I've been playing pool "every now and then" since I was 16 (36 now). In the past few years I've been getting more serious about my game, actually concentrating on improvement, not just knocking a few around while drinking. I'm joining the APA and will be on a team in time for the upcoming summer session.
I'm not an incredible player, but I have the mechanics down. English, draw, angles I understand and am improving on. My biggest drawback is myself. For example, I walked into my "home bar" the other night, broke a rack and won in two innings. Next game was with a friend who was fairly drunk, so I took it easy on her but still won the game. Third was a rematch against the first shooter, it was a fight down to the eight, about six innings. The night slowly spiraled down until I was missing easy stuff. This happens to me often.
At first, I thought, "Duh, you're in a bar, it's cause you're drinking." So a few times I've gone in and drank nothing but water or sodas. No real change. (I NEVER drink heavily) There have been a few times (drinking and not drinking) where I fluctuate, but mainly it's pure downward spiral. I've tried sitting out a game or two between matches, even tried 5 Hour Energy.
Sometimes, it feels like I'm tightening up, a tiny bit physically but more on an awareness level. Almost tunnel vision, but not in a good way. Mood doesn't really seem to factor in. This is a mental thing, I feel. I remember "mental fatigue" from college, but this is different. I do know that when it starts, I tend to start over-analyzing and over-thinking trying to compensate.
Until I can overcome this, I feel like I won't improve much in skill. I know one of the most important things in a pool cue is consistency, but it's even more important in the player themselves. So any advice or drills to improve my "shooting stamina" will be appreciated.
I'm not an incredible player, but I have the mechanics down. English, draw, angles I understand and am improving on. My biggest drawback is myself. For example, I walked into my "home bar" the other night, broke a rack and won in two innings. Next game was with a friend who was fairly drunk, so I took it easy on her but still won the game. Third was a rematch against the first shooter, it was a fight down to the eight, about six innings. The night slowly spiraled down until I was missing easy stuff. This happens to me often.
At first, I thought, "Duh, you're in a bar, it's cause you're drinking." So a few times I've gone in and drank nothing but water or sodas. No real change. (I NEVER drink heavily) There have been a few times (drinking and not drinking) where I fluctuate, but mainly it's pure downward spiral. I've tried sitting out a game or two between matches, even tried 5 Hour Energy.
Sometimes, it feels like I'm tightening up, a tiny bit physically but more on an awareness level. Almost tunnel vision, but not in a good way. Mood doesn't really seem to factor in. This is a mental thing, I feel. I remember "mental fatigue" from college, but this is different. I do know that when it starts, I tend to start over-analyzing and over-thinking trying to compensate.
Until I can overcome this, I feel like I won't improve much in skill. I know one of the most important things in a pool cue is consistency, but it's even more important in the player themselves. So any advice or drills to improve my "shooting stamina" will be appreciated.
