A quandry with my game

I was invited to attend drivers school in Alameda, CA due to a traffic ticket in the 1980's. During that school, us students were shown a video of California State Troopers getting people drunk and comparing the driving ability against their sober driving. At two beers, most of them drove better. After two drinks it was quite comical.

The problem I found with drinking a small amount throughout the night in an attempt to maintain a perfect blood alcohol level was that eventually I would get tired.

I think age is catching up with me. Lately, If I drink any alcohol at all my game suffers. So I decided not to drink and shoot pool.
 
Dub, what you've experienced has caused many including myself a lot of problems. About 20 years ago I read an article that described dead stroke as a euphoric state similar to pain medicatication. Well it's not hard to guess what I did. I don't care what you drink,snort,smoke or take, you can't stay there for an extended period. I should know... I live it
 
It's just so frustrating.

I know that alcohol inhibits a person. I know its silly to have to drink to perform better. I really want to figure out how to manage my brain better... I am quite certain this is related to life, work and family concerns, stress, and managing it all. I hurry off from work to get to league on time, and I'm also either the team captain or co-captain for the teams I'm playing on, so I'm still a manager even then...

I like to have a drink or two, and perhaps more if the situation and circumstances permit, occasionally. But I never feel like I have to have a drink to have a good time, and I've had several league night's where I just had sodas and enjoyed myself just the same.

It's just baffling that the two times, in a row, that I had a good Jack D before playing, that it worked out as well as it did. Of course, now that I'm conscious of it, I'll probably $hit the bed, next time I try it :p

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions, gang. It's good to just let it out and talk about it, even tho there's probably no answer.
 
justadub said:
It's just so frustrating.

I know that alcohol inhibits a person. I know its silly to have to drink to perform better. I really want to figure out how to manage my brain better... I am quite certain this is related to life, work and family concerns, stress, and managing it all. I hurry off from work to get to league on time, and I'm also either the team captain or co-captain for the teams I'm playing on, so I'm still a manager even then...

I like to have a drink or two, and perhaps more if the situation and circumstances permit, occasionally. But I never feel like I have to have a drink to have a good time, and I've had several league night's where I just had sodas and enjoyed myself just the same.

It's just baffling that the two times, in a row, that I had a good Jack D before playing, that it worked out as well as it did. Of course, now that I'm conscious of it, I'll probably $hit the bed, next time I try it :p

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions, gang. It's good to just let it out and talk about it, even tho there's probably no answer.
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bruce;

also be on the lookout for co-incidental timing.

look at our sports stars and all of their superstitions.

if a pitcher eats spaghetti for dinner and that night he throws a no hitter, there's a good chance every time he's scheduled to pitch thereafter, he's going all Ronnie Ronzoni. ;)

Then there's the guys who won't change their filthy hats, or worse, their "lucky" underwear... :eek:

Have you considered that the two good shooting nights you recently enjoyed could have been the result of practice - or it may have simply been your time to shine. :smile:

Whatever the heck it is/was, I suggest keep having fun. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc
 
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I know there's a lot of "you're more relaxed" type of explanations popping up but you what you need to do is realize is that that means your body parts are relaxed which means they are in different positions than when you are not relaxed.

When playing well, sober or not so sober, try and step outside yourself and note the physical differences.

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
I know there's a lot of "you're more relaxed" type of explanations popping up but you what you need to do is realize is that that means your body parts are relaxed which means they are in different positions than when you are not relaxed.

When playing well, sober or not so sober, try and step outside yourself and note the physical differences.

Lou Figueroa
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I was so drunk one night, lou, that I stepped outside myself and couldn't get back in. :smile:
 
lfigueroa said:
I know there's a lot of "you're more relaxed" type of explanations popping up but you what you need to do is realize is that that means your body parts are relaxed which means they are in different positions than when you are not relaxed.

When playing well, sober or not so sober, try and step outside yourself and note the physical differences.

Lou Figueroa
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There is so much truth to this... I've often wished that I could have a video of my matches, so that when I was "right", or as close as I get :p I could see what was different, fundamentals-wise.

I'm quite certain that is a major part of my inconsistency. And when i start thinking about it, well...we know how that goes.

I'm very envious of you folks who have that stroke ingrained...
 
The initial effect of alcohol is anxiety reduction. The next effect is a loss of fine motor coordination.

There are basically two kinds of anxiety; Physical and social.

Physical anxiety involves sweaty palms, perspiration, tremors and similar physical manifestations. Different people may have different symptoms.

Social anxiety involves things like feelings of dread, self castigation, over attentiveness to the environment.

You can determine when alcohol effects your fine motor coordination through experimentation. Drink some, wait ten minutes for the effect to kick in, then shoot some difficult shots X number of times. Keep score on your success and failure. Drink some more wait ten minutes and try again. Eventually you will learn when alcohol effects your coordination.

People who drink less than one beer a day will find that one beer effects fine motor coordination.

The best solution is to learn deep muscle relaxation to control the anxiety.

Seehttp://billiards.colostate.edu/PBReview/Competitive_Anxiety.htm
 
justadub said:
There is so much truth to this... I've often wished that I could have a video of my matches, so that when I was "right", or as close as I get :p I could see what was different, fundamentals-wise.

I'm quite certain that is a major part of my inconsistency. And when i start thinking about it, well...we know how that goes.

I'm very envious of you folks who have that stroke ingrained...
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Bruce,

I just saw someone, I think it was Tor that suggested shooting balls from one corner straight into the other corner pocket 2000 times before even thinking about trying to shoot a shot(no object ball, just one ball).

The bottom line is repetition is what ingrains it into the subconscious. HAMB or in Tor's case 2000.

I doubt you would see any video evidence of mechanical differences. The differences are in the mind.

Best to You &
 
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