Bad Nights...
- Thread starter MJR77
- Start date
had a horrible night in league on Monday, first time I had lost in over two months. Just dropped some f bombs and got drunk
I know I've had bad nights in the past and usually did the normal *****ing, about how bad I played and/or how lucky my opponent was.
I vowed to quit and never come back. Thought about all the time I've wasted in my life playing this stupid game and thinking how it has punished me for my time and effort.
Second place sucks. Last place sucks. Two and out Sucks. In fact the game of pool SUCKS...
But, I've always come back and now after 35 or so years, I can't remember feeling that bad about the game since that night.
I vowed to quit and never come back. Thought about all the time I've wasted in my life playing this stupid game and thinking how it has punished me for my time and effort.
Second place sucks. Last place sucks. Two and out Sucks. In fact the game of pool SUCKS...
But, I've always come back and now after 35 or so years, I can't remember feeling that bad about the game since that night.
I focus on this shot
I focus on the one shot in front of me and where I want the cue ball afterwards. I pour attention into that shot like it is the money ball for big bucks. Then I do the same thing to the next shot and the next one, ignoring the game, match, and opponent. When the balls start dropping I loosen up and play my normal game. Of course if this fails, then I go to the bar and drink beer, lots of beer. A well lubricated elbow can cure a faulty stroke, if not, I don't care when I am well lubricated!
Hu
MJR77 said:
I focus on the one shot in front of me and where I want the cue ball afterwards. I pour attention into that shot like it is the money ball for big bucks. Then I do the same thing to the next shot and the next one, ignoring the game, match, and opponent. When the balls start dropping I loosen up and play my normal game. Of course if this fails, then I go to the bar and drink beer, lots of beer. A well lubricated elbow can cure a faulty stroke, if not, I don't care when I am well lubricated!
Hu
If you are going thru a period of "struggling", you might try just setting up easy shots and shoot lots of them over & over at various reasonable speeds & be sure to put a good stroke on them. DON'T overdo it & DON'T just start slappin' at 'em. Inundating yourself with failure won't do anything but erode your confidence. Much better to let your "machine" have a chance to re-calibrate by seeing & feeling success.
I've seen people thru the years before league matches or tournaments shooting inordinantly difficult shots or setting up way off angle banks & basically spending their time warming up to failure. They may make a tv shot or two along the way, but when the time comes to shoot something difficult for real, there's no fooling your hands & your mind about the percentage of success you offered them beforehand. Much better to practice putting a good stroke on your decision since, in the end, that's really the most you can do anyway.
I've seen people thru the years before league matches or tournaments shooting inordinantly difficult shots or setting up way off angle banks & basically spending their time warming up to failure. They may make a tv shot or two along the way, but when the time comes to shoot something difficult for real, there's no fooling your hands & your mind about the percentage of success you offered them beforehand. Much better to practice putting a good stroke on your decision since, in the end, that's really the most you can do anyway.
I had a bad night last night practicing. I haven't been getting out and playing on a regular basis, about twice a week, but decided to hit some balls with a much better player. I couldn't run 2 balls in a row with ball in hand. I kept getting out of line and rattling shots. I was getting so mad and it is very rare for me to get mad to begin with, for any reason.
So, I hit up the jukebox and played the most mellow tunes that I like...nothing post 1985. I then tried to relax and keep in mind that I created this situation for myself. I haven't been playing as often as I should to keep my game on top. I took some of the pressure off playing a better play and tried to be happy with what I was doing right when I made a mistake. I tried to focus on each shot as I went. By the end of the night, I wasn't playing like a champion, but I was pocketing more balls and getting better shape.
So, I hit up the jukebox and played the most mellow tunes that I like...nothing post 1985. I then tried to relax and keep in mind that I created this situation for myself. I haven't been playing as often as I should to keep my game on top. I took some of the pressure off playing a better play and tried to be happy with what I was doing right when I made a mistake. I tried to focus on each shot as I went. By the end of the night, I wasn't playing like a champion, but I was pocketing more balls and getting better shape.
If I am having a bad night during league I like to do what they call "changing gears" in poker. Basically I will try to play as much defense as I can instead of potting balls. It works sometimes.
MJR77 said:
Bad nights are gonna happen....I recognize it for what it is, try to make the best of it, and focus on what I can control.....if it just stays bad all night, well then I say some internal f bombs and just let it be....the next time will be better, let it go....
If I am gambling (pool, poker, whatever), I do not chase my money....if I get down the amount I had planned to gamble, I quit.....period....chasing your money rarely, if ever, works out....
Pool is all about "focus, focus, focus," ( at least thats what Tom Rossman told me). your focus can be (is) greatly affected by your attitude. You want to keep close watch on those 2 things, and make sure there were they need to be. Once your head comes away from your shoulders its all over.
I have a few shots I like to shoot, when things start to get out of line I'll find a table and fire away at these. 2 are basic 2 are for fun...
Make sure you know why things are not going good, if its because the first 2 things I mentioned then you need too put yourself in check. If its because your being out played then you better be learning somthing. If its the rolls, well thats the way it goes somtimes...
Losing 5-0 too sombody you think you should beat 5-0 sounds like you dont know his, or your true speeed, or its a focus problem.
I have a few shots I like to shoot, when things start to get out of line I'll find a table and fire away at these. 2 are basic 2 are for fun...
Make sure you know why things are not going good, if its because the first 2 things I mentioned then you need too put yourself in check. If its because your being out played then you better be learning somthing. If its the rolls, well thats the way it goes somtimes...
Losing 5-0 too sombody you think you should beat 5-0 sounds like you dont know his, or your true speeed, or its a focus problem.
Had a bad night a couple of weeks ago. Just got slapped around and crushed like I haven't for a long time. I just played like CRAP! Can deal with getting beat when the other guy was just better on that night. Anyway, the top of my head was coming off and I had steam shooting out my ears. So, I did something that probably every pushing 60 year old mature adult would do. I went out into the parking lot, took a two handed, over the head smash with my hard oval case on my car trunk and put a major dent in it. Saw my buddy the body shop guy, and said "So, hey...how much will this cost to get fixed?" He said he could probably fix it for $500....
Bob
Bob
Neil said:
I agree with this too, keep your fundamentals part of your practice regardless of how hell you play. I find myself in a strange cycle. The better I play the less I practice my fundamentals and the more aggressive I get, till I crash. Back to the basics and repeat. You are always going to have bad nights but when you stop bringing them on to yourself those bad nights don't stick with you.
Good Luck!