The distant rumblings and ramblings of a pool nut.

Just a little "journal" entry here:

Before Sunday 8 ball league I hit some balls for a few hours with my buddy. We were just kind of taking it real easy with 8 ball. Taking it nice and slow. I'd plan out my entire sequence before shooting. If not entirely, at least see the problems, how to take care of them, this group of 3 balls all play in the same pocket, etc. I played my best league session later that day.

At league I basically just played very chill and "slow" for me. Not snail pace, but looking at the sequence, where I wanted on the next ball, walk around a bit if needed. Figured what I wanted and played the shot. Nice natural rolling shots, no crazy stuff unless absolutely needed. Played more 2 way and safes rather than trying trick shots. I was feeling good, unstressed and just letting the game play. Rolling balls is fun. Feeling how to get the CB rolling before contacting the OB, and how to put just enough spin for the natural to carry it where you need is fun. Roll the ball and the game becomes easy.

Yesterday (Monday) we practiced 9 ball. I love 9B but It's not what I'm best at and at times it stresses me out. I never played 9B seriously until a couple years ago. I missed some shots. I got uptight. Back and sciatic started flaring up. Horrible pain. Stress is not good. I was just piss pounding shots, using extreme english and draw, throwing balls off line and missing. I was about to just stop playing for the night. It was pretty bad, stress, pain, mental game crap in a vicious feedback loop.

I came to a quick conclusion that I wasn't seeing the shots correctly. I made a small loop with my thumb and first finger and picked an object across the room (like the eye dominance test). I didn't even see the object I was looking for. I moved my hand until I saw it clearly with my dominate eye. Closed that eye and opened the other, then back to the dominate eye. Did this for about 30 seconds.

Now I seriously doubt my vision was messed up if I look at the situation objectively, but my mental state was terrible. The simple act of looking at an object with my dominate eye calmed my ass down. After that I started playing right again. Natural shots and leaves. The stick felt right in my hand. It was balanced and felt good, like a magic wand or something. Pain was at manageable level, even able to ignore it completely while shooting.

Pool is largely a mental game. Stress breeds failure. If I get my head right I can play. If my head isn't right the whole game feels bad. Just whacking balls and pushing them around isn't what makes this game so fun and beautiful. It has to feel right and that starts with getting your head right and reducing stress.

Rolling the ball is fun and the feel of it ties me to the game quicker than making several stun/draw/trick shots in a row.
 
Figured out something to deal with hip/back/sciatic pain:

The floor is your friend. Cushions and "ergo" chairs are not. Sit on hard chairs. Sit on the floor. Lay on the floor. Sitting cross legged is amazing and really gets the soreness worked out. Remember the floor stretches you did in football? Seemed like a waste of time then but for crotchety "old" men they are great.

Padded chairs only make you sit "lazy" and in ways that further inflame the condition. Hard chairs are just as comfy but you can't sit "lazy."

I've made it a point to sit on the floor and stretch out for at least 10 minutes a day and it seems to help. Just cross leg, legs out, gentle stretching, lifting yourself a bit with your hands. Touching hands to the floor for gentle stretches. Good position for watching pool matches on youtube. Multi-tasking, if I'm sitting on my ass, might as well get limber in the meantime.

I loved playing on the floor as a kid, don't know why I forgot how good it feels for your body.

I wonder if my opponent would question my sanity if I sat on the floor in a tournament? I'd hope so, keep em guessing.
 
Seems like a good place for New years Eve rambling.
On New years Eve at the White Spot (RIP) in the '80s, Lenny put on a mixed scotch doubles tournament. The men were required to shoot one handed. Which ment I didn't ever have to set down my beer.👍 What a way to ring in a new year.
It was one of our first scotch Doubles ventures and my wife and I ...... well we had 😊. We had so much fun that Lenny announced over the P A that imediatly after the tournament there would be a citizens divorce proceeding for Jackie and Greg.

Well my version goes like this; I had practice shooting one handed and was making balls and leaving her perfect shape. She would proceed to make her ball and hook me. Finally after numerous hooks she managed to leave me perfect. Well perfect to make mine and lock her to the back of their ball. Heh heh 😁 I guess my smirk gave me away.😉
 
9 Ball... What a fun game. What a creative game. What a game of deception. :eek:

I feel that sometimes giving the 9 a ride is the best percentage shot. It's like any other shot, make-able or miss-able. It can look desperate but sometimes it's a very calculated thing. Sometimes it's just pushing it around to a better spot or using it to stop the cue ball. Seeing that stripey guy float around the table can really cause some opponents imagination to run wild. "What's this guy up to?"

The rest of the rack might be a nightmare. If I can take a free roll at the 9 and leave the next guy locked up in safety jail I'm gonna. It's just gotta be done smartly with percentages in mind. The dumber and sloppier it looks, the better. That can also work on the guy in the chair. Kicking the can or re-arranging the furniture can be a valid strategy, if the 9 happens to make it even though it was a 2% chance, that's great, and CB just happens to have no future for the next guy... whoops, lucky rolls I guess! ;)

If I end up riding the 9, I'm 100% focused on two things, making the 9 and leaving the CB in the worst spot on the table in case it doesn't go in. I genuinely hope it looks like I slopped it in, you know 9 ball is just a game of luck and all... :)

Some other times you come to the table and your back is against the wall. You gotta get a hit. Well, you look for a bit and realize if you kick the 2 rail just right and really nail the OB in the correct place there's a dead carom or billiard to pocket another ball. Is it slop? Only to the untrained eye. I'd rather my opponent think that fate was against them than to think I did a wild shot on purpose.

Kick and stick. Make that shaft sing and turn that fast CB dead in an instant. "Look at this guy, banging balls! He hit that too hard! Mosconi said to not hit em that hard!"

There's a 5% chance that if I cross bank the OB and run the CB into the ball on the rail it just might get kissed into that juicy looking secondary ball. Why not try it? I already figured out where to put the CB to make it real hard for my opponent? Might as well take free rolls when I can.

9 ball is a fun game, the possibilities are endless and you can get real creative. Calling the shot takes some of the magic out of it. I want to leave everybody in the room scratching their head and questioning if they just saw what they saw or if it was just dumb luck. Heck I'm not even going to question if it was luck or not. It went in, something must have been correct.

The other thing to think is that some racks just aren't there. You gotta keep control of the set. It might mean giving up one game at times. It might mean a prolonged safety battle to get your opponent out of stroke. You never know but there is some gamesmanship in 9B. Not sharking and completely respectful to the game, but it's there. You might let your opponent see that 9B get pushed with the CB after every shot. Get em thinking through the wild stuff going on on the table. "Heck I hate playing this guy, he re-arranges the entire table after every shot. That's not what the books say to do! How's this scrub getting so lucky?" :p

Of course if the table lays right and you're in stroke just run the balls and don't worry about it. 🤷‍♂️

9 ball = Fun
 
Thanks for guidance back to this thread Shooter. 😉
My morning mental ramblings brings me to ..
Planning the Out. Even fits well with my morning fitness program in my Practice Journal. It's the same in riding bikes motorcycles bobsled and truck trailer driving too.
Always Have a Plan
Always want the most options as it could need revision at any time. 🤷‍♂️
My motorcycle plan always started with escape routes. I was put on sidewalk a time or 2. Well 2 was after a 15 foot launch that separated me from the motorcycle. I survived by 1/8 inch. Talk about a test.
 
So walked into the closest thing to a pool hall after 2 years of bars and barboxes. Headed straight to the men's room. A huge dude 6'4" and about 260 follows me in. I said to him "if the bouncer is bigger then you I won't be starting no shit".
He responded " to old to be starting any shit".
I replied " hell I am older then you".
He said " yeah it hurts now ".
I replied "it hurts for a long time too".
He replied " besides I am a felon and will get sent".

I knew this was a pool hall.
 
So it's been a while... Recently I've started doing something with breathing. Call it woo woo or not but I think it helps.

So I'll try to spare you the book, I walk up to where I address the shot. Fully upright. I might shrug my shoulders to make sure the back is fully upright and nothing out of whack. Shoulder shrugging releases tension. It all matters.

I'll then set my feet correctly while fully upright.. No slouching!!! (you gotta practice, it's a PITA but it becomes second nature after enough practice), then take a deep breath in, expanding my stomach and up to my chest. I'll then completely breath out, pulling my core/abs in to fully expel the air. Then with empty lungs I'll get down in position. Keeping my core and back as straight as possible I'll get down into the shot. (I mean it's not straight in a pool stance but keeping the guy/abs tight is important for stability). The visual on the OB/shot picture stays the same. I'm trying to get down in a vertical way that minimizes swaying and such.

That's pretty much it. Then go into the "pro grade stroke execution phase." It's already been planned while fully upright, I wouldn't set my feet and get down if I had any doubts. Of course there are good days and bad days but if I can force myself to not get lazy and "wing it" as far as plans go I can play a lot better. As with anything if you're thinking while down get up, don't be lazy, walk around and let whatever thoughts settle in and decide what to do. Pool is mental and you better damn well not be deciding while already down if you want to win.

While down on the shot I think it's also beneficial to do the breathing techniques like you would target shooting. We might not realize it or be perceptive enough to notice, but I hypothesize (needs tested and/or researched) that breathing can make minute changes in our eyes focus. Breath in and breath it out, empty lungs help with steadiness. You might practice with nose breathing, in the nose out the mouth etc. There's a world of breath techniques to be explored, but basically you want to be still and rock solid. Focusing on breathing also keeps my damn head from second guessing everything. There's several ways to do each shot and it's best to not be cycling through them in your head while down at the table. That is a sure fire way to lose.

Breath can also tame fight or flight response and let you harness adrenaline rather than it effect you badly.

Also I noticed that I drink a heck of a lot of ice water while in my chair. I guess there's some kind of method to that like fight of flight makes your mouth not produce saliva and drinking makes saliva so it kind of tempers the response. I don't know and I'm not too concerned about it but it might be interesting to research at some point.
 
boogieman said:
So it's been a while... Recently I've started doing something with breathing. Call it woo woo or not but I think it helps.

So I'll try to spare you the book, I walk up to where I address the shot. Fully upright. I might shrug my shoulders to make sure the back is fully upright and nothing out of whack. Shoulder shrugging releases tension. It all matters.

I'll then set my feet correctly while fully upright.. No slouching!!! (you gotta practice, it's a PITA but it becomes second nature after enough practice), then take a deep breath in, expanding my stomach and up to my chest. I'll then completely breath out, pulling my core/abs in to fully expel the air. Then with empty lungs I'll get down in position. Keeping my core and back as straight as possible I'll get down into the shot. (I mean it's not straight in a pool stance but keeping the guy/abs tight is important for stability). The visual on the OB/shot picture stays the same. I'm trying to get down in a vertical way that minimizes swaying and such.

That's pretty much it. Then go into the "pro grade stroke execution phase." It's already been planned while fully upright, I wouldn't set my feet and get down if I had any doubts. Of course there are good days and bad days but if I can force myself to not get lazy and "wing it" as far as plans go I can play a lot better. As with anything if you're thinking while down get up, don't be lazy, walk around and let whatever thoughts settle in and decide what to do. Pool is mental and you better damn well not be deciding while already down if you want to win.

While down on the shot I think it's also beneficial to do the breathing techniques like you would target shooting. We might not realize it or be perceptive enough to notice, but I hypothesize (needs tested and/or researched) that breathing can make minute changes in our eyes focus. Breath in and breath it out, empty lungs help with steadiness. You might practice with nose breathing, in the nose out the mouth etc. There's a world of breath techniques to be explored, but basically you want to be still and rock solid. Focusing on breathing also keeps my damn head from second guessing everything. There's several ways to do each shot and it's best to not be cycling through them in your head while down at the table. That is a sure fire way to lose.

Breath can also tame fight or flight response and let you harness adrenaline rather than it effect you badly.

Also I noticed that I drink a heck of a lot of ice water while in my chair. I guess there's some kind of method to that like fight of flight makes your mouth not produce saliva and drinking makes saliva so it kind of tempers the response. I don't know and I'm not too concerned about it but it might be interesting to research at some point.
Click to expand...

You are working on some areas that matter. I am going to drop a little food for thought, definitely not rules of law! After you test this or that or just enough repetitions to find what works for you, don't concern yourself with what others are doing. Some of the best in the world, past and present, have some unusual practices!

While I agree with you that it supports the upper body better, tightening the abs is generally seen as a bad thing for pool. I decided I agreed with that conclusion so long ago that I no longer remember why.

If holding your breath works for you, I wouldn't change. If you find yourself running out of air before you shoot often enough to derail your shot, try shallow breathing. I run out of air trying to hold my breath many things I do so have settled on slow shallow breaths, that way I don't run out of air and feel oxygen starved at an awkward moment. If you do run out of air, don't pop up off of the shot and right back down. Stand up, deep breaths, oxygenate the body. This will take thirty seconds to a minute. Some get concerned about what the opponent thinks and try to rush things. You can't hold your breath or barely supplement the oxygen in your cells if they are already starved. Play at whatever pace you are comfortable, mentally and physically. No need to cater to the guy trying to beat you and we aren't playing with a shot clock.

Hu
 
ShootingArts said:
You are working on some areas that matter. I am going to drop a little food for thought, definitely not rules of law! After you test this or that or just enough repetitions to find what works for you, don't concern yourself with what others are doing. Some of the best in the world, past and present, have some unusual practices!

While I agree with you that it supports the upper body better, tightening the abs is generally seen as a bad thing for pool. I decided I agreed with that conclusion so long ago that I no longer remember why.

If holding your breath works for you, I wouldn't change. If you find yourself running out of air before you shoot often enough to derail your shot, try shallow breathing. I run out of air trying to hold my breath many things I do so have settled on slow shallow breaths, that way I don't run out of air and feel oxygen starved at an awkward moment. If you do run out of air, don't pop up off of the shot and right back down. Stand up, deep breaths, oxygenate the body. This will take thirty seconds to a minute. Some get concerned about what the opponent thinks and try to rush things. You can't hold your breath or barely supplement the oxygen in your cells if they are already starved. Play at whatever pace you are comfortable, mentally and physically. No need to cater to the guy trying to beat you and we aren't playing with a shot clock.

Hu
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's definitely food for thought!

About the abs thing, my upper back is toast from an injury. Think the muscle/part of back where you give a splitting maul or axe that extra "umph" or snap to get it really powering through wood. Breaking cast with a sledge etc. That's where the problem is, protruding disks, so the ab thing works for me but it might not for everyone. I figure I have my body to play with so it might not be textbook or how others do. It's consistent and doesn't introduce additional errors so I'm good with it. It's took me years to figure out something so simple!

I actually try to learn things and do them textbook, but it has to be adapted to the real world. I tell my friends that whatever I did isn't textbook but I'm writing my own book. ;)

If I find myself running out of breath when down, I already know I am in position, I'll often just take a slow breath in and back out through my nostrils and then go into the actual execution. My body doesn't move and the platform stays steady. This breathing thing also forces me to slow down. If I get going around the table too fast I get careless and start popping up running to the next shot. If I'm "running" around the table I can play like a monster until suddenly I miss an easy shot through sheer rushing.

It's good that the forum exists because if you delve too deeply into this stuff with the uninitiated I'm sure it sounds like one needs to be in a padded room! 😄

EDIT: Posting this so I remember it. Ignore the pandemic stuff but this article goes into breath and vision in kind of laymen terms. It's pretty insightful.
 
You gotta love the Snooker Gawds. The concession to make it 9-4.
Lots of break now. 🤷‍♂️
Stretch what was my sentence again. 😉
 
Sure you missed shape... so what play a safe if you have to.

I'm not sure when it happened but I've become too stressed about performance and winning. That's a bad thing. Time to re-read the pleasure of small motions. Stress makes me tense. You talk yourself out of even seeing shots when you worry about it. Simply find the shot and do it. Keep it simple. Stress means the table looks like it's against you, the pool god's wrath. :eek:You can't see shots, can't figure shape... waaah waaah waaah 😭 Pssst, it's all in your head dummy!

I play best when I'm unconcerned about the score or about "winning" or "being beat" etc. Just enjoy the game and let someone else worry about it. It's not a job. The world won't come to an end if I have to rack. Whoopi-dee-doo I lost a game, got sent to the losers bracket or are out my entry fee. This shit's supposed to be fun, stop making it stressful. It's a beautiful and enjoyable game. Watch the pretty balls do what they do when you put a good light stroke to them. See, doesn't this game feel nice when you're not acting like a tool?

Stop worrying about being "good" just play the damn game already and don't sweat it. Remember dummy, you shoot 3 levels better when you don't give a rip and are enjoying yourself.

Pool is 90% mental. It will either cure what ails you or send you to the loony bin. 🤪 It's easier to just enjoy the game. Like CJ says let the game play through you. It ain't about "you" ...stop forcing stuff and just let the balls do what they want to do naturally. Don't listen to that wise ass on your shoulder telling you do draw out 2 rails when a simple follow into the rail will do the job.

😵‍💫😄

wisdom
 
boogieman said:
Sure you missed shape... so what play a safe if you have to.

I'm not sure when it happened but I've become too stressed about performance and winning. That's a bad thing. Time to re-read the pleasure of small motions. Stress makes me tense. You talk yourself out of even seeing shots when you worry about it. Simply find the shot and do it. Keep it simple. Stress means the table looks like it's against you, the pool god's wrath. :eek:You can't see shots, can't figure shape... waaah waaah waaah 😭 Pssst, it's all in your head dummy!

I play best when I'm unconcerned about the score or about "winning" or "being beat" etc. Just enjoy the game and let someone else worry about it. It's not a job. The world won't come to an end if I have to rack. Whoopi-dee-doo I lost a game, got sent to the losers bracket or are out my entry fee. This shit's supposed to be fun, stop making it stressful. It's a beautiful and enjoyable game. Watch the pretty balls do what they do when you put a good light stroke to them. See, doesn't this game feel nice when you're not acting like a tool?

Stop worrying about being "good" just play the damn game already and don't sweat it. Remember dummy, you shoot 3 levels better when you don't give a rip and are enjoying yourself.

Pool is 90% mental. It will either cure what ails you or send you to the loony bin. 🤪 It's easier to just enjoy the game. Like CJ says let the game play through you. It ain't about "you" ...stop forcing stuff and just let the balls do what they want to do naturally. Don't listen to that wise ass on your shoulder telling you do draw out 2 rails when a simple follow into the rail will do the job.

😵‍💫😄

wisdom
Click to expand...
Hey Boogie I like this one. Just play natural and let the balls fall.
 
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