How do you guys bounce back from that devastating loss?

Shermanscs

Shermanscs

Steve sherman
Silver Member
The match that, on paper, you should win 90% of the time - yet, in the big spot, you come up short. The kind of match that makes you wonder about why you put in as much time as you do on the practice table, all the reading & studying, the hours watching pros on film. How the hell do you guys bounce back?

Signed,
Thoroughly disgusted (aka Steve sherman)
 
I take it out on my next opponent...lol...I dont plan it that way it just seems to happen...if I loose one that I know I should of won then my next opponent better watch out lol...

Really you just have to let it roll and make sure you buckle down next time. You'll win some and you'll loose some...This is something that I have been having problems with too. I have never been much of a league player but I joined a BCA league this season. I tend to loose to the players that I shouldn't loose to...Someone here on AZB told me to stop taking those games/matches for granted...At first it kind of pissed me off but then I realized he was totally right...some of the best advise ever...So I'll pass it on to you

Stop taking those matches/games for granted! who cares if on paper you should win it 90% of the time? If you subconsciously relax and let up because you think should win then your odds aren't 90% anymore...you have to put in 100%
 
I would begin by focusing on not allowing myself to be so devestated in the first place.
 
Stop thinking about what can go wrong and focus on each shot as it's own. You're playing the table for the most part. And once you jump over that plateau, you'll make a huge leap in your game.
 
I have the same problem and for me, it comes from not being mentally prepared to lose a match. Before a match, I try to visualize the best and worst results possible and accept it. I find it helps me during a match because I realize that losing isn't the end of the world and reduces the fear of losing, which oftens creeps into matches against weaker players.
 
"You have to forgive yourself" as Phil Capelle states.
Not easy to do, and the fact that you do care about loss is also positive, keeps you going and having the desire to come back.
So you should try to make a good analysis of what happened in a neutral way, and focus on the things that need improvement.
In today's formats with alternate breaks and so on you have to be even more patient when competing, and in case you are still in the tournament you have to put the analytical process back in order to concentrate on your next match.
Best of luck, enjoy Pool.
Petros
 
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Friedrich would've been one hell of a poolplayer.
 
Take a little bit of time away from the game for other things in life. You will have the itch to play and then you get back in the box. If it was a tough loss I just take a break for a couple of days making sure my mind is clear.
 
I'm lucky I guess. It will bother me until the next day when I hit my first ball. Then I forget all about it and move on.
 
Those are the matches i see people lose the most. When you really need to play because you're playing a better opponent, you know this and play better. I know when im playing a better opponent i tend to play a lot better. My dad always told me to play the exact same game against any player, never "take it easy" on anyone because this can tend to harm your game when you play weaker players and need the win. Its almost sub consciously you know you're better than who you're playing and dont need to play as well, and in the end causes you to lose. I've seen it time and time again. Its cost me matches before. I have to put my head somewhere else and not worry about who my opponent is and just play. I wouldnt get upset about it. It'll probably happen again, and you'll bounce back. No matter the game, there's always going to be upsets. Good luck in future games.
 
You might think this an odd question, How devastated?
We've all lost matches we should have won, and it's pissed us off, been disappointed, unhappy with our level of play or whatever. Then within the next day or two we're back at the table reasonably uneffected. I can recall losing a match and being so disappointed with my play and consequently my behavior and the effect it had on everyone, that for about a year I had genuine fear and anxiety returning to the table. I don't know if it was the best thing, but what I did was allow myself to acknowlege what had happened, consider what I should have done, and did my best to play through it. In all honesty it took probably a year or more to resolve, for me, what had happened and for a long time there wasn't a time that I stepped to the table that I didn't think about it, but now I'm a better player, stronger mentally for it, and much more aware. It has given me a different perpective, an over all clearer view of the game. I have come to realize that the game isn't just limited to the balls on the table, but it's also everything that surrounds the table, observation, body language, regrouping and rethinking after every shot. It took some time. Hopefully your circumstances aren't quite so dire as mine were, but allow yourself a chance to reflect on just what happened, acknowlege your part, have a drink, then back at it. It may take some time, but you'll get through it.
 
Shermanscs said:
The match that, on paper, you should win 90% of the time - yet, in the big spot, you come up short. The kind of match that makes you wonder about why you put in as much time as you do on the practice table, all the reading & studying, the hours watching pros on film. How the hell do you guys bounce back?

Signed,
Thoroughly disgusted (aka Steve sherman)
Click to expand...

You keep playing and you add more devastating losses. Today's mistakes allows you to forget about yesterday's failures. If you're supposed to beat someone 90% of the time, then 10% heartache is going to happen.

Freddie <~~~ plenty of experience
 
Always look for a land mark or a mile post so you can come back the next day and find your cue case in the brush along side the road.

This has helped me in the past in a situation like yours.

JC
 
Most players stink

They over estimate their ability and under estimate everyone that they think they can beat. When in fact they can't beat eggs. You play the balls on the table not your opponent.
Nick :)
 
Hi Steve;

Just guessing you must have been in a playoff match at Big Shots, am I right?

At times, and as you well know, this game can be harder than herding cats. So what to do when you're a big favorite and you come out on the short end, not because your opponent played brilliant, but rather, because you played terrible.

pick yourself up off the mat, dust yourself off, find a comfy place to sit with a beverage of your choice and contemplate. be honest with yourself while considering, how hard can it be to switch over to bowling?

I have to say, the first few weeks were really hard, I missed pool a lot. Then I started meeting new people, there were new equipment choices to make, you know, which glove, ball hardness, shoe colors, bag, yada yada.

I'm averaging a solid 136 and having the time of my life. and when you miss a hanger, I mean throw a gutter ball all you have to remember is to repeat the following phrase, while shrugging your shoulders: 'The lane conditions are breaking down'.

yes, bowling, it's working for me.

it's fun.

okay, I might go to just one more sbx - hope to see you and your dad there. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Hi Steve;

Just guessing you must have been in a playoff match at Big Shots, am I right?

At times, and as you well know, this game can be harder than herding cats. So what to do when you're a big favorite and you come out on the short end, not because your opponent played brilliant, but rather, because you played terrible.

pick yourself up off the mat, dust yourself off, find a comfy place to sit with a beverage of your choice and contemplate. be honest with yourself while considering, how hard can it be to switch over to bowling?

I have to say, the first few weeks were really hard, I missed pool a lot. Then I started meeting new people, there were new equipment choices to make, you know, which glove, ball hardness, shoe colors, bag, yada yada.

I'm averaging a solid 136 and having the time of my life. and when you miss a hanger, I mean throw a gutter ball all you have to remember is to repeat the following phrase, while shrugging your shoulders: 'The lane conditions are breaking down'.

yes, bowling, it's working for me.

it's fun.

okay, I might go to just one more sbx - hope to see you and your dad there. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...
Yes, playoffs at bigshot. The rest of the team gutted out an amazing match. Came down to a sudden death match. Me, a six, playing a 4. No race, no handicap. One game for all the marbles. The perfect situation - or so we thought. Yes, we will be at SBX and I hope to see you and all my AZB friends there.

- Steve
 
Shermanscs said:
The match that, on paper, you should win 90% of the time - yet, in the big spot, you come up short. The kind of match that makes you wonder about why you put in as much time as you do on the practice table, all the reading & studying, the hours watching pros on film. How the hell do you guys bounce back?

Signed,
Thoroughly disgusted (aka Steve sherman)
Click to expand...
A loss is something in the past and can't be changed. The sooner you can put that out of your mind and move on the better player you will be. I've lost some matches that have haunted me for days thinking about what I could have done to change the outcome, but it didn't make any difference I still lost. Move on and forget a loss that's bothering you!
 
Shermanscs said:
Yes, playoffs at bigshot. The rest of the team gutted out an amazing match. Came down to a sudden death match. Me, a six, playing a 4. No race, no handicap. One game for all the marbles. The perfect situation - or so we thought. Yes, we will be at SBX and I hope to see you and all my AZB friends there.

- Steve
Click to expand...

I see my attempt to lighten it up for you with some bowling humor didn't work.

now I get it, though. it was a team playoff and you feel like you let your team down. those are always harder to take than losing a singles match.

just suck it up, it didn't work out this time, and remember that your good play during the season helped get your team there for the opportunity.

and look forward to the next chance.

best,
brian kc
 
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