Tired of It (A Rant)

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am so tired of losing matches to 4s and 3s because of myself getting in my head - and feeling myself fall apart during matches without feeling like I can do anything about it.

I feel so pitiful because I study the game, and dedicate myself to playing pool and soooo many people who have watched me play have said things like:

*I've got the eye for pool, I just see it.
*I've got the dedication, and I want to learn all I can
*In another year or so I'll be able to string racks together like nobody's business

Everyone who's an advanced pool player that's seen me has said great things about my shooting ability and my playing ability.

It feels horrible to enter a match and not be able to play my best - it's not the winning or losing either, I'm upset because I'm not playing up to par with what I know I can do and it's depressing honestly. In matches I feel like I'm letting myself down and tonight, I played two APA matches and lost both horribly - one to a 4, and one to a 3.

Before I played my matches I played a game of one pocket and pocketed 8 balls in 3 innings - laser eyes, great focus, shooting incredibly.

Then I step to my matches and can't make anything.

As someone who dedicates himself to learning and mastering this game for the rest of his life it feels awful not being able to bring out everything I know when I play. My inner voice really brings everything to my consciousness so my subconscious isn't allowed to just get out there and shoot.

I lost horribly tonight - and I'm starting to feel like I can't maintain my game in matches anymore despite the useful information I've picked up about match-play and anxiety from CJ, The Colonel, ScottK, the Pleasures of Small Motions book - I feel like nothing is helping me just let my subconscious play in my matches and it's just really getting to me.

That's all I have to say.

-Richard
 
Zphix said:
I am so tired of losing matches to 4s and 3s because of myself getting in my head - and feeling myself fall apart during matches without feeling like I can do anything about it.

I feel so pitiful because I study the game, and dedicate myself to playing pool and soooo many people who have watched me play have said things like:

*I've got the eye for pool, I just see it.
*I've got the dedication, and I want to learn all I can
*In another year or so I'll be able to string racks together like nobody's business

Everyone who's an advanced pool player that's seen me has said great things about my shooting ability and my playing ability.

It feels horrible to enter a match and not be able to play my best - it's not the winning or losing either, I'm upset because I'm not playing up to par with what I know I can do and it's depressing honestly. In matches I feel like I'm letting myself down and tonight, I played two APA matches and lost both horribly - one to a 4, and one to a 3.

Before I played my matches I played a game of one pocket and pocketed 8 balls in 3 innings - laser eyes, great focus, shooting incredibly.

Then I step to my matches and can't make anything.

As someone who dedicates himself to learning and mastering this game for the rest of his life it feels awful not being able to bring out everything I know when I play. My inner voice really brings everything to my consciousness so my subconscious isn't allowed to just get out there and shoot.

I lost horribly tonight - and I'm starting to feel like I can't maintain my game in matches anymore despite the useful information I've picked up about match-play and anxiety from CJ, The Colonel, ScottK, the Pleasures of Small Motions book - I feel like nothing is helping me just let my subconscious play in my matches and it's just really getting to me.

That's all I have to say.

-Richard
Click to expand...

It is very common to not be able to bring your A game against much weaker players.
 
You must have the ability, without fail, to make certain shots: ones that are long and straight in; 45 degree cuts; short draw and follow shots. Include all shots you consistently have problems making less than 100 percent of the time.
Your certainty in making these shots will allow you to start playing position.
But first, you must have the ability and confidence to make those simple, key shots.
Shoot safe!
John
 
If I just had to bet, I'm guessing you take these lower skill level players for granted and from seeing you post, you have an inflated view of your own game. That leads to trying to make shots and position you can't accomplish consistently which leads to mistakes; mistakes that either result in or lead to fouls. One thing you can't do when playing lower skill level players in APA is give them ball in hand.

If this is 8 ball, I'm guessing the other thing you might be doing is trying to run everything out, clearing the table of your balls except maybe 1 ball and the 8 ball. Now your opponent can work the table, you can't play safe and are likely being safed and you end up screwed. Your young so I'm guessing patience isn't your greatest virtue.

Learn to play defense. Against lower level players and on days when you just don't have your A game, defense can make the difference. Instead of that risky shot that ends up giving your opponent bih, make your opponent be the one to make mistakes can give you bih. The main thing I'm trying to say here is, maintain control of the table either through solid offensive play or with good defense when the situation dictates that. Lower level players typically aren't good at figuring out kick shots and can quickly get frustrated if you tie them up with tough shots. The safes don't always have to be lock down, just keep making them make tough shots instead of giving them bih.
 
I can only think of Winners win, losers make excuses.

If you are a student of the game, then why are you losing to weak players?
I'd agree with Nobpool in that you seem to have a highly inflated view of your game.




Zphix said:
I am so tired of losing matches to 4s and 3s because of myself getting in my head - and feeling myself fall apart during matches without feeling like I can do anything about it.

I feel so pitiful because I study the game, and dedicate myself to playing pool and soooo many people who have watched me play have said things like:

*I've got the eye for pool, I just see it.
*I've got the dedication, and I want to learn all I can
*In another year or so I'll be able to string racks together like nobody's business

Everyone who's an advanced pool player that's seen me has said great things about my shooting ability and my playing ability.

It feels horrible to enter a match and not be able to play my best - it's not the winning or losing either, I'm upset because I'm not playing up to par with what I know I can do and it's depressing honestly. In matches I feel like I'm letting myself down and tonight, I played two APA matches and lost both horribly - one to a 4, and one to a 3.

Before I played my matches I played a game of one pocket and pocketed 8 balls in 3 innings - laser eyes, great focus, shooting incredibly.

Then I step to my matches and can't make anything.

As someone who dedicates himself to learning and mastering this game for the rest of his life it feels awful not being able to bring out everything I know when I play. My inner voice really brings everything to my consciousness so my subconscious isn't allowed to just get out there and shoot.

I lost horribly tonight - and I'm starting to feel like I can't maintain my game in matches anymore despite the useful information I've picked up about match-play and anxiety from CJ, The Colonel, ScottK, the Pleasures of Small Motions book - I feel like nothing is helping me just let my subconscious play in my matches and it's just really getting to me.

That's all I have to say.

-Richard
Click to expand...
 
I'm in your camp. You are not alone.

It is frustrating, after you start to learn the game, only to lose to people who "hit it hard" and find a way to win a game here and there. When you are making the right decisions, even if you miss.

Keep on plugging, is the only real answer. The more work you put in, the better you will adjust to each situation, and the better you will be in the end.

Now, to get myself to understand this theory...
 
Sounds like you are expecting too much from yourself.
Didn't you say you were an APA 3 in another thread?
 
Just last night in Scotch Doubles League we kicked ass on
the toughest players and lost one lousy game because we
played down to one pair's level. Lack of Focus is the culprit.
We all MUST play every game like it was the most important.

I have always maintained that : "Results seldom, if ever, exceed Effort".
 
I started as a 4 - lost matches because of my nerves. Dropped to a 3 - started to get more familiar with playing league and am now a 4.

Anyway - for everyone saying I have an inflated view of my game.... No. I've based my skill level on the comments of those who play far better than me and instruct me or have instructed me.

In my practice play - the lowest I've ever been rated is a 5.

My problem with match play is literally my brain overriding my muscle memory and nothing else.

U12 - I'd appreciate it if you stop commenting on my threads because you seem to never have anything constructive to say.

I'm on AZB to learn more about pool so I can keep improving. If posts aren't in the interest of promoting growth or offering help then please don't post because I don't have the patience or the care to read them.



Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2
 
I feel the difference between practice, or just shooting with friends vs. match play.

My thoughts, and overall cognition is worlds different and I hate it. I just wanna be able to play matches the way I play just shooting around.

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2
 
Zphix said:
I am so tired of losing matches to 4s and 3s because of myself getting in my head - and feeling myself fall apart during matches without feeling like I can do anything about it.

I feel so pitiful because I study the game, and dedicate myself to playing pool and soooo many people who have watched me play have said things like:

*I've got the eye for pool, I just see it.
*I've got the dedication, and I want to learn all I can
*In another year or so I'll be able to string racks together like nobody's business

Everyone who's an advanced pool player that's seen me has said great things about my shooting ability and my playing ability.

It feels horrible to enter a match and not be able to play my best - it's not the winning or losing either, I'm upset because I'm not playing up to par with what I know I can do and it's depressing honestly. In matches I feel like I'm letting myself down and tonight, I played two APA matches and lost both horribly - one to a 4, and one to a 3.

Before I played my matches I played a game of one pocket and pocketed 8 balls in 3 innings - laser eyes, great focus, shooting incredibly.

Then I step to my matches and can't make anything.

As someone who dedicates himself to learning and mastering this game for the rest of his life it feels awful not being able to bring out everything I know when I play. My inner voice really brings everything to my consciousness so my subconscious isn't allowed to just get out there and shoot.

I lost horribly tonight - and I'm starting to feel like I can't maintain my game in matches anymore despite the useful information I've picked up about match-play and anxiety from CJ, The Colonel, ScottK, the Pleasures of Small Motions book - I feel like nothing is helping me just let my subconscious play in my matches and it's just really getting to me.

That's all I have to say.

-Richard
Click to expand...

it sounds to me like you are putting too much pressure on yourself. i do that to myself sometimes. you can listen to whoever you want....you can read any book you want....but the only person who can fix that problem is you.

your answer to your problem is in your sig.. :grin:

i have my share of losses that i feel i should have won. hell i had a s/l 1 knock me out of a singles qualifier a few months ago.yea it had me questioning myself for a few days. once i accepted the fact that shit happens i went back to my normal routine of kicking ass and taking names. well sometimes.:D

right now i am playing the best i have in a long time.

went undefeated in my apa 8 ball ltc...defeating 2-6's ...a 7... and a 4. the 4 gave me my toughest match lol. he was running out from every where...making all kind of lucky kicks and banks. he got up 2-0 on me and i just buckled down and won the next 4 to win the match. you have to have the mental toughness to fade the lucky shots .. you have to make sure to not miss shots you should make and no when to play safe.

you also have to accept the fact that some days are just meant for the other guy to win and not let it dishearten you or doubt your self.

take my wed night napa league for example.

i lost my 1st 2 matches . 1 was 5-0 and the other was 4-3 to a guy ranked lower than me. since then i have won 11 in a row with my last 3 being shutouts.

as far as compliments go....well i let them go in one ear and out the other. the same week i lost to that 1 i shut out a very good player in my money league. after our match he told me i shot outstanding and could hang with any one in that pool room.....which by the way has several regulars that are a and above players. i replied.....you must not have watched the last game i played and lost.

the reason i posted all the above is just to say....some nights you are gonna win against better players and lose against lesser players.

its all mental.

dont let wins make you think you are better than you really are and dont let losses put doubts in your head that you are not as good as you really are.

the 2 best pieces of advice i ever got was.

1. play the table... not your opponent.

2. if you can not run out play safe.

good luck to you.:thumbup:
 
justadub said:
I'm in your camp. You are not alone.

It is frustrating, after you start to learn the game, only to lose to people who "hit it hard" and find a way to win a game here and there. When you are making the right decisions, even if you miss.

Keep on plugging, is the only real answer. The more work you put in, the better you will adjust to each situation, and the better you will be in the end.

Now, to get myself to understand this theory...
Click to expand...

dub if we always took our own advice we would be better off lol.:grin:
 
if your talking 8 ball your an average to below average player ..if it's 9 ball your a below average player. What are you complaining about? If you were better then them you wouldn't be a 3/4 lol have fun .. your not good enough to have high expectations of winning.
 
You might try reading The Inner Game of Tennis, or something similar about the mental aspects of the game and competing.
 
the chicken said:
You must have the ability, without fail, to make certain shots: ones that are long and straight in; 45 degree cuts; short draw and follow shots. Include all shots you consistently have problems making less than 100 percent of the time.
Your certainty in making these shots will allow you to start playing position.
But first, you must have the ability and confidence to make those simple, key shots.
Shoot safe!
John
Click to expand...

Wise wise words.

"There maybe easy pots but there is no such thing as an easy shot"

Meaning that position is everything.
 
You are only as good as the last game you played. Because people say you have potential doesn't make you a good player. You may put it down to anxiety, but it seems to me you may have a warped vision of how good you actually are. Look at how good your A game is in practice, then lower that to your B- or C+ game, and that is how good you actually are when in an actual game. Instead of thinking the players that keep beating you are beneath you, that you played horrible just realize that you played upto your ability in a match situation and the players were just better than you.
 
Alot of time people strive for perfection on the table and start going
downhill. I for one rely on grinding and potting to get me out of
my imperfect game. I've beat big players, won events not even giving
a hoot about proper runouts.
I consider a proper runout when I runout anyway possible.
You have to have fun with it and realize your only human.
 
You got some really honest advice on this thread. Ive been there and felt that way many times when I was an SL 5 in APA. I honestly had to tell myself I was not as good as I thought (even tho to the eyes of my team and opponents I play at the highest level LOL I knew better) and need to work harder to get to the next step and be more consistent.

Eventually my game got much better and that means my mental game too. Recently I got raised to a SL 6 and I dont mind playing anyone. When I get match up against SL 3, 4 and 5's, I honestly think to myself I can sweep every time. Until last week I had 4 weeks that were sweeps in a row.

You can do it, hard work took you to were you are now. Now you need to work harder if you want to go to the next step.

What did i do to work harder? Recently I started playing almost everyday in a tight pocket 9ft table. Then when I go to APA and play on bar box is so easy.

When my game is not tight (those days will still come) I can still manage by playing defence and making it easier for myself to win.

Hope you find what your looking for.
 
Last edited:
That's the truth lol 20 years a go I remember standing beside an old straight pool player at 8 ball leagues and after watching a guy run out I asked was that the right way to get out from there? His reply.. it's always the right way when you get out...sometimes you got to grind them kid lol its true ... I play my best when I don't care if I got the position I wanted. It doesn't matter..I know the shot from here whether it's what I wanted or not. Commit and shoot ..


scsuxci said:
Alot of time people strive for perfection on the table and start going
downhill. I for one rely on grinding and potting to get me out of
my imperfect game. I've beat big players, won events not even giving
a hoot about proper runouts.
I consider a proper runout when I runout anyway possible.
You have to have fun with it and realize your only human.
Click to expand...
 
I agree about the "inflated" view of your own game. It sounds like you're letting these alleged comments from your onlookers go to your head.
 
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