The next level

T

tommylucky

Registered
So, You shoot ok. You have good fundamentals. You win more than you lose. But you can't seem to progress to the next level. There are reasons for the plateau.
The biggest reason is in your head. You're comfortable with your game, and that's the problem.
When I was younger I WANTED to get better. I tried and tried to get better. I did, but not to the point I wanted. I started to think back about my game. I decided that way back when, I was TRYING to get better, That stopped somewhere along the line. I would say " just shoot your best" , but the other guy played better. So, shooting my best wasn't enough.
Now, I say " I want to shoot better than I ever have" . I try to shoot better. I'm never happy with my game. I can always do better.
Ask any pro , " how's your game ?" If they are honest they'll say "it could be better"
Everyone has room for improvement. It's entirely up to the player how far he/she wants to take it.
As for me, there isn't enough I can learn about this game we play.
 
tommylucky said:
So, You shoot ok. You have good fundamentals. You win more than you lose. But you can't seem to progress to the next level. There are reasons for the plateau.
The biggest reason is in your head. You're comfortable with your game, and that's the problem.
When I was younger I WANTED to get better. I tried and tried to get better. I did, but not to the point I wanted. I started to think back about my game. I decided that way back when, I was TRYING to get better, That stopped somewhere along the line. I would say " just shoot your best" , but the other guy played better. So, shooting my best wasn't enough.
Now, I say " I want to shoot better than I ever have" . I try to shoot better. I'm never happy with my game. I can always do better.
Ask any pro , " how's your game ?" If they are honest they'll say "it could be better"
Everyone has room for improvement. It's entirely up to the player how far he/she wants to take it.
As for me, there isn't enough I can learn about this game we play.
Click to expand...

Just broke through a plateau like you are talking about. Back in the game 7 months after decades long lay off. Table time, paying with and watching A players, asking questions, and the will to improve is what works for me.
 
Tommy,

Many, many years ago I asked Tony Robles about taking leesons. His reply was "Are you 110% committed to getting better or do you just want lessons". Took along time to truely understand what Tony was talking about. In 30 days I'll be seventy. I'm now playing the best pool of my life. I've been very fortunate. Do I want to be better still? Every match I play I learn something. And in that lies the center of your question. How committed are you? Do you want to be a "pro"? Do you just want to be the best you can be (ME)? In my opinion, pool is 30% physical and 70% mental. Get your mind staight and your game will progress!

Lyn
 
a very timely post as I was just pontificating this very subject for the past week. I will be 70 this week. back about 40 years ago I was at my prime, betting $50 or more per game,, traveling to different pool halls just to find a game and would probably been graded as an "A" player. while today I am about 75% of what I was then. I do not think I will reach the level that I was back then. it is only because of that mental side whether it is 50% or 75%...i am trying to deal with the disappointment...there are health issues ( not mine) that play a large role in that and it can't be overcome at this time. I am trying to deal with the fact that the level I am now may be as high as I will ever get in the future. i am always wanting to learn more but that mental thing keeps me from advancing. as a friend of mine often says, "it is what it is". the fact is, i love the game and will never give it up :cool:
 
Pool forum and what have we learned from it. Seems many want a quick fix but probably spend no time on their weaknesses. I am excited to maybe have a practice table soon. To work on all aspects of my game. Until I work on my game instead of just playing I will never get better. Sure playing helps being more consistent. Getting better and being more consistent are two different things in my mind. Getting better means adding more tools to your toolbag. You have to keep learning to get better.
 
Nice thread. I already know that I am not going to get much better than what I am right now. I don't have the time it would take to do the practice to get there. The other key that many of us forget to mention is the physical conditioning it takes. Stretching and rest play a big role in how we perform as players. For about the passed 2 years I have been going to bed around 10 pm which means if I do play a tournament I get tired around that time. My body isn't as conditioned to staying up later in the evening as it used to be.
 
My friend and old Martial arts mentor taught me this: Make habit of what others hate to do.

For me it was stretching, static kicking, foot work and timing drills.

I try to remember this and apply it to pool...
 
Yesterday I watched a mini 9 ball tournament that travels around the Philadelphia area. It was at my home poolroom yesterday. It was a handicapped tournament with players rated A to F. There was even a pro playing in it. I try to make it a habit to watch the better players. 95% of the time they play using the same English I would use to get shape. What I noticed was that the better players had a different pace of play. Not slow and not fast. The best way I can describe it is they had a deliberate pace and pre shot routine. You can always learn something watching better players. Everything you see and do stays in your subconscious.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top