***Epiphany Alert*** Shooting All Shots the Same

[scratchs]

Several years ago, I was playing in the BCA team event. I can't remember exactly how but I left myself a long and fairly tough shot on the 8. There was really nothing to think about so I went right into it, got down and smacked the ball in the hole. The best player on our team immediately said to me, "I love how you did that. There was no reason to dwell about it."

I think, to a certain extent you're right. The way you extend your comfort zone is by treating the hard shots like they're easy. Let go. I think you should still take your time in many instances, especially if you may have options, you should give yourself a moment to realize those options but when you're in a situation where the decision is simple, like you said, you're best off accepting your fate (mean, accepting the fact you may miss) and just give that cueball a good hit.

I like this thinking...its helped me more then hurt me..
doesn't give me time to get negative..

 

[bdorman]

That's the mantra, that's sort of what's being taught around here, that's the idea that I'm questioning. Should you approach every shot as if it's the game winning shot, or should you approach every shot as if it's just another ball, going into another pocket?

I think this is different for every person. A-type personalities and B-types will simply play differently. There is no one, right answer.

For me it's play each shot as a Game Winner. (Kind of like Max Eberle's advice that you play shape on the moneyball, even though there are no other balls left on the table: planning and playing shape is part of your routine; don't change it)