After 2 Week Break, Played Best Session in Years

C

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I normally play/practice three or four times a week, most consisting of solo 2-3 hour practice sessions with at least one of those being a good 4-5 hour match session against a similar level player to myself, all considerably younger than me. Despite my efforts, I feel like I’m just treading water over the last number of years, lacking any consistent play for more than maybe a set or two at a time, and I’m now 64.

After taking about two weeks off for no particular reason other than just keeping busy and not having any strong desire to play, I matched up with one of my buddies this week who I generally play even with. I started out playing really well the first set, then again just as well in the second set. He took a break to get something to eat I’m assuming to try and cool me off, and I was fully expecting to soon return to my normal inconsistent level of play. We normally both take turns going back-and-forth with hot streaks followed by inconsistent play, at least in part due to the very tight pocket table we play on.

Surprisingly to me, I continued to play well and won 5 straight sets, all very convincingly. I have no clue where this came from, as it was the best sustained session I’ve had in over five years. It all came together - breaks, shotmaking, position play, safety play. I haven’t played since then, three nights ago, but will be matching up again on Monday night. I’m curious to find out if this one session was a fluke or not?

Any others who play multiple times a week have a similar experience of playing an unexpectedly strong session after taking a break for a few weeks?
 
I will start with...I don’t know what I’m talking about. Not a doctor or anything, but I can observe. I think this is more psychological than ability. (And I’m not saying anything about your ability...you see this at the highest levels.)

I have found that enthusiasm or excitement...even attitude can have a huge impact. I think it comes down to focus with all of these. Taking a break from anything you enjoy and strive to get better at can help sometimes. I have found this in pool, golf, archery, business, etc.. we can practice, but if full effort and focus are not present your top ability may not shine through. If you take a break and are excited about the next opportunity to play/whatever I think the focus is much more dialed in. I am sure there is a big word for this, but I see it in all kinds of activities.

Sometimes stepping away and coming back after a while allows the passion and focus to be pushed forward. To enjoy the grind.

Just me, but thought I would share.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This happens with all pool players in all levels. and I've known this phenomenon for a very long time. I always talk about it to my friends, even the highest-end pro's have it but to a minimal scale, the key is to diminish the size/scale of which you're high gear to the low gear on bad days.

Some pro's can still play so well with their low gear/bad day of pool, and they got no control over it.

And it seems to be random on day to day basis where a player thinks they got control over it, but they don't.

Some of my friends connect this to how they feel in life and how life is treating them, i.e. they think if life is good and wife is happy and there's no pressure in life then they play good and if there's issues or problems in the outside world they will play bad but I disagree here, sometimes I can be stressed out for the week and I play lights out, and when days are soft and nothing is bothering me I can play bad, for me I think its just so random.

As I said it happens for everyone. One day I was watching a tournament of 8ball for the highest end players, I think it was a make-it happen from accu-stats an invitational event, so all 8 players are top notch. Alex pagulayan was playing and I remember he was dominating the table, didn't miss a single ball, played flawless positions. The guy is insane! even the commentator said and I remember this clearly, he said "This guy is a computer". I remember him playing two matches both flawless in that day, nothing missed and positions are all great!.

Anyway, he went to his hotel room and slept, next day Alex played and on each rack he missed 3 shots. Literally the commentators even said what happened to him? because if you think about it, it is the same guy, the same skill-set, only one day difference between yesterdays alex who doesn't miss and play flawless pool, then the today alex who misses 3 balls each rack, on his second day I could probably beat him.

So yea here you have it, there's no explanation to this theory in my opinion, it is just something that we have to live with in pool.

What one can do is increase the consistency where in his bad-day he still play decent, thats all.
 
its called interval training
its take the body time to lock in the movement patterns you've practiced excessively.

Its noticeable with new people starting to do pushups. A newbie can't do 5 pushups, but you have them practice on their knees or lift.

Try planning out which adaptations your interested in.
For me I want to practice shifting focus.

I can intensely practice shooting pool. Practice cooling down is something I need to do, I get too excited anytime I do something remotely successful.
 
I am sure it is my fault. I was so enjoyable to beat on, the inspiration extended itself a full week.

Damn, I am so easy, beating me was a break!
1616334434609.png
 
Z-Nole said:
Waxing. Like fishing, the best pool is when the moon will hold water during the waxing Crecent. Same for women in downtown Dunedin.
Click to expand...
Hmm, we must be separate species. One thing I do notice is I hit the ball better when it's (the moon) oriented with vertical (ish) symmetry. I noticed it decades ago and for a while I thought it might be a gravitational thing - more blood in your head etc... Some years later I came to the realization that it's the same ball no matter what it was looking like lol. So now I think the vertical symmetry just reminds me of center ball and so it stands....
 
straightline said:
Hmm, we must be separate species. One thing I do notice is I hit the ball better when it's (the moon) oriented with vertical (ish) symmetry. I noticed it decades ago and for a while I thought it might be a gravitational thing - more blood in your head etc... Some years later I came to the realization that it's the same ball no matter what it was looking like lol. So now I think the vertical symmetry just reminds me of center ball and so it stands....
Click to expand...
Maybe it has nothing to do with pool. But I’m positive the Crecent moon means strong fishing and hot women downtown. In fishing it’s a strong tide with no light to feed at night but I’m still working on why so many more hit women come out during that moon. I’m gonna have to sit at Skips amd smoke a cigar a few more dozen times to figure it out.
 
Z-Nole said:
Maybe it has nothing to do with pool. But I’m positive the Crecent moon means strong fishing and hot women downtown. In fishing it’s a strong tide with no light to feed at night but I’m still working on why so many more hit women come out during that moon. I’m gonna have to sit at Skips amd smoke a cigar a few more dozen times to figure it out.
Click to expand...
That might be the gravity and cranial blood pressure. Now I'm confused again.
 
As a very low player I find coming back from a vacation I shoot my best.

I'm relaxed and pay quite attention to my PSR and SPF. Then, holy smokes the balls go in the hole and the cue ball takes a nap where I want it to, well sometimes.
 
Does Tarpon have a good chew to it? Sport only? I just had some Swordfiche I think. Prepared bland with something close to pork gravy but the the thing acted more like land animal meat than fish. Good meat - but for the premium.
 
This has happened to me too. I think constant practice can keep me too involved in whatever details I’m working on and stepping back for a little while allows me to set those aside and just play, using what I’ve learned.

At least until I start doing it again.

pj
chgo
 
Yeah. I tried really hard to run 100 last year and got pretty disillusioned when I hit 74 and never got back near it - couple of 60s, lots of 30-50s, but didn’t seem like it was really in the cards any time soon.

I got bored of pool and put time into other hobbies. Then I saw this years High Run Challenge in the 14.1 forum and figured I’d start focusing again because why not be frustrated by something else?

I put up a few 40s, 50s, then ran 70 something, then 84, and then 101. I’ve sorta relaxed a little now, but put up a 79 last week.

The total break was like 4 months. I don’t really think I’ve changed that much, but the knowledge of playing patterns must’ve sunk in a little bit without me realizing it. No change to my stroke or anything that I know of.

now I’m gonna take year off and try to run 200 lol.
 
Oftentimes after you take a break from pool (a week or more minimum), when you come back your body will automatically set up in the proper position when you get down on the balls. That's the position your body remembers. It's kind of a subconscious thing. You'll be okay until you start thinking about it. That's when you can start to get confused again about your stance and stroke. You had it all there for a second and now it's gone. Sound familiar?
 
Last edited:
I experience good play after a break. I attribute that to not taking anything for granted. After an extended break I pay close attention to even the simple shots. It fades quickly though. As soon as I notice how well I am playing.:eek: 😉
 
gregcantrall said:
I experience good play after a break. I attribute that to not taking anything for granted. After an extended break I pay close attention to even the simple shots. It fades quickly though. As soon as I notice how well I am playing.:eek: 😉
Click to expand...
Yep, that’s what I’m afraid of. I guess I’ll find out tonight!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top