Tired of It (A Rant)

[u12armresl]

I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't complain about being an APA 3 and how hard life is.

Everyone has tough times, so in essence what you are saying is that you only want the hand holding, and not the cold hard truth.

I've paid my dues for over 31 years in pool, hit me back when you got something to add.



GL.

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.



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[nobcitypool]

No bdorman, he may be knocking in balls when he's relaxed but that doesn't mean he has a fundamentally sound stroke. You can pot balls without a straight stroke, you simply have to apply the correct offsetting errors for correction. You may also hit some straight balls when banging them around, that doesn't mean you have a fundamentally sound stroke.

I'll bet you if he tries the straight stroke drill I suggested, you'll find he doesn't have a straight, repeatable, fundamentally sound stroke. I'm really going out on a limb there as I'm guessing 99% of APA 4's don't have a straight, repeatable and fundamentally sound stroke.

I don't know the kid and don't really care. When he first posted here boasting about some break'nrun and people jumped all over him, I supported him for his enthusiasm. I'm sincerely attempting to offer him, what I believe, is some good advice. I've only learned such advice from guys who wouldn't know such as Scott Lee, Stevie Moore and Stan Shuffett. Tell him whatever you wish, we'll see where he's at a year or two from now if he doesn't focus his attention on developing a fundamentally sound stroke.

 

[JuicyGirl]

Sorry man! I was frustrated to an extent so far out there I didn't even bother posting about it. It was a constellation of irritations that seem to be ingrained in it. We are finished with them. In a few years I'll consider revisiting.
What else can I say... The game of billiards has destroyed my naturally sweet disposition.
Mark Twain- Speech, April 24, 1906

Catch you on the flipside

 

[cluelesscuer]

One idea is to play league more nights a week if possible. If you only play once a week, you put more pressure on yourself to do well since you live or die by that one match. If you play more often in league, there will be less pressure you put on yourself.


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[trob]

How do you know your a 5 or 6 in practice? I'd love a video of you playing because I'm sure your stroke and the lines you take around the table would tell me all I need to know.Your an average player (giving you the benefit of the doubt) who thinks because he's gotten a little better he's now better then he is. I can tell your attitude by you calling other 4's lesser players in another post. They're not lesser players...as long as your a 4 and can't beat them ..your the lesser player. The sooner you realize that the sooner you'll be able to start growing mentally into a better player. Until then your another mid level apa player who doesn't know enough to know he doesn't know anything.

I would love to record a video of me playing an APA match and me just shooting. When I shoot - my subconscious is steering and I have no problem potting balls, playing position, banking, etc. In a match though, everything becomes conscious so I lose that muscle memory.

If I'm about a high 5 or 6 in practice then why can't I be in a match? That's what bothers me - is that I ACTUALLY AM a better player than I display in matches but my nerves, cognition, and brain screw me over.

It's not a matter of not being able to play position, or a matter of not being able to play safe, it's a matter of shutting my inner voice off and just letting myself let loose.

Bdor,

I got similar advice from a local 6/7 and she said she chews gum and puts songs on the jukebox to sing to take her mind off of the match. If that doesn't work, she looks at funny pictures her friends have sent her in the past.

 

[DirtyJersey]

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

That's all I have to say.

-Richard

Just read your OP, didn't bother with the rest but maybe its not wise to shoot a game like 1 pocket when the 1 your competing in is 8 or 9 ball. To me it requires much different skill sets. Maybe your head just wasn't in it from playing a completely different game. Just some food for thought.

 

[justadub]

You're trying too hard and letting the anxiety of league scores get to you. Just play your game and you'll eventually get past it. I've seen it happen with just about every person that starts playing league.

This is the truth. And I'm guilty as hell...

Rich, I'm a 5 right now, and have been for too long, in my opinion. I have gotten better, many tell me I have the skill, and I have plenty of experience. So why am I not a 6 yet?

Simple. I don't close the deal. I don't get out when I probably ought to. I take too long to finish games, even though I'm reasonably successful in our little division. Why is that?

Because its different playing when "it matters". Don't let the league bashers who will give you crap in this part of the discussion bog you down, we both know that "it matters" to us. Even tho its small potatoes in the larger pool world. We're playing for something (to those who insist that betting on your game is the only way to improve) so there is that little thing in the back of your head that recognizes that your league match has more importance than the racks you play when its not an actual match. It matters to you, and it matters to your team. It does matter. And you take that seriously. Me too.

There is pressure there. It requires practice and experience to control and master. Or merely survive. Someday I hope to have it under control, because I sure don't now. I'm better at it than I was when I was a 4, and again that only comes with time spent and experience in match play.

Play as many nights as you can afford, money and time-wise. Play in singles qualifiers, or any sort of tournament you can get into, where "it matters". The more often you are in the environment, the quicker you will get acclimated to it.

It is frustrating. I know, because I've been there. Hell, I'm still there. Keep after it, and don't let the frustration take away your enjoyment of the game.

Good luck!

 

[RFranklin]

That is what makes competitive players better.

This is the truth. And I'm guilty as hell...

Rich, I'm a 5 right now, and have been for too long, in my opinion. I have gotten better, many tell me I have the skill, and I have plenty of experience. So why am I not a 6 yet?

Simple. I don't close the deal. I don't get out when I probably ought to. I take too long to finish games, even though I'm reasonably successful in our little division. Why is that?

Because its different playing when "it matters". Don't let the league bashers who will give you crap in this part of the discussion bog you down, we both know that "it matters" to us. Even tho its small potatoes in the larger pool world. We're playing for something (to those who insist that betting on your game is the only way to improve) so there is that little thing in the back of your head that recognizes that your league match has more importance than the racks you play when its not an actual match. It matters to you, and it matters to your team. It does matter. And you take that seriously. Me too.

There is pressure there. It requires practice and experience to control and master. Or merely survive. Someday I hope to have it under control, because I sure don't now. I'm better at it than I was when I was a 4, and again that only comes with time spent and experience in match play.

Play as many nights as you can afford, money and time-wise. Play in singles qualifiers, or any sort of tournament you can get into, where "it matters". The more often you are in the environment, the quicker you will get acclimated to it.

It is frustrating. I know, because I've been there. Hell, I'm still there. Keep after it, and don't let the frustration take away your enjoyment of the game.

Good luck!

Pssst.. Guess what it never goes away. I am a S/L 7/9 and I still get frustrated when I lose to someone that I know I should beat. When I play in tourneys and knock off the local short stops, I see how frustrated they are. Perfection is unattainable.

 

[liakos]

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

You need to learn to play with the pressure, but, there's different kinds of pressure! Did you ever ask yourself maybe that's the problem? I'll give you an example! In 8-ball, I was a 7! During practice, I am GOD! during match play, I'm an ok 7! BUT, when I'm gambling,,,, I play even better than when I practice. See, I can't play for a team well! I choke! You know why? Because of the pressure! It's 2 different pressures! You have to find yourself!

Please, don't knock any players ability! Whether there a 2 or a 7! Remember what you said, you can't play well during match! Ok, obviously your missing key shots, fine, we are all human find the shots that are slowing you down and start practicing them, that's a student of the game!!! Coming on here and saying "lesser" players are beating you, to me is not cool! I can easily say YOU are a lesser player than me, I can drill you, in any game you want play!!! But I don't talk like that! I think everybody who plays out great sport plays great 2 or 7 or pro

Keep your comments about "lesser" players to yourself! It ain't cool! Everybody plays awesome learn from your mistakes and work on them! And as far as your problem, seeing you probably know how to read go get yourself a book, "the inner game of tennis". Everytime you see "tennis" just put POOL instead

The only people I disrespect are the ones that disrespect people and this beautiful sport of ours! Remember, your opponent beat you because you missed

 

[KRJ]

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

-Richard

Rich, just curious, how did you shoot at Chris' at the AZB party ?? We didn't get a chance to play, but you must know how you hit'em in the tourney ?

 

[Zphix]

RJ,

I was actually playing pretty well at Chris's - anyone who saw me play saw me in my more natural game.

JFlo played me in a few games, as did Bdorman and sixpack so they could offer a pretty good idea of how I play.

In the tourney I was having a good time - the atmosphere was really fun and mellow so I didn't feel any pressure. I was just shooting at Chris's.


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[Zphix]

I really think the issue is exactly what Banks said - that and I understand that I'm trying to impress everybody, or appease everyone.

My team wants me to win, if I don't I feel bad. I don't want my opponents to think "Ha, here's another chump who can't shoot. He's just an average player." The second I start to miss a shot I immediately criticize myself - and it goes downhill from there.

In practice I can shoot without those lingering thoughts. I can, enjoy the game, sit back and feel time slow around me - the zone I guess.

In matches, I focus on everything except having fun and just shooting. I don't underestimate my opponents either - I never say "Here's a 4 , this should be easy." If I was SVB I wouldn't do that either.

It's just as Scott said though - I should be able to beat these 3s and 4s and after the fact it's easy, and rather disrespectful to say I should wipe the floor with these guys.

Kinda like Eddie when he lost to Amos in the Color of Money.

Truthfully I don't know what I'd call my SL - I've beaten 5s in practice play. Been told that I'm currently a 5 or 6. That's all what more advanced players have told me.

Another thing I think I should mention is that my natural instinct when facing stress is to take a more cautious approach. This is true in all stressful situations I face - even off the pool table. So instead of playing my game, I play a more cautious one, and I'm guessing focusing on that caution puts doubt in my head.

Scott - if you remember me playing you and Rich at Sapphire in the Scotch doubles. Did you notice anything different in my game before putting money on the line?

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[Zphix]

One more thing -

I'm writing all this not as an excuse for losing but as me trying to get to the root of the problem so I can fix it.

I'm positive the problem is my mental approach to the match so that's what I want help with.



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[lorider]

One more thing -

I'm writing all this not as an excuse for losing but as me trying to get to the root of the problem so I can fix it.

I'm positive the problem is my mental approach to the match so that's what I want help with.



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it seems to me you are trying too hard to improve too fast. it also seems that you worry too much about what other people think.

what i am gonna tell you will not make you a world beater overnight but it will improve you game....but not overnight.

lets say you are correct that at your present level you are capable of playing as a 5 but you continually lose to 3's and 4's. well guess what ? its gonna happen sometimes .
the sooner you accept that the sooner you can fix your problem.

your mind is your most powerful part of your body and it is hard to control it but it can be done. you just gotta want it. no body can tell you how ...its just something you gotta do yourself.

1st thing is to quit worrying about what other people think.

you have to treat every opponent the same...no matter if its practice or a league match...no matter what their handicap is.

next thing is you have to treat every shot in every match the same.

the more you treat every shot the same the more consistent you will be. the more consistent you play the more confident you will become. the more confident you become the less doubtful you will be in certain situations .

when you are at the table you have to zone out all distractions. you have to think about nothing but the task at hand.

now the above advice is not going to make you a better player than you really are but it will help you maintain the highest level of ability you currently possess which will help you win matches that you should win.

the above is easier said than done. i try every match to take my own advice and even after playing more years than you have probably been alive i still am guilty of failing to play my full potential every match.

the only thing that is gonna help you beat better players is more experience and more knowledge.

 

[lorider]

i am bored this morning lol so let me give you a couple examples of controlling your mind.

9 ball ltc. my team mate who is a good 6 was playing a good 8 who is known to fall apart in a tough match....much like it seems you do. my 6 played a tough safe. the 8 was so frustrated about all the safes my 6 was playing he did not even try to kick which i thought was about a 70% chance of a sucessful hit he just one handed the cueball into a corner pocket. the 8 is a very good player with a weak mind.

i faced a good 6 in my 8 ball ltc. he was practicing with my team mate who is a 7 and beat my team mate. now i have never beat my team mate and i have to face this 6 in my 1st match in the ltc's.

my 1st thought was ...damn i got to face a guy who just beat my team mate who i have never beat in practice. my 2nd thought was if i play smart i can win.

i get up 2-0 against him . 3rd rack he makes an obvious foul and i ask...bih right? he says no it was a good hit. well that pissed me off. 2nd thing was he went and sat down and was talking to a team mate and laughing. that pissed me off more. i looked over at him and said no talking to team mates while in a match during ltc's.

his team mate piped up and said they could talk while he was not at the table. i said not according to ltc rules. my captain told them to look at the rule in the pamphlet handed out prior to starting the ltc. i was right.

well me being upset got me out of my game and he won the next 2 racks tying it up.

while i was racking the 5th rack i was thinking to myself. i had this match wrapped up until i got upset about a shot he made i could do nothing about and now i let him back in the match. i tild my self go back to what i was doing the 1st 2 racks. well i won the next 2 winning the match 4-2.

i could have easily continued the downward spiral after losing racks 3 and 4 but i refocused my self instead and put him away. this is an example of having control of your mind and shooting at your highest level no matter the circumstances. no it does not work all the time but failing to control your mind and your emotions will result in a sure loss.

 

[JC]

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.



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If you are a 4 then why do you think you should win all the time against 3s and 4s? Get out of your own way and take ownership of your game. Stop with the excuses.

Then and only then will you leave these 3s and 4s in the dust. Right now however you should be splitting with them because they are you.

JC

 

[Johnnyt]

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.

Tough love or tough crowd. :smile:. Johnnyt

 

[Zphix]

If you are a 4 then why do you think you should win all the time against 3s and 4s? Get out of your own way and take ownership of your game. Stop with the excuses.

Then and only then will you leave these 3s and 4s in the dust. Right now however you should be splitting with them because they are you.

JC

Because in reality I'm not a 4..... I'm pretty sure that's been said at least 20 times in this thread and anyone who has seen me play could vouch.

"I should not be losing to the 3s and 4s here" is another commenters almost exact words.

I'm also only a 4 because this is my second session of APA - it's not like my lifetime SL of playing for over 15 years or something. It's my SL based on about 12 matches - and probably 9 of which I mentally destroyed myself.

 

[nobcitypool]

Because in reality I'm not a 4..... I'm pretty sure that's been said at least 20 times in this thread and anyone who has seen me play could vouch.

"I should not be losing to the 3s and 4s here" is another commenters almost exact words.

I'm also only a 4 because this is my second session of APA - it's not like my lifetime SL of playing for over 15 years or something. It's my SL based on about 12 matches - and probably 9 of which I mentally destroyed myself.

No, the reality is, you are a 4. Had you won the majority of your matches against 3, 4 and 5s in the first session, you would undoubtedly now be a 5. You're a 5 or 6 in your mind but apparently not when you get in a match.

BTW, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Start having fun with the game, enjoy the time with team mates and quit putting so much pressure on yourself. You're not a Pro and the odds are you never will be just like 99.99% of the rest of us. Practice fundamentals all you can, play all you can, and you'll improve. Pool is a heckuva tough game, it takes time. Be patient, work on your game and enjoy the journey.

 

[Zphix]

No, the reality is, you are a 4. Had you won the majority of your matches against 3, 4 and 5s in the first session, you would undoubtedly now be a 5. You're a 5 or 6 in your mind but apparently not when you get in a match.

BTW, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Start having fun with the game, enjoy the time with team mates and quit putting so much pressure on yourself. You're not a Pro and the odds are you never will be just like 99.99% of the rest of us. Practice fundamentals all you can, play all you can, and you'll improve. Pool is a heckuva tough game, it takes time. Be patient, work on your game and enjoy the journey.

I think that's another issue in and of itself - my team doesn't seem to really have fun.

I see other teams in the place, everyone's laughing and teams are telling ridiculous stories to one another but my team is usually pretty uptight.

This past week when I lost my two matches, it was literally only me and one other team mate, and he left after his first match so I played my two matches and kept score myself. All the while my opponent's team was laughing and enjoying themselves.

When I practice before matches it's usually with friends from other teams - and every shot there is laughing and wise-cracking. I get down to shoot and somebody says something stupid to make me laugh then I shoot after 10 seconds and play very well. That atmosphere makes it really enjoyable, but matches aren't like that. Players don't mess with one another (sharking), and games are usually quite and super serious.

=( It's sad thinking about it like that.