Anybody have this problem

BaliFlipper

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This may sound funny, but does anyone else have the problem of playing bad by yourself but good when playing someone. It seems I can't really zone in when playing solo, but after a match or two with another player I get in that zone. Any advice for me?
 
Purpose

It sounds like you find more purpose in playing an actual match vs "wasting time shooting balls on your own".

You need to find a reason to "play" better on your own. Once you find that reason you need to remind yourself of it.
 
I have the same problem. But, when practicing, I take only those shots that I'm unsure of. For the most part these shots (extreme cuts, reverse angle cuts, long draw shots, two-three rail banks, off angle combinations, kicks, etc, etc,) rarely come up in a game. But when they do, I at least have a degree of familiarity with them.
Bottom Line: I practice tough shots so that, during a game, I can approach a difficult shot knowing that I've made it in the recent past. I don't ever give up and throw away a shot. It's my game, my reputation, my ability.
Keep practicing.
Play Safe!
John
 
I also would love to switch my respective playing speeds.
There hasnt ever been a champion practice player.
My practice game gives my action game the orange crush* all day.


*(BTW...I reiterate. The "orange crush" is the wild 5 and Breaks...only!)*
Sorry........couldnt resist:grin:
 
Recently, my practice has been good. When I go to my brothers house, I play like crap. It came down to my preshot routine. I was doing it differently at his place. Don't know why. Just did. After I got my head out of my ass I started playing better.
 
This has to do with being at your optimum level of arousal. If you are not motivated enough your performance will suffer, as in your case. And others have a problem of getting over anxious during competition, in which their performance suffers too.

In your case I recommend keeping a journal of your practice sessions. Every day before practice write down your long term goal, what you are going to do today, and your goal for the session. This will help to keep you focused on your goal and motivated during each well defined practice session. At the end of the session write down what you did well, anything you learned, what you need to work or, and what problems you are having that you are searching for a solution to.
 
I also would love to switch my respective playing speeds.
There hasnt ever been a champion practice player.
My practice game gives my action game the orange crush* all day.


*(BTW...I reiterate. The "orange crush" is the wild 5 and Breaks...only!)*
Sorry........couldnt resist:grin:


Actually, I'd be willing to wager that champion caliber players practice as well as they play in a "real match".
 
A few years ago I was at the derby Efern throws some ball on the table started to miss cue and missed easy shots. A guy tells his girlfriend or wife I could beat that guy an he looks like he just got out of bed. Efren won. :wink:
 
I'm the opposite. I feel like I am unstoppable and completely in control when alone.
 
To some extent, but mainly because I practice shots i would not usually take in a competition or playing with someone else.
Trying new solutions to shots is a good thing i think. There might be situations where the standard way of executing a shoot, may not be the best way for tactical or practical reasons.
i see the pro`s do this all of the time, sometimes I dont understand why they do it right away, but after a few balls I see why they chose the less obvious shot ( and usually more difficult)
 
Haha. I know it sounds ridiculous but I feel I can't improve my game with a poor practice session.

:shakehead:


No such thing as a poor practice session. Making balls is not important.

Knowing why you missed balls is, and when you miss, watch where the balls go. This way you'll learn bank shots. Like those crazy three rail banks in the side and five rail banks in the corner. Plus the two rail and three rail on the cross side bank. Practice is never wasted.


As long as you spend time on a table, and have a stick in your hands and stroking, it is always good. Give it a couple years.

You need to learn the basics and practice the right stance and stroke.

Maybe you miss balls now, but eventually they will start falling over the little edge of the pocket.
 
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Actually, I'd be willing to wager that champion caliber players practice as well as they play in a "real match".

Thats my point, every "champion" player has to have been able to translate and maintain their "practice and/or practice game" speed or better, when in competition.


poor practice with no goal leads to reinforcing bad habits.... usually.
 
Thanks everyone.

Thanks pool guy, this gives me hope. And I think your correct. I've been playing on and off since I was a kid. I thought I was pretty good but I started to analyze my stance, stroke, grip and I was very inconsistent. I'm in the process of retraining my stroke so maybe I'm concentrating on that more than pocketing shots.

I also like the idea of keeping a log of practice sessions. That will help give me goals to accomplish instead of just moving balls around the table.

I'm going to keep at it and not get discouraged. I'm going to make a journal and set some goals. I'll let you all know about my progress.

Thanks for the tips.
 
This may sound funny, but does anyone else have the problem of playing bad by yourself but good when playing someone. It seems I can't really zone in when playing solo, but after a match or two with another player I get in that zone. Any advice for me?

It's is not really a problem, Practice is different then actual playing with an opponent. The worst thing you can do in practice is free wheel around making everything and thinking you can play like that in a match.
 
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