Being a slow starter.

pug1986

pug1986

Registered
One thing I've learned about my own game is that I often start slow. Not that I'm unable to overcome this in a lot of cases, but it's something I take into account. This isn't to say that it some indirect way it doesn't help my game. This has had a somewhat positive effect on my game in that I'm patient, at least in the beginning and if I do happen to miss will not get upset or thrown off by it. I know that it's just a matter of time before I get in gear, then I'm in business. This carries over into other areas, as I generally don't get too upset when I make a mistake and am able to rebound pretty well.
I realize that this is the case with many players, even some world class players. One that comes to mind is Alex Pagulayan who I've heard mention that he does start slow. Have any of you guys learned anything that works for you in dealing with this? Input is appreciated.
 
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pug1986 said:
One thing I've learned about my own game is that I often start slow. Not that I'm unable to overcome this in a lot of cases, but it's something I take into account. This isn't to say that it some indirect way it doesn't help my game. This has had a somewhat positive effect on my game in that I'm patient, at least in the beginning and if I do happen to miss will not get upset of thrown off by it. I know that it's just a matter of time before I get in gear, then I'm in business. This carries over into other areas, as I generally don't get too upset when I make a mistake and am able to rebound pretty well.
I realize that this is the case with many players, even some world class players. One that comes to mind is Alex Pagulayan who I've heard mention that he does start slow. Have any of you guys learned anything that works for you in dealing with this? Input is appreciated.
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What do you do in a tournament with shorter races? You can't start slow in them.
 
Before a match, spend at least 15 minutes shooting balls in. A shot that Bert Kinister said he would do before a tournament is setup a straight shot with the balls parallel to the rail, with the cueball 2 diamonds from one corner and the object ball 2 diamonds from the other. Then he'd play a medium-hard shot with a center ball to stun the ball in, and he wanted to "replace" the object ball with the cue ball, not just do a stop shot where the cueball is behind the location of the object ball. He said a few minutes of that gets him in stroke and pumped up. Just don't setup super tough shots and try to make those before a match, you may end up missing them and getting evil thoughts in your head about you not being good enough or wondering why you are missing.
 
I always show up at least an hour early to league or tournaments to ensure that I am in playing form. Tends to help me a lot.
 
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To the OP...The necessity for a replacement shot comes up rarely (perhaps as little as once in 100 games). The necessity for a perfect stop comes up in EVERY game. It is far more important to master a perfect stop shot (no draw, no follow, no right, no left), especially since it teaches you tangent line physics, as well. Spend 10% practicing the replacement shot...90% perfecting the stop shot, at all distances. It always amazes me the people that buy into the idea that the replacement shot is more important than a perfect stop shot...it's not.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

hang-the-9 said:
Before a match, spend at least 15 minutes shooting balls in. A shot that Bert Kinister said he would do before a tournament is setup a straight shot with the balls parallel to the rail, with the cueball 2 diamonds from one corner and the object ball 2 diamonds from the other. Then he'd play a medium-hard shot with a center ball to stun the ball in, and he wanted to "replace" the object ball with the cue ball, not just do a stop shot where the cueball is behind the location of the object ball. He said a few minutes of that gets him in stroke and pumped up. Just don't setup super tough shots and try to make those before a match, you may end up missing them and getting evil thoughts in your head about you not being good enough or wondering why you are missing.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
To the OP...The necessity for a replacement shot comes up rarely (perhaps as little as once in 100 games). The necessity for a perfect stop comes up in EVERY game. It is far more important to master a perfect stop shot (no draw, no follow, no right, no left), especially since it teaches you tangent line physics, as well. Spend 10% practicing the replacement shot...90% perfecting the stop shot, at all distances. It always amazes me the people that buy into the idea that the replacement shot is more important than a perfect stop shot...it's not.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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I did not mean to say it was important to learn that shot, just that is what Bert said he used to get in stoke for the match. This is about warming up before a game not practicing.

I can't even say that is what I do before a match because I'm 90% of the time with my son and if there is an open table or someone to practice with, he's the one doing it while I'm just sitting there waiting LOL
 
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...and all I'm saying is that the replacement shot is 50x more difficult that a perfect stop shot, and comes up almost never. You get "in stroke" before a match practicing shots you're comfortable with...not ones that you maybe can do 1 out of 10-20 tries. Might be what Bert does, but that doesn't make it the right thing for most players...at least in the situation being described.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

hang-the-9 said:
I did not mean to say it was important to learn that shot, just that is what Bert said he used to get in stoke for the match. This is about warming up before a game not practicing.

I can't even say that is what I do before a match because I'm 90% of the time with my son and if there is an open table or someone to practice with, he's the one doing it while I'm just sitting there waiting LOL
Click to expand...
 
pug1986 said:
One thing I've learned about my own game is that I often start slow. Not that I'm unable to overcome this in a lot of cases, but it's something I take into account. This isn't to say that it some indirect way it doesn't help my game. This has had a somewhat positive effect on my game in that I'm patient, at least in the beginning and if I do happen to miss will not get upset of thrown off by it. I know that it's just a matter of time before I get in gear, then I'm in business. This carries over into other areas, as I generally don't get too upset when I make a mistake and am able to rebound pretty well.
I realize that this is the case with many players, even some world class players. One that comes to mind is Alex Pagulayan who I've heard mention that he does start slow. Have any of you guys learned anything that works for you in dealing with this? Input is appreciated.
Click to expand...

This is a very common problem. Everybody gets nervous before a big match and it usually takes a few racks to get comfortable and settle down. I have been dealing with this myself and failing at it most of the time. I don't think this is something you can learn from others. You must face your mental demons on your own and find your own way to rise above the rest.

Like someone else said earlier, it's not a big deal if you're playing a 10 ahead set or something long term but if you are playing a race to 5 in nine ball you can't afford to give up and an early game.

I've been playing in an extremely tough monthly nine ball tournament in my area where I am lucky to even win a match. But I still donate my money each month because every time I play I get more and more comfortable at the table. It's not easy dealing with playing a monster in front of a big crowd and sometimes on camera. There are lot of things going through your head when you first approach the table. You can feel unconfident, nervous, shaky, anxious, feel peoples eyes watching you, etc. Plus most of the time you are not warmed up because they start the matches so quickly.

The only thing that will help you is experience. Every time you get out there and overcome those first game jitters you learn a little something about yourself that should help you the next time around.

Good luck, and I hope you learn to overcome!
 
Like was mentioned try getting some time to warm up before, this should help cut the time down. I would say pay close attention to what makes you able to overcome this at times, weather it's a mood or even when you ate, did you have a drink or get to socialize. I have a habit of documenting things so that i can refer to them later.
But as far as a recommendation, pick your sweetest shot that you know you can execute 99% of the times or a shot that requires a nice stroke that you can also execute with a high percentage, for me it's a slight angle cut shot. (OB about one diamond out from center pocket and CB on the same line about two diamonds back "so like the head string") and stroke that shot with stun, follow and draw. It builds confidence and positive reinforcement and get's me in stroke early.

give it a try, what you got to lose.
 
Scott Lee said:
...and all I'm saying is that the replacement shot is 50x more difficult that a perfect stop shot, and comes up almost never. You get "in stroke" before a match practicing shots you're comfortable with...not ones that you maybe can do 1 out of 10-20 tries. Might be what Bert does, but that doesn't make it the right thing for most players...at least in the situation being described.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...
The replacement shot is a fundamental shot that all players should learn IMO. They shouldn't spend any more time on it that the next but it comes up far more than 1 in 100. I use it frequently for cuts. Understanding how the replacement makes a difference to a cut shot and how it manipulates the tangent line is vital at playing at the top in games where the table can be cluttered. For new comers and those struggling I would suggest as you do to practice stop shots killing the cue ball dead but it will only take you so far. Eventually you need to spread your wings and start to master new kinds of shots.

To the OP...

Starting slow is a problem for most. I think there is a fine line between not enough practice and too much practice before a match. Once you find out what your ideal practice time and type of practice is before a match you will get out of the blocks like Usain Bolt. For me its a quick 5 mins of routine plain ball shots of all types and I'm good to go but I've met players that would need a couple of hours actual match practice before they found their feet. Turn up to a match an hour before and take note of when you really start hitting the ball well. Once you think your hitting the ball as good as you can then stop, wait until the match is about to start and hit a couple of simple shots before to get your confidence up. Then proceed to win the match :-)
 
I have always been a slow starter myself. some of my best pool has been played in the losers bracket when you just have to keep playing nonstop. For example I played in a tournament a couple months ago (last time I played in a tournament) and I lost my first set 5-3 to a decent player. got in the losers bracket won a couple sets and hit my stride. I came back and double dipped the guy who beat me my first set 5-1 and 5-0 to win the tourament
 
My problem is quite the contrary, I always play my best pool for the first 30-40 minutes from the start. From there on, the level of play constantly drops, reaching the bottom at the 2 hour mark. I think my hand gets tired or something, but it's annoying as hell :(
Any tips on how to fix this?
 
@pug1986: You may be a slow starter which is fine. Alot of people are. But don't ever just accept it and get complacent. The next time you play and get into your good gear, take note of how you're feeling (demeanor, tempo, emotional state, attitude, etc). If you can recognize it consciously, you might be able to duplicate it and get there sooner during new sessions. Most will agree our best gears come from the subconscious. You have to find a way to get there faster, and recognition is the first step.
 
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