Yesterday I was at a local establishment with a friend shooting some partners (scotch doubles) 9 ball, the usual game played is a race to 5 for 20. My partner is a much better player than I, and we started the first set strong, getting out front 3-0. I was having trouble with speed control, leaving my partner tough, but I was hitting what I was shooting at and he was able to work with what I left him. Then in the 4th rack things started going south, little things and the next thing you know, it's 4-3 with the other team on the hill. I blow a shot I should have made and we lose the first set. Down 20 we go again. I was worthless, my confidence suddenly evaproated (I was responsible for losing the first set after all) I struggled through the next set. I felt like I was missing all but the easiest shots, and we lost that set 5-4. I think it was close because of my partner. I was game to go one more but my partner wisely pulled up and I sat down. He managed to get a heads up game with 2 different guys winning 5 straight sets getting our money back and enough to pay for lunch.
Looking back at it I can see where I fell apart in the match. I can see my play deteriorate despite my best efforts to the contrary. I was feeling horrible about losing my partners 40. This was only the second time we have played together in a non tourney setting. The first time we broke even. Aside from that, the only gambling I have done is a 50 cent ring game on Sunday's (5 or 6 guys playing) cheap, and no one gets hurt. It's tough to find anyone who will play for more.
The question....
When your game breaks down mentally, what do you do to get your head back in and your stroke back? How do you restore your confidence when you are playing poorly? It's not like the other team was overwhelming, we should have come out on top. I got rattled because I was playing poorly not because the other team was so good. Was it the money? Maybe it was not wanting to let my partner down that caused me to snowball to uselessness...
:help:
Looking back at it I can see where I fell apart in the match. I can see my play deteriorate despite my best efforts to the contrary. I was feeling horrible about losing my partners 40. This was only the second time we have played together in a non tourney setting. The first time we broke even. Aside from that, the only gambling I have done is a 50 cent ring game on Sunday's (5 or 6 guys playing) cheap, and no one gets hurt. It's tough to find anyone who will play for more.
The question....
When your game breaks down mentally, what do you do to get your head back in and your stroke back? How do you restore your confidence when you are playing poorly? It's not like the other team was overwhelming, we should have come out on top. I got rattled because I was playing poorly not because the other team was so good. Was it the money? Maybe it was not wanting to let my partner down that caused me to snowball to uselessness...
:help: