Frustrated At Pool

Kris_b1104

Kris_b1104

House Pro in my own home.
Silver Member
So I've been practicing vigorously in the past month and a half, putting in quality time on the table. Usually 4-5 hours, 4 days a week.

Most of the time I'm practicing by myself and haven't been going out with friends as much because I'm trying to get better and they mostly go for the social aspect when we play, which is fine by me but I feel much more passionate about the game.

I've also been sparring with an A player a couple times a week and I feel as though my game has increased tremendously and I can see the results.

But this past week has been frustrating, I've played with my friend again for the first time since I started practicing religiously, and it seems all my training has gone out the window. I would consider my friend an equal ranked player with me or even slightly a ball under me, but I just can't seem to figure it out. I'm missing balls I'm not supposed to and giving away games like crazy, like I haven't been practicing at all.

I know it's not nerves because I feel more confident since I've been playing real tight sets with the A player in my local pool room, and that has made me less nervous because I know he's way better than me but I'm still able to give him a hard time. So what's going on? Anyone else have a similar experience? Why are the results of my practice not showing?
 
Take a break, seriously. Sometimes you just get a bit mentally burned out & need to step away for a few days or a week, maybe longer. It happens to just about everyone in just about every game or sport.
 
The fact that you are showing frustration shows that it might not be FUN to you. Go back to the basics of why you are playing in the first place. Either enjoy it or maybe you need a break. When you put pressure on yourself to perform most people will crack. I know I do.
 
That could be just what you need. On the other hand, it might be just the opposite. Sometimes whrn I get that way, I put my head down and push hard!. Sometimes it is just something small that you are doing different. For instance, I was playing really good for a while and then....all of the sudden.... nothing. After some serious work I found out my stance was off a little. Corrected that and I took back off again. The problem you are looking at very well could be the stance.
 
Play for money.

Or even better, for fingers.

Seriously, it sounds like you just don't want to win.
 
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XmarathonX said:
Take a break, seriously. Sometimes you just get a bit mentally burned out & need to step away for a few days or a week, maybe longer. It happens to just about everyone in just about every game or sport.
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I completely agree. I think you could have also just had a off day. I also have been practicing about 4-5 days out of the week and play for about 4 hours at a time. But some days I just can't make anything work for me. Practicing at a different location sometimes can help to get a change in atmosphere. Also just taking a break can be very helpful.
 
I've been playing this game for over 60 years and at least once a month for about 3 racks missing a lot of shots I find I'm forgetting to follow through. There are so many little things you have to do to make balls and get good position, making it IMO the hardest game to master.

In your case I think you really have got better and there is no challenge playing with your friends that don't take it seriously any more. JT
 
Remember that it's just a statistical fact that your game will have ups and downs, and that if you're playing below your average ability now, you're pretty certain to start doing better soon, due to regression to the mean.
 
XmarathonX said:
Take a break, seriously. Sometimes you just get a bit mentally burned out & need to step away for a few days or a week, maybe longer. It happens to just about everyone in just about every game or sport.
Click to expand...

Maybe I do need a break, but I work 3 days a week so after those 3 days I'm itching to get back to the table so it's kinda hard to stay away. But you're right, I do feel a little burned. Maybe I'm pushing myself too hard and having less fun.
 
RioSevario said:
The fact that you are showing frustration shows that it might not be FUN to you. Go back to the basics of why you are playing in the first place. Either enjoy it or maybe you need a break. When you put pressure on yourself to perform most people will crack. I know I do.
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I agree, I have been having less fun, and focusing more on improving. But I still love the game and I do enjoy it, just not as much when I'm practicing.
 
Rasputin said:
Play for money.

Or even better, for fingers.

Seriously, it sounds like you just don't want to win.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'm ready to play for money yet, but when I'm playing the A player we do agree that if I win he must pay for table time, or if he wins I pay for table time, so I guess it is kinda like playing for money, except it's going to the pool hall lol.

Ty-Tanic said:
I completely agree. I think you could have also just had a off day. I also have been practicing about 4-5 days out of the week and play for about 4 hours at a time. But some days I just can't make anything work for me. Practicing at a different location sometimes can help to get a change in atmosphere. Also just taking a break can be very helpful.
Click to expand...

Lol tell me about it. Maybe I'll try relocating once a week.

Johnnyt said:
I've been playing this game for over 60 years and at least once a month for about 3 racks missing a lot of shots I find I'm forgetting to follow through. There are so many little things you have to do to make balls and get good position, making it IMO the hardest game to master.

In your case I think you really have got better and there is no challenge playing with your friends that don't take it seriously any more. JT
Click to expand...

You're right, great advice. Maybe I'm not following through with my PSR the same way I do when I'm in practice mode.

BRussell said:
Remember that it's just a statistical fact that your game will have ups and downs, and that if you're playing below your average ability now, you're pretty certain to start doing better soon, due to regression to the mean.
Click to expand...

Haha, at least I got statistics on my side.
 
i love this game. its the hardest game in the world, its a beautiful game and when played right, it can be poetic, artistic. I unfortunatley don't have the time to play as often as I want, sometimes I go months without playing. here is what is interesting in that respect, I randomly without thinking about pool or being near it or anything, it just randomly pops into my head what I was having difficulty with, I honestly think its crazy, but It just comes to me and figure it out. I go play, and I have it down. I improve without playing. and when I play for a month or two straight, I start putting packs together, break and run 2, 3 times. its a weird thing for me. anyway, basically, take a few days off which everyone is saying and it will come together. it may take a year, it may take four. don't get discouraged, and you'll get what you want. ;)
 
Your only as good as your competition! When you play better players, your better game comes out! When you play lesser players, your lesser game comes out;) as far as taking time off,,, I haven't taken time away from the table when I play bad! I used those times to work on shots, position, spinning whity! If I'm a 100% frustrated, I walk away! There is always later or tomorrow. I have yet to spend more than 2 days away from the table because something always intrigues me. Ever play 3 cushion on a regular table? Ever play carroms? There are so many things going on on a pool table! So many different things to learn! I just love to play. Even though I can't put the time I'd like to put in, it's still ever so intriguing!
 
liakos said:
Your only as good as your competition! When you play better players, your better game comes out! When you play lesser players, your lesser game comes out;)
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Yeah you're absolutely right, when I'm sparring with my "mentor", I feel as if I'm in top notch form, but then the next day when I was playing with my friend I felt as if it was the worst pool I've ever played. I have tried 3 Cushion, all I can say is it's extremely difficult lol.
 
trinacria said:
i love this game. its the hardest game in the world, its a beautiful game and when played right, it can be poetic, artistic. I unfortunatley don't have the time to play as often as I want, sometimes I go months without playing. here is what is interesting in that respect, I randomly without thinking about pool or being near it or anything, it just randomly pops into my head what I was having difficulty with, I honestly think its crazy, but It just comes to me and figure it out. I go play, and I have it down. I improve without playing. and when I play for a month or two straight, I start putting packs together, break and run 2, 3 times. its a weird thing for me. anyway, basically, take a few days off which everyone is saying and it will come together. it may take a year, it may take four. don't get discouraged, and you'll get what you want. ;)
Click to expand...

"I love this game. its the hardest game in the world, its a beautiful game and when played right, it can be poetic, artistic."

Very well said.
 
Kris_b1104 said:
Yeah you're absolutely right, when I'm sparring with my "mentor", I feel as if I'm in top notch form, but then the next day when I was playing with my friend I felt as if it was the worst pool I've ever played. I have tried 3 Cushion, all I can say is it's extremely difficult lol.
Click to expand...

Try playing 3 cushion on the pool table:) you will be amazed with the knowledge you will gain for your 9-ball saftey play;)
 
Suffering from a common pool players malady

You may be suffering from temporary unrealistic expectations of performance. This is a common feature,where you actually believe all that practice has an immediate improvement of recognizable magnitude. Do not set the bar too high. Accept gradual moments of success,and build on them. The road is long, and you are just beginning. You Will Improve.
 
Kris_b1104 said:
So I've been practicing vigorously in the past month and a half, putting in quality time on the table. Usually 4-5 hours, 4 days a week.

Most of the time I'm practicing by myself and haven't been going out with friends as much because I'm trying to get better and they mostly go for the social aspect when we play, which is fine by me but I feel much more passionate about the game.

I've also been sparring with an A player a couple times a week and I feel as though my game has increased tremendously and I can see the results.

But this past week has been frustrating, I've played with my friend again for the first time since I started practicing religiously, and it seems all my training has gone out the window. I would consider my friend an equal ranked player with me or even slightly a ball under me, but I just can't seem to figure it out. I'm missing balls I'm not supposed to and giving away games like crazy, like I haven't been practicing at all.

I know it's not nerves because I feel more confident since I've been playing real tight sets with the A player in my local pool room, and that has made me less nervous because I know he's way better than me but I'm still able to give him a hard time. So what's going on? Anyone else have a similar experience? Why are the results of my practice not showing?
Click to expand...


You have to start betting something!!!! It's the fn truth. You will be surprised how much more focused you are. Also how much more satisfying winning is. (Down side how deco stating losing becomes!!!)

You sure it's quality time and not just hours and hours?
 
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