Feel like quiting!

mbippus

mbippus

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Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
 
mbippus said:
Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
Click to expand...


During the process of improving it is absolutely normal to go through some valleys to where nothing seems to be working out right. When you come out of those valleys you will probably be playing at a higher level than you did before. It's all part of the process. But to answer your question, just ride it out.
 
mbippus said:
Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
Click to expand...

Casting humility to the wind...let me give you the best advice you may ever get re: your pool career.

GET A DAY LONG LESSON WITH ONE OF THE TOP NAME TEACHING PROS...MANY OF WHOM POST HERE!!!

In a single day, you will get instruction that will last you a lifetime and will give you the ability to self-diagnose your problems.

Simple knowlege cannot CURE problems...only practicing a repeatable stroke...mastering cueing techniques and learning route strategy...kicking...banking and safety play can do that.

But you are dead in the water if you don't understand how to stroke the cue properly.

Regards,
Jim
 
I've actually been in a pretty bad slump this past week, too. It's part of the learning process. You have to remember this. Every time you start doing something new (whether it be deliberate or not), you run this risk. In the end, you establish what you already know, throw out what is worthless and incorporate new knowledge. As you improve, your expectations increase. How you define "good play" changes and you go through the same exact process the next time you have a slump. The only difference is, your slump tomorrow is equal to your best game today. Keep your head up. Don't try too hard. Remember you're just hitting balls. I know that sounds like a simplification but sometimes, that's what's needed to break the slump. Turn on the auto-pilot button and let it roll.
 
noRulez said:
During the process of improving it is absolutely normal to go through some valleys to where nothing seems to be working out right. When you come out of those valleys you will probably be playing at a higher level than you did before. It's all part of the process. But to answer your question, just ride it out.
Click to expand...
excellent .......! I heard this a few years ago and have experienced the same thing during my personal struggle with the game ...
 
oh , and ...one more thing

Sometimes what is going on in your life away from pool can have an effect on your game ....usually it is temporary ...........;)
 
mbippus said:
Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
Click to expand...


you think that's bad. wait until you start playing decent and then something that's not pool related happens that throws your mind off of everything but it. show some heart and get back to the table
 
Ok... Here's exactly what you should do...

Have a friend kick you in the testicles....
Mail me all of your money...
...and call it a year. We'll reassess next January.




In all seriousness... everyone sucks terribly at some point. Ride it out. No worries.
 
av84fun said:
Casting humility to the wind...let me give you the best advice you may ever get re: your pool career.

GET A DAY LONG LESSON WITH ONE OF THE TOP NAME TEACHING PROS...MANY OF WHOM POST HERE!!!

In a single day, you will get instruction that will last you a lifetime and will give you the ability to self-diagnose your problems.

Simple knowlege cannot CURE problems...only practicing a repeatable stroke...mastering cueing techniques and learning route strategy...kicking...banking and safety play can do that.

But you are dead in the water if you don't understand how to stroke the cue properly.

Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...


Do you think that someone can absorb, process, and retain 8 to 10 hours of instruction? Seems like information overload. Yes - No?
 
... yep, I cant offer any more advice then what the other guys already did...

oh, dont make posting about it a habit...
 
mbippus said:
Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
Click to expand...

I've considered it at least weekely for the past, oh, 35 years.
 
Been there

I just came out of one I was in for over a month. Even though my game was off I kept shooting my regular 20+ hours a week including leagues and tourneys. Came out of it about a week ago and am at least a ball faster and way more confident. Keep your head up and plow through it.
 
Funny I log on and see this thread. I had the same issue last night. Got beat bad early and spent the next 6 hours alone on the table. Still played terrible but I felt like I was at least trying to get through it.
 
mbippus said:
Have you ever had such a bad run that you seriously considered quiting playing serious pool? I have been playing pool seriously for about 2 years. I've read some books, joined a league, bought a table, practice almost everyday, and have greatly improved.
But this last week i have played the worst pool in my life--seriously.

Very discouraging especially when there is $$ on the line.

Suggestions?

mb:eek:
Click to expand...
For at least one day shoot nothing more than 2-4 footers, different angles, straight-ins, no english, concentrating on the best stroke you know how to make. Your aim is probably not the problem.
How do you feel about your stroke--do you think you strike the cue ball exactly in the spot you're aiming at? If the c.b is spinning after a straight-in then you're not hittng the c.b. in the middle
 
Advice

I've played a lot like you have described and I found myself rushing shots and not putting the effort into playing well. The result was losing matches that you know you should have won and making yourself look bad around some of your friends.

The best thing i've ever found to get my game back is to take a couple of weeks off and then start playing again to rekindle that fire inside to play well. It works for me and I hope it will help you. When you start back after taking a break be sure to concentrate on the fundamentals and don't rush your shots. Take enough time to do everything right and I think you'll be surprised at the difference in your game compared to when you were struggling.

James
 
All these have been great posts. I will find a friend to kick me in the nads as soon as I can. I truley feel that will help my game more than anything else.haha.

I am getting a lesson from Scott Lee much from the advice of many posting here.

THe game is just not fun when you don't perform at the best of your ability. I don't mind losing if I play my best. Its when i play sub par gets frustrating.

As far as the problem goes I think my stroke is average, sometime I hit where I am on cb sometimes not. I think that is probably my biggest weakness at this point.

Again thanks.

Mb
 
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