Frustrated At Pool

You have never heard of that old cliche " if only i could bring my practice game to the match table" ??

Practice and match two different animals, but one cannot live without the other
 
And probably the most obvious and best advise that can be given. Seek professional help.
Either a professional instructor to work on fundamentals, or a psychiatrist to figure out why you got involved in this game!
 
I feel your pain, I can help you............

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?

You've heard of Perfect Aim.

What I teach is how to manually correct what your brain is already trying to do but takes years to get there.

Some days it seems to be there and then the next it just isn't right.

I can help you and will and it won't cost you a thing.

Just give me a call and be by a table. I will help you understand how the eyes work and correct your aim so you will be able to envision the shot correctly.

This all has to do with your dominant eye.

By getting your dominant eye in the most correct position manually you can really speed up the learning curve with your pool game.

Give me a call. It will take about 1/2 hour. 715-563-8712

It will be the most important thing you will ever learn for your pool game.

Looking forward to helping you. My name is Gene...........Anytime after 4:00 PM central time would work tomorrow. thursday.
 
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In my experience, having expectations is just setting yourself up for less-than-peak performance, frustration, and disappointment.
It seems like you've put all the pressure on yourself, and maybe trying too hard to show that you are the better player. Just relax, keep at it, and play your game and over time, the results of your efforts will start to show.
 
I have the same problem, when I'm playing with a better player I can show my best game, but when I'm playing with somebody who is weaker than me, my game goes down. I think this is the absence of motivation, the subconscious knows that the partner is weaker than you so you don't have to show your A game to beat him.
Play with your friend for table time money, or give him weight, you'll see the improvements. Good luck.
 
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.

^^^^ this, you say you've been putting in a lot of time 4 days a week for 1 1/2 months, that's a good start but it is a long road. I believe if you don't play every day your game drops 20 % but that's me. Developing my game long ago & far away I played upwards of 40-50 hours a week, this game requires time, you have to put in the work & you're doing that but as the post I quoted stated, don't expect it to happen overnight because it won't. Just keep applying yourself & above all make sure the time you put in is quality time. If you find yourself playing around & not putting everything into the time you're on the table then break down & leave for the day, screwing around is more damaging to your game than not practicing at all. Playing against a better player as you are now will help you keep focus & you will improve & if you can get that by just paying table time that's as good as it gets.


Why am I the Colonel? Because I always get the chicken
 
One other tool for anyone on AZ is to post a video of their game on the 'net. You'll get lots of experienced feedback. Just one little tweak could make a huge difference.

Best of rolls, Matt
 
All this could be happening due to a number of reasons, when someone is practicing mostly at home she/needs to find the features needed in order to adjust to other conditions when playing somewhere else.
You need to insist, don't think about results when playing, keep practicing and try to be objective about your playing in all aspects. If you can't have proper instruction or someone with experience and knowledge to offer advise try to look at your game "from outside", and keep stroking.. :)
Petros
 
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?

Wait a week and check how your game is. These things go day to day. Hour to hour even hehe. Perfect example from me, Saturday I am playing in a regional 8 ball tournament. First two I play flawlesly, run out on a dry break from the other guy, break and run on my break, don't miss more than 3-4 balls I went for in two sets. Those first two games I won by a combined score of 8-3, 4-1 one set, 4-2 the other. Then the next two I miss shots easier than ones I have been making just an hour before and lose when I should have won both of them.

Sometimes your game just abandons you for a little vacation in bangersville. It will be back.
 
If you're not playing your friend the exact same way you're playing the A player (shot selection and decisions) then that might be your problem. You can subconsciously decide to ease up because of a perceived skill advantage (going for a shot instead of playing safe because you know your friend won't run out).
If you played a tough game against the A player for a couple of hours and immediately played your friend, you would probably crush him. Try to get to that level of decision making consistently.
 
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.

Your opponent is never 'my friend'

Stephen Hendry:
If you can't kick your opponent when he's down, whrere's the fun in it?
 
Wow these are some of the best responses or advice I've ever received. You guys are awesome! I'll try to stop being so hard on myself to perform at a higher level and just try to play the same way I play during practice or against my "mentor".

And my practice is not just throwing balls around and hitting them pointlessly(though I do that in the beginning to warm my stroke up and get loose), I put in quality time, drawing shots on a notepad that I have problems with and repeating them until I feel comfortable, drills, and playing the ghost.

Thank you guys again for the great advice and time to respond to my thread. I'll be a different animal next time I play him.
 
You are likely reverting to the style of play you are used to when playing with your friends. You need to work on your preshot routine and alignment until it comes out your ears. My advice is shoot a couple thousand simple shots (straight ins and simple cuts) giving each and every single one your full attention and concentration, making sure your body is aligned before getting down for the shot. Dont bang them in, keep your composure and tempo on your practice strokes and stroke each one with no english, follow, or draw. To help with this I advise using no chalk on your tip whatsoever. Every hit should be dead center.

You need to do a lot of this without much regular play in-between. You need to do it often enough that it actually does become the natural way you align and shoot without having to think about it. And above all, don't be afraid to keep shooting in this new style you are learning when you practice and play with your friends. They will probably notice the changes in your routine immediately and see your improvements. If you ever feel yourself reverting back to an old bad habit, take a step back and start over. Just keep practicing.

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?
 
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Just wanted to give a quick little update:

So I've listened to a lot of posters advice(thank you) and took 4 days off from pool since I last played my friend on Wednesday. We played back today and it was the complete opposite, I ended up drilling him 3 sets to 1. We usually play race to 5, best out of 5 sets but today we had to leave early so we only played 4 sets. I didn't over think any of my shots or add pressure to myself, I tried to completely forget about last week and just play like I'm practicing and it went better than expected. First set I won 5-1. Second set he came closer but I still won 5-4. Third set he beat me 5-3 and not to make excuses but right after the set started I bought a redbull and was jittery the entire time, never had redbull and played pool before -_-. But the 4th set was the best because I went out with a bang, I gave him a good ole' donut. I was having fun the entire time and not expecting to perform at a high level and slowed everything down. He even asked me why I'm taking longer time on the most simplest shots but I was making sure I followed my PSR on every shot. Just wanted to thank you guys again for the great advice and time off from pool really does do wonders to your game. Today was the first time I came close to running a package. I guess I'm finally seeing the results of my practice. You guys are awesome btw.
 
It's good to see your game came back (which never really left btw). Now you have some new considerations & know how to better cope if you should ever again find yourself in the same predicament. Well done, good luck & many good rolls! :thumbup:
 
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I think it is very possible that you let up without even trying to . when you are playing your friend you might not have that same focus or little tightness in your belly. I know when I play and know I need to focus I play better.It would seem easier to play well when knowing you are comfortable but I actually play better when I feel some pressure .
 
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?

To be consistent it takes time, and for one to expect anything quickly from this game has allot to learn. Just because one does this....whatever ''this'' is ....does Not mean ''That''....will for sure happen. Sounds like because of the practice and diligence, you expect that....that's not how it works in life. No matter what level a player is at if they play frequently they all have good and bad days. Play so much you bypass this type of thinking, then you'll get better, quicker. But tomorrow....it could be extremely Humid :grin:
 
Can't believe Kris is not taking Geno up on his offer. Guess he's going for the 100,000 shot memory routine that, I did 50 years ago.
 
check your fundamentals thouroughly,video yourself if possible and then you may be able to see the difference from when you are playing good and bad,

1. make sure your head is lined up over the shot
2. stay down thru the shot until its over
3, loosen your grip on the cue
4. Use as little side english as possible,stay centerball

number 3 gets me a lot you get nervous or know you are on a key shot in the rack and tighten your grip without realizing it and flinch and miss the shot,seen Efren do it and practically every good player at one time or another
 
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