How to stay consistent?

timothysoong

timothysoong

TS Billiards
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Well, I used to be able to run out 9-Ball on super tight pockets easily if I get a good break.

And its been like 3yrs since I last played, now I'm back into pool again.

And I've encountered a new problem. My problem is, I'd be able to make the first 5-6 balls perfectly with good position on the next shot, but when it comes to the 7th, 8th or the 9th ball, my mind tends to have run out the table before I play the shot. So when this happens, I tend to miss especially the 8th and 9th even though it was an easy shot.

Is there a practice or whatsoever to calm myself down not to underestimate the last few balls?

Thanks in advance,
Tim :)
 
D-X69 said:
Well, I used to be able to run out 9-Ball on super tight pockets easily if I get a good break.

And its been like 3yrs since I last played, now I'm back into pool again.

And I've encountered a new problem. My problem is, I'd be able to make the first 5-6 balls perfectly with good position on the next shot, but when it comes to the 7th, 8th or the 9th ball, my mind tends to have run out the table before I play the shot. So when this happens, I tend to miss especially the 8th and 9th even though it was an easy shot.

Is there a practice or whatsoever to calm myself down not to underestimate the last few balls?

Thanks in advance,
Tim :)
Click to expand...

Stay in rhythm and treat all shots with the same respect, no more no less.
 
Take a deep breath and go take a sip of water when there are 3 balls left or when you start to feel yourself getting anxious. Sometimes walking away from the table for 10 seconds is all you need. I used to do it often in WPBA tournaments. It helped a lot.
 
D-X69 said:
Well, I used to be able to run out 9-Ball on super tight pockets easily if I get a good break.

And its been like 3yrs since I last played, now I'm back into pool again.

And I've encountered a new problem. My problem is, I'd be able to make the first 5-6 balls perfectly with good position on the next shot, but when it comes to the 7th, 8th or the 9th ball, my mind tends to have run out the table before I play the shot. So when this happens, I tend to miss especially the 8th and 9th even though it was an easy shot.

Is there a practice or whatsoever to calm myself down not to underestimate the last few balls?

Thanks in advance,
Tim :)
Click to expand...

All you have to do is change your goal. Right now, your goal is to run out the rack. So, when in your mind you have done so, you let up and then proceed to blow it. Your goal should be to make each ball and get proper position on the next ball. Nothing more. (or play a safety) Make that your goal, and you will stop letting up when your mind says "you got it".
 
A drill I'd recommend, set up easy shots only, nothing tough, one at a time, setting both the cue ball and object ball down by hand, and then practice the whole pre-shot routine you normally do and with a bit of extra care.
 
Neil said:
All you have to do is change your goal. Right now, your goal is to run out the rack. So, when in your mind you have done so, you let up and then proceed to blow it. Your goal should be to make each ball and get proper position on the next ball. Nothing more. (or play a safety) Make that your goal, and you will stop letting up when your mind says "you got it".
Click to expand...

Excellent!

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

How do you run a rack? One ball at a time!

This is a lesson I had forgotten! It's all about staying in "The Now"!

Ken
 
Ken...Absolutely! That's what having a well-defined mental and physical process does for our pool game...it allows us to stay in the 'now' moment! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Okie said:
Excellent!

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

How do you run a rack? One ball at a time!

This is a lesson I had forgotten! It's all about staying in "The Now"!

Ken
Click to expand...
 
I appreciate this thread, and the replies. Very timely for me.

Thanks, OP and all.
 
Good tips! :smile:

Everyone knows them but they are hard to "see" sometimes..... You don´t learn to walk without the steps needed.

Chrippa
 
D-X69 said:
Well, I used to be able to run out 9-Ball on super tight pockets easily if I get a good break.

And its been like 3yrs since I last played, now I'm back into pool again.

And I've encountered a new problem. My problem is, I'd be able to make the first 5-6 balls perfectly with good position on the next shot, but when it comes to the 7th, 8th or the 9th ball, my mind tends to have run out the table before I play the shot. So when this happens, I tend to miss especially the 8th and 9th even though it was an easy shot.

Is there a practice or whatsoever to calm myself down not to underestimate the last few balls?

Thanks in advance,
Tim :)
Click to expand...

When I notice this happening, I begin to approach each shot as though it is the money ball, same rhythm, same fundamentals, same timing.

1, 2, 3 ,4 shoot. 1, 2, 3, 4 shoot. Over and over again.

Have fun

John
 
"Keep ahold of yourself"

Basically, what is happening is that you start anticipating success before the fact. Your recent history has nothing but success, therefore you project the past into the future with the same expectation.

Doing this takes away some of your personal focus for the current shot. The proper process is to treat the current shot with the same careful attention you used on the previous shots. Basically, as everyone else here states - the current shot is ALWAYS the only shot.

Past recent history is no guarantee of near future results.
 
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