Can't Improve. Should I quit?

Play and enjoy it.. remember why you are reading and trying new things... its fun.

Most of us pool fanatics look like we hate the game but we are intrigued by it and have a sick sick sick desire to play.

Besides you cant quit.. we need you avatar around
 
I never learned good fundamentals from the beginning, it took me years to finally wake up and take a lesson and my game improved. Once you have the fundamentals down, then you can focus on your aiming and concentrating.

My biggest flaw and i found it by accident, was dropping my elbow. Now i have corrected that and im playing better than i ever have before, not that im not a bum but im a slightly better playing bum !

Also i think people, myself included, take aiming and concentration for granted. This game takes a tremendous amount of concentration to play well and when you dont give it 100 %, you wind up racking the balls for your opponent.
Its those easy shots i blow that drive me up a wall and make me want to make a harpoon out of my cue at times, but i know right away that i didnt give it 100% and you must do that.

Sorry if i rambled, but i hope i said something here that makes sense and helps.
 
Everyone is different I guess. I played for almost 20 years and was a good player. I felt like I was getting worse instead of better until a friend gave me the 16 critical shots and opened up the game to me. Now I do them religiously every day. I will say I do target pool also on and off. I get to a point where I'm trying to hard to force the ball on the target and that transfers over to my game so I give it up for a while. Maybe your trying to hard and not just letting go. I also like to start out playing by throwing the balls on the table and running them off. That's where I focus on my fundamentals. Is my pre shot routine correct..am I stepping into my shot. Is my stroke nice and smooth and following through..am I staring down that ball until I watch it disappear into the pocket. After that I know my fundamentals are correct I forget about them. To play run out pool all you can focus on is making that ball go in the pocket and that cue ball go to the spot you need it to. Nothing else! and then mentally wiping out that last shot in your mind like a chalk board and starting over. There's no room in your mind for worrying about fundamentals or winning and losing when your trying to run out.
The only other thing I can ask is do you have a pre shot routine? If not get one. For me it fools my mind into believing if I do these things in order I'll get the results I'm looking for .
It amazes me how much effort I've put into this game just for the sheer enjoyment of it lol But I don't care if I couldn't put 3 balls together I'll never stop playing. This game is to engrained into my d.n.a
 
When I first started playing and learning to play I just hit balls, but then got more into it and started the reading material etc. that stuff to me is just a gimmick for the most part. The only book that actually taught me anything was a 3 cushion book that was really old couldn't tell ya the name of it.
Playing a lot is what you need to do. Forget all the things you read in the books and practice, alone till you can't stand. Any shot I miss or am having trouble with I take all the balls and make myself shoot (and make) 15 times. Sometimes more.

That's my advice. I know you don't gamble but that is what helped a ton with my game in all aspects. You miss a shot for the money it sticks out in your head and you practice practice practice. It builds your nerves up, confidence (if you win that is).

Just hit balls. That's all I got.
 
CurvedCue said:
I recently took up pool again after a long hiatus and find myself not only much worse than I ever was, but also unable to improve, even marginally, despite hours of practice.

I joined an APA league, but am getting annihilated every week and by guys whose stance, bridge, fundamentals, etc, look god-awful, but who NEVER miss. Meanwhile, I'm OCS about that stuff, but can't make a shot.

I practice drills, I read books, I take lessons. Nothing seems to help. Only seems to further my overall sense of mass confusion. For example, I understand the basic concepts of Stun, Follow, Draw, Tangent Lines, 30-degree Rule, etc, but when I come up to the table that all goes right out the window and I only see a morass of unbelievable complexity and soul-crushing chaos. (Excuse the hyperbolic lingo). For example, my estimation of the tangent line is often off by 40-50 degrees!

And when I try to practice the diagrammed drills in books, I can't recreate the shots. For example, there's a "simple" draw cut shot in 99 Critical Shots, but every time I do it, the cue ball NEVER follows the path as shown in the book, but diverges in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT path. This is despite trying up to a 100 times! :angry:

So are there people who simply should not be playing pool? Just as there are midgets who shouldn't be playing basketball? Am I too geometrically-challenged?
I did flunk geometry in high school, btw. :(

I just want an honest appraisal. That way I won't expect anything more of myself, and try to accept that I'm genetically handicapped in regards to this game.
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No, you're not handicapped and you can learn to play decent pool, have no doubt. I'm not sure where the problem lies exactly but I have a few ideas. Maybe you should put aside all the theory, stances and drills you've been working on for some time and start all over again. I think you got all too seriously into the game before you even became psychologically comfortable with pool itself. You seem to pay attention to every inch of your body, from your stance to the way you hold the cue, and forget to focus on actually pocketing the balls. Go to a bar or a pool hall and play just for fun with friends or other average casual players. Do your best to win, but keep it calm and enjoy every moment. Play like a banger and focus simply on making the balls, don't bother with pro stance. Spend some time developing your instincts. Let your body and your subconsciousness get used to the feeling of playing simple pool, without all the stress and pressure of a competition. Consider this period like a therapy to reduce your anxiety and rigidness when playing more serious matches. After that, go back to the stances, drills and all the advanced stuff. Practise them in a relaxed environenment with friends first, then, when you feel ready, go back into the APA and teack your opponents the meaning of pain :D

P.S. Keep reading books, but don't believe everything they say. The best way to actually learn the useful stuff is from watching and playing others, asking them for advice, and, above all, learning simply from your personal experience :)
 
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Can't Improve.Should I quit.

There are a lot of people, including myself, that are right handed and have a left eye dominate. When I was younger I was right eye dominate but as I aged Presbyopia impacted my ability to find my contact point and hit it repeatedly. Once I found that my root cause was only my eyes strength, I learned how to position my head in a manner that helped me get closer to directly over the pool stick. I developed what I call swing thoughts to keep me practicing the same set up and in short order my contact point where I was aiming became the same point that I was consistently hitting.
From there it was much easier to trust my stroke and develop a straight and repeatable stroke. Then over another interval, after becoming even more confident and comfortable at the table, I was able to hone the stroke and become more powerful. This also will help you develop a softer touch and better feel to navigate the rock exactly as you plan.
One other quick pointer, before you place your hand on the table, walk around the table and let your eye see exactly where you want the cue ball to go and the perfect contact point you want to hit on the object ball.
Our minds and eyes cannot adjust our aims if we have not given ourselves the picture to work off of. Sounds corny but this approach will solidify all of your thoughts and help you play with additional confidence.
Remember even if you miss, take the time to set it up again and again until you have mastered that shot. By doing this, you will build even more confidence and your mind will be saving all of the images of how you know the shot has to be hit.
Sorry to babble on and on. After all of that, would it be safe to say, I am a serious student of the game. The game is more interesting every day. I like to play em all.
Best of Luck!!! Never Never give up!!!
 
I get onto funks where I feel I can't make a ball. Back to fundamentals for me.... Over think it too much
 
It sounds to me that your problem isn't with the physical characteristics of the game, but rather the psychological. You aren't mentally prepared to play and you are lacking confidence as evidenced by your comment "when I come up to the table that all goes right out the window and I only see a morass of unbelievable complexity and soul-crushing chaos." Continue to work at it and develop your mental game. I suggest reading Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect. It may very well be the best pool book written. The Mental Game of Tennis is also a great read for the pool enthusiast. As for your confidence, the only way to gain that is through repetition and positive reenforcement. At this point, I would not cloud your head with any new aiming techniques. Some lessons with a professional player or qualified instructor may be in order to get your fundamentals back in line so you have a foundation to build from. How's your pre shot routine? Solid? The same every time without even thinking about it? Like you, I took a 15 year hiatus and was frustrated when I started to play again. Prior to stopping, I was and APA 9+ in 9B and 7+ in 8B and a very strong "open" player at local tourneys. For the first year I capped out at a 6 in 9B and 5 in 8B and got hammered in just about every event I entered. I continued to work at it, took lessons from Corey Harper and read as much as I could on the mental approach. I also watched countless hours of professional play online and in person. You'd be amazed how much that alone helps your game. Now, another year later, I'm back to my original speed, maybe a little better. My pre shot routine is solid and I am confident every time I step to the table and truly believe I will get out. I am among the top players in our local APA and I am cashing in local weekly tourneys and finished 7th in TadCup at Hard Times (96 Player Field). Don't give up! You just gotta put the time and effort in; there's no shortcuts. It's frustrating now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
 
Ron Swanson said:
Beginner?

..
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Yes, Tim, I still consider myself a beginner.

There is so much that I do not know. There is so much more for me to learn so far as technique, and mechanics, not to mention choosing the correct type of shot for any given situation.

I've been playing about four years now, though just a few hours at a time, a couple days a week, which is a drop in the bucket. I won't consider myself anything other than a beginner any time soon.

Too much left to learn, and to master.

I like to comment in these types of threads to give others the perspective from a beginner. I read a lot (not just here) and study as much as I can, since I can't spend that time actually on a table. So I understand the concepts, to a degree, but can relate to how it applies to a beginner.

The OP will get there, if he sticks with it.
 
If there is a level below beginner then I'm that. Pre-beginner? :eek:

Rexus, you mentioned watching a lot of youtube vids of pros playing helped. How so? I watch a lot myself and, while it's pretty exciting to see them pull off such impressive shots, it's not like you're being shown how to do them yourself. It's almost like watching pro basketball players playing incredibly but then going out on a public court and failing to replicate anything you watched.

Overall, what I'm getting is that I need to get out of my head and learn to relax. I'll try.

PS: As far as any "pre-shot routine" -- isn't that like being in your head too much? I actually got to where I would freeze up while trying to meticulously follow a pre-shot routine step by monotonous step, exactly the same very time. It felt so unnatural and nerve-wracking. What I understand now though is that a pre-shot routine is worked on during practice, but you can't think about it during play. Is that right? :confused:
 
What is the value of quiting? Take a lesson from a reputable instructor. Be as good as you can be and enjoy the game. HAVE FUN.........
 
CurvedCue said:
I recently took up pool again after a long hiatus and find myself not only much worse than I ever was, but also unable to improve, even marginally, despite hours of practice.

I joined an APA league, but am getting annihilated every week and by guys whose stance, bridge, fundamentals, etc, look god-awful, but who NEVER miss. Meanwhile, I'm OCS about that stuff, but can't make a shot.

I practice drills, I read books, I take lessons. Nothing seems to help. Only seems to further my overall sense of mass confusion. For example, I understand the basic concepts of Stun, Follow, Draw, Tangent Lines, 30-degree Rule, etc, but when I come up to the table that all goes right out the window and I only see a morass of unbelievable complexity and soul-crushing chaos. (Excuse the hyperbolic lingo). For example, my estimation of the tangent line is often off by 40-50 degrees!

And when I try to practice the diagrammed drills in books, I can't recreate the shots. For example, there's a "simple" draw cut shot in 99 Critical Shots, but every time I do it, the cue ball NEVER follows the path as shown in the book, but diverges in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT path. This is despite trying up to a 100 times! :angry:

So are there people who simply should not be playing pool? Just as there are midgets who shouldn't be playing basketball? Am I too geometrically-challenged?
I did flunk geometry in high school, btw. :(

I just want an honest appraisal. That way I won't expect anything more of myself, and try to accept that I'm genetically handicapped in regards to this game.
Click to expand...



You are no different than 90% of those that are C or B players, you still believed those that told you let your subconscious play, oh you are playing too hard, loosen up, or stuff like you do not have talent. The truth is if you believe in any of these you will never ever improve. Pool is extremely hard game to be perfect at; if you got good aim, your stroke might fail you, if you got everything right your speed might be bad, or as simple as dirty ball. I always been saying no substitution to learning the 4000 shots possibilities, and then start practicing 9 balls, when you miss, know why you missed.
When you are done practicing, if you play for fun, i advise you to quit the game of pool and find something else. Always play for money, or tournaments if there are ones near by. Nothing makes you perfect in life unless there is a reward, in this case the addictive pleasure of the Adrenalin rush after you win $$$ or match, will give you huge incentive to continue, just like sex!!!!:groucho:.
 
CurvedCue said:
If there is a level below beginner then I'm that. Pre-beginner? :eek:

Rexus, you mentioned watching a lot of youtube vids of pros playing helped. How so? I watch a lot myself and, while it's pretty exciting to see them pull off such impressive shots, it's not like you're being shown how to do them yourself. It's almost like watching pro basketball players playing incredibly but then going out on a public court and failing to replicate anything you watched.

Overall, what I'm getting is that I need to get out of my head and learn to relax. I'll try.
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Watching professional players allows you to watch how they hit shots; what speed, English and patterns they play. Unless you are watching with a purpose (to learn something) you will not comprehend what it is they are doing and how they are doing it.

CurvedCue said:
PS: As far as any "pre-shot routine" -- isn't that like being in your head too much? I actually got to where I would freeze up while trying to meticulously follow a pre-shot routine step by monotonous step, exactly the same very time. It felt so unnatural and nerve-wracking. What I understand now though is that a pre-shot routine is worked on during practice, but you can't think about it during play. Is that right? :confused:
Click to expand...

Anything you are trying to implement into your game needs to be practiced until it becomes second nature at which time it can be brought into competition. If you are thinking too much about mechanics and pre shot routines while you are competing, you've got NO shot at winning. It sounds to me like you need to be more patient and spend more time on the practice table. DO NOT implement anything in competition until you can call upon that, whatever it is, without thinking about it. At this point, the only thing you should be thinking about is the shot and stroke at hand to get position on the next ball. If you are thinking about your stance, etc. while getting down on a shot, you've got work to do on your mechanics until you reach a point where you are dropping down on shots with no thought of mechanics.

How long have you been playing since your return?
 
Stay positive and overcome man. I know its hard when you get in a slump. I had a stroke about a year ago and am getting back into the game and I have been on a 3 game losing streak and wanted to quit but didn't and things are getting better because I adopted a new optimistic mindset
 
Well, I am continuing to be ANNIHILATED. Last night I lost 15 games of 8-ball in a row. Then tonight I missed three ball-in-hand shots and threw away 20 bucks in a 9ball tourney (I took the advice of someone who said I should try money tournaments to play better).

It's just Lambs to the Slaughter.

I come home feeling vaguely suicidal.

Of course, I know my identity and self-worth are not wrapped up in pool. However, this surely cannot be part of the normal learning curve. :shocked2:

I mean I meet good players all the time who tell me they only played for a few months or a year or so and are already running rack after rack, as easy as walking.

Is there, um, maybe a black market for Pocket Billiard steroids? I would like to try some too!
 
Actually it is one Lamb getting slaughtered :)

Only joking. On ball in hand were you trying to pocket the ball in the closest hole?
 
Preshot is what it is...........

CurvedCue said:
If there is a level below beginner then I'm that. Pre-beginner? :eek:

Rexus, you mentioned watching a lot of youtube vids of pros playing helped. How so? I watch a lot myself and, while it's pretty exciting to see them pull off such impressive shots, it's not like you're being shown how to do them yourself. It's almost like watching pro basketball players playing incredibly but then going out on a public court and failing to replicate anything you watched.

Overall, what I'm getting is that I need to get out of my head and learn to relax. I'll try.

PS: As far as any "pre-shot routine" -- isn't that like being in your head too much? I actually got to where I would freeze up while trying to meticulously follow a pre-shot routine step by monotonous step, exactly the same very time. It felt so unnatural and nerve-wracking. What I understand now though is that a pre-shot routine is worked on during practice, but you can't think about it during play. Is that right? :confused:
Click to expand...

The preshot is the first part of aiming the shot. This tells your everything where to be.

Just like shooting a gun you need to put the sight in the sight. it's a little bit of work but if you get it right you will hit the target.

The same with that dominant eye. It's a little bit more work but if you want to see the shot correctly and make the ball you need to do it and you need to think about it every time you get down on a shot.

Sight in the sight with a gun.

Dominant eye on the natural sight for the degree of your dominance.

Keep working on it. Soon you won't think about it much but you still need to do it if you want to improve.

Good Luck..............
 
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