1/2 to a Ball Better After Watching MIH

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I don't know if this happens to anyone else. Seems like every time I watch just the top players on the stream, my game goes up a 1/2 ball to a ball for a few days after it. This time it was the "Make it happen tournament. Even my stroke feels better. I don't know if it just pumps me up to want to shoot better. Johnnyt
 
Yes Johnnyt, I think if anyone pays attention when watching top players either in person or on a livestream, their game will go up. It is a process of absorption, suggestive of the flow of osmotic action (osmosis).

JoeyA

Johnnyt said:
I don't know if this happens to anyone else. Seems like every time I watch just the top players on the stream, my game goes up a 1/2 ball to a ball for a few days after it. This time it was the "Make it happen tournament. Even my stroke feels better. I don't know if it just pumps me up to want to shoot better. Johnnyt
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I have found this to be true as well. I think it can be compared to playing against a stronger player, after you get past any nerves regarding who you are playing many times you will play better than you normally do. In my experience after watching enough near perfect pool my brain seems to expect the same from my game which results in better, more consistent play.
 
Happens to me all the time, I play lights out after watching Jayson Shaw or Alex play 9 ball....but it only lasts for about an hour or so, then I revert to my regular non-top-pro level game. I think if you closely watch someone with a similar body type or that strokes the ball like you it can really have an effect.
 
Johnnyt said:
I don't know if this happens to anyone else. Seems like every time I watch just the top players on the stream, my game goes up a 1/2 ball to a ball for a few days after it. This time it was the "Make it happen tournament. Even my stroke feels better. I don't know if it just pumps me up to want to shoot better. Johnnyt
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I hear what you're saying, Johnnyt.
I feel the same way after watching great pool.

It motivates me to play the same.
Nay, I don't necessarily play any better, but I sure as hell am motivated to get on the table; perhaps it's the motivation itself that drives any relative better pool on my part.
 
I think it is more about being motivated after watching top flight play more so than anything else.
 
It helps me a lot to watch the top pros play. With me I pick up little things from watching them play shape. I notice how they might go an extra rail or play a different angle, or draw the ball to a rail instead of following it, or leave themselves a little closer than I would. It's like a light comes on and I say 'oh yeah" and find myself doing the same next time I play.
 
This is why Shane is so good... he's always playing with and watching good players, feeding off of their games.
 
I agree Johnny....

It's hard to watch a great stream like MIH, and not come away with a better feeling for your own game. I always learn a thing or 3, every-time, and it always seems to carry over into my own game, even if it's short term.
The quality of the stream, along with Billy and Danny in the booth, make it that much more enjoyable..... Pat has found the perfect format, IMO.


These guys make it look so easy, it's sick.
 
In some ways, it may be that the novice can't glean the beauty of the shots & that in itself might create a so-what ... I don't see it (or I don't care) attitude, which prohibits the true enjoyment of watching top notch players go at it.....

But I see it & I understand it & I do the rewind several times, in order to file this into my mental archive. It is another lesson...

Sometimes it doesn't look like the pros are putting much effort into running out.... yet when we try it, it's not easy.

That isn't seen on TV, but if two (2) 4-speeds were to go at it for $1000.00 of their own money, while the TV audience watched, there's no telling what would happen or how much laughter would be created.

Then the spectators might have an inkling of the difficulty of our sport.
 
Johnnyt said:
I don't know if this happens to anyone else. Seems like every time I watch just the top players on the stream, my game goes up a 1/2 ball to a ball for a few days after it. This time it was the "Make it happen tournament. Even my stroke feels better. I don't know if it just pumps me up to want to shoot better. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Great observation Johnnyt... Regardless of our age we can learn some things watching... The big key is retaining those thing after the shrt term is over.... 2 things came to my mind watching every minute... The thin cuts were hit with stun that released at the rail and there was a staccato impact to the cueball... They touched the cueball.. They just did not hit it and follow thru...

The second observation woke me up to how you have to hit the cueball vs what you find in print and instructional media.. Pretty sure you can't be taught a stroke... You were born with one or you weren't
 
Players come from players....
...people get better, sometimes by a greater understanding.....
...sometimes by osmosis...
...but great players produce more players...they show what can be...
 
I always play better straight pool after watching Mike Sigel videos. Which is why I keep watching them, over and over.
 
as most of you know ...there was a pro tournament in memphis this weekend.

after the tournament 2 pros were playing some 10 ball on a bar table right beside where i was playing league.

i watched them for a while and tried to emulate how they stroked during my 8 ball match.

taking a bit off my stroke ( yea i am a banger ) helped my cue ball position and i won my 8 ball match pretty handily over another 5. now if i can just continue that instead of reverting back to my old smacking the shit outa the cue ball. :D
 
I find the same thing, after watching the Derby I am pretty fired up and shooting better.

Johnny do you think your bump was from watching Earl? :)
 
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Johnnyt said:
I don't know if this happens to anyone else. Seems like every time I watch just the top players on the stream, my game goes up a 1/2 ball to a ball for a few days after it. This time it was the "Make it happen tournament. Even my stroke feels better. I don't know if it just pumps me up to want to shoot better. Johnnyt
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I would say a similar thing happens with me, but more when I attend a professional tournament. Something about watching it live, actually being there, inspires me. Alas, it is usually short-lived, LOL!

But I really get a lot from studying the manners and mannerisms of the players live. The way they comport themselves around the table is different. For example, at a Vegas event years ago I was watching Oscar play this reeaalllly slloooowww player from Spain. 3 1/2 hour race to 9. :mad: Oscar is not slow. But I noticed how calm and even tempered he was in the chair. After the match I asked him how he maintains his composure against a slow player like that and he said, "Simple, I accept the fact the reason I'm in my chair is because I missed." That taught me something and I wouldn't have gotten that from a stream. :wink:
 
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