bad playing
- Thread starter Jimbojim
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I had the same exact experience tonight! This was probably my worst night since I started playing seriously, albeit this hasn't been very long, maybe about a year.
It's one of the most frustrating experiences ever. Balls just tend to hit off the bumpers differently, the speed on cueball placements always seems to be a couple inches off. I'm getting worked up just thinking about it!
Funny thing was I ran 3 8-ball racks in a row to start the night, then before you know it, I miscued on 2 straight breaks, no amount of chalk could cure it.
It's one of the most frustrating experiences ever. Balls just tend to hit off the bumpers differently, the speed on cueball placements always seems to be a couple inches off. I'm getting worked up just thinking about it!
Funny thing was I ran 3 8-ball racks in a row to start the night, then before you know it, I miscued on 2 straight breaks, no amount of chalk could cure it.
Yes.. I am playing like a complete retard lately, and I was playing my best 2 weeks ago. It's called real life getting in the way of pool. When you are able to think pool 24 hrs a day, you can put building blocks together. When you have too many things going on at once, you can't play at a high level consistently. Coming out of winter, I suspect there are a few people on this forum who are experiencing the same thing. Work!
Alignment
Ah! 2 miscues in a row. I guess you were not delivering the cue as precisely as you thought. Suggestion take a little off the break! It is your first chance to control the table. Otherwise check your alignment when things go haywire you will usually fine your stroke is also.
m0rn said:
Ah! 2 miscues in a row. I guess you were not delivering the cue as precisely as you thought. Suggestion take a little off the break! It is your first chance to control the table. Otherwise check your alignment when things go haywire you will usually fine your stroke is also.
I don't know, I kinda got in a fight with my roommate recently and that has been on my mind. Maybe that had an effect or something. I don't have the skills yet to run 3 racks of 8-ball but I mainly play 9-ball and I have an average of sinking 5 balls in a row(in 9-ball that is, if I do racks of 15 balls just nicely spread out, I can do a lot more)sometimes I clear the table if there aren't any clusters or the balls arent awkardly positionned.
But when I started the tournament(friendly tournament organized by Danny Hewitt) I was playing good but when the tournament came to an end, I was playing a race to 7 with someone and heck, I could miss 3 shots in a row....the balls roll funny sometimes or my aim was way off.
But when I started the tournament(friendly tournament organized by Danny Hewitt) I was playing good but when the tournament came to an end, I was playing a race to 7 with someone and heck, I could miss 3 shots in a row....the balls roll funny sometimes or my aim was way off.
This is the story of my life!!! My play changes from running tables to missing every single shot. I can perform those miracle transformation within minutes. This is extremely frustrating. I had this same experience today and yesterday as well.
Today I cured myself by changing shafts. It was amazing and bizarre how fast the change happened. Twenty minutes with a 50-50 chance of sinking something.
Switched from shaft A to B and instantaneously run a table! After 10 minutes with shaft B switch to A there was a huge improvement but B still felt better.
I can shoot again, well for now anyway.
Today I cured myself by changing shafts. It was amazing and bizarre how fast the change happened. Twenty minutes with a 50-50 chance of sinking something.
Switched from shaft A to B and instantaneously run a table! After 10 minutes with shaft B switch to A there was a huge improvement but B still felt better.
I can shoot again, well for now anyway.
Jimbojim said:
Way too often. Someone once told me the difference between a pro and a very good amateur is that a pro does not let anything (mood, illness, tiredness, whatever) stand in the way of a credible performance.
In fact, I'm always cycling through very good / very bad periods of play... My cycles seem to go on for multiple weeks. I have been playing horse&^* for about three weeks now. Last night, during a straight pool match, I was down 40 balls in a race to 100 when it suddenly reversed (!) and I started playing well again. I came back and won, then played league 8-ball and won that handily against a tough opponent. Hopefully I'll be "on" again here for a while.
What i'd really like to know is why this happens - what is the trigger to suddenly being "off" for a few weeks, then back "on" for a few weeks, etc. - ?
Yes I have this sickness - Im not sure what its called but. When Im playing with my partner, I can break and run or at LEAST play well. When I do drills I can get done what needs to be done. When I play for $$ or in a tournament I turn into a complete dumb a$$. I have no stroke - guess about position - dont think ahead - and Im not really nervous - I dont know if I feel like I have to prove myself and then cant or what - but it aint pretty. Then I can go back to a table alone and hit em just fine.
*** DONT KNOW HOW TO WIN ****
*** DONT KNOW HOW TO WIN ****
I don't think that I really see a decline in my game when I get to the end of a tourney. If I am shooting well at the start I usually have the same stroke at the end. My problem is if I show up at the tourney and I am playing badly (missing shots usually due to bad mechanics or stance) I end up trying to figure out what I am doing. I alter my normal fluid setup. Then it usually goes from bad to worse. Thinking "what am I doing", "How'd I miss that one", then change arm angle, change stance, etc. I figure it will only get worse and put my good playing cue away, cause who knows when that last missed shot will cause a ding in the shaft or butt from abusing the cue. Sometimes the mind and body are not in sync, its getting them righted together quicker is what ends those slumps.
Such is the lesson of pool and all things in life.
Whenever you think you've broken in a horse, and get complacent or cocky about it, the damn thing bucks you off
The game is a harsh mistress and will let us know who the boss is from time to time
Whenever you think you've broken in a horse, and get complacent or cocky about it, the damn thing bucks you off
The game is a harsh mistress and will let us know who the boss is from time to time
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.
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 only started playing again last summer and my ups and downs are getting fewer. Last summer and into fall I would play great one night and bad another, now I play well most of the time with the occasional bad night. As I have pointed out before on this forum the only thing I can figure out on those bad nights is the mood I am in when I get to the pool room. When those bad nights pop up I do one of two things, 1) I stop over thinking the game and let my stroke come more naturally, 2) I take several days off. Usually option one stops the downward slide, if option one fails option two always works because I can't wait to get back to the table after about three days away. Anyway, since December I can't remember more then one bad night in a row followed by several good nights.
BK
BK
I think it's important to recognize when you're game is starting to slip. When you're more concious of it, you have the oportunity to slow down and focus on your pre-shot routine and the task at hand.
If at all possible I'll take a break between matches or what ever, go out side for some fresh air and clear my head. I find if you get frustrated over it, you're more than likely going to continue to play poorly and worse, it could carry over to the next time you have to go out and play.
By taking a break, you're taking a positive step to change directions before frustration sets in and you in turn end up keeping you're confidence intact.
If at all possible I'll take a break between matches or what ever, go out side for some fresh air and clear my head. I find if you get frustrated over it, you're more than likely going to continue to play poorly and worse, it could carry over to the next time you have to go out and play.
By taking a break, you're taking a positive step to change directions before frustration sets in and you in turn end up keeping you're confidence intact.
One of the most helpful ideas I came across was this:
Many times I will be playing in a situation in which I am an overwhelming favorite. I play in the APA a lot, and given the handicap system, I should pretty much win all the time. This is because there just are not that many strong B players in my area of the APA. Also, I have played in occasional tournaments consisting of mostly bar bangers, with a few C-player type APA players. I should walk away with that tourney.
If you have been reading carefully, you might have already noticed the problem. The problem is EXPECTATION. Do not go into a competetive situation with a certain expectation of how it will turn out. For example: "I'm better than this guy-I should win", or "I've been playing lights out-I'm gonna have a great match" or even more damaging and common "I should have made that shot". Instead, throw this junk out and enter a competition with more of a QUESTIONING attitude. For example: "well, I guess I will find out how good I play.", or "I wonder how this will go", or "Let's see if I can make that shot I missed before this time".
When I play in open tournaments, sometimes I have the attitude of "well, I'm probably going 0-2, but lets see what I can do" The last time I did that I finished 7th in a field of 55, knocking out one of the best open players in the process. When I went back to the same event, I'm telling myself "I'm better than I thought. Maybe I can hang with these guys-I should do pretty well." I went 1-2. Funny the way that works. Sometimes you have to lie to yourself. Your brain might be dying to say "You f-ing moron!! What the hell were you thinking there." It takes tremendous mental capability to say "Hmm..obviously I did xyz wrong, lets see how it goes on my next turn".
I guess the point for me is to try hard and eliminate any expectations. All they do is raise the pressure to perform.
KMRUNOUT
Many times I will be playing in a situation in which I am an overwhelming favorite. I play in the APA a lot, and given the handicap system, I should pretty much win all the time. This is because there just are not that many strong B players in my area of the APA. Also, I have played in occasional tournaments consisting of mostly bar bangers, with a few C-player type APA players. I should walk away with that tourney.
If you have been reading carefully, you might have already noticed the problem. The problem is EXPECTATION. Do not go into a competetive situation with a certain expectation of how it will turn out. For example: "I'm better than this guy-I should win", or "I've been playing lights out-I'm gonna have a great match" or even more damaging and common "I should have made that shot". Instead, throw this junk out and enter a competition with more of a QUESTIONING attitude. For example: "well, I guess I will find out how good I play.", or "I wonder how this will go", or "Let's see if I can make that shot I missed before this time".
When I play in open tournaments, sometimes I have the attitude of "well, I'm probably going 0-2, but lets see what I can do" The last time I did that I finished 7th in a field of 55, knocking out one of the best open players in the process. When I went back to the same event, I'm telling myself "I'm better than I thought. Maybe I can hang with these guys-I should do pretty well." I went 1-2. Funny the way that works. Sometimes you have to lie to yourself. Your brain might be dying to say "You f-ing moron!! What the hell were you thinking there." It takes tremendous mental capability to say "Hmm..obviously I did xyz wrong, lets see how it goes on my next turn".
I guess the point for me is to try hard and eliminate any expectations. All they do is raise the pressure to perform.
KMRUNOUT
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There has been a lot of good stuff written in this tread. I could not agree more with your statements. Being in owe of the game and trying to discover something neat about it is the best way to go. The questioning approach works! If you think you know the outcome you are probably for a big surprise.
The biggest mistake one can make is to think about money or upcoming victory/defeat or our own status and ranking. All those things dull the sense and are a distraction from the task at hand, those things affect your subconscious and have negative influence on your performance. When I play my best I think of nothing outside that table the rest of the hall/opponent don’t exist.
The important part is enjoying the process/journey and not the final destination.
The biggest mistake one can make is to think about money or upcoming victory/defeat or our own status and ranking. All those things dull the sense and are a distraction from the task at hand, those things affect your subconscious and have negative influence on your performance. When I play my best I think of nothing outside that table the rest of the hall/opponent don’t exist.
The important part is enjoying the process/journey and not the final destination.
That can be a big part of it for me. If I really dont like that guy I am playing, I usually want to beat his a$$ so bad on the table that all I think about it playing HIM and not pool and end up sharking myself.