Choking on the money ball a lot lately

I invent some sort of cue ball position that I want after the money ball shot.

For example, I always try to make the last shot a stop shot. If I can't perform a stop shot because of angle, then stop the cue within a ball's distance from any rail. Doing these things helps your mind stay committed. No poke and hope crap on the money ball! :)
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
I have a brother who played basketball and coached basketball. He love to have the ball in the final 2 minutes of the game since he know he could come thru in the clutch. I asked him how he could do this over and over again. He said:

I Focus on execution of the shot and don't worry about what may or may not happen.

Best advise I have heard in the last 10 years. If you focus on execution your mind won't wonder into negative thoughts.
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I have been trying to focus on execution on every shot lately. I haven't played anywhere near where I should be so I have been practicing my pre shot routine on every ball including focusing and staying down after I hit the shot.
 
TX Poolnut said:
I invent some sort of cue ball position that I want after the money ball shot.

For example, I always try to make the last shot a stop shot. If I can't perform a stop shot because of angle, then stop the cue within a ball's distance from any rail. Doing these things helps your mind stay committed. No poke and hope crap on the money ball! :)
Click to expand...



BINGO!

randyg
 
A few tips:
1) Practice common money ball shots. The money ball usually stays near the foot spot, so you should practice shooting balls off the spot or just under the spot from all angles, especially off the rails. The cut into the corner off the rail is an easy shot to miss under pressure.
2) Play better position to the money ball. It's easy to get careless playing position for the last ball because you don't have to play the right side for the ball after it. Also, going back to tip #1, since the money ball is often in the center, you usually play position near a rail. Try not to leave yourself on the rail.
3) As some others have mentioned, plan the cue ball path after the money ball. If it's not a stop shot or stun, know where you're going to hit the rail. Considering the path of the cue ball will help you find the correct angle on the object ball because most of our memories of previous shots include both components.
4) Don't consider an occasional miss a "choke". If you miss other balls, even with decent position, you are going to miss the money ball from time to time. No shot is automatic; everyone here misses a hanger from time to time.
 
I'll tell you the secret (for me), and I really think it will help.

You need to dogproof your cueball position before the money ball.
That doesn't mean getting dead nuts perfect on it (though if you can, go for it).
Think long and hard about your speed on the ball before, and then use these few simple concepts:

- Keep the cueball off the rail! It's ok to leave it a little long, to make this happen.

- Keep the cue ball NORTH of the money ball. For some reason it's easier to make shots
from above the game ball, than it is from below the game ball. I'm not the only guy who's noticed this.
Maybe because you're off the rail, or you've removed any scratch from the equation, or because
you can see the pocket better. For whatever reason, it's just easier.

n9LaHDP.jpg


I'd much rather shoot from position A than B, even though the angle is about the same
and B is closer to the 9. Position C (almost any backcut really) is a disaster,
a dead scratch in the side, and if you beat that scratch you can still end up in the far corner.
Err on the side of getting "too high" rather than "too low" on the game ball.

A last trick that helps me... especially if I screw up and end up near position B.

- Once you pick a line of aim, move your arm on that line and think "the die is cast"
or "it's out of my hands now" or some similar phrase. Basically, accept what you're about to do
with the cue stick and the cue ball. Commit to it. Don't be indecisive. Pick a line for the cue ball,
or a contact point you want to hit, and send it down that line. DON'T STEER.

If it was the wrong point and you miss, oh well, you picked the wrong point.
But that's not the same as dogging it and hitting the ball with a "fear steer".
 
Matt said:
A few tips:
1) Practice common money ball shots. The money ball usually stays near the foot spot, so you should practice shooting balls off the spot or just under the spot from all angles, especially off the rails. The cut into the corner off the rail is an easy shot to miss under pressure.
2) Play better position to the money ball. It's easy to get careless playing position for the last ball because you don't have to play the right side for the ball after it. Also, going back to tip #1, since the money ball is often in the center, you usually play position near a rail. Try not to leave yourself on the rail.
3) As some others have mentioned, plan the cue ball path after the money ball. If it's not a stop shot or stun, know where you're going to hit the rail. Considering the path of the cue ball will help you find the correct angle on the object ball because most of our memories of previous shots include both components.
4) Don't consider an occasional miss a "choke". If you miss other balls, even with decent position, you are going to miss the money ball from time to time. No shot is automatic; everyone here misses a hanger from time to time.
Click to expand...

Years ago, I played in a BCA league and remained undefeated after seven weeks. We played four matches each week. I lost my first game of the season because I tried to "rail-first" a hanging 8-ball and completely missed the 8-ball. Even my own team was laughing. :frown:
 
Yep...some good things posted. For me 4 things...

1. Plan ahead which means plan a good spot for my cue ball to shoot the last ball in (damn that whole shape shooting thing). It can really help though when you have an easier shot on the money ball vs a hard cut, bank, etc....

2. Plan a spot for the cue ball to end up after I make the money ball. Sometimes I forget to do this and have scratched. Do not take any shot for granted!

3. If I ever feel nervous/jittery, take a step back, breathe, and then address the shot as normal.

4. Remember that I make this shot many times and this is no different than those times.
 
It's just another shot. Focus on your basics and give it your best stroke. Everything else is manufactured in your head, let it go and stay in the present.
 
When you play here are some things to consider. First when you play into the final ball try to keep it a short distance full hit when ever possible. Make it easy you have to do this with your play on the prior ball/sequence.

Whatever it is when you get to a winning or pay ball no matter the color or number the fact that it is a winning ball puts pressure on many players if they let it be pressure. It is a mindset so do you think you are you a loser if you miss, well if that is your thought then you will probably miss. You are thinking about losing.

Think this is an opportunity to perform, a chance to win. visualize success, sight the ball, build a solid stance get comfortable, stop your cue and check your aim if you like it pull black slow to slight pause and send the tip through the cue ball, your stroke hand comes home to a finish position. Watch the cue ball collide with winning ball and with your eyes see that ball enter the pocket. Now check your tip was it straight through the cue ball great if it was off line do it better next time.

Give yourself a chance to win.

Take the shot one step at a time

Breathe, Relax

Make a good stroke

Don't rush the process

You got this
 
Some advice I got that helped immensely was to use the same stroke (when possible) that you used on the previous ball.

So if you used a firm stroke on the 8, use a firm stroke on the 9.
 
All of these advises are good....

but if you get into 14.1 continuous, your position play will excel as well as not fearing for ANY ball. I can banter about other games, but I will stand humbly aside. :)
 
Magyar19 said:
Is there any treatment for this or is it something you have to bear down on? So frustrated right now.
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Get a lesson from an instructor to improve your confidence, if your going to play through out your lifetime.
 
i used cto dog the 9 ball at 9 ball,the 8 in eight ball

until i found the perfect and only solution to all that trouble

i quit playing those games and play one pocket only

now there is no mpneyball
 
Most of the time it's a matter of completing your stroke. If you're not an elbow dropper, and there's really nothing wrong with elbow droppers(just a different finish) you'll probably be finishing your stroke when your hand hits your chest. A lot of chokers I see do not finish their stroke on important shots thus trying to steer the all important money ball into the pocket. This fails most of the time. Breathe in through your nose slowly for a count of 5, and out through your mouth slowly for a count of 5. Do this twice. Get down on the line of the shot, keep your eye on the contact point, and finish your stroke...no steering. If moving the CB to a specific spot after the shot helps your concentration..then do so, but make sure you finish your stroke.
 
Play 2 ahead 8 ball or 9 ball sets for practice........

Magyar19 said:
Is there any treatment for this or is it something you have to bear down on? So frustrated right now.
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Bet a little money. Doesn't have to be much but something with a player of equal ability.

What happens here is someone is on the hill playing 2 ahead sets almost all the time. So the money ball is getting shot at pretty often.

I played a good player tonight and we played races to 9 for $100. I was down 2 sets and we got to hill hill the 3rd set. I asked Tony if he wanted to play win by 2. He said sure.

After he won the set by 2 he asked me if I just wanted to play 2 ahead for $100. I was playing pretty bad because I hadn't played for 2 weeks trying to get healed up from some aches I have.

Someone was always on the hill it seemed and I got numb to the money ball. It was no big deal. Just another ball to pocket.

He wants to play some more like that tomorrow.

Great practice and this will get anyone ready for a tournament any type of gambling you want to do. It puts immediate pressure on you all the time.

It just becomes another ball. No big deal.

Oh, and by the way I got back to even and Tony quit for the night.

I broke and ran the last 2 ahead set out.

Good luck and give it a try...............
 
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As an additional suggestion, when playing sets with other players, always shoot the game ball. Don't let your opponent give you the last ball, even if it is a hanger.
 
Lots of good advice here. I'll share two pieces that help for me:

1) Redefine what it means to "choke." I try to think of a successful shot as one where I execute my stroke well, regardless of whether I make or miss the ball. It's the process that is important, not the result. A process-based approach helps keep you in the moment in a pressure situation. You can use this approach on any shot, not just the money ball. Mark Wilson's book goes into this in detail.

2) Someone once told me to mentally redefine the 9-ball as "yellow stripe." So in my mind, instead of shooting the 9-ball (and all the other pressure that comes along with that), I tell myself that I'm shooting "yellow stripe." It sounds silly but it helps calm the nerves a bit by removing the mental baggage.
 
Sealegs50 said:
As an additional suggestion, when playing sets with other players, always shoot the game ball. Don't let your opponent give you the last ball, even if it is a hanger.
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Good advice, some players will give you this not out of respect but to prevent you developing confidence & later in the match when the pressures really on make you shoot it hoping you'll choke on it.


Why am I the Colonel? Because I always get the chicken
 
Something that has worked for me is, when practicing, rack the 1 ball as the 9 ball and the 9 ball in the 1 ball position at the head of the rack. Play the rack that way so that you're hitting the 9 ball first. This gets you used to sinking the money ball often.
 
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