Consistency issues

[Hustler84]

I have been playing since I was 15, and I am now 28. When I was younger, I had a lot more time to spend playing pool so I was a a lot more consistent back then. I have never owned my own table, so I only get to shoot somewhere in the 6-10 hour/week range. My mechanics are pretty solid, but I find myself missing balls that I never used to miss. I can make the toughest shot on any layout, but miss the easiest shot. I don't know if I am taking the easier shots for granted or what. But I also find myself getting very aggrevated when this happens. I am very capable of stringing racks together, with a high run of five straight break and runs in 9 ball, and 7 in 8 ball. I was wondering what I could do to become a more consistent player? I do read, watch, and always think about ways to achieve this. I know playing more is a definite way to increase consistency, but are there any drills or mental tricks to help. Plus, do you have any tips on how to overcome the frustration I feel? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! :smile:

 

[BeiberLvr]

If you're making tough shots but missing easy ones, then it's taking it for granted like you said and a lack of focus. We tend to put more mental effort into those tougher shots. My remedy for this is to treat each shot like it's your last opportunity at the table regardless of who you're playing. You should be planning your outs as far into the rack as possible, but at the same time, try to take it one shot at a time.

Imo, the importance of drills goes stroke/fundamentals, pocketing, speed control, and then patterns. I think if you work on each phase in that order, you'll become more consistent.

For the mental aspect, I really like Lee Brett's outside/inside the box idea. Basically, do all of your decisions while you're up. Your aim/alignment, how to hit the CB, the speed of the shot, and where you want the CB to end up. Then when you get down on the shot, just let your thoughts go.

 

[Scott Lee]

Hustler84...Just curious, but were your high rack runs years ago, when you were younger, or have you accomplished them recently (in the past 2-3 years). The reason I'm asking is because when we're younger (and fearless), often we just make balls, and play position from rote memory (paying no conscious attention to what we're doing, or how things happen). With time, small errors in our process can sneak in, unobserved, and wreak havoc with our 'perceived' consistency. While you may think your fundamentals are "sound", they may, in fact have slipped in some inconsistencies which may contribute to you feeling like you're not playing as well as you used to.
Just food for thought...

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I have been playing since I was 15, and I am now 28. When I was younger, I had a lot more time to spend playing pool so I was a a lot more consistent back then. I have never owned my own table, so I only get to shoot somewhere in the 6-10 hour/week range. My mechanics are pretty solid, but I find myself missing balls that I never used to miss. I can make the toughest shot on any layout, but miss the easiest shot. I don't know if I am taking the easier shots for granted or what. But I also find myself getting very aggrevated when this happens. I am very capable of stringing racks together, with a high run of five straight break and runs in 9 ball, and 7 in 8 ball. I was wondering what I could do to become a more consistent player? I do read, watch, and always think about ways to achieve this. I know playing more is a definite way to increase consistency, but are there any drills or mental tricks to help. Plus, do you have any tips on how to overcome the frustration I feel? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! :smile:

 

[randyg]

Sounds like you need to review you 3 PSR's. Maybe your Mechanics have gotten a little rusty also.

randyg

 

[rrick33]

I think you may need to take a more methodical approach to your problems. First of all, it can be very easy to believe that we are making difficult shots with consistency and performing less consistently on easier shots by comparison but in reality, that may not the case.

There is an expectation that we will miss a percentage of difficult shots, so if we miss a few, we are still performing at par or consistently; however, we also expect to make most easy shots so if we miss a few here, we tend to think we are performing well below par.

The correlations often decieve the reality of the situation by comparison.

It could very well be that the issues you are experincing with easier shots is still present on more difficult shots but the threshold for variation is much broader on the difficult shots so you do not recognize the impact as easily.

Most likely, you have an issue in your stroke technique or if you have changed the way you sight the shot recently, this could also be an issue.

I would start by reviewing your stroke fundamentals.

 

[KenK]

Sounds like you need to review you 3 PSR's. Maybe your Mechanics have gotten a little rusty also.

randyg

Hi Randy, since I'm new to the az forum, could you please explain the three PSR's? Thanks.

 

[poormanintexas]

PSR's

I believe (could be wrong) Pre shot routine is what PSR is. Its they key for a consistent runout or runouts. Its how i went from running 1 rack every other day to running 10 or more in a day. It took 6 months but its well worth learning and integrating into your game. Keep in mind I am no where near these guys as far as instruction, just a little experience.:thumbup:

 

[boyersj]

I am in your neck in the woods if memory served me well. I am instructing in Evansville you you really want to get some feedback.

 

[randyg]

Hi Randy, since I'm new to the az forum, could you please explain the three PSR's? Thanks.

Hi Ken

Sure.

Fot just about every thing we do in life, our mind and body want to follow the same routine: THINK-SEE-DO.

In pool there is a time to Think, a time to Visualize and a time to Act.

In Pool School we just teach them as your 3 PSR's.

randyg