I Just Cant Play

D

DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
 
Well the best thing to do is find an instructor to set you on the right path. Someone is bound to respond with that so it might as well be me.

The other thing I would advice is to get yourself to truly realize that s**t happens. Everybody has these nights, I myself am currently pulling myself out of a slump. Amateurs tend to live and die on every shot, and when they go wrong they carry those misses with them. Everything goes down from here. This is something I am working on.

I suspect a lot of it is mental. The best thing to do if you feel things spiraling out of control take a 20-30 minute break, get a drink or something to eat or whatever work for you. If things still aren't working pack it in for the night and come back fresh. There is no need to frusterate yourself to the point that you come in the next time with negative feelings, because you will just pick up where you left off.

Good luck dude!
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
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.....absolutely nothing with that attitude! Quit now and save yourself some grief.:)
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...

DCP,

You can donate your GCIV to me since I'm a needy college student! :D :D I'll even come and pick it up.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...


I wish i had your game- I have never run several racks.

The last time i played i tried some straight pool and set up the best/easist break shots i could and had a go. I Missed 8 of 12 of my own breakshots! After missing 6 break shots in a row, i then set up the side-pocket break shot that no one can miss. I made the shot but missed the rack entirely hitting 3 rails on every side of it. ON the next break shot i scratched. On the 2 break shots that i made and hit the rack, I ran a 1 and a 3!!! Anybody scared?
 
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Nostroke said:
I wish i had your game- I have never run several racks.

The last time i played i tried some straight pool and set up the best/easist break shots i could and had a go. I Missed 8 of 12 of my own breakshots! After missing 6 break shots in a row, i then set up the side-pocket break shot that no can miss. I made the shot but missed the rack entirely hitting 3 rails on every side of it. ON the next break shot i scratched. On the 2 break shots that i made and hit the rack, I ran a 1 and a 3!!! Anybody scared?
Click to expand...

LOL! This is hilarious! :)
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...

DCP,

For me to be able to help, I'd have to know which of the suggestions that you received after your last post you tried and their effectiveness.

Pool is as much about confidence as anything, I would recommend a good sports psychologist or reading some on the subject. I would definitely suggest taking some time off until you are eager to play again. Sounds like it becomes "not fun" for you after a while.

Sometimes for me, it helps to remove the expectations completely and slam balls around, not caring if they go in or not. Just enjoying the feeling of hitting the balls and watching them move.

Cheers,
RC
 
Nostroke said:
i then set up the side-pocket break shot that no can miss. I made the shot but missed the rack entirely hitting 3 rails on every side of it.
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Zerostroke,
While at DCC ('06) I watched the straight pool high run competition for several hours. Allen Hopkins was starting his attempts by placing his break ball in the jaws of the sided pocket, then trying to make whitey hit the very top of the rack. On his second attempt, HE JAWED THE OBJECT BALL IN THE SIDE POCKET!!! Perhaps you are being too hard on yourself - at least you made the ball in the side.
 
DCP, you have come a long way. Don't sell yourself short. At least you arn't throwing balls thru the wall and breaking cues. Keep up the good work and remember, this is just a game to most of us.
Best Regards, Don P.
 
A lot of people have posted replies on your thread saying you should just quit.
That might not be that far off from the remedy. If you can 'run several racks' then you have some sort of a game there, you might just need same time off from the game maybe two weeks with out a cue in your hand might do the trick.
 
F Y I
when i say i run several racks, i didnt mean i run several racks in a row. most i have ever strung together is 3 in a row. and with my luck with the rolls off the break shot its a miracle i ever get a chance to run 2 in a row.

DCP
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.
that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.
DCP
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Like others said already, if this makes you feel worthless, then I should be hanging myself with my mouse cord right now.:(

I was just about to post my best three ball run video, until I read this, sending me into a tailspin spiral of despair, misery, and dark clouds overhead.
 
You need to do something, and hopefully bowling is the key... I don't know why I clicked on this thread already knowing its content, but man... either sack up and work on it to get better and quit whining here about how you just can't succeed, or stay away from a computer.

It's always the same story with you.. I can't do it, why am I so horrible, my life sucks, my game sucks, etc.... How old are you again?
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...

...brother??? Brothers don't shake hands! Brothers gotta hug!
 
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DrCue'sProtege said:
(snip)

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...

"When life gets difficult, take just one step at a time.

Don't worry about tomorrow, tonight, or even one hour from now.

Find the next single thing to do and ask yourself, 'Can I do this one thing?' It is a 'yes' or 'no' answer.

By finding one thing you can do, and doing it, you move forward."

---Will Steger, referrring to his circumstances during an Antarctic crossing,
pitching a tent in 75 mph winds,
at 60 degrees below zero,
2,000 miles into the trip,
with 3,000 miles to go,
and no chance for rescue.

This quote is printed on the back cover of my Recipe for a Successful Moment. I look at it when I feel as you do and it helps me...maybe it can help you, too. What if it works for you the way it works for me?

Jeff Livingston
 
I'll suggest it even though the chances are slim that you'll actually do it:

Quit banging balls by yourself and read Suzuki's "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." And if you haven't picked up "Inner Game of Tennis" yet, your misery is self-imposed (and it is).

I would also stop practicing as much, and just find some competition. Practicing without competing is a recepie for frustration and failure.

How do you deal with failure in life, more generally? (I've already asked you that question in another of your self-pitying threads)

Your problems seems quite clear to me (we all have it, but most to a lesser degree than you):

1)EXPECTATION
2)NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR MISTAKES (and that is the opposite of saying "I suck")

Good luck.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i am worthless.

i get fooled on shots as to where the cue ball is going, i miss shots i have practiced 10,000 times, i fail to run racks that are just about a cosmo, my speed is off, i have no confidence, i ask myself out loud why the balls did what they did when i know it was me that screwed things up, i blame shots not going in on the side pockets (might be some truth to this), and just am generally not a very good player.

that is the way things usually go. at times i have a good night, and run several racks, and think there is hope for me.

i wish i knew what to do to get better..........

DCP
Click to expand...

Do you like pool? or just like the idea of being good at pool?
Kelly
 
I'm right there with ya. I've been playing for 3 or 4 years. I play several times a week & just got my own table, so I'm practicing even more. I really enjoy playing straight pool - my high run is 15. If I set up a break shot, I usually run about 8 and manage to stuff myself. Its totally frustrating to me - particuarly, when every other sport I've ever tried in my life has come pretty easy to me. I love the challenge, but am very frustrated by pool ... I think I started too late in life (I'm 41 now - eyes aren't what they used to be ...)

HT
 
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DCP,
Come up to Indy some weekend and I'll run you through the "Williebetmore Practice Regimen." The drills will tell you exactly what your level is, and will identify any problems/deficiencies in your mechanics (notice I didn't say "correct" these deficiencies - I'm not an instructor, just a fanatic).

I'm sort of the opposite of lewdo; I RARELY compete, but I practice every day. My practice however, is completely focused, and structured first and foremost to develop a sound, precise, repeatable, and pressure resistant stroke (without that a poolplayer is defenseless).
 
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