click to expand...

That's somethng to take into account. I know I didn't play as well as I usually do and I did not take advantage of the opportunities that I created through defensive shots. I had several tables that I should have cleaned up one I got ball in hand but missed shots that cost me big time. I played great defense and I didn't miss a single kick shot in the entire match. I just couldn't put it all together.

Any drills that you can recommend to improve consistency where speend and stroke are concerned?
 
Jodacus said:
Playing "good pool" is work for me. In other words I have to work at it to perform at my best. I guess there are players out there that can just hit the balls and play lights out, unfortunately I am not one of them. Maybe you are not either. I know when I play "lazy" I feel as though I played OK but not particularly well. Is that how you felt? Maybe you were doing a little ego protection and not working as hard as you could have since you are new to this level.
Just an idea.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't think you're entirely off the mark with these ideas. I don't know that I was worried too much about losing and I certainly didn't give up without a fight but maybe I was a bit lazy where my focus was concerned. I never think about it when I'm playing great...it just flows. Maybe I was just tired and didn't focus on every shot like I should have. This is something to keep in mind. Thanks for your input. You are right, it is work to play good pool.
 
Mother Drills 1, 2 and 5

But I am still not convinced that drills are the solution to your problem.

StuartK35 said:
That's somethng to take into account. I know I didn't play as well as I usually do and I did not take advantage of the opportunities that I created through defensive shots. I had several tables that I should have cleaned up one I got ball in hand but missed shots that cost me big time. I played great defense and I didn't miss a single kick shot in the entire match. I just couldn't put it all together.

Any drills that you can recommend to improve consistency where speend and stroke are concerned?
Click to expand...
 
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Tony_in_MD said:
Mother Drills 1, 2 and 5

But I am still not convinced that drills are the solution to your problem.
Click to expand...

I will take a look at those drills. I'm not familiar with those at all. Any idea what, if not drills, could be of help? Is it just confidence or working harder when I'm at the table?

Thank you for your time and attention, I do appreciate it.
 
StuartK35

I think Tony is right about Drills.

How are your 3 pre-shot routines? That could be a problem.

I will be in Roanoke this June. Maybe you would like to spend some time together?

randyg
 
StuartK35....The Mother Drills will only work for you, with the personal instruction that comes with them. That shows you how the drills benefit you, and how to customize them to each individual. Get some instruction from an SPF instructor, and you'll learn a ton about yourself, and your process.

Scott Lee
PBIA Master Instructor
www.poolknowledge.com

StuartK35 said:
I will take a look at those drills. I'm not familiar with those at all. Any idea what, if not drills, could be of help? Is it just confidence or working harder when I'm at the table?

Thank you for your time and attention, I do appreciate it.
Click to expand...
 
StuartK35 said:
I've been playing well in 9ball for a good while now. I just moved from a SL 7 to an 8 in APA 9ball as of this week.

I lost my first match as an 8 to a 6 last night, 65-46 race...I lost 46-39.

I don't feel like I played badly but I didn't feel like I could elevate my game enough to get the spread covered against such a good player. Honestly, the 6 played like a 7 or better. I can't control that. I made some mistakes because of over-thinking and worrying about the point spread. I was just getting comfortable playing as a 7 and was winning 60-70% of my matches or better against equally ranked players. It's starting to feel like less fun and hard work just to compete with this handicap system.

How can I overcome these mental challenges and just get back to shooting "my game" the got me here? I'm actually frustrated because I enjoy the game and play quite a bit but I just don't have time to dedicate every single day to working on my game. I do have a table at home but I'm gone much of the time.

Drills to help? Advice?
Click to expand...

I've highlited some words from your post:

over-thinking
worrying
less fun
hard work
frustrated
drills

The reason why I included the word 'drills' is because I think you believe that by improving your pool game by possibly doing more drills, you might change your attitude.

But in your post you also say, 'How can I get back to where I was?' So maybe it's not really a matter of improving your game. Maybe it's a matter of changing your attitude.

Remember why you first started playing pool ---- because it was fun. Don't allow anyone or anything to stop you from having fun playing pool. Perhaps you became caught up in results. Maybe you see losing as a failure and a negative thing. Tell that to a baseball player who averages in the 300's and who fails 70 percent of the time.

Figure out how to find the fun in the game again and you will have your answer. Learn how to overlook the things you can't control, like an opponent who has a great day against you, or a league system that is less than perfect.

You may have slowly started to develop expectations for yourself in pool. I think it's ok to expect things of ourselves, but we also have to factor in the occasional misstep. We are only human, afterall.
 
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randyg said:
StuartK35

I think Tony is right about Drills.

How are your 3 pre-shot routines? That could be a problem.

I will be in Roanoke this June. Maybe you would like to spend some time together?

randyg
Click to expand...

Randy, sure thing. I'd love to get together and shoot. Definitely get in touch with me when you get to town.
540-871-7477
 
FranCrimi said:
I've highlited some words from your post:

over-thinking
worrying
less fun
hard work
frustrated
drills

The reason why I included the word 'drills' is because I think you believe that by improving your pool game by possibly doing more drills, you might change your attitude.

But in your post you also say, 'How can I get back to where I was?' So maybe it's not really a matter of improving your game. Maybe it's a matter of changing your attitude.

Remember why you first started playing pool ---- because it was fun. Don't allow anyone or anything to stop you from having fun playing pool. Perhaps you became caught up in results. Maybe you see losing as a failure and a negative thing. Tell that to a baseball player who averages in the 300's and who fails 70 percent of the time.

Figure out how to find the fun in the game again and you will have your answer. Learn how to overlook the things you can't control, like an opponent who has a great day against you, or a league system that is less than perfect.

You may have slowly started to develop expectations for yourself in pool. I think it's ok to expect things of ourselves, but we also have to factor in the occasional misstep. We are only human, afterall.
Click to expand...

Those are some things that I haven't thought about. You bring up some great points here. I do believe attitude has a lot to do with it. I do have expectations of myself but I should at this level. I try to always put negative thoughts and results behind me during and after a match where things are going so well. I should keep that in mind. And you're right, it should be something I enjoy because I absolutely love the game. Thanks for your input here.
 
Scott Lee said:
StuartK35....The Mother Drills will only work for you, with the personal instruction that comes with them. That shows you how the drills benefit you, and how to customize them to each individual. Get some instruction from an SPF instructor, and you'll learn a ton about yourself, and your process.

Scott Lee
PBIA Master Instructor
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Thank you Scott, that's good information. I would love to get some instruction. If you have any info on someone in or around the Roanoke, VA area that would be great to know!

Thanks!
 
Congratulations if you can work something out with Randy Goettlicher- For sure one of the best outhere-if not the best!

have fun there:)
 
StuartK35 said:
That's a valid question. I suppose my concern was the point spread with the level of player I was playing. Sure I've beaten 4's and 5's as a 7 without any trouble. I also beat 6 and 7 SL players regularly as a 7. However. I was playing a 6 who plays very strong and should arguably be ranked higher. So as an 8, I guess I was mostly concerned about having to perform at least two racks better than someone who plays at or very near my level in my opinion...

does that make sense?
Click to expand...

I don't think it is a mental block at all. I think you are right about your opponent that night. He sounds like a sand bagging 6 that needs to be moved up. You will have no trouble winning your share of matches as an 8. Best of luck and happy new year! Regards, the Deacon. :wink:
 
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Skill Level Changes

What does your skill level or your opponents skill level have to do with how you play?

Completely forget about the score, your opponent, and all the outside stuff. Think about the last time you were in Dead Stroke... What were you thinking about? Nothing, you were calm, relaxed, clear headed and in auto-pilot mode. So with practice on a solid routine and fundamentals (Mother Drills are perfect), you will be able to let everything go and just do your thing.

Last year I moved from an APA sl 7 to an 8 and initially I was worried like you. I put too much pressure on myself and struggled. But once I went into matches remembering one key thing - Pool is fun, so I started playing more relaxed.

Skill levels do something bad for us, it limits us. As a skill level 7 before, did you ever play a 3 or 4 and you ended up barely winning because you got sloppy. This happens because we play down because we think "oh I will get another shot".

Work with an instructor to get your fundamentals as strong as possible and your routine rock solid, everything else will come after that.
 
I'm at the other end of the handicap scale from you guys, but I have found not knowing the score (when playing 9-ball) has helped me. I ask the scorekeepers to not tell me, at least till near the very end. That way I can concentrate on the match and keep those matchup thoughts away.

Doesn't work for 8-ball, cuz it's far simpler scoring, and easy to keep track of. But Apa 9-ball scoring is easy to let yourself forget about. Sure, I have an idea how well I'm doing, as well as how my opponent is doing, but not knowing the score has helped me a lot.
 
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