A little advice please

softshot

softshot

Simplify
Silver Member
I am nearing the end of my 4th year of daily practice.. the first 2 years I tried to teach myself the game and made some good progress

at the end of the second year I took some lessons and my practice became much more focused and effective..

until recently I'd put in a minimum of 2 hours a day on the table between practice and play

I have reached the level of competent pool player.. I'm no Johnny Archer but if presented with a wide open table with no problems I am the favorite to get out a high percentage of the time..

but the last few weeks something has happened.. I've lost my self discipline.. I've lost my focus..and I've lost a great deal of my desire to play.

I LOVE pool I really do.. but lately I can't seem to bring a quality game anymore.. I don't think the problem is technique.. I know how to diagnose my own game.. I have hundreds of hours of video of myself that I have poured over...

I've tried taking a couple weeks off...I've tried switching things up..

nothing seems to work..

any suggestions?
 
Is there a new woman involved here? Just joking...kind of. Everyone goes through slumps in all sports. You just have to ride it out, but if you don't have the desire anymore, that's something else. To play well takes a lot of ones time. Sometimes other things in life get it the way. If the desire comes back try changing how you practice, or step up and play better players, if you don't already. Good luck to you. Johnnyt
 
It happens to everyone in all sports. You just hit a plateau. The good thing is I feel every time I get to that frustrating point I know a breakthrough is going to happen very soon.

EVERY time I had a break through to the next level, I was completely frustrated for a week or 2.

Good luck man!
 
It could be that you need to change the game or games your playing and put some time and effort into something new for awhile. I love playing different games but just don't have anyone locally that has the desire I do to learn to play one pocket or straight pool for example.

When I find myself bored with any game I am playing I will do like I stated above and play something else or go out and find some competition to measure myself against. Playing new people will give you a new outlook and keep you challenged and it also helps magnify any problems your having. I know when I am gambling and a situaiton or scenario comes up that I am not comfortable with I never forget that feeling or moment after the game or set is over. When practicing by myself I don't seem to remember those little nuances as well playing for nothing as opposed to remembering everything when I have a little cash on the line. Hope this helps!!!


Gary
 
Its time to get in some local tournaments to see how well you will hold up.
I know when I went to a tournament I ALWAYS wanted to get back on the table when I got home.
Test the waters around town first see how you hold up.
How hard you practice will help your confidence.
 
Try playing the ghost.Try playing every shot with a bridge.Learn to shoot with the other hand.Keep score to give you something to shoot for, and it will also let you know how you're progressing.If all else fails,lay off until you can't stand it.
 
I agree with others

softshot said:
I am nearing the end of my 4th year of daily practice.. the first 2 years I tried to teach myself the game and made some good progress

at the end of the second year I took some lessons and my practice became much more focused and effective..

until recently I'd put in a minimum of 2 hours a day on the table between practice and play

I have reached the level of competent pool player.. I'm no Johnny Archer but if presented with a wide open table with no problems I am the favorite to get out a high percentage of the time..

but the last few weeks something has happened.. I've lost my self discipline.. I've lost my focus..and I've lost a great deal of my desire to play.

I LOVE pool I really do.. but lately I can't seem to bring a quality game anymore.. I don't think the problem is technique.. I know how to diagnose my own game.. I have hundreds of hours of video of myself that I have poured over...

I've tried taking a couple weeks off...I've tried switching things up..

nothing seems to work..

any suggestions?
Click to expand...


Change up is still the answer, you just haven't found the right change. A new game, a new place to play, try snooker or carom, start passing out the oddest spots you can think of.

When I couldn't do anything else I used to work on nudging balls to make traps and then get the cue ball into the trap a shot or two later after "missing" the object ball. The finesse needed to build traps made this super tough. Whatever you do, I think you need a new challenge. I found it fun to just put a bit of sand paper or a tiny piece of Scotchbrite and a BRAD tool in my pocket and play with a house cue for awhile leaving at home the cues, case, and all of the gadgets.

Hu
 
I have 6 cues that when I'm playing well I can pick up any of them and shoot very close to the same. Like Jay Helfert has said on here many times, "Try playing with another cue." It's worked for me a lot over the years. Johnnyt
 
You might be my partner in Sep. You better have your game ready.....:-)
See you soon...SPF=randyg
 
I hit a bored point like that about 10 years ago and took up bowling. Glad I did too. Within 2 years I was up to a 190 average. Not pro material by a long shot but good enough to join leagues and tournaments. Best score to date is 283.
MULLY
haven't bowled in almost 2 years
 
There has been some great advise thrown out so far and I can only add to that.

For me, the first thing is to take a complete break. Maybe a week or two. I still watch some online streams, ect but overall clear my mind. Watching pool and not playing builds that interest back to the point I can't wait to pick up my cue again.

When I come back, sometimes I make up a completely new drill or practice shots I don't usually work on. As also mentioned, I will practice 14.1 or bank pool, games I both like but certainly don't play as much as eight or nine ball.

The deal is to find something that works for you, I know that's general but true imo. Now some of my friends try to play through it and work even harder when they plateau or slump. Different folkes different strokes. Good luck and break out of it soon!
 
Go to the nastiest bar in the nastiest part of you town with no more that $5.00 in your pocket. Order a drink, put a quarter on the barbox and start
playing 8-ball for $5.00 a game. You will either find your game or it won't matter any more.:thud:
 
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