Anyone else too hard on themselves when they miss?

[Matt]

So according to all of the "rate yourself" systems out there... I fall into the B+/A- category. And lately I have been playing the ghost in 10 ball ALOT. But it seems that in the last week or so, if I miss... I am getting really bent out of shape. Like I feel as if "a player at my level" should not miss...

I know however that this is not true... as im not an A, A+, AA, AAA etc... but why all of a sudden are my personal expectations of my game so high.

What can I do to get my mind right again?

If you're truly a B+/A- player, then playing the 10-ball ghost on anything but buckets is going to leave you frustrated more often than not, even more so when you're losing by just missing a fairly routine shot rather than getting out of line and missing a tough shot.

When I practice against the ghost, I like to start with the 7-ball or 9-ball ghost, depending on the table I'm playing on, and adjust the ghost based on whether I win or lose a race to 5. If it goes hill-hill, I'll stick with the same ghost, otherwise I'll go harder or easier.

 

[nineballsafety8]

If you're truly a B+/A- player, then playing the 10-ball ghost on anything but buckets is going to leave you frustrated more often than not, even more so when you're losing by just missing a fairly routine shot rather than getting out of line and missing a tough shot.

When I practice against the ghost, I like to start with the 7-ball or 9-ball ghost, depending on the table I'm playing on, and adjust the ghost based on whether I win or lose a race to 5. If it goes hill-hill, I'll stick with the same ghost, otherwise I'll go harder or easier.

I switched to 10 ball ghost, as I was playing 9 ball ghost with a magic rack... and figured the break out... it was getting rather simple. I was winner 6 or 7 out of ten in races to 7... without having to take ball in hand after the break (this is only true on my table though).

thats why I switched to 10 ball ghost

 

[CreeDo]

I literally had the worst APA nights ever last night. I had just came from a video game convention and had to take off early to make it to league. As captain I had to be there. I'm a 6, so it's pretty expected of me to be great, but that didn't happen. I played possibly the worst pool ever against a 5, who in reality should be at least a 6 (damn APA ranking system). I lost 4-0, and to make matters worse for me, I had to ghost the following match, because nobody else on my team shows up anymore. I played a 7, and lost 5-0. I beat myself up so hard that I literally called it quits. I'm done captaining a team who rarely shows up to play and I'm fed up with the APA and its ridiculous regulations.

PAX East? I bet that was fun.

You're right to expect teammates to show up.
But I think you just had a bad night and you're looking to blame other stuff like the handicapping system.
You lost 9 racks in a row. That's not the handicap, that's you playing below your ability.

But, if you're not having fun, then maybe league's not for you.
At the very least you need a more committed team.

 

[Matt]

I switched to 10 ball ghost, as I was playing 9 ball ghost with a magic rack... and figured the break out... it was getting rather simple. I was winner 6 or 7 out of ten in races to 7... without having to take ball in hand after the break (this is only true on my table though).

thats why I switched to 10 ball ghost

Gotcha. There is quite a gap between 9-ball and 10-ball, especially when you throw the magic rack into the equation. It sounds like you want to practice 10-ball, including the 10-ball break, but find a straight-up race against the ghost too frustrating. I suppose you could give yourself a spot until you work up to playing even. The ghost is a notoriously bad negotiator, so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting weight.

In any case, I think you'll be best off with a practice game that you win more often than not in order to stay positive. Maybe even mix it up with something else like straight pool practice. Playing the ghost by yourself can be really irritating is you have a couple racks in a row where you miss early and feel like you're just spending your time racking.

 

[fastone371]

I am certainly not an A player, not even sure that I am a B player but I still dont expect to miss if I have a shot at the ball. I get highly irritated at myself when I miss, especially if its an easy shot. For some reason no matter how unrealistic it may be I expect to run out almost every time I get to the table. I have done it before, have had many do it to me, so why shouldnt I run out when it is my turn.

 

[Slasher]

Q: did you plan on never missing ?

 

[stljohnny]

I have been really bad about getting too upset over a shot or more likely a series of shots. Usually just one miss per rack I can handle without even thinking about it. But if I miss/dog 2 or more easy shots in a few racks it starts to get under my skin. Beyond that it's all Earl-land.

In the last few months though, I've been a lot better at keeping myself in check. One of the things I've started doing is quickly discovering what I did wrong. Did I jump up, did I rush my pre-shot routine, did swing at the cueball, etc. As soon as I find the answer, I tell myself to not do that next time, then patiently wait for my next turn. Sometimes, I'll say this out loud (but not so loud my opponent hears me). Sometimes I'll say "That's just silly." - specifically that phrase; which also seems for some reason to help.

The usual comments about being negative all apply - as soon as you get down on yourself (You f'n dumba$$, how do you miss that?!) - it's all downhill.

I did read in Phil Cappelle's book A Mind for Pool that pool players showing too emotion is both a good thing and bad thing. The good: It demonstrates a pure passion for the game and an honest desire to improve. The bad: it will prevent you from improving.

I also just read a bit of Winning Ugly, where the author suggests that during a match is THE WORST time to analyze what's happening, good or bad. There's plenty of time to figure out the causes after the match. The suggestion is to simply turn your brain off completely, let your subconscious take over as it best knows what to do. It's also, in my opinion, very difficult to do when things are going poorly.

And I'll be happy to spar with ya some evening - as soon as I can solidify my schedule I'll txt ya. This week looks booked though.

 

[stljohnny]

I am certainly not an A player, not even sure that I am a B player but I still dont expect to miss if I have a shot at the ball. I get highly irritated at myself when I miss, especially if its an easy shot. For some reason no matter how unrealistic it may be I expect to run out almost every time I get to the table. I have done it before, have had many do it to me, so why shouldnt I run out when it is my turn.

Also - I have this exact mental process going on a lot of the time. I look at the layout of the table and say "I really should be out here." - even if it's a little tricky - because I SEE the out. I know where I have to get on each ball... so when I get out of line I fight (too hard) to get back in line, and there's the missed shot. Typically, for me, any shot that I miss is because I missed position at least one shot prior; which leads to more and more difficult shots. We all know this though. The simple ones we dog, I suspect is because we both a) take the shot for granted and b) focus on position before making the shot. How many times do we miss a "basic" shot and get dead-nuts perfect on the next ball?

 

[Black-Balled]

If ever two guys said about the same exact thing -- I think this is the case. :thumbup:

You must be a really smart guy or somethin'.

Smart assss. They are only one word apart.

And to the point of the thread: it is like getting mad at Mexican food. Shits gonna happen. Nothin you can do to stop it.

 

[fastone371]

Q: did you plan on never missing ?

That is basically the gist of it, no matter how unrealistic. You look at the layout and say I have one problem area but I can take care of it shooting this ball, then bingo, I should be out. Problem is, how it goes in my head it rarely goes on the table for some reason.

 

[center pocket]

My advice: in practice be hard on yourself and practice to death the shot you missed; in competition you have to accept your mistakes so that your confidence doesn't falter, dwelling on them during competition will guarantee even worse mistakes

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Slasher]

You look at the layout and say I have one problem area but I can take care of it shooting this ball, then bingo, I should be out.

There in lies your problem, your focus is on the wrong thing.
Stay in the present, focus on the task at hand which is making the ball on and getting on the next ball, one ball at a time :thumbup:

 

[stljohnny]

There in lies your problem, your focus is on the wrong thing.
Stay in the present, focus on the task at hand which is making the ball on and getting on the next ball, one ball at a time :thumbup:

I kinda disagree. You absolutely HAVE to plan the rack, and the quoted line is crucial to doing that. However, once you have formed a plan, THEN you do exactly as you said: Stay in the present, focus on the shot at hand.

 

[Slasher]

I kinda disagree. You absolutely HAVE to plan the rack, and the quoted line is crucial to doing that. However, once you have formed a plan, THEN you do exactly as you said: Stay in the present, focus on the shot at hand.

I was referring to him thinking "Im out" that is fatal :smile:
3 shots is plenty planning.

 

[xplor]

A miss hit is a soft failure . The brain was not able to execute the shot your mind had planned. Get a small notebook to diagram the shots you miss and then practice them.

 

[Snuden]

I have the same "problem" every time I see an open table I think, I am out for SURE!
Now I have quit playing matches for a while and focus on practice.

Practicing harder shots/patterns will quickly make you realize that you are not as good as you thought.

I surely expect to run out every single time I return to the match table