I Need a Little Help

[1-P]

I Need a Little Help

I have been playing for many years, but or the last year I have been working very hard on my game. I have taken several hours of instruction, practice 2+ hours a day 5+ days a week, and spend long hours studying the game. All of this with much emphasis on fundamentals.

The problem is that my basic shotmaking remains inconsistent at best. Here are the two things that baffle me:

1. In all games where basic shotmaking is critical (9-ball, straight, 8-ball), I play at about the C+ level, but in one-pocket I place at a B+ level. I say this because I play a lot of B level players. In 9-ball and straight, my winning percentage against them is about 25-35%, but playing the same guys in one-pocket, my winning percentage is 70-80%, Even in one-pocket, my inning usually end with a miss on a make-able open table shot.

The shots I am missing are most often very make-able. In fact, I often impress people with a series of very difficult shots, only to fail on a 2-foot open table cut shot. And trust me, at this point I am not taking any shot for granted. I even quit using any side spin months ago in an attempt to eliminate all possible complications in shotmaking.

2. Just about every time I make a major change, either fundamentals or equipment, to improve my shotmaking, it works very well for 1-2 days. Then at some point I will instantly revert back to my old ways, despite the increased confidence. At first I thought I was just reverting to old habits, but this same scenario has played out even when changing cues or bridge length, where it is obvious that is not the case.

It is my guess that to the outside world, I always look like a really good player having a really bad day; a player with good cue ball control and obvious ability who can never seem to put it all together.

The frustration is obviously mounting, and I am beginning to wonder if this isn't all psychological.

Whatdaya think? Any and all suggestions and solutions are most welcome!

I apologize for the long post, but felt it important to try to convey the full picture.

1-P

 

[E-Licious]

2. Just about every time I make a major change, either fundamentals or equipment, to improve my shotmaking, it works very well for 1-2 days. Then at some point I will instantly revert back to my old ways, despite the increased confidence. At first I thought I was just reverting to old habits, but this same scenario has played out even when changing cues or bridge length, where it is obvious that is not the case.

I forget the exact number, but it takes 2 or 3 weeks to break an old habit and form a new one. You have to constantly make sure you are doing the new thing instead of the old thing during this time period (again, someone else might know the exact number of days) or you will revert back to the old habits. After this, the new habit becomes THE habit. 1-2 days is not long enough, I'm pretty sure it's 2+ weeks at least.

 

[Dave in Boston]

1-P

My suggestion to you is read "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Robert Fancher

In this book it discusses this exact thing, including why you improve for short periods of time when changing tech, and equipment. This book is all about the mental game. Try it and let me know how it works

 

[Big Dave]

1-P

My suggestion to you is read "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Robert Fancher

In this book it discusses this exact thing, including why you improve for short periods of time when changing tech, and equipment. This book is all about the mental game. Try it and let me know how it works

Thanks for the recommend Dave, sounds like a useful read. Is there any chance you could us what it says about the "small-change-to-technique-works-for-a-while" syndrome, while we're waiting for Amazon to deliver? I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice this effect! Thanks in advance, Big Dave.

 

[1-P]

1-P

My suggestion to you is read "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Robert Fancher

In this book it discusses this exact thing, including why you improve for short periods of time when changing tech, and equipment. This book is all about the mental game. Try it and let me know how it works

Thanks Dave.

You're right. It is a great book. In fact I have it right here on the shelf--just haven't opened it in awhile and forgot about it.

Great suggestion. It's time for a little reading!

I-P

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

You know, one exercise I would recommend doing is GIVING a lesson. You can either use a real student or pretend to have one but the point is, describe the game to them as though they've never seen it before. Go over where each foot goes, how the knee bends, where you hold the cue and how you make a bridge. Explain what needs to be accomplished while in the process of hitting the cue-ball. What should move, what shouldn't. Then, when you're done, ask yourself if you've learned anything.

Often times players do things that they wouldn't recommend to a student. They often preach better mechanics then they possess. It's always best to have a few beginners to teach. That way, you can see exactly how they interpret your ideas.

My 7th Grade Drama teacher once asked us to write instructions on how to make a Peanut-Butter & Jelly sandwich for a person who didn't know what Peanut-Butter, Jelly, bread or a sandwich was. Only one of us got it right. It made us all realize how much we take for granted.

You may want to start off by getting a book on the fundamentals of pool and reading it as though you've never read it before, never played the game before. Go over every word as though it were new and see what the end result is. You might come up with something totally awkward but then again, you might figure something out all the same.

In the end, you have to trust yourself. There's a time for learning and a time for performing. At times, I've found myself in the middle of competition, trying to correct my fundamentals. The fact is, THAT isn't the time to do such things. If you're not playing well, accept it and play the game as though it were second-nature. Let go of expectation and accept the fact that you may lose while not playing your best. Allowing expectation to seep in will only lead to frustation which is never good. Accept the fact that your game will always be in flux. Although it may appear that there are players that are forever consistent, it's really not the case. Everyone plays poorly from time to time. We can't control this. What we can control are the feelings that accompany this flux. Remember this because there will be a time when you're playing poorly but still have an opportunity to win. Sometimes, all you need to do is make a single good shot. You want to be in the right mental place when these opportunities arise. You'll be surprised by how many people you can beat on your off days simply because they didn't know how to recover from their own.


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[1-P]

Hi Jude,

Thanks for the note. You make some excellent points. It is also interesting that you mention teaching, because I have felt that teaching may actually be part of the problem rather than the solution.

About 8 months ago, my local room owner asked me start giving lessons to kids. Mostly just basic stuff on fundamentals and how to get started. Some of the kids kept with the game and the lessons became more advanced. I sensed, at that time, that act of teaching and playing was not a good combination. While some instructors can do it, I talked with many who say their game suffers from teaching. For example, some won't give a lesson within 1-2 weeks of a tournament.

Basically, I felt the teaching was causing me to put too much thought into my game--over-analysis of shots, technique, etc. Perhaps it was just an excuse, perhaps it was or is a part of the problem. I haven't taught in over 2 months and that is when I got concerned.

All that may mean nothing, but it is another piece in the puzzle. Thanks for reminding me.

Again thanks for you thoughts. I may just try one more lesson--this time to myself.

1-P

 

[Rickw]

I-P,

I couldn't discern from your post if you are missing the balls the same way all the time. When I shoot and I miss, the object ball usually winds up a little left of my intended target. I believe this is because I'm turning my wrist a little when I pull the trigger. My solution has been to maintain a loose grip and focus on restricting the movement of my shooting arm to my elbow only. I hope this helps. It has helped me so far.

Rick

 

[Bluewolf]

Gosh 1-p, sounds like you have a natural talent for that game. I have always thought that a 1p player has a special gift.

Are you worrying about what others think about you when you miss? Are you psyching yourself out on that last shot, even if it is an easy one?

Sorry, if I misunderstood but just questions i wondered. I also have the 'pleasures of small motions'.

I was having trouble on the 8 in 8 ball, getting nervous. When I treat every shot like it is the most important shot in the game, I do better, not at your level, but relatively speaking.

Laura

 

[thewolf]

HI,
I teach a lot of players ranking anywhere from beginners to strong amateurs. A problem I see in most players who are makeing a lot of hard stuff and missing the easy ones, is that they tend to " be too careful" sounds crazy but its true u can be toooooo careful and miss a dumb shot.. just relax and try not to think about it, just make it... works for lotsa players.... hope this helps

 

[maximillion]

Not to say that this might work for everyone, but I used to have alot of troubles on the 8 when I played leauges, the manager of the pool hall came up with an interesting idea for me, when no-one else was there he took all the eight balls in the pool hall and threw them on the table and told me to just start shooting, i did that for about an hour or so and the problem was gone, when I had a shot on the 8 after that I just thought of that pool table with 15 or so 8 balls on it and how easy it was to sink them, kind of funny and it really took the pressure off.

 

[1-P]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I think I have enough to keep me busy for a week or two, and hopefully headed in the right direction!

1-P

 

[LAMas]

In practice you should be able to shoot a straight in shot because you know where to aim - center of CB to center of OB. One should be able to shoot this shot and make it to the center of the pocket to verify that the stroke is straignt. If the stroke is straight then the mechanics are good and predictable. Try to hit the shot hard to see if the stroke stays straight.
You should know precisely where to aim on all cut shots by aiming so concentrate on the point of aim and if you miss it is probably that your stroke wasn't straight.
I have a tendency to stroke down on the CB rather than straight through or with the cue stick parallel to to the slate and that alters the path of the CB and on long shots that's enough to make me miss the shot.