A Theory as To Why Shane Sucks in the Mosconi Cup

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dnschmidt

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just watched this guy destroy two of the best players in the world and I'm wondering why does this guy suck so badly in the Mosconi Cup? I think I might have at least a partial answer. ALTERNATE BREAKS.

He breaks better than God and in winner breaks gets on a roll that can't be stopped. In alternate breaks, as is used in the Mosconi Cup, this roll doesn't happen.

What do you think about this theory? There has to be a reason for Shane's poor record in the Mosconi Cup and this is mine.
 
i think you are right.
thats something i do not like about shane, of course, if his break is working, he gets in a roll and he is getting really nearly every roll, either he can run out, or he has a very good option for a save, thats the advantage of his break.
so far so good.
but if he has to bite in a match, he never is that good, he only is that good if he gets a roll and than he is not beatable, but i would like more to see him how he can bite in a tough match and turn around matches and stuff like that.

i was sorry for alex yesterday, but thats pool, if you play good, you really get every roll and everythig seems to work easy...
 
Ya got me

Some of the shots I have watched him miss in the Cup make no sense. He is one of the worlds top players and when you are playing a race to 7 in 9 Ball at that level with alternating breaks you can't screw up or the other guy gets you. Could it be nerves because it is the Cup and much is expected of him? But winner breaks 10 ball is his game for the most part and betting against him in that format is a good way to go broke.
 
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
 
Here's my "theory"

1) Alternate Breaks
2) Short Race
3) Mosconi Cup is 9 ball

For Shane to unleash the beast:

1) Winner Breaks
2) Race to 7 or higher
3) Needs to be 10 ball

IMO, Shane's 9 ball break is good, but nothing like his 10 ball break. Short races kill anyone's chances of coming back, especially in an alternate breaking format.

Shane's 10 ball break is monstrous and it doesn't help the other guy when Shane throws down a six pack. Race to 7 takes a lot of pressure off any player, more so than a race to 5, IMO.
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
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Bingo, that's what I think aswell


1,2 barbecue
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. The stress of wanting to win for yourself is completely different than feeling like you have to win for your team and your country. In almost every case pool is a solo sport, it's you against the field. But Mosconi Cup comes along and suddenly you're part of a larger team playing for your country...completely different type of stress for a lot of people.
 
What dogged Shane at Mosconi? The pressure of carrying a team that had no chance of winning. Sure he couldn't catch stroke. You could see it in his eyes after day 1 that he just wanted it to end.
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

I think it's like playing doubles, I tend to not shoot my normal game as I have a partner relying on me and worried about the position. I think that kind of pressure makes one do things that are out of the norm. He is probably trying too hard as he is or has to win his matches for the US to have a chance.

Al
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

All of the above and he is a loner and doesn't do well in anything but singles. Mark needs to get another captain and just let Shane do his thing. Johnnyt
 
Because he is great at everything else, he has to suck at something.
I think Shane will play well in future Mosconi events.
He has one of the strongest minds to ever hold a pool cue
 
Shane sucks?

They maybe should think of playing real pool and do away with tv pool.Alternate break is completely for tv. If the PGA tooh away the long drive long hitting guys what would you all say?What ever Shane does someone knocks him.Can the Pinoys beat him in a tourn. yea,sometimes can they beat him long race (real pool) winner break seldom. Good job Shane .
 
When you shoot .957, you've got more than just your break working.

IMHO it has more to do with handling different kinds of pressure as mentioned by a previous poster.
 
It's momentum. Hard to build it with alternate break, alternate shot, short races. Shane has the highest gear of all time but it's not always there at the gate.

Not a single player from Europe will play him for money anymore, yet they're even money at the Mosconi cup.
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

I agree, ...along with the room atmosphere. Even with the hearing aids turned down, I think the hootin & hollerin annoys him.
 
I don't expect a miler to do well in a hundred yard dash.

Shane is a miler.....maybe even a marathoner.
He'll learn to get out of the gate....he needs more short matches.

If they had a bull pen at the Mosconi, Shane would have better results.
 
Here's my theory.
There's no CASH at risk for him. Which gets some pumped up different then others, if you have never bet 10 or 20k you wouldn't know.

And just the opposite the Euros seem to get pumped up for these (Free/Exhibition) things more so then CASH, cause they don't do much gambling and why they don't do as good at it when they do.
 
Don't the winners in the Mosconi get paid more? I understand he already has a paycheck for playing in the Mosconi but it can get largely increased for winning.

Plus I get the impression from SVB that his legacy means something. That alone should give him incentive.
 
CanonShooter said:
I think it's mental.. He puts unnecessary pressure on himself that he must win for the team or he can't miss for the match. When he is playing for himself he doesn't think any of that. He is clear and knows what he needs to do. I believe it's as simple as that.
Click to expand...

This is my theory as well.
 
Johnnyt said:
Mark needs to get another captain and just let Shane do his thing. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

I like that idea. Get JA back on the team and have him be the player that gives pep talks. JA is a better fit for that because he is older and has been very successful in the Cup.
 
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