Hi all-
So, for whoever follows the brackets during a WPBA event, you all know that I lost to Karen Corr 9-1. What you can't know is that I had a total and complete meltdown during that match. I could not do a thing right. And I am posting now to share my thoughts about what happened...
On the advice of my coach, I recently switched from a Predator shaft to a Tiger X shaft. I do not know yet if the change will be permanent...but he wanted me to try it out for a couple of months to see what changes, if any, it would bring about in my game. Also, he has been altering my mechanics slightly...trying to get me to develop a lighter hit on the cue ball. I switched only about 1.5 weeks prior to going to NC for the tournament.
Going into the tournament, I wasn't feeling completely confident because I wasn't sure if I should play with the new shaft and use the new things that we had been working on....or if I should go back to my Predator shaft and play my normal way. I decided to go completely with the new stuff. Even though I won my first 2 matches...I was not completely confident and did not play all that great. Basically, because I was questioning my decision to make so many changes right before an event, I was having a confidence crisis. It all came to a boil during my match with Karen. She broke the first game and scratched. I had a wide open...and proceeded to promptly hook myself on the 3-ball. It set the tone for the whole match. Instead of trusting myself...I quickly switched back to the Predator shaft...trying to convince myself that was the problem. Of course it didn't help. At this point I was too embarrassed about playing poorly and too caught up in the internal drama I had created by not being confident about my decision. I didn't throw a fit...or slam my cue down...or curse...or cry. But once the match was over, I beat a hasty retreat out of the arena and called my coach.
He reminded me that it didn't matter what cue I played with or which mechanics I used. He reminded me that my skills are strong enough to overcome any of those obstacles as long as I believe in myself. He reminded me that the results are not important...that I should be thinking about the beauty of the game instead. He talked about striving to create the perfect hit on each shot...and that if I am focused on trying to do that....the results will come naturally. And he let me know that he was proud of me for being aware of what the problem was and for looking for the solution immediately. He also told me that it was totally OK if I wanted to go back to the Predator and the old style in order to get through the rest of the tournament.
I hung up the phone and decided immediately that I was going to stick with the new stuff...no matter what the outcome was. I had a night out with my roommates (probably later than I should have considering I had an 11 am match the next day)...and I told myself that it didn't matter if I won or lost the next day...I was simply going to enjoy myself and work on creating the perfect shot each time I got to the table.
I won my next 2 matches handily, and then went double-hill with the current World Champion, Ga-Young Kim (after being down in the match 7-2). I finished 9-12th. But more importantly, I overcame my confidence issue...and I had a great time playing.
So...I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you all what a beautiful game this is. And when you are struggling...or losing...or are in a slump and not enjoying the game - step back from the table, take a moment and try to remember why you play this game in the first place. Remember the joy you had the first time you drew the cue ball perfectly...remember the first time you nailed a bank shot...remember the first match you ever won. Enjoy yourselves....and the rest will come naturally.
All the best -
Melissa
So, for whoever follows the brackets during a WPBA event, you all know that I lost to Karen Corr 9-1. What you can't know is that I had a total and complete meltdown during that match. I could not do a thing right. And I am posting now to share my thoughts about what happened...
On the advice of my coach, I recently switched from a Predator shaft to a Tiger X shaft. I do not know yet if the change will be permanent...but he wanted me to try it out for a couple of months to see what changes, if any, it would bring about in my game. Also, he has been altering my mechanics slightly...trying to get me to develop a lighter hit on the cue ball. I switched only about 1.5 weeks prior to going to NC for the tournament.
Going into the tournament, I wasn't feeling completely confident because I wasn't sure if I should play with the new shaft and use the new things that we had been working on....or if I should go back to my Predator shaft and play my normal way. I decided to go completely with the new stuff. Even though I won my first 2 matches...I was not completely confident and did not play all that great. Basically, because I was questioning my decision to make so many changes right before an event, I was having a confidence crisis. It all came to a boil during my match with Karen. She broke the first game and scratched. I had a wide open...and proceeded to promptly hook myself on the 3-ball. It set the tone for the whole match. Instead of trusting myself...I quickly switched back to the Predator shaft...trying to convince myself that was the problem. Of course it didn't help. At this point I was too embarrassed about playing poorly and too caught up in the internal drama I had created by not being confident about my decision. I didn't throw a fit...or slam my cue down...or curse...or cry. But once the match was over, I beat a hasty retreat out of the arena and called my coach.
He reminded me that it didn't matter what cue I played with or which mechanics I used. He reminded me that my skills are strong enough to overcome any of those obstacles as long as I believe in myself. He reminded me that the results are not important...that I should be thinking about the beauty of the game instead. He talked about striving to create the perfect hit on each shot...and that if I am focused on trying to do that....the results will come naturally. And he let me know that he was proud of me for being aware of what the problem was and for looking for the solution immediately. He also told me that it was totally OK if I wanted to go back to the Predator and the old style in order to get through the rest of the tournament.
I hung up the phone and decided immediately that I was going to stick with the new stuff...no matter what the outcome was. I had a night out with my roommates (probably later than I should have considering I had an 11 am match the next day)...and I told myself that it didn't matter if I won or lost the next day...I was simply going to enjoy myself and work on creating the perfect shot each time I got to the table.
I won my next 2 matches handily, and then went double-hill with the current World Champion, Ga-Young Kim (after being down in the match 7-2). I finished 9-12th. But more importantly, I overcame my confidence issue...and I had a great time playing.
So...I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you all what a beautiful game this is. And when you are struggling...or losing...or are in a slump and not enjoying the game - step back from the table, take a moment and try to remember why you play this game in the first place. Remember the joy you had the first time you drew the cue ball perfectly...remember the first time you nailed a bank shot...remember the first match you ever won. Enjoy yourselves....and the rest will come naturally.
All the best -
Melissa
....I think you are quite capabale of beating "anybody" on the tour 
). I know it is a mental thing, but sometimes it is hard to get past the "it feels different" thought you have mid stroke. They say it's the player, not the equipment, but it is the equipment that affects people mentally. I have a hard time getting past the equipment (table size in general)... I'm sorry that you had this crisis mid-tourney, but in a self-fulfilling way I am glad you did, as it lets us novices know champs like yourself go thru the same BS. (I'm not sure if that sounds right or not.