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duke@neo.rr.com

duke@neo.rr.com

soon to be banned
Silver Member
I wanted to ask you guys your opinions and possibly get some suggestions. since my accident, I seem to not play as well as I used to and lose to players I NEVER used to lose to. I don't know what the problem may be, but my focus on pool just isn't the same. any suggestions as how to re-gain the focus I used to have and not settle for 2nd best anymore? I just can't seem to re-gain that "killer instinct" I used to have. when I say 2nd best, I mean to the person I'm playing. I'd like to get back into my groove, and once again be one of the best players for my age in my city of erie PA. I'm turning 29 this year, and REALLY want to EARN respect from my peers in the pool room. I have the right equipment, so that's not an issue. HELP PLEASE!!!!!!
 
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duke@neo.rr.com said:
I wanted to ask you guys your opinions and possibly get some suggestions. since my accident, I seem to not play as well as I used to and lose to players I NEVER used to lose to. I don't know what the problem may be, but my focus on pool just isn't the same. any suggestions as how to re-gain the focus I used to have and not settle for 2nd best anymore? I just can't seem to re-gain that "killer instinct" I used to have. when I say 2nd best, I mean to the person I'm playing. I'd like to get back into my groove, and once again be one of the best players for my age in my city of erie PA. I'm turning 29 this year, and REALLY want to EARN respect from my peers in the pool room. I have the right equipment, so that's not an issue. HELP PLEASE!!!!!!
Click to expand...
What type of injury did you incure ?
 
duke@neo.rr.com said:
I wanted to ask you guys your opinions and possibly get some suggestions. since my accident, I seem to not play as well as I used to and lose to players I NEVER used to lose to. I don't know what the problem may be, but my focus on pool just isn't the same. any suggestions as how to re-gain the focus I used to have and not settle for 2nd best anymore? I just can't seem to re-gain that "killer instinct" I used to have. when I say 2nd best, I mean to the person I'm playing. I'd like to get back into my groove, and once again be one of the best players for my age in my city of erie PA. I'm turning 29 this year, and REALLY want to EARN respect from my peers in the pool room. I have the right equipment, so that's not an issue. HELP PLEASE!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Equipment means zilch. Some of the best players I saw growing up carried ONE cue and nothing else. That is all they needed and they ran out. Just practice, match up, play in tournaments. Anything to get those competitive juices flowing.
 
cuejoey said:
What type of injury did you incur ?
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree cuejoey. We need to know what kind of injuries did you occur and what if any had some permanent damage? (especially head trauma)
 
ok

Donovan said:
Yes, I agree cuejoey. We need to know what kind of injuries did you occur and what if any had some permanent damage? (especially head trauma)
Click to expand...

well...like I private messaged joey: I suffered a brain injury (brain shearing), a broken (way broken) right shoulder, I fractured a c2 in my neck, fractured my nose, memory loss, uh...that's pretty much it. the doctors expect 95% recovery though, and my shoulder doesn't bother me. this must be what I get for neglecting to wear a seat belt! now...any ideas??
ps. even though all this has happened...you'd never know to look at me.
 
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duke@neo.rr.com said:
well...like I private messaged joey: I suffered a brain injury (brain shearing), a broken (way broken) right shoulder, I fractured a c2 in my neck, fractured my nose, memory loss, uh...that's pretty much it. the doctors expect 95% recovery though, and my shoulder doesn't bother me. this must be what I get for neglecting to wear a seat belt! now...any ideas??
ps. even though all this has happened...you'd never know to look at me.
Click to expand...

Duke,
I suffered a brain injury many years ago (1977) and I can empathize. I still suffer from a seizure disorder (mostly controlled), short term memory problems (what was I saying???) and the occasional migraine that only really good drugs will cure (well, they don't really cure it, but a couple of grains of Morphine and I don't CARE if I have a migraine or not!!!) Even though I'm "recovered" and have been for many years, I still take medication (32 pills a day, including Phenobarbital, Phenotoin, Valium and various and sundry other barbituates, that are a MUST for survival) that really don't ENCOURAGE concentration and focus. If I start to lose my focus, I start keying on one thing in my stroke and try to concentrate on that. Example... if I feel my focus waivering, I'll think "Finish your stroke... finish your stroke... finish your stroke" and it really does help keep my focus in line... MOST OF THE TIME. BUT, other times, I couldn't focus on Paris H. standing in front of me naked, screaming "I want you Bob!!!!" :( And sometimes, I really wouldn't CARE if she were standing in front of me naked... I'd just be cranky and say something insulting to her! :rolleyes: Such is life when you've had your gray matter out in the open air for awhile!

Best of Luck,
Bob

PS: From past experience, crank, coke, alchohol, hillbilly herion (crushed up oxycodone) and other popular "pool room additives" just make things worse for a brain injury patient. I've been "clean" for many many MANY years now, almost 2 decades, but I've tried everything to make my focus better... simply concentrating on one thing in my stroke worked better than all of the things I damaged my body with in the 80's.
 
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so...alcohol is definitely no good!

Cane said:
Duke,
I suffered a brain injury many years ago (1977) and I can empathize. I still suffer from a seizure disorder (mostly controlled), short term memory problems (what was I saying???) and the occasional migraine that only really good drugs will cure (well, they don't really cure it, but a couple of grains of Morphine and I don't CARE if I have a migraine or not!!!) Even though I'm "recovered" and have been for many years, I still take medication (32 pills a day, including Phenobarbital, Phenotoin, Valium and various and sundry other barbituates, that are a MUST for survival) that really don't ENCOURAGE concentration and focus. If I start to lose my focus, I start keying on one thing in my stroke and try to concentrate on that. Example... if I feel my focus waivering, I'll think "Finish your stroke... finish your stroke... finish your stroke" and it really does help keep my focus in line... MOST OF THE TIME. BUT, other times, I couldn't focus on Paris H. standing in front of me naked, screaming "I want you Bob!!!!" :( And sometimes, I really wouldn't CARE if she were standing in front of me naked... I'd just be cranky and say something insulting to her! :rolleyes: Such is life when you've had your gray matter out in the open air for awhile!

Best of Luck,
Bob

PS: From past experience, crank, coke, alchohol, hillbilly herion (crushed up oxycodone) and other popular "pool room additives" just make things worse for a brain injury patient. I've been "clean" for many many MANY years now, almost 2 decades, but I've tried everything to make my focus better... simply concentrating on one thing in my stroke worked better than all of the things I damaged my body with in the 80's.
Click to expand...
I have had a couple drinks (probably earlier than I should have) for new years, but I'll cut that out. thanks for a little info as to what MAY help me stay focused. I'll try it tuesday at pool leagues. I appreciate it!!
 
Well, I must admit, I'll have a beer or two now and again (even though I'm told it could kill me... what the hell, I should have died in '77, so it's borrowed time anyways!) and I do keep a 1.75ltr of Jim Beam in the cabinet (this bottle is about 6 months old, still half full), but then again, I've always been pretty self destructive! LOL Do NOT look to me for the proper lifestyle! :)

Later,
Bob
 
Cane said:
Duke,
I suffered a brain injury many years ago (1977) and I can empathize. I still suffer from a seizure disorder (mostly controlled), short term memory problems (what was I saying???) and the occasional migraine that only really good drugs will cure (well, they don't really cure it, but a couple of grains of Morphine and I don't CARE if I have a migraine or not!!!) Even though I'm "recovered" and have been for many years, I still take medication (32 pills a day, including Phenobarbital, Phenotoin, Valium and various and sundry other barbituates, that are a MUST for survival) that really don't ENCOURAGE concentration and focus. If I start to lose my focus, I start keying on one thing in my stroke and try to concentrate on that. Example... if I feel my focus waivering, I'll think "Finish your stroke... finish your stroke... finish your stroke" and it really does help keep my focus in line... MOST OF THE TIME. BUT, other times, I couldn't focus on Paris H. standing in front of me naked, screaming "I want you Bob!!!!" :( And sometimes, I really wouldn't CARE if she were standing in front of me naked... I'd just be cranky and say something insulting to her! :rolleyes: Such is life when you've had your gray matter out in the open air for awhile!

Best of Luck,
Bob

PS: From past experience, crank, coke, alchohol, hillbilly herion (crushed up oxycodone) and other popular "pool room additives" just make things worse for a brain injury patient. I've been "clean" for many many MANY years now, almost 2 decades, but I've tried everything to make my focus better... simply concentrating on one thing in my stroke worked better than all of the things I damaged my body with in the 80's.
Click to expand...

Wow! Well how can you expand on that. I would have to say it is very fortunate to have someone that has gone through this type of thing to give you that kind of advice.

The only thing that might help you improve this a little faster, from a psychological point of view, is to take opportunities when not playing pool to use the same focus with other things that you do. Any conscious efforts will give you more insight on how it is going.
 
Hey Duke this is just my opinion.Sounds like you realy been threw some crap.Here is what I would try if I was you to get focused and gett your game back.Stay off the beer and caffeine drinks they just make you sleepy after a while and shaky if you see it or not.Get a good night's sleep. watch what you eat so eat healthy and stay away from the deep fryed food's and some exercise may help you to.I say if you do this stuff you will feel good, and your body and mind will feel good.WHEN YOU FEEL GOOD YOU PLAY GOOD. JMO
 
duke@neo.rr.com said:
well...like I private messaged joey: I suffered a brain injury (brain shearing), a broken (way broken) right shoulder, I fractured a c2 in my neck, fractured my nose, memory loss, uh...that's pretty much it. the doctors expect 95% recovery though, and my shoulder doesn't bother me. this must be what I get for neglecting to wear a seat belt! now...any ideas??
ps. even though all this has happened...you'd never know to look at me.
Click to expand...
Good Lord man you are lucky to even be able to walk ect.c2 !!!!!!!! i was in a parking lot with the drivers door open just starting to get into my car when a girl went off the road over curb side walk ect.struck me from the rear at 3o mph.crushing me between the drivers door and upper roof..basically neck and back injury with a titanium plate in my neck..that was in 1997 .it took me 4 years before i could even walk around the block without a migrane......everyday now and for the rest of my life i have to take several potent pain pills.......but still feel problems...BUT u and i are very lucky we are not in wheelchairs or worse....i too lost alot of the things i so loved..my weightlifting and riding my Harley to name some........ but at least i can get around.....when i go to shoot every shot i feel wavy like i am on a boat.it is just something i have to live with.....just try to do the Best you can but please do not get down on yourself......for what you went thru consider yourself very lucky you can even play pool.... enjoy the game and your friends and good luck to u.........sincerly CueJoey
 
Duke: you don't mention how long ago your accident was ????????? you are young and that is great for recovery.....you will never be the same though after those serious injuries...good luck on your recovery.......
 
Have you gone to have your eye sight tested? You may need a little vision
correction. Everything might seem fine, but you never know til you get it checked out. Other that that the only advice i can offer is, do not let it get you down, stay after it and enjoy yourself. Remember you have to loose a ton
of games til you start winning. Do not beat yourself, in other words, play safe, do not take risky shots that will give the other player an out. Play the percentages and duck if the shot is not 100% for you. Know where the cueball is going at all times to avoid a scratch. If you have to, go back to the basics and start from there. If you need to win some games to boost your confidence, stop in some of the local bar's with a few quarters and whip the local's.:D Do not give up.:)
 
Great advice guys....I can use some of that, myself.

My advice, for what's it's worth: Enjoy the game for what it presents to you at this moment in your pool life, cuz now is all you have.

Aging/accidents, etc. can be viewed as problems or as providing new opportunities to grow other, previously neglected, aspects of your pool game. Lucky you, lucky me, lucky us!...seriously.

When I was doing my goals for '06, I found a saying that struck me and might help you. The guy said something along these lines: "Don't dwell on positives that chain one to the past; rather, nullify negatives to release one into the future."

What I got from that is, to forget how I USED to be able to easily shoot good pool and begin/continue to eliminate the new problems that arise. Or put another way, instead of getting bored, I've got a whole bunch of new stuff to learn and master, so I'm gonna have fun doing that while forgetting/accepting what I've lost due to aging, etc.

Jeff Livingston
 
chefjeff said:
What I got from that is, to forget how I USED to be able to easily shoot good pool and begin/continue to eliminate the new problems that arise. Or put another way, instead of getting bored, I've got a whole bunch of new stuff to learn and master, so I'm gonna have fun doing that while forgetting/accepting what I've lost due to aging, etc.

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

That is a great post Jeff.:)
 
me too ...

I went head first through the winshield of my RX-7 15 years
ago. Suffered head injuries, shoulder and back injuries. Went
to a chiroprator for 2 1/2 years for my shoulder and back, 3-4
times a week.

My suggestions:
1) A hottub can work wonders for relief and relaxation.
2) I take a vitamin called 'Fortify' (Kroger product) with 26 vits, min, and
other in it.
It also has Ginseng in it, which, I believe, helps with focusing
in Pool and helping to have a clear mind.
There also is a prescription drug for Alzheimers that puts you
into a zone within 15 minutes. Great for shooting Pool.
3) Watch your diet, eat healthy and a variety of foods.

I haven't had a 'restful' sleep in 15 years, if I can even go to sleep at
all.
 
If you aren't already doing it, excercise. Do some cardio daily and mix in some strength training. Set aside a block of time for this each day and don't let anything interfere. Standard advice is to consult a physician first.

Build up your body and everything else will fall into place.
 
how long ago?

cuejoey said:
Duke: you don't mention how long ago your accident was ????????? you are young and that is great for recovery.....you will never be the same though after those serious injuries...good luck on your recovery.......
Click to expand...

you'll never believe this, but my "accident" was february 16th 2005 at 5:45am on my way to work. the doctors said "if I was fat or unhealthy I WOULD have died". I'm just glad to be alive, and try to be as thankful and friendly as possible. I don't need any more enemies. life is too short for that s**t!! I don't think I'll be "the same"...I WANT to play better than before!! good luck on that though...huh?! anyway...thanks for everyone's kind words about my mis-hap. I appreciate all your comments and advice!
 
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