How can someone love the game so much, and still suck so bad.

worriedbeef said:
been there mate it's frustrating.

here's a little excersise to get some confidence back.

go to the pool hall or your table, put all fifteen balls on the table, and just one or two stroke them all in. forget your deliberate cueing action and stroke, just fire em all in. speed pool like.

i'll bet you anything you wont be able to miss. you will soon realise that you do indeed posess the natural talent and instinct to put the balls in the hole. sometimes i do this and take the hardest shot for my next shot and even if i tell myself "you're going to miss" i still don't.

the point is sometimes we get bogged down with all the hours of reading and practicing and over-thinking - sometimes it's good to do this to remind ourselves that we do actually already have now the ability to pocket balls if we just chill out a bit and let our subconscious do the work a little bit.

forget all your conscious thought about your stroke and not dropping your elbow and perfect speed. just hit the damn balls in the hole!

all the technique and proper form is important yes and for top play you need a good medium somewhere in between. but sometimes we just try to hard consciously and forget that we play our best when we leave our subconscious to play the game.

good luck.
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this is very good advice. i too will do this when i find myself struggling. it's just a positive reinforcement to make balls. don't worry about cue ball control or english.
 
dont give up man, you can get there. I would definitely recommend pool school or some quality time with an instructor that uses video.........just to make sure you dont have form issues that need fixing.

once thats done with, i cant recommend highly enough to start keeping a pool log. I keep one on my pc and every couple nights i will just type in whats working for me and whats not, things i notice, etc etc. When youre game is slipping, you can reference back and get back on track, and it will ultimately let you find whats working for you. I just had a huge break thru the other night with my game, and it woudlnt have been possible without my log.
 
Sounds like you need a break of a week or so. Try getting away from the game for a bit {and yeah, I know}, it really may be that you're just a little burned out right now.
 
Impact Blue said:
...seriously, wtf man.

I've really been struggling these past months. Recently I've accepted the fact that I lack any and all natural ability in this game. And even then, I remained optimistic. But lately for all the books, DVD's, nightly falling asleep to youtube/propoolvideo streams watching patterns, dreaming of my next cue, I'm just a pool nerd 100%. If ever in action, I'm usually in a good game--no confidence is lacking 'cause I'll railbird their shot choices and ability, yeah, and the pure WANT is there. I love this game.

But so far as personal goals and consistency? I can't get there. I'll go 0-2 in a local tourney, giving weight to some drunk, and it's just done. F-the rolls, f-the breaks, I should have taken him out. But I didn't, or couldn't.

I refuse to accept that I have too high, or unnatural standards for myself. It's just I don't understand for all the spirit and meditation in this game, and in all of its crushing defeats, that when all I want to do is run out a rack of 9 ball..pffh...game over. It's like some unhealthy relationship I'll never leave.

Does anyone else have light or advice on this? Absolutes aside, I still love everything about this game. What's my f-in problem?

(no heart, maybe)

I'm gonna go groom my tip now....
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Where are you? See my thread on Strickland Archer Pool School.
 
Maybe if you post a link or video a few people here could help. If you email me a video, I will take a look and offer my advice to help your stroke, aiming, alignment etc.

With out seeing you shoot. The best tip I can give... If you have any shot that you say, "I miss that every time" or "I scratch on that every time" that is a perfect place to start your practice.

I am sure if you love to play and want to learn you will improve. It takes a few hundred hours of good practice and games to become good. However a few minutes of great instruction can sure help you improve.


Good luck
 
Impact Blue...That is a cop-out statement. You talk about your "next cue". If you can afford a new cue, you can afford pool school or private lessons. The new cue will not cure your problems...pool school will.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Impact Blue said:
I can't afford it. I'm trying though.
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Impact Blue said:
...seriously, wtf man.

Does anyone else have light or advice on this? Absolutes aside, I still love everything about this game. What's my f-in problem?

(no heart, maybe)

I'm gonna go groom my tip now....
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What you described is exactly how I've felt for most of this year. I was even telling my friends that I felt like I had gotten about as good as I was ever going to because of my lack of natural talent. 2 things that I did that straightened me out were getting a lesson from Scott Lee and reading "The inner game of tennis".

Scott helped me fix my fundamentals to the point where I'm at least twice as consistent as I used to be when it comes to pure shot making. I would seriously skip the new cue right now and find a competent instructor to make sure your fundamentals are up to snuff.

The inner game of tennis has helped me tremendously with my mental game. I don't get down on myself when I miss a shot or make a position error anymore. I note it and move on. When I was reading the book, it was like the author was right in my head listening to the way I talked to myself while I played.

Good luck man, I hope you get over this hump.
 
How long have you been playing? If you have been playing for a couple of months and have the actual knowledge, then I think you are trying to hard. I can never play if I try too hard. I have to relax. See, when you think about it too much and try to get perfect shape on every shot, you end become stiff and so do your muscles.

If it's an easy rack, don't make it harder than it really is. choose easier routes and know that you don't need perfect position. Just relax and play.
 
Life (Pool life) is full of valleys and peaks. You suffer through to get to the mountain top. Keep suffering. Find a good player and mimmick. Ask a good player to hit a few with you. I'm sure the ego will nudge him to do so. If this shit were easy, we all could woof at Efren. The less serious you take it, might be better for you. Maybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Stay involved, it'll come. Sink or swim. Fight or flight. Trust me. It'll come.

If you want to be a millionaire, surround yourself with millionaires. Wanna be a "player," surround yourself with "players." Playing with a bunch of hackers puts no pressure on you. YOU MUST FEEL LIKE EVERY GAME IS ON THE LINE WITH EACH SHOT. Otherwise, you will totally be overwelmed when you play someone that can hit you with a rack or two.
 
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Impact Blue said:
I can't say that it's the losses I'm dwelling on; that just makes me play harder next time. But therein lies the faults. The good results aren't coming, for whatever reason.
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I'll take a guess and say you are trying too hard.

Impact Blue said:
I'm always more impressed with the moves on a person, or shot choices of a player. Smart patterns, smart games, grinding to the win on the loser's side, or just robbing someone by sheer street intelligence is all awesome to watch. Skill versus skill; you just can't teach experience.

And I've always said I would take a stronger cue ball over phenomenal cuts any day. Sure, finding balance there is key, but the latter doesn't impress me near as much. The cuts will come, but not without the cueball. Argh...
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You seem to have strong pre-concieved notions about the game. Pre-judging along any lines will obscure the truth. Be honest with yourself, but do not judge. Read Inner Game of Tennis for a better description. Blackjacks commentary is right on the money as well, imo.

Dave
 
cubc said:
Ok I'll give a realistic response this time instead of quoting a loser like in my previous post :D
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Yeah, that girl's opponent, who you quoted, is a real loser! But then again, most of her opponents are.....

:D
 
You don't quite make it clear about what your top gear is.

If that top gear is "missing" then I would suggest seeking out an instructor...Actually you don't need to seek...I doub't you will find a better one than BlackJack. You may find equal, but I doubt better.

Now if you fall into this following catagory then I suggest a different route.

If you (have) hit top gears and basically run out from everywhere, In reality you know that you do have the "ability" or "natural gift"...You have hit the shots and made the runs...so why can't you consistently do it???

When you are not doing what you "know" you are capable of it is very easy to get into the "I suck" mentality and it will snowball until you do really suck... I know because this happened to me....It got so bad that I almost "expected" to lose the match before I ever played it...Even if you are not saying it out loud, your actions tell the story...The saying "actions speak louder than words" is so true in this area.

I was in this downward spiral and was having thoughts of snapping my cue so I had an excuse to not play anymore and go back to playing Golf....This thread below and the link to this article completly changed my view of the game and my own personal game.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=91149

http://www.azbilliards.com/joewaldron/joe1.cfm

BTW - If you read through the first thread link you will see that I "USED" to be one of the best in the world at giving away games and matches...Since I read the article posted by Irish634 I can't say that I am anymore....;)

NOTE: If you fall into the same catagory that I was, you may find yourself in denial when you start reading that article...(I was)...."Keep Reading".... I kept reading and it dawned on me how dead on accurate this article was...It almost felt like the person that wrote the article had been writing it while watching me...

Does this mean you DON'T need instruction, coaching, or machanics/game refinement? Probably not...I think until we are all playing like Efren we can learn a thing or two about this game....
 
I think you're trying too hard, putting too much pressure on yourself.
You won't believe how much negative effect it has until you really stop doing it.

Read "pleasures of small motions" too :)
 
Cuebacca said:
Yeah, that girl's opponent, who you quoted, is a real loser! But then again, most of her opponents are.....

:D
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I get your post. and we'll see ;)
 
Go to your favorite pool hall and find a playing partner and play for 12 hours straght... do this as often as you can. PLAY, PLAY, PLAY...

If you want to get better at playing the game of pool, you have to put in the hours.

Once a week for a few hours a day aint going to cut it... 5 days a week at 2 hours a day aint going to cut it..

3 days at 12 hours is just getting it there and if you could get another day at 12 hours... wonderful.

Do this for 3 or 4 months and you'll get better.

Or get instructions from RandyG, Scott or at least an instructor as good as they are and it will only take you 1.5 months instead of 4. Think of all the table time cost you'd save....
 
Scott Lee said:
Impact Blue...That is a cop-out statement. You talk about your "next cue". If you can afford a new cue, you can afford pool school or private lessons. The new cue will not cure your problems...pool school will.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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I only dream about my next cue. I'm not actually saving for one, but you're right. I can try harder. I just recently moved, so I'm just trying to settle in and find my pool hall.

I just wish I could translate to you guys how disgustingly in love I am with this game. I have made debilitating compromises for pool. It's just so sad when I'm shooting that bad.

(lol, rhyme time)

Anyway, I'm gonna source out a local pro/instruction and see what his rates are. Scott, I got your breakdown, and I hope to work with ya then.

If anything, I really appreciate your replies. I've gotten PM's about this too, so at least I understand my stage is common and known.
 
Blackjack said:
If you conduct yourself like a champion - if you practice like a champion - and break through these walls like a champion - the winner's circle is unavoidable.
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Thanks so much for that. I might take you up on your offer, Jack. I'm just, uhh, kinda embarassed for putting it all out there like that. wtf....
 
I just went through all the posts and you still haven't answered the question, how long have you been playing, how well do you {normally} play, and really how well do your pool buddies play? If you've been playing for a few years and have had times where you played well {for you}, against decent competition, it's probably a mental thing. As has already been said, there's a good chance you're trying too hard, which may indicate that you haven't been playing a long time. If you have been playing for a while, there's a good chance you can get through this without having to shell out big money for lessons you may not need.

Edit: I also seriously recommend The Inner Game of Tennis and also Mental Toughness Training for Sports and Winning: The Psychology of Competition. You can probably get all or some of these at your local library.
 
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What????

Scott Lee said:
You talk about your "next cue". If you can afford a new cue, you can afford pool school or private lessons. The new cue will not cure your problems...pool school will.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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SCOTT LEE!!!!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING???

Don't you know that half of cue stick sales are based on a pool player missing a shot or losing a match! When someone says, "Get yourself a McDermott, or a Schon" when they have a perfectly good Jacoby or Joss. This helps my sales. EVERYONE thinks a new cue will up their game without practicing or doing drills. Sending them to school and making them practice will give them self confidence. I don't need that! Attention everyone!!! NEW CUES SOLVE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS! You will lose weight! Lower your cholesterol! Enlarge your P3nis size! Fix your bad credit! You will win tournaments! and you will pick up women! Guaranteed! (by Kevin Trudeau, see store for details and disclaimer form....not valid in AK or HI)

This message brought you by your local retailer.

Note: Sarcasm and satire was used in the production of this post. If you missed that please seek professional help.
 
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