Do you ever get "burned out"?

oldplayer

oldplayer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I love the game, I live it and sleep it etc. it is the only sport/hobby I have. I devote 4 hours or more of practice each week, play 2 nights of league (until midnight or so), play another 2 days and usually that is another tournament. my game has improved over the last couple of months and is within 85% of what my game was years ago. but in the past week or so I just don't have the drive, burning desire to win, and don't feel up to the task. do I need a vacation from it for a while (can you suggest something for possible D.T.s?) have you ever had this problem, if that is what it is? if so, were you able to fix it and how? i'm in the doldrums here. :help:
 
uh huh

....quite a few times in my pool playing days, I would be playing almost every day, and experienced what you have......A simple "time out" for a week or two always refreshed my enthusiasm and interest in the game.

I'm sure you can find something else enjoyable to do in the world for a week or two, can't you?
 
With pool (and a lot of things) your mood will affect performance. Nobody can say exactly
how boredom or irritation will cause you to miss a ball or blow position.
But it absolutely does. Then your mood gets even worse.

Truly, if you just don't feel like playing, then don't. No need to force yourself.
If you're not trying to go pro then it's a form of recreation for you. So just treat it like one...
Do you force yourself to watch TV even if you don't want to?

Take some time off. Shoot when you feel like it.
Sometimes league can feel like a drag, being forced to play at a specific time whether you want to or not.
Then again it's a social thing and meeting up with league buddies should be a good time.
If practice is a chore, just skip it. No sense practicing if you're gonna get sick of playing
and start to hit balls carelessly, or wish you'd just stayed at home.

That being said if you actually feel like playing, but are just not playing up to your usual standard,
maybe it's time for a little variety. Playing the same 2 games with the same 2 people every week
can kill your pool libido. Try something funky like kelly pool, filipino-style rotation or even 3 cushion.
 
league play 43 years

Yep, i won my first league trophy in 1967, downey calif, playing for a bar named the argyle. couple years ago i decided i had enough, done. Just don't feel like i have anything more to proove. i have a table at home and still shoot 1/2 dozen racks almost everyday, and have couple buddys that come over for 2-3 hr sessions of one pocket on occasion.
Playing league or in tournaments is all a thing of the past, NOW i spend all my extra time in my shop building cues, and i think i know a bit about cues as i started playing 64 years ago !!!!!!!!!!!
 
When I get fed up with pool, I start playing worse. Taking a week off usually gets me in the mood to play again and after an hour or so I'm playing much better than when I stopped.

I did burn out on my other hobby though, fishing. I spent most of my youth fishing, tying flies, reading about fishing, reading about tying flies, reading entomology, ichtyology, thick, thick books. And don't even ask how much I spent on gear! I could probably have bought a Balabushka or two... Then as the years went by I got more and more fed up with it. Tried to fish this summer and all I could think was "This is stupid, I could be playing pool right now". :wink: I suppose the interest could come back, but I seriously doubt it. I've decided not to let this happen with pool. If I ever start feeling fed up, I'm taking a break until I want to play again.
 
I burned out on on playing in tournaments in Phoenix, as most are in Bars, or Sports Bars, and drag on way too long for the number of players, and amount of prize money to be split for places 1st. 2nd., or 3rd. I under stand the drag out is to sell more booze.

When you do the math and figure in mileage at 40 Cents A Mile, cost of Entry, Quarters in the Bar Box, and cost of a few Soft Drinks, or Ice Teas.

I would rather stay home and watch TV. Most of the Tournament do not start until 1930 (730 PM) , and finish past 0100 (1 AM) the Next Day.

IMHO this is not worth it.
 
I recommend scheduling downtime, I feel you've already went too long.

Forcing yourself to stay away from the table (no matter how much you want to play) for 2-3 days every couple of weeks will recharge your batteries and keep you wanting to play.

Works great for me :)

- Andy
 
thanks for the help, I agree with the replies, I need a break! going to take a few days off. the only unanswered question is, what do I do about the withdrawal systems? :eek: :scratchhead:
 
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