How to not choke on the Money Ball?

d.p

d.p

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm a decent player and I almost showed that I was great player last night.

I was down 2-0 in a small money match race to 3.

Guy dry broke and I ran out.

I break and run the next rack.

I break and had a terrible roll. I played a safety and got rewarded.

I ran the rack and played terrible shape on the 9. I hit the 9 to the rail and sent the cue ball up table.

Opponent was able to cut it, but bobbled the pocket and left me a decently long cut, but it was a high 80% shot for me. He even started to pull his money out of his pocket.

I normally would drill it in with center table shape, but I over thought this shot and ended up cutting it too soft and sold out.

Is there anybody that has any advice on how to break past this mental barrier?
 
It sounds like there were one or two posibble issues regarding this shot.

1. If you were you still thinking about how you wanted to hit this shot even after you were down on the cue ball, then you probably didn't get your head around the details of the shot and that may be why you hit it too softly.

2. If you knew what you wanted to do before you got down on the shot but didn't execute, then it's likely that you lacked "shot committment". If you were nervous, distracted or unclear in your objective, then you probably didn't achieve the level of focus necessary to execute with precision.

The best way to fix this is to iron out the details before you get down on the shot and clear your mind of all distractions so you can focus on your objective. If you're nervous, then take a few deep breaths and a little extra time to get your mind in the moment.
 
Hello.

I'm new here and all the stuff about "fundamentals," shape, english, draw, etc. is all new to me too.

But making shots—and not making them—is not new to me. Sometimes I make some truly amazing shots and can't miss. Yet other times I can't make even the simplest shots.

I think my problem is over-thinking. The more I think about a shot, the less likely I am to sink it. And if I worry about a shot, it's almost a sure thing I'll miss.

I find if I just approach the shot and let my body's memory handle it, I usually make it. I also find that about 3 to 4 beers helps me do this. Or at least makes it easier to accomplish. But that's just me.

Good luck and have fun!
Harvey
 
Rick is on the right track. Either you were thinking while you were down, which is always bad. I teach players to do all their thinking while they are standing and not get down on the shot until you know what your plan is (aim point, English if any, speed of the stroke...).

You have to be focused on executing the shot like it is any other shot, if you are thinking "this is the money ball, I just need to make this ball" then that is different from your normal thinking.

I also teach players by having them do drills and practice with the 8 ball and 9 ball a lot (example is 3 ball with 1, 8 and 9 ball). If you practice and hit the 8 (or 9) ball when you come to that ball in a match you will have the extra added confidence that you have made that ball 100+ times this week.

A solid preshot routine is important too. If you have a routine, you might find yourself rushing it or even skipping parts of it during critical situations.
 
D.P., I wouldn't consider nearly running three racks a problem, even if you did get bad on the final 9 and miss it. You're almost there. You just have to tweak a few things.

The first thing you should tweak is playing races to 3 for any kind of money. Over time, those kinds of races will drive you mad.

Next, I agree with the other suggestions. Take a deep breath. Take a sip of water. Replace the thoughts that make you nervous with thoughts that calm you down. It's something you need to plan ahead of time so when the time comes you'll be ready and will take control over your thoughts rather than let them take control over you.
 
And dont forget you are gonna miss that shot around 20% of the time since you are over 80% likely to make that shot ;)
 
??

PaulHarvey said:
Hello.

I'm new here and all the stuff about "fundamentals," shape, english, draw, etc. is all new to me too.

But making shots—and not making them—is not new to me. Sometimes I make some truly amazing shots and can't miss. Yet other times I can't make even the simplest shots.

I think my problem is over-thinking. The more I think about a shot, the less likely I am to sink it. And if I worry about a shot, it's almost a sure thing I'll miss.

I find if I just approach the shot and let my body's memory handle it, I usually make it. I also find that about 3 to 4 beers helps me do this. Or at least makes it easier to accomplish. But that's just me.

Good luck and have fun!
Harvey
Click to expand...

There's no trick that will make one never miss a clutch shot. Every player in history has done it, and will do it again. The world beaters just do it much less than the rest of us.

With rare exceptions, every time we miss any shot, it's because we weren't ready to shoot. Each step in executing a shot must be done in the proper sequence. It's likely that you didn't complete one of the steps; in this case still thinking about the shot when you should be done thinking and simply finished the shot. Developing, recognizing and maintaining consistent rhythm will help you know if you're executing the shot properly or not.
 
Donny Lutz said:
With rare exceptions, every time we miss any shot, it's because we weren't ready to shoot.
Click to expand...

Not always, but often, I am—or think I am—ready to take the shot but change my mind right before the tip hits the CB. In a split second I make a slight adjustment, usually causing a miss. In short, I don't trust myself. This happens most on long shots. But, after determining the shot, if I stop thinking and just let my body do its job, that last minute doubt doesn't happen.

Developing, recognizing and maintaining consistent rhythm will help you know if you're executing the shot properly or not.
Click to expand...

Yessir, I believe this is my biggest problem :/ I'm working on that now.

Thank you for the input.

Harvey
 
Mr Lutz,

Thanks for responding to my post. I answered you but it didn't show up. Still haven't figured out the how's and why's of this forum :/

Maybe this "Quck Reply" will work.

Thanks again,
Harvey
 
I wish there was a secret to it...if I'm shooting well I'm capable of beating the ghost on a race, but I'll be darned if I don't choke on the cheese 10% probably in a match. Since my position has gotten waaay better now I'm starting a new fad of choking shots or botching positions on say the 7 or 8 because I'm way too worried about getting shape instead of settling for a shot I know I can still make that is a little more difficult. I think its honestly just a lack of focus that separates people from playing good to great pool....those little mental errors kill me way more than choking nowadays.

Any more advice to the OP question would help any of us who are struggling :)
 
It would help the diagnosis if you told us where you "over thought" the shot. If you planned a soft stroke from standing erect and then bent down with a shorter bridge or other fundamentals to shoot softly, that's one thing. You might even blame the hanger on the table.

If, however, you were taking practice strokes when you changed your mind about shot speed--that leads to dogging it a lot.
 
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