Any Merit to taking a brake?

[DrewWhitehead]

So I've been stuck in a rut as far as not progressing with my game, not really getting any better but not really getting worse. The way that things with school that I couldn't play on my league team, then I had to go to wedding out of town and this and that and the other. What I'm trying to get to is, is there any merit to taking a break and trying to forget the things that I used to do that might have held me up? I know taking time off when your burnt out is helpful, but how long to forget some of the bad muscle memory? Thanks in advance.

 

[Six Shooter]

I'm not an expert but I'll put my 2 cents worth here.

I take no more than 3 days at most. Taking more than that generally means you will have to take more time to reacquire the feel of your cue.

When you are feeling burned out, then by all means, take a little break.

As for the your little bugs, they will not go away until you can correct the overall causes of them. They will follow you the more you keep them ingrained.

I'd suggest a round of lessons to find your flaws and then get you corrected before the flaws become too inherent in your game. One small flaw can quickly grow to many b/c you begin trying many different things to fix it yourself.

Just my own opinion here.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

 

[pinoyincalgary]

So I've been stuck in a rut as far as not progressing with my game, not really getting any better but not really getting worse. The way that things with school that I couldn't play on my league team, then I had to go to wedding out of town and this and that and the other. What I'm trying to get to is, is there any merit to taking a break and trying to forget the things that I used to do that might have held me up? I know taking time off when your burnt out is helpful, but how long to forget some of the bad muscle memory? Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I have taken two 5 year breaks in pool. It is always the same pattern: I go from hardcore pool player with it on my mind 24/7...then I just wake up one day and had no passion to play at all. I tried to keep the same playing routine for about 1 year until I accept the fact that it is time to take a break.

It was just two weeks ago that I started playing again and even joined a league. One thing I recall for sure is, I always become a better player after these long breaks.

Good luck to you my friend.

 

[TATE]

So I've been stuck in a rut as far as not progressing with my game, not really getting any better but not really getting worse. The way that things with school that I couldn't play on my league team, then I had to go to wedding out of town and this and that and the other. What I'm trying to get to is, is there any merit to taking a break and trying to forget the things that I used to do that might have held me up? I know taking time off when your burnt out is helpful, but how long to forget some of the bad muscle memory? Thanks in advance.

I like to take a month break now and then. Then I watch some good matches and get re-energized. Also, you can change up your practice - like study and play safeties, banks, and kicks. All of this will improve your game.

It's discouraging to play and play and not feel like you're getting better. By practicing these other skills, you will get better.

 

[Houstoer]

what has helped me is focused practice. When i start to feel a little burned out I practice a very specific thing until I get way better at it; once that happens (or I think it does) I can;t wait to go out and play some people. Just my two cents, good luck !

 

[MOJOE]

I can say this for me.. I practiced really hard and worked on my fundamentals, mental game etc. for a couple of years..
This summer I took 3 months off, for the first break I've had from the game in seems like forever..

Now I'm back to playing very very well, not over thinking, just playing.. It did my game a ton of good! YMMV

 

[DrewWhitehead]

Thanks everybody for the replies. I'm really kind of enjoying a break, I've played one league or another for the last 6 or 7 years, every session too. I think I was due a break.

 

[manwon]

So I've been stuck in a rut as far as not progressing with my game, not really getting any better but not really getting worse. The way that things with school that I couldn't play on my league team, then I had to go to wedding out of town and this and that and the other. What I'm trying to get to is, is there any merit to taking a break and trying to forget the things that I used to do that might have held me up? I know taking time off when your burnt out is helpful, but how long to forget some of the bad muscle memory? Thanks in advance.

If you have been stuck in rut that you are not climbing out of I am afraid that break will do you little good, I could be wrong. However, ruts = non-progression and if were stuck in this rut for a long time it most likely has something to do with your habits / fundamentals. Over the years I have seen many people reach a plateau in their game and they could never get past a certain point so they just got frustrated and took a break and sooner or later just quit playing.

Keep in mind none of this may pertain to you, but it is food for thought and you did ask for assistance so please take a good look at your game. There are plenty of great instructors if thing don't improve talk to one of them, that is what the Pro's do when they hit a wall, and yes even the Pro's hit walls but they also know what to do when this happens.

JIMO

 

[J-Flo]

Take a Break

If its your stroke thats a problem, than taking a break wont help you at all. youll still have the same problems or worst. Video tape your self and see whats wrong and correct it.

If its mental, taking a break will help you for sure. Do you remember that guy in the 80s from the L.A Dogers who played second base and got a mental block and his mind would not allow him to field the ball. Kind of samething. I'd go read "Point the Way" by the Monk or even somthing by Anthoney Robbins the self help guru, it sounds crazy but it works. When you learn how your mind works you get more out of it.

Find out if its mental or a physical thing first.

P.S I took a year off cause it became like a job for me to play. now im back to 5 nights a week.

 

[The Renfro]

Actually a break is good for several reasons.... Memory that is not reaffirmed or visited starts to fade over the short term...

If you have hardwired bad habits into your PSR and fundamentals the break allows them to lose some of the hard wiring and will be easier to change after periods of noncofirmation......

If you have mental issues where you are judging certain shots before execution with more negative than positive memories a break can help... Someone who automatically walks up to certain shots knowing they cannot execute because failure has been the norm on these types of shots may do better taking some time off from them completely and rebuilding the memory set to be positive......

Learning to win and learning to lose are 2 separate things. If you are in a slump and booking mainly losers matching up or you are always underperforming in tournaments or league play then a break is definitely advised...

Tate is right on about the length in my opinion... They say it takes 30 days to build a habit or to break a habit..... If you have several bad habits that seem to be piling up take a month off from playing....

While you are waiting to come back to the tables start the relearning process by watching a bunch of matches that were played at the highest level... Pick a pro that you identify with and pick watches where they specifically execute well and win.... Imagine it's you and visualize you executing their shots.....