how do you get out of a slump???

Blackjack said:
Slumps are caused by one of two things

1) Overload
2) Laziness

More times than not, with pool players it is caused by overload.
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Dave, great post. I agreed with almost all of it, but it is on this one point where I have my doubts.

Maybe it's about how one defines laziness. Laziness in terms of total practice hours is one thing, but I define laziness in competition as:

1) Failure to make a sufficient effort to plan each aspect of every shot
2) Failure to stick to your preshot routine
3) Failure to stick to the shot you have selected as you play it
4) Failure to begin your preshot routine anew when you know you're misaligned
5) Failure to maintain your equipment properly

Defined as such, I believe that laziness is as likely to be the cause of a slump as overload.
 
sjm said:
Dave, great post. I agreed with almost all of it, but it is on this one point where I have my doubts.

Maybe it's about how one defines laziness. Laziness in terms of total practice hours is one thing, but I define laziness in competition as:

1) Failure to make a sufficient effort to plan each aspect of every shot
2) Failure to stick to your preshot routine
3) Failure to stick to the shot you have selected as you play it
4) Failure to begin your preshot routine anew when you know you're misaligned
5) Failure to maintain your equipment properly

Defined as such, I believe that laziness is as likely to be the cause of a slump as overload.
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SJM,
In the original text I go on for 2 pages about laziness. This forum has a maximum character limit and I am forced to edit a lot of my material. The original poster sounded like he was suffering more from overload, so I provided info on that mostly, combined with practice routines on how to avoid it. I agree with everything you listed in your post. Anyone that would like the original text, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll send it to you. (no PM's please)

blkjackds12@yahoo.com
 
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Play the Table, forget everything else, and FOCUS 100% Attention on each shot. You mind can be your worst enemy….. :mad:
 
sjm said:
Actually, going into "I Don't Care Mode" isn't really what most of us think of when the word slump is mentioned. A slump usually means poor results in spite of sufficient effort, so your thread title is poorly chosen.

Your problem, at least as you describe it, is a matter of insufficient commitment to what you're doing at the table.

My advice is practicing taking each and every decision and every single shot seriously. Continuity of effort is something you CAN teach yourself, and the right practice habits are a bit part of the equation.

You'll have to be hard on yourself, because going through the motions isn't the route to success at or away from the glorious green felt.
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drills drills and more drills
 
Post?

drivermaker said:
Damn...I didn't realize I had been dealing with such a legendary poster over at that forum. Now if you can get that adept at using the archives at AZ, God only knows what a help you'd be. ;)
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I post where and with the folks that seem interested in pool and are serious about it! I am not much for the trash talking and other antics either on or off the table! JMHO! ...... though I do believe in live and let live, I am very happy to have been taught by "old school" pro and world class players that just took their game and the game of pool very seriously so I suppose some of it rubbed off on me. :)


:D ... as far as the archives, I did not realize I had any deficiencies in the usage of that part of the forums ! :confused:
 
thanks for the post blackjack and thanks to all the others also. I think that I am suffering from overload and i am takeing alittle time off from it but not to much :)
 
Thanks as always!!!

sjm said:
Dave, great post. I agreed with almost all of it, but it is on this one point where I have my doubts.

Maybe it's about how one defines laziness. Laziness in terms of total practice hours is one thing, but I define laziness in competition as:

1) Failure to make a sufficient effort to plan each aspect of every shot
2) Failure to stick to your preshot routine
3) Failure to stick to the shot you have selected as you play it
4) Failure to begin your preshot routine anew when you know you're misaligned
5) Failure to maintain your equipment properly

Defined as such, I believe that laziness is as likely to be the cause of a slump as overload.
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I hate to have to admit it, but you are as right as rain! I see at least 4 areas that I can look at in my general play (missed shot / position) issues that you have mentioned! :(
 
MrLucky said:
I post where and with the folks that seem interested in pool and are serious about it! I am not much for the trash talking and other antics either on or off the table! JMHO! ......

:D ... as far as the archives, I did not realize I had any deficiencies in the usage of that part of the forums ! :confused:
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EVERYBODY on here is serious about their pool, especially me. Doesn't mean you have to be a dud with a zero personality. Trash talking? I guess you wouldn't enjoy watching Keith play very much then. Not me...I enjoy the jocularity and entertainment as well as watching a real pro like him play.
Are you a fun guy to be around? :confused:

You didn't realize you were deficient in the usage of AZ archives?? LOL Try your thread question about who Mark Tadd was and what he was about.
Does that bring back any vague memories, or is the memory just selective?
 
drivermaker said:
EVERYBODY on here is serious about their pool, especially me. Doesn't mean you have to be a dud with a zero personality. Trash talking? I guess you wouldn't enjoy watching Keith play very much then. Not me...I enjoy the jocularity and entertainment as well as watching a real pro like him play.
Are you a fun guy to be around? :confused:

You didn't realize you were deficient in the usage of AZ archives?? LOL Try your thread question about who Mark Tadd was and what he was about.
Does that bring back any vague memories, or is the memory just selective?
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LOL! still trying? huh? you really got the wrong guy, but I guess I told ya that already ! :D

notice the bold part of my sig !............. please take note :)
 
Phil,
Drivermaker is pretty much an all around jerk with everybody, so don't take it personally.
Blue Camaro SS,
Whenever I feel or see myself starting to miss shots due to inattention, boredom, or that I'm-just-playing-around-and-it-doesn't-really-matter attitude, I mentally slap myself and tell myself to start concentrating and play like I know I can. This usually works for me. I follow that up with intense concentration on each shot and making sure I follow at least part of the preshot routine.
 
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bsmutz said:
Phil,
Drivermaker is pretty much an all around jerk with everybody, so don't take it personally.

Whenever I feel or see myself starting to miss I mentally slap myself
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I've never been with you, but instead of you slapping yourself, how 'bout I bitch slap you a couple of times?
 
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