Consistency

[buckshotshoey]

Question: Why a player (any player) usually miss more often on his first few shots , some continue to miss for an hour or two into a match or practice; the answer is he is missing a check list item or more, that either he does not know what it is/are, and it comes after hours of play by itself, and during pressure moments he revert back to original play when he was cold or he/she knows and correct for it. Those that know every check list item will most likely be ready to play in very short time, do not need to warm up much for pocketing, but do warm up for table speed? what are those check list items, how many, the answer is they differ from one person to other; i am sure Earl still discovering some of them, Efren changing cues lately. I know few that never mentioned on AZB.. the list is huge, we are talking long hard off angle shots here, not easy one footer shots. OP mentioned few important ones, but left out critical ones..

I agree. The "check list" is being forgotten, or altered, because the mind is put in a situation that is unfamiliar. ...or less familiar. The pressure that a tournament can cause can be dealt with by the brain, but it needs to be practiced. The only way to train the brain to deal with it is to jump into the fire! Pressure i s just another aspect of the game and it has to be repeated over and over to feel normal.

 

[BeiberLvr]

Maybe that's why Earl is so great.

Doesn't matter if he's running out or missing, he's always pissed.

Consistency

Perhaps he realized long ago this little trick, and figured it was easier for him to blow up all the time rather than keep his emotions in check.

 

[owll]

lol bieberlvr

 

[FranCrimi]

Pressure is self-inflicted, and is directly related to a person's sense of self-worth.

I've watched players with little skill and lots of guts go far in tournaments. I've also watched players with great technique and knowledge falter every time they competed.

Do you believe in yourself? Be honest.

Improving your technique helps, but it will not solve your issues of self worth. That's a whole other animal.

 

[Pidge]

When we talk fundamentals, techniques, ways to shoot, pressure, choking all is related to the skill of pocketing a ball only which by itself does not make you a good player (call it skill # 1). add to that the skill of position play (cue speed), banks, kicks, jumps, safety, patience..then you get into a total comprehensive player skill (call it skill # 2). You can have a player that has great #1 skill, but sucks with # 2 skill, or the other way around.

For skill # 1 there are many factors the OP did not mention, that are critical, surely, not for one footer shots, but for long, off angle shots..

Firstly, I mentioned nothing about fundamentals in my first post. Just about the PSR. If the demand is there for me to do a write up of what players should be striving for in terms of fundamentals, alignment and cue action then I will be more than happy to.

My post was massively one sided towards developing a consistent PSR. Not pocketing balls, banks, kicks and so on. Having a solid PSR engrained into your soul will only aid in consistency, then you can work on developing certain skills within the game to increase the level or standard at which you consistently achieve, such as alignment, strategy, cueing action, aiming and so on.

I know you mean well, Naji. But I am not omitting anything from my post. It was simply about developing a consistent table presence and PSR.

 

[Pidge]

Pidge -- You give a lot of good advice. But one caveat would be to recognize that some good players do not move in toward the CB directly on the shot line but, rather, from an offset position. The offset may or may not be determined by employing a particular aiming method. Indeed, some aiming methods establish an initial line that is not the ultimate shot line, and then a movement of some sort (a pivot or sweep, e.g.) is made to get to the shot line. But a repetitive PSR, as you stress, is a key in the offset approaches as well.

You make a valid point. I come from the world of snooker so all I know is based on that. I tried as hard as I could to avoid the dreaded aiming talk, so obviously those players who approach from an offset position can ignore what I wrote about staying along the shot line with their eyes when dropping in. What I suggest is not gospel, but a baseline for people to incorporate into their playing style and go from there. I have been asked via PM to do a write up on alignment, so in the next day or two I shall. Alignment is very closely related to PSR and aids a players consistency.

Thanks for the advice and kind words, AtLarge

 

[GoldenFlash]

Positive mental attitude...?

I've wondered for years about this "positive mental attitude" thing as applied to shooting pool. I think most of it is a bunch of hooey.....and here's why.
The balls and the table are inanimate objects (unlike people)...they don't CARE if you have a positive attitude or not.
They just sit there..
I have found that by just adopting an approach of "oh what the hell, I'm just a dog anyway, all I can do is apply what I know and hope for the best. I'll probably miss it anyway and go broke"........strangely the "pressure" disappears. Then the game becomes fun again and the opponent goes crazy while you "get all the rolls".
Call it achieving a positive outcome by assuming a negative result at the gate.
I know it sounds totally crazy but it does work for a lot of players.
And it flies in the face of those superstitious morons who think they can "will the balls" to go in the pockets. Or "will the dice" to hit that number or "will the cards" to make that flush. :barf:
I always said I play just as bad for fun as I do for a prize, money, or glory.
I never like playing with anyone ...it means I don't get to shoot as much because I have to just stand there while they shoot and that bores me. And I am kinda' anti-social too and don't have a lot of motor mouth conversation going on. I'm really very dull to be around.
Also, I never play imaginary games while practicing....it's all drill after drill after drill...over and over and over during practice sessions. In fact, if I only had the long 1/2 of a pool table wedged into a corner of a room, that would be all I needed to develop excellence on the drills. I just like seeing the balls go in the pockets and see the cue ball do what I want it to do.
The excellence acquired in drills carries over to actual matches.
I realize people think I am a stone cold nutcase, but I play pretty fair and I gamble within my budget and don't make any bad bets. That makes me happy with pool.
Just some comments from an old man...now you can beat me up.

 

[Scott Lee]

GoldenFlash...and here's why PMA is vitally important for all of us. Psychology is an important part of competing. Every one of us is quick to get down/mad at ourselves when we make an error on the table (forced or unforced). Regardless of whether we "show" it or not, the negative energy is still there inside us. That energy continues to accumulate inside us every time we make an error. When we occasionally give ourselves a little "attaboy" or positive reinforcement when we do something even close to well, it helps balance out the times when we're sure to get pissed at ourselves. If no positive reinforcement is ever given, then the negative energy continues to accrue. At some point, for all of us, we will reach a "point of no return" and lose it emotionally. We've all seen this in amateur players who get really mad, can't rise above it, and give up on a match. PMA is very important, and should be a part of everyone's game process.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I've wondered for years about this "positive mental attitude" thing as applied to shooting pool. I think most of it is a bunch of hooey.....and here's why..

 

[Jaden]

you're just plain flat out wrong...

I've wondered for years about this "positive mental attitude" thing as applied to shooting pool. I think most of it is a bunch of hooey.....and here's why.
The balls and the table are inanimate objects (unlike people)...they don't CARE if you have a positive attitude or not.
They just sit there..
I have found that by just adopting an approach of "oh what the hell, I'm just a dog anyway, all I can do is apply what I know and hope for the best. I'll probably miss it anyway and go broke"........strangely the "pressure" disappears. Then the game becomes fun again and the opponent goes crazy while you "get all the rolls".
Call it achieving a positive outcome by assuming a negative result at the gate.
I know it sounds totally crazy but it does work for a lot of players.
And it flies in the face of those superstitious morons who think they can "will the balls" to go in the pockets. Or "will the dice" to hit that number or "will the cards" to make that flush. :barf:
I always said I play just as bad for fun as I do for a prize, money, or glory.
I never like playing with anyone ...it means I don't get to shoot as much because I have to just stand there while they shoot and that bores me. And I am kinda' anti-social too and don't have a lot of motor mouth conversation going on. I'm really very dull to be around.
Also, I never play imaginary games while practicing....it's all drill after drill after drill...over and over and over during practice sessions. In fact, if I only had the long 1/2 of a pool table wedged into a corner of a room, that would be all I needed to develop excellence on the drills. I just like seeing the balls go in the pockets and see the cue ball do what I want it to do.
The excellence acquired in drills carries over to actual matches.
I realize people think I am a stone cold nutcase, but I play pretty fair and I gamble within my budget and don't make any bad bets. That makes me happy with pool.
Just some comments from an old man...now you can beat me up.

The balls, the table, you're right, they DON'T care if you have a positive attitude, but your body and nervous system and your concentration and focus, they care A LOT...

Fran was 100% right with her post. If you don't believe in yourself in the core of your being, you will fail, regardless of how skilled you are.

When you're put under pressure, your body goes through physiological changes. Being under pressure however is a choice. You don't have to be under pressure when you're playing Efren or Busty, you choose to place that pressure on yourself, sometimes long before you've ever stepped up to the table.

How you feel about yourself and how you develop your self worth plays a big part on what type of pressure you put on yourself in various situations.

I have not changed in pure skill level in about a decade. I've been able to finger print with the cueball while putting the OB center pocket for about that long.

How I've felt about myself though has changed dramatically in that time and it is showing in my recent competitive performance.

Does it affect all people like it has me??? NO... Do most of the people that have trouble competing, really just have problems with fundamentals and self discipline rather than self confidence???? Yes...

But you can't just dismiss the mental aspect of it because you can't see how that can be an issue when the cue and the balls and the table are inanimate objects and you're only playing the table. You're not just playing the table, but you're not really playing your opponent either.

You're playing your own demons and how you over come those demons will be an individual quest, but the skill and knowledge has to be there first before that will make a difference...

Jaden

 

[beetle]

What does this mean?

Just to add my two cents worth.

Practicing a day or two before a big match is not a very good idea.
I make sure that I am in a playing mode a couple of days before the action.

randyg

 

[Scott Lee]

You know what it means Steve, because I taught it to you. It means that most people think throwing the balls out and trying to run them out, or playing the ghost is "practice". It's not...those things are "practicing playing". Real, disciplined practice is totally different (i.e.: Mother Drills). What Randy is saying is that you don't want to do disciplined practice (which is for ingraining a process, or correcting an error), right before competition. You DO want to practice competing (playing an opponent or the ghost), which puts your mind and body in a "playing state" right before attending a competitive event.

Pops...If I don't have this right, please correct me!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

What does this mean?

 

[Old Nine Baller]

Pressure is self-inflicted, and is directly related to a person's sense of self-worth.

If I have never once felt so-called "pressure" when playing for relatively serious amounts of my own money what would that say about my sense of "self-worth"?

P.S. Have you ever gambled with your own money?

ONB

 

[GoldenFlash]

GoldenFlash...and here's why PMA is vitally important for all of us. Psychology is an important part of competing. Every one of us is quick to get down/mad at ourselves when we make an error on the table (forced or unforced). Regardless of whether we "show" it or not, the negative energy is still there inside us. That energy continues to accumulate inside us every time we make an error. When we occasionally give ourselves a little "attaboy" or positive reinforcement when we do something even close to well, it helps balance out the times when we're sure to get pissed at ourselves. If no positive reinforcement is ever given, then the negative energy continues to accrue. At some point, for all of us, we will reach a "point of no return" and lose it emotionally. We've all seen this in amateur players who get really mad, can't rise above it, and give up on a match. PMA is very important, and should be a part of everyone's game process.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Every one of us...........??
I don't get mad or go batshit.....making errors is part of any game. The objective is to make as few as possible.
"Negative energy", my ass.
Ego,.... (of which I have none), is what causes any of your so-called "negative energy".
I already know I am a worthless 2-bit pool gambler, the worst form of degenerate on earth. How about you?
I am old, lazy, broke, fat, baldheaded, impotent, ugly, introverted, dumb, drink too much, sleep too much, ... and it doesn't affect the balls one bit.
Pool is an outcome based game...the ball either goes in or it doesn't. All that superstitious mumbo-jumbo merely gets in the way of pre-shot routines, lining up, aiming at the right spot and pulling the trigger with a smooth stroke.
All that is desired is to raise the percentage of wins a little higher, incrementally, on each and every session.
THE GAME IS PURELY MECHANICAL.
"Emotions" mean zero to me....except it makes me happy if I get to pick up the money and get to take it home without some other pool gambling degenerate beating the hell out of me and taking it all back.

 

[wutang]

Derrick down at the yoga club...lol just funning

Disregard the post

 

[Jaden]

Ego,.... (of which I have none)...

The Buddha would be proud of you...:thumbup:

You might want to carry a shovel around with you though...

Jaden

 

[owll]

Pressure is self-inflicted, and is directly related to a person's sense of self-worth.

I've watched players with little skill and lots of guts go far in tournaments. I've also watched players with great technique and knowledge falter every time they competed.

Do you believe in yourself? Be honest.

Improving your technique helps, but it will not solve your issues of self worth. That's a whole other animal.

I find this post a bit disturbing, I'm going to assume it was just worded poorly, and self confidence was meant vice self worth. I don't think ill say anything else on that.

On a different note: one of the best pieces of advice I ever got playing pool. A buddy who always seemed pretty relaxed on shots, even on absurdly difficult ones....I told him "man I don't see how you can shoot those shots as smooth as you do, its like you have no fear" or something to that effect.

reply: "Ya I see that the shot is difficult, and ya it concerns me...I can't control whether the ball goes in, but I can control the effort I put into shot, and how smooth my stroke is...I go through my normal shot routine, try and relax, put a smooth stroke on it and see what happens"

It was like a light bulb went off for me, from that point, it would no longer bother me if I missed a tough shot.

 

[The Renfro]

best thing I can tell you goes in the face of what Scott said earlier... Up until about 2 weeks before a tournament do drills and work on things.. 2 weeks out start shooting balls... I mean a lot of balls.... Throw the balls out... break the clusters up before you start and run the balls run the balls run the balls... Hit enough of them that when you miss you don't remember what or why... When you have hit nough balls for that to happen you can pretty much quit worrying about nerves..... You just shoot....

Chris

 

[Pidge]

I find this post a bit disturbing, I'm going to assume it was just worded poorly, and self confidence was meant vice self worth. I don't think ill say anything else on that.

On a different note: one of the best pieces of advice I ever got playing pool. A buddy who always seemed pretty relaxed on shots, even on absurdly difficult ones....I told him "man I don't see how you can shoot those shots as smooth as you do, its like you have no fear" or something to that effect.

reply: "Ya I see that the shot is difficult, and ya it concerns me...I can't control whether the ball goes in, but I can control the effort I put into shot, and how smooth my stroke is...I go through my normal shot routine, try and relax, put a smooth stroke on it and see what happens"

It was like a light bulb went off for me, from that point, it would no longer bother me if I missed a tough shot.

Your buddy was spot on. Perhaps its me, I'm not a nervous person by nature and I'm quite laid back so I've never struggled with nerves as such. Pressure situations bring out the best of me, its almost as though I play good enough to just get by. If I played a C player id do enough just to stop them having a chance of winning, then when I player better and better players I hit another gear. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and admit the other guy was better than you and when you miss a tough shot admit it was tough and forget about it. People get nervous and choke because they put too much thought into it. Its only a game of pool at the end of the day.

 

[beetle]

Thanks, Scott. When I thought about it a little more and read your response, it made more sense.

You know what it means Steve, because I taught it to you. It means that most people think throwing the balls out and trying to run them out, or playing the ghost is "practice". It's not...those things are "practicing playing". Real, disciplined practice is totally different (i.e.: Mother Drills). What Randy is saying is that you don't want to do disciplined practice (which is for ingraining a process, or correcting an error), right before competition. You DO want to practice competing (playing an opponent or the ghost), which puts your mind and body in a "playing state" right before attending a competitive event.

Pops...If I don't have this right, please correct me!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

 

[Jaden]

It's not always what it appears to be...

I find this post a bit disturbing, I'm going to assume it was just worded poorly, and self confidence was meant vice self worth. I don't think ill say anything else on that.

On a different note: one of the best pieces of advice I ever got playing pool. A buddy who always seemed pretty relaxed on shots, even on absurdly difficult ones....I told him "man I don't see how you can shoot those shots as smooth as you do, its like you have no fear" or something to that effect.

reply: "Ya I see that the shot is difficult, and ya it concerns me...I can't control whether the ball goes in, but I can control the effort I put into shot, and how smooth my stroke is...I go through my normal shot routine, try and relax, put a smooth stroke on it and see what happens"

It was like a light bulb went off for me, from that point, it would no longer bother me if I missed a tough shot.

I was playing in a pretty big tournament at Jamaica Joe's and after one of my matches I had several players come up to me and say, you seemed so calm and smooth when you were stroking in that match.

I replied "Really?, cause my stomach was in knots that whole match".

What you see and the reality are not always the same and many people won't be so honest as me when someone pays them a compliment like that.

Jaden