Best way to work your way out of a rut?!?

[Anderson79]

So for the past 3 weeks I've been shooting the worst of pool of my life. I just don't feel comfortable with my stroke for some reason all of a sudden, no confidence in my shots or running racks, just getting aggravated when I'm missing shots or not seeing angles I usually always see. I'm not saying I can always run racks, not the case at all lol just usually shoot somewhat decent, but lately I just can't get the feeling like I do when I know I'm shooting well. So my question is, what are some ways you other players work out of this spurts? I have had them before but not for this long. I've tried just getting to a table and doing some drills, tried breaking and playing 8 ball on my own, concentrating and just shooting, however once I start missing a few easy shots I find myself getting a lot more aggravated than normal about not shooting well. I feel like I'm just trying to bash my way out of it, but not sure if there's an easier way to get past this I'm not thinking of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

 

[Eagleshot]

Sometimes when I play a lot (6 days a week for 2 months) it seems like I'm just going through the motions. Somedays I really wasn't interested in playing but that's all I did so...

I don't know how often you play but I would suggest taking a week or so away from the game. I think it helps you focus

 

[Anderson79]

Up until a few months ago I was playing like 4 days or nights a week, however with leagues ending I'm down to playing only 2 days or nights a week, not sure if the lack of shooting is what's catching up to me or not.

 

[Chip Roberson]

Best way to work yourself out of a rut--is to work yourself out of it,,,this game ain't easy except in your mind,,once it's easy there it becomes that way
Practice long straight in shots from corner to corner ,,stoping the ball,,following a few feet,,and drawing the ball back to the corner pocket and trying to scratch on the shots
then practice cuts ,,banks and combo's....do all that and then practice getting per going 3 and 4 rails---don't know a decent Golfer that doesn't hit the range from time to time to iron things out in his game--Pool is no different--always told myself the best way out of a rut was to work myself out of it--good luck with yours

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Take a few days off from pool. I don't mean cut back, I mean don't pick up a cue for awhile.
When you do play make sure you're getting enough sleep. A well rested pool player is more alert and can stay at the table longer.
Eat right. A poor diet, like poor sleeping habits, can effect stamina, focus, and mental acuity, as well as continuity.
Don't smoke. Smoking is harmful to children and other living things.
Don't drink adult beverages. Too much alcohol can result in a stolen cue. I've seen it happen.
Always use a crosswalk. More people are killed each year jaywalking than those that skydive.
Avoid loose women. I could write a book on this subject.
I hope I have been of some assistance here. If I can think of anything else I'll let you know. :smile:

 

[CreeDo]

One way is to understand that there's no such thing as a rut, unless you choose to pretend they exist. Which is sort of like pretending there's actual pool gods who steer shots in or out of the hole.

It's completely up to you, you can decide bad shots are just random things that sometimes happen and you can't control it for long periods of time... Or you can outgrow superstitious thinking and figure out what your real problem is.

Maybe you have a crooked stroke. Maybe the game you're playing bores you so you don't give it full care and attention. Maybe you wish you had better equipment or opponents.

There's always a reason and usually figuring it out just involves being brutally honest with yourself. "I keep losing cuz that guy is flat out better than me." ..."I missed because I have no idea how to aim this shot with spin"... "I'm not really controlling the cue ball or the table and most of my games are won and lost on luck."

Forget time off or extra sleep or trying to put more bran in your diet. Start with keeping track of the shots you missed, and practicing them to see if missing them is something you do a lot. If so, figure out why. It's usually a flaw in mechanics.


Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android

 

[shojingod]

The best way to work out of a rut is find a doe as early as possible.

 

[victorl]

When I start slumping, I always check 2 things.
First is to make sure, I'm cueing dead straight center. I have a tendency to hit slightly left on the cue ball without realizing it, and it's usually enough to throw the object ball out of the pocket.

Second is to go back and check my stance and setup, especially head and eye position. When I'm tired, my stance gets a little lazy and that also throws off my head, arm, and the way I see the shot line. I also like to practice by folding into the shot and then shooting without any practice strokes or adjustments to check if my initial alignment is correct or not.

Good luck!

 

[Scott Lee]

I agree with CreeDo...it's quite likely the OP has inconsistent fundamentals. A lesson with a qualified professional instructor (one who uses video analysis as part of their teaching) would help figure out the strong points and weak links in your stroke process...which will help you smooth out what you're doing that's causing you to miss. We can't fix what we don't know about...and we can't fix what we can't measure! Go see Denny Stewart at the Ohio Pool School, or PM me and I'll come to OH to work with you.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

One way is to understand that there's no such thing as a rut, unless you choose to pretend they exist. Which is sort of like pretending there's actual pool gods who steer shots in or out of the hole.

It's completely up to you, you can decide bad shots are just random things that sometimes happen and you can't control it for long periods of time... Or you can outgrow superstitious thinking and figure out what your real problem is.

Maybe you have a crooked stroke. Maybe the game you're playing bores you so you don't give it full care and attention. Maybe you wish you had better equipment or opponents.

There's always a reason and usually figuring it out just involves being brutally honest with yourself. "I keep losing cuz that guy is flat out better than me." ..."I missed because I have no idea how to aim this shot with spin"... "I'm not really controlling the cue ball or the table and most of my games are won and lost on luck."

Forget time off or extra sleep or trying to put more bran in your diet. Start with keeping track of the shots you missed, and practicing them to see if missing them is something you do a lot. If so, figure out why. It's usually a flaw in mechanics.


Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android

 

[FranCrimi]

When I'm in a playing rut I always start with my approach and stance. I find that if I'm getting down on the shot wrong, everything else goes wrong.

Besides the suggestion of taking a break, which does sometimes help, I would suggest that you start at the beginning with your approach and stance. It works for me.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

One way is to understand that there's no such thing as a rut, unless you choose to pretend they exist. Which is sort of like pretending there's actual pool gods who steer shots in or out of the hole.
It's completely up to you, you can decide bad shots are just random things that sometimes happen and you can't control it for long periods of time... Or you can outgrow superstitious thinking and figure out what your real problem is.
Maybe you have a crooked stroke. Maybe the game you're playing bores you so you don't give it full care and attention. Maybe you wish you had better equipment or opponents.
There's always a reason and usually figuring it out just involves being brutally honest with yourself. "I keep losing cuz that guy is flat out better than me." ..."I missed because I have no idea how to aim this shot with spin"... "I'm not really controlling the cue ball or the table and most of my games are won and lost on luck."
Forget time off or extra sleep or trying to put more bran in your diet. Start with keeping track of the shots you missed, and practicing them to see if missing them is something you do a lot. If so, figure out why. It's usually a flaw in mechanics.
Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android

I totally disagree. I think it's the loose women.

 

[cowhornz]

I too am for one of those who don't believe in a true "slump" in terms of pocketing balls, it was not always so though.

I used to start to shoot bad then believe it was a stump and it'll go away. Shooting bad is not a cold or flu, it is because your fundamentals/mechanics aren't correct ie. a straight stroke, and aiming.

I recommend shooting just straight shots to help discover your aim, and discover how you can create a straight stroke. While you practice these straight shots, and during games you'll probably get into a groove down the line and get into "the zone". Don't just celebrate in the zone, but while you're in it take a minute to step outside of yourself and analyze what your hand is doing, how your breathing is, what your line up is, elbow position, backswing, follow through.. analyze EVERYTHING that you think is enabling you to shoot straight and good; try articulate it and write it down.

Some of it maybe wrong so you go back to these notes and follow it, if you're shooting bad following those exact notes then change something in your stroke/aim until you feel good again and write that down.

When you start to shoot consistent and don't have to change anymore in your notes then that means you have discovered the way to aim and shoot straight for you. Practice to make it subconscious, and if you DO fall out of it, you can go back to your notes and try to make it click again.

 

[scratchs]

One way is to understand that there's no such thing as a rut, unless you choose to pretend they exist. Which is sort of like pretending there's actual pool gods who steer shots in or out of the hole.

It's completely up to you, you can decide bad shots are just random things that sometimes happen and you can't control it for long periods of time... Or you can outgrow superstitious thinking and figure out what your real problem is.

Maybe you have a crooked stroke. Maybe the game you're playing bores you so you don't give it full care and attention. Maybe you wish you had better equipment or opponents.

There's always a reason and usually figuring it out just involves being brutally honest with yourself. "I keep losing cuz that guy is flat out better than me." ..."I missed because I have no idea how to aim this shot with spin"... "I'm not really controlling the cue ball or the table and most of my games are won and lost on luck."

Forget time off or extra sleep or trying to put more bran in your diet. Start with keeping track of the shots you missed, and practicing them to see if missing them is something you do a lot. If so, figure out why. It's usually a flaw in mechanics.


Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android

NOPE...slumps are on going 24/7 in five to ten year at a time..then I'll run three balls..an I'm in the zone once again baby...lol.

On a serious note..I agree with you..

 

[Dunnn51]

I totally disagree. I think it's the loose women.

Dang, no wonder my shooting has been excellent lately.

 

[SloMoHolic]

I also agree with CreeDo here.

Something is wrong in your game. Find it and fix it.

I've had "ruts" before, too, but they always seem to end abruptly. Maybe I remember something I was taught, or suddenly recognize some old bad habit, then fix it. Other times, I have no idea what happened. I just suddenly started playing better.

The only other thing I will say is this:

Believing you're in a rut will keep you in a rut, even if the rut isn't real.

You are not in a rut.

Have fun and play pool.



-Blake

One way is to understand that there's no such thing as a rut, unless you choose to pretend they exist. Which is sort of like pretending there's actual pool gods who steer shots in or out of the hole.

It's completely up to you, you can decide bad shots are just random things that sometimes happen and you can't control it for long periods of time... Or you can outgrow superstitious thinking and figure out what your real problem is.

Maybe you have a crooked stroke. Maybe the game you're playing bores you so you don't give it full care and attention. Maybe you wish you had better equipment or opponents.

There's always a reason and usually figuring it out just involves being brutally honest with yourself. "I keep losing cuz that guy is flat out better than me." ..."I missed because I have no idea how to aim this shot with spin"... "I'm not really controlling the cue ball or the table and most of my games are won and lost on luck."

Forget time off or extra sleep or trying to put more bran in your diet. Start with keeping track of the shots you missed, and practicing them to see if missing them is something you do a lot. If so, figure out why. It's usually a flaw in mechanics.


Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android