Getting worse as time goes by

uwate

uwate

daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
Just in the last year, I have noticed a deterioration in my game. At first I just thought it was because I only play once a week and I needed to play more, but lately I have been coming to the conclusion that my ability is diminishing. I am 40 and I feel like I am too young to be having a physical deterioration but at this point I don't know.

I have a serious lack of confidence right now in my ability to make certain shots that just a few years ago I would have posted up $$$ that I would fire it in. Maybe this is just a slump...maybe I should take a break from playing...i don't know. Pretty bummed about pool right now.

Suggestions and input on this are greatly appreciated.
 
uwate said:
Just in the last year, I have noticed a deterioration in my game. At first I just thought it was because I only play once a week and I needed to play more, but lately I have been coming to the conclusion that my ability is diminishing. I am 40 and I feel like I am too young to be having a physical deterioration but at this point I don't know.

I have a serious lack of confidence right now in my ability to make certain shots that just a few years ago I would have posted up $$$ that I would fire it in. Maybe this is just a slump...maybe I should take a break from playing...i don't know. Pretty bummed about pool right now.

Suggestions and input on this are greatly appreciated.
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I too have been where you are at in your assessment of your game. I found out that by working "through" it, you are gonna realize that it's not your ability that is deteriorating, but rather it is your confidence level that is causing your poor play. Hopefully, as I did, you can get through this in a timely manner. I've seen people give up the game completely that I know were still capable shooters, because they could never regain their confidence. Hang in there, win a few matches, and you'll be back to feeling all "jiggly" :D about it soon!!!

Maniac
 
Hey, I played some of my best pool in my 40's, lol! Maniac made a very good point.

Another thing to consider is your physical conditioning and possibly your stress level. It could be you have higher expectations than you did 10 years ago, but I have found that the level of play has increased drastically (especially for women) in the last 10 years. Just keep pocketing the balls one at a time and playing a smart game and the wins will follow. :)
 
Thanks for the input folks.

My confidence level is indeed ebbing low tide right now. Yesterday there was a $15 handicapped tournament and I just felt helpless. Like roadkill.

Right now I am experiencing a high work load and stress at the office but that never shot holes in my game before. I have always had a high work load/stress at the office.

Last night after I got drilled at the tourny, I went home and watched Varner v Sigel from the 1990 us open. I was hoping that by studying the way Varner wins after being down 9-2 and corner hooked (he kicks in two balls and runs out and then wins double hill) I could change my attitude.

Captainhook....Wayne is moving back to Tampa next month so I will be coming over there to see him. Dale, I am sure, will be happy to lay another bear trap (or in my case lately a mousetrap) for me at the good ol Flamingo.
 
I think it is the kids.

I have noticed a significant drop in my game since my son came along. And you have two! I am 37, slight slump in physical shape because I cant get into a routine at the GYM, and there is no time to maintain the game. The thought and knowledge is there, just execution is off. And the stamina I FOUND THAT OUT AT THE FL TOUR LAST WEEKEND.
I also think it has to do with the old saying "That Having A Baby Changes Everything" what once was important is now just fun and I don't know if I even give two shi*s anymore about even trying to play better. All I want to do is go home and play with him. And I know that the time and money I am putting into this could be spent being more productive. So needless to say my mind is nowhere even in the game anymore. So I am sure that you want to play at that level again, but in the back of your mind you are thinking to yourself, "Isn't there something I should be doing" and you know the answer is YES!
 
What do you really think is happening?

Age, eyesight, confidence?

There is probably a root cause that can be addressed, so what do you suspect?
 
uwate said:
Thanks for the input folks.

My confidence level is indeed ebbing low tide right now. Yesterday there was a $15 handicapped tournament and I just felt helpless. Like roadkill.

Right now I am experiencing a high work load and stress at the office but that never shot holes in my game before. I have always had a high work load/stress at the office.

Last night after I got drilled at the tourny, I went home and watched Varner v Sigel from the 1990 us open. I was hoping that by studying the way Varner wins after being down 9-2 and corner hooked (he kicks in two balls and runs out and then wins double hill) I could change my attitude.

Captainhook....Wayne is moving back to Tampa next month so I will be coming over there to see him. Dale, I am sure, will be happy to lay another bear trap (or in my case lately a mousetrap) for me at the good ol Flamingo.
Click to expand...

Good to hear that Wayne will be back, we look forward to seeing you.:)
Let me know when you are coming up.:D
 
Thanks for the link, thats a site I had never seen before. *bookmark*

Eyesite..no I dont think so..20/20 and 20/15 since laser surgery 6 years ago.

My break is about 2 balls under what it was in the early 90s. Mostly that has to do with multiple knee and back injuries though. I am just not as limber as I use to be and cannot "uncork" on the break with the speed and fluidity I use to. I adjusted a while back to compensate by breaking more from the side but I will likely never hit the break like I use to when I was 25.

PROG8R, my boys absolutely have impacted my game in the way you describe it. There have been many instances in the last year where I will be playing and the thought crosses my mind that I could be home hanging with the lil ones. The highlight of my day is always when I walk in the door and both my sons greet me by tackling me.

Maybe the reason i am having a hard time working through this is that there are multiple causes. No one thing can be addressed, but rather I have to work through a number of issues before my game will ramp up again.

I was chatting with my best friend during lunch and he told me that he thought since the DCC my game has not been doing well. I know I came back from the Derby feeling like if there was 1000 people there, like 998 of them could beat me. Nothing like that to inspire confidence in your game. :(
 
uwate said:
Thanks for the link, thats a site I had never seen before. *bookmark*

Eyesite..no I dont think so..20/20 and 20/15 since laser surgery 6 years ago.

My break is about 2 balls under what it was in the early 90s. Mostly that has to do with multiple knee and back injuries though. I am just not as limber as I use to be and cannot "uncork" on the break with the speed and fluidity I use to. I adjusted a while back to compensate by breaking more from the side but I will likely never hit the break like I use to when I was 25.

PROG8R, my boys absolutely have impacted my game in the way you describe it. There have been many instances in the last year where I will be playing and the thought crosses my mind that I could be home hanging with the lil ones. The highlight of my day is always when I walk in the door and both my sons greet me by tackling me.

Maybe the reason i am having a hard time working through this is that there are multiple causes. No one thing can be addressed, but rather I have to work through a number of issues before my game will ramp up again.

I was chatting with my best friend during lunch and he told me that he thought since the DCC my game has not been doing well. I know I came back from the Derby feeling like if there was 1000 people there, like 998 of them could beat me. Nothing like that to inspire confidence in your game. :(
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hey i dont know if you saw all the other articles there but theres a bunch. just remove everthing on the end of the address up to the .com
 
uwate said:
Maybe the reason i am having a hard time working through this is that there are multiple causes. No one thing can be addressed, but rather I have to work through a number of issues before my game will ramp up again.
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I'm with you, David. In the past couple of years, my game has taken a nose dive. My problem is that I don't love the game any more. Not like I used to. And, I had set some goals, and I met them. And I'm not willing to put up any more goals knowing that I don't have the time nor the committment to the game anymore.

I was chatting with my best friend during lunch and he told me that he thought since the DCC my game has not been doing well. I know I came back from the Derby feeling like if there was 1000 people there, like 998 of them could beat me.
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You're lucky I was there, or else it would have been 999.

Fred
 
You know what i would try to get in stroke again?

Play her: Laura Lindauer :eek:

drooling.....:p :o
 
When I get in a slump it's usually because I'm overthinking everything and get worried about not making a shot. Once I just let everything go and just shoot, it seems to fall back in to place.
 
MAybe it is karmic retribution for all the butt-whippins you laid out in your younger days?

But seriously, as long as you are having fun, who cares?

Don't forget: If it isn't fun, dont do it!

And: It (pool) is really a dumb thing to know how to do.
 
There have been a lot of good suggestions mentioned. Bottom line is, you have to figure it out. If you can't, then start shooting only the low percentage really tough shots. Nobody feels bad when they miss those.:)
 
That is when the effect of drinking too much coffee comes in. I dunno if Viagra helps in pool performance. besides, it does makes your stick stiff, maybe it does the same on the other stick.
 
CaptainHook said:
Nice read, great post. I was just telling a new player that same thing the other day, to get up off the shot, and align himself again. Did not know it was called the double down.:)
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Yo Captain,
Did Corey and his sidekick ever make it out to your place in Florida to meet that cute chick you had posted in your avatar?

Inquiring minds want to know! :)
 
Uwate,

I noted that you said, you've had injuries to your back and knee's and your break isnt what it usta be.

If you find your game/confidence is lacking, then I'd work to compensate to make your game better.

Instead of trying to have your old cannon break, work on a controlled break, or a cut break where you can still get a good spread and pot a ball consistently.

Plus work on potting your balls more consistently, because since your break isnt as powerful as it usta be, your having to run 7 or 8 balls on a regular basis, instead of 6 or 7 balls.

I'd also work on playing tighter safes, so if you find you cant run out, you have the ability to play a lock up safe.

Mentally, your still thinking like you were 10yrs ago, knowing what to do, and all that stuff, but physically your just off that lil bit. Alot of it, is just adjusting your game to what you can physically do. Its not a over nite job either, but when you work on it, thats when you'll see your game improve.
 
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