bad playing

[Jimbojim]

I don't get frustrated because those "I play good and play bad" nights don't come up often. I mostly play at my full capabilities. I don't mind missing shots that, I knew, were really hard. I don't mind losing against a good player (who loves to lose in 9-ball and the opponent just rams into the ball and surprinsingly the 9 floats toward the pocket?)

I like what another poster said: What affects the "switch" for good and bad playing in the same night?

 

[rackem]

Hey Jeff...

I just recently bought one of your curly maple cues. It's a terrific cue. I bought it as a gift to my girlfriend and she loves it. I actually love the hit myself... looks like a million bucks as well.

Yea, I know I was worried it might have been that one you were playing with and I was going to have to explain that there is no warranty against operator error. I am glad you like it. The cool thing to do is post the Kudoos on the original thread. Thanks and keep strokin.

 

[RiverCity]

Most everyone who has a grasp on position has or has the ability to run out. The trick is getting the mind to agree with the muscle memory. Its like this, set up a simple shot and shoot it over and over telling yourself this is an easy shot, I will make this shot. Set it up again, but this time think about missing it, think about having to get a tough position out of it. Tell yourself I cant make this shot. Chances are good you will miss it when you try it under those circumstances.
Pool is physical (the muscle memory for speed and stroke straightness), and mental (aiming and applying logic to the shot at hand).
Take either away, and the game becomes extra difficult. When someone is off, the first suggestion is to focus on fundamentals. Not bad advice, I think the most important thing though is just to focus.
How many of you get to hit with someones new cue, and you shoot really well with it? Why? Probably because the mind is focusing more at that time (wanting to look good etc). When we settle into a routine, things become humdrum, its easier to lose focus.
Dont forget though, everyone has been there. Just keep a positive attitude, and competitive spirit going, and your slumps wont seem as bad.
Anyway, enough rambling.
Chuck

 

[Craig Fales]

When I feel my game starting to slip I slow down...look shots over that I normally would just walk up to and fire in...that usually controls the bad play and allows me to get the job done....
________

 

[phjunky]

I used to say that i had good days and bad days. Untill one time, one night i played very bad, i totally sucked. I was affraid 'cause the day after i was supposed to go into a little local tournement (organized by the local poolhall). The next morning, the day of the tournement, i said to myself : I cannot use "i'm playing in a bad moment now, i got a bad day for pool" as an excuse to lose. So I only decided to stop saying such stuff. I said to myself : "ok, maybe you're not as good as you'd wish you were, don't forget you're just a beginner". Even if I say to my opponent : i suck today, well the guy doesn't care about it. Strangely, on the evening, i played much better than the day before. I still think that some days i play better than others (and i feel quite reassured to see that it happens to mostly every pool player). I also sometime get a bad attitude missing my shots, i sometime get mad, but i stopped saying that i have good and bad days. On the other hand, i know I have to work on my attitude, i'm sure i'll get better when i'll stop getting mad about missing shots.

 

[unknownpro]

You've got to just keep playing, keep trying, and not give up.

The first tournament I played in was a pretty big one at JOB Billiards in Nashville. I was so nervous...I couldn't see straight, much less shoot straight (I think I was 16 at the time). It was really disheartening.

The funny thing was, the first player I drew was the best player in the tournament. In the first game he broke, rank 4 balls and hooked me behind the 7. I got up...studied the table like I knew what I was doing (please keep in mind a lot of people were sweating this match because of HIM, not me...LOL) and executed a perfect kick to make the 6. I pocketed the seven and due to my poor position play (which was common) hooked myself on the 8 (behind the 9 as they say). I carefully studied the table...beautifully kicked in the 8, leaving perfect position on the 9. Pocketed the 9...game 1 goes to me. The crowd thought I was some kind of champion for about 3 seconds. 20 minutes later, I lost the match 7-1. LOL. I lost my second match as well (just as nervous).

I didn't give up. Just kept practicing, playing, competing....and eventually you learn how to win. I swear a lot of it is self-confidence and once you feel like you're supposed to win...a great majority of the time you do.

Just step up to the table. Have a gameplan in your mind of how you want to run out the table (or the next few balls...depending on how many balls you think ahead) and try to not to think of anything else. Tell yourself that you've done it before and you KNOW you can do execute. A lot of it is just being confident and positive.

I know after that first tournament I never thought I would be able to beat anyone....but I stuck with it.

Try to look at every loss or poor day of play as a learning experience and see what you can to do improve.

Are you doing your pre-shot routine consistently in competition and practice?

Are you lining up properly everytime and not getting lazy on this?

Are you staying down after every shot and not jumping up?

These little things make ALL of the difference in championship play. Learning how to aim/pocket balls is the easy part. It is the little things that seperate the champions from the novice players. They do all of the right things, the majority of the time.

I hope this helps some. Pool can be so cruel somedays and so wonderful the next. I loved Colin's comments on the subject. He hit the nail on the head.

I feel for you Matt!
I've played at JOB's tournaments several times. I had Scotty Townsend down 10-7 once, and hooked, he kicked two rails and shit in a ball and ran out the set to 11 of course, so I lose. Gotta love those bar tables with Somoniz 760!!!

unknownpro