I think I suck

FASTEDDIE427

FASTEDDIE427

BUSTIN' BALLS SINCE '86
Silver Member
Heres the deal when me and my team get together to practice I can typically keep control of the table runn up to 5 balls and such. Heres the problem in the APA I am an sl2. for some reason once the lag starts my game crumbles. i mia easy shot and others look straight up retarded. last night i lost 25 to 8 and never broke a rack anybody else crumble when it counts. btw i"ve played a total of 37 apa matches in 9 ball and won 5
 
Keep at it!

Sounds to me like you should just keep pushing through it... my first session in APA (about a year ago) I finished both 8 & 9 as a SL3. At the time I was getting used to being a league and would let my nerves get to me. I also drank during play.

Since then I quit drinking, which has helped me keep the focus on pool, and am an 4 in eight ball and a 5 in nine. Currently I am going through a bit of a funk, having only won one or two matches in the past 3 weeks or so.

Do you have a skilled player on your team? Someone that is a 6 or better and can coach? Might wanna have them give a few tips, which is something I think I need since I've cooled off. It seems that since my skill has improved I have been getting fewer tips during play... which I think is something that greatly helped me improve. Some things I think I have gotten away from during match play:

-staying down after the shot
-taking my time during pre-shot routine
-playing smarter, such as taking a safety over trying to make a hard shot
-settling down after missing
-focus on one ball at a time, and play the table not the opponent

Since I have been playing kind cruddy lately I think I'm gonna go to the hall earlier than normal and practice (more than normal). Also, have fun! It's easier said when your winning, but while keeping focused, don't get too uptight! Hope the advice is reasonable, I think it's what I am gonna try since I've been sliding...
 
Sounds to me like you're letting the pressure of the situation get to you too much. I was the same way just a year ago when I first joined a local league (not APA, but similar). When I'm playing with friends or by myself I can run out from time to time, but when it was a league match I couldn't make 2 balls in a row. After a lot of reflection and discussion with other teammates I finally realized what I was doing.

For me, when I was in a league match I took a lot longer to play my shot. I over-analyzed the table, and focused so much on position and pattern that I'd walk around the table 2 or 3 times after *each* shot (if I made it past the first one). All of that extra "just wanting to be sure" took me completely out of my rhythym. Once I started ignoring the fact that it was league and that it was okay if I missed because I'm only a "4"... it took some of the pressure off. I sped up my game, back to normal, and I started winning a lot more games. Now I'm playing much closer to my true potential in league. Even got a few runouts when it counted.

I think a big part of it too was that when you're playing a league match, everyone is watching. So that's extra pressure... you have to learn to ignore everything not on the table in front of you. I finally found a way to do that and it's helped tremendously; especially in some of the loud sports bars we play in.

You have to be mindful of the game, as in you don't want to shoot at fliers still, but let yourself play *your* game. If you're unsure of something, ask for a coach. But focus on playing your game and ignoring everything else.
 
Timmy had a great idea. Find someone who can help you out. I think you'll be surprised what a little bit of coaching can do for you.

I had a 7+ on my second APA team and he helped me immensely. I got some basic stroke/skill tips as well as strategy. I'm a 7/8 level now and I owe a lot of it to him.

There is something to learn every time you play. Problem is, most people don't recognize it when the opportunity arises.

Good Luck! Hope you see the improvement you're looking for.
 
FASTEDDIE427 said:
Heres the deal when me and my team get together to practice I can typically keep control of the table runn up to 5 balls and such. Heres the problem in the APA I am an sl2. for some reason once the lag starts my game crumbles. i mia easy shot and others look straight up retarded. last night i lost 25 to 8 and never broke a rack anybody else crumble when it counts. btw i"ve played a total of 37 apa matches in 9 ball and won 5
Click to expand...

Don't get caught up managing results. Manage activities, results will come!!
 
I think therefore I am.

Just be positive and have fun. If you're an sl2 you don't have to worry out sucking, you do suck... knowing that should alleviate some of the pressure.

Have fun
Practice as much as possible
Pay attention and seek advice of better players
Know and accept the fact that some days you are going to play terrible

The most important of these if definitely having fun and enjoying the game. The next best thing is practice with a purpose. Don't just bang balls around, you should take your practice as serious as you do league or tournaments.

The physical and mental part of the game works kind of on a sliding scale... for example a C player might be 70% mental and 30% skill while an A player might be the opposite.
 
FASTEDDIE427 said:
Heres the deal when me and my team get together to practice I can typically keep control of the table runn up to 5 balls and such. Heres the problem in the APA I am an sl2. for some reason once the lag starts my game crumbles. i mia easy shot and others look straight up retarded. last night i lost 25 to 8 and never broke a rack anybody else crumble when it counts. btw i"ve played a total of 37 apa matches in 9 ball and won 5
Click to expand...

When I played apa back in the day, we had a guy on our team just like you.....he was a great guy to hang with a decent shot, but for some reason, he would lose.....I mean, all the time.....his achilles heel was always hitting the bottom of the cue ball......for some reason, even with coaching, he had it in his head to hit the bottom of the cue, which typically turned into a poor attempt at a draw that was more of a stop shot.....if he had any angle, the cue ball would race to the nearest pocket for a scratch.....not sure if that is your issue, but it killed him....

He lost like 10 matches in a row.....in our second season, he relaxed a bit and improved his record....keep whitey on the table and have fun....if you can run 5 balls, you are easily the best 2 I have ever seen....

Good luck....
 
I just don't know these days. Just got back from lunch and I did my first break and run. Then next rack I did the same only I left the 9 hanging third rack missed tough cut on 6. Ran the rest. If I do that on leagu night its a win. Oh well
 
FASTEDDIE427 said:
I just don't know these days. Just got back from lunch and I did my first break and run. Then next rack I did the same only I left the 9 hanging third rack missed tough cut on 6. Ran the rest. If I do that on leagu night its a win. Oh well
Click to expand...

Sounds like your problem is 100% mental, you're putting way too much stress on winning and therefore you lose. Just try to relax during your match. Try talking to your team while the next rack is being racked and remember to breathe. Take a deep breath before important shots to help relax yourself. Be confident at the table and don't second guess yourself. Just be ready to be called a sandbagger after you overcome this mental hurdle lol
 
FASTEDDIE427 said:
I just don't know these days. Just got back from lunch and I did my first break and run. Then next rack I did the same only I left the 9 hanging third rack missed tough cut on 6. Ran the rest. If I do that on leagu night its a win. Oh well
Click to expand...

Hmmm, sounds like you're sandbagging just perfectly. Come off the lemon right when it counts.

Better yet, play in a league without handicaps and I bet you improve quite a bit :thumbup:
 
We have a 4 on our team that does that. I've played regular practice 9 ball matches with him and he takes 6 points everytime. Put him in a league match and he might run 3 balls tops. Even on easy layouts.

He thinks too hard for the circumstances and he plays the player. I told him play the table. If you beat the table you win against the player. Tries position when it's built in, etc.

Ultimately he beats himself. I've tried to work with him on it, but its been coming slow.

Hang in there, you'll roll over that hill and it'll get easier.
 
bignick31985 said:
We have a 4 on our team that does that. I've played regular practice 9 ball matches with him and he takes 6 points everytime. Put him in a league match and he might run 3 balls tops. Even on easy layouts.

He thinks too hard for the circumstances and he plays the player. I told him play the table. If you beat the table you win against the player. Tries position when it's built in, etc.

Ultimately he beats himself. I've tried to work with him on it, but its been coming slow.

Hang in there, you'll roll over that hill and it'll get easier.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the kind words I'm only 24 so I got a lot of time to get better
 
May be that someone on here is close to where you play
and help you move forward . The fun in being an sl2 is that
you are going to learn a LOT of things. And the help is out there
Petey
 
Problems in ur head. Get ur head out of the game.

2 things I have used or recommended to people on my pool teams that have had bouts with the same issue you are having (and its VERY common) just in different degrees...

1: Whistle. Sounds funny, but think of your favorite song whatever that may be and whistle the song as your playing, you will obviously need to be thinking of the words to the song as you whistle if your thinking about that... your not thinking nearly as much about anything else. When I find myself overthinking and letting subcountious doubt creep in.. or Ive missed a few shots I should be making all day... I whistle "Sand Man", the entire song, and I keep whstling it until I can shift into gear... Funny little trick but it works...

2: Gum. Same thing, getting your head preocupied with something else. Chew gum and think about chewing it as your doing it, count the chews between shots, think anything you need to think, but focus on that gum...

The shots are in you obviously. If you can make 4-5 ball runs of B&R you have the ability something else is in the way (your brain)... Misdirection... get that thing looking one way, while you go the other.
 
The only one that knows the difference between you practicing and you playing a real match, is you.

You have to play the same way you practice, when it counts.
 
tom mcgonagle said:
The only one that knows the difference between you practicing and you playing a real match, is you.

You have to play the same way you practice, when it counts.
Click to expand...

Tom I really think u and dawg. Haver a great idea. I could run headphones to my blackberry while I shoot. I always shoot better when my songs are on the juke box
 
Yeah, don't put the APA on a pedestal. It's just leagues man, if you start creepin there's no way you're gettin anywhere (like a lot of other things...). just relax, let your stroke do all the work. It took me a while to not play differently in leagues and money games and tournaments vs just practicing. Now I'm the opposite and I play better when there is a little motivation. I still get a little jacked up occasionally when I'm out of my element or in a new situation, but that only makes my everyday game better.

If you're looking for an easy answer there isn't one. Play more, get experience, and grow your pool game to the next level.

Good luck, and don't use your APA skill level as a barometer of your real skill. You'll get better when you stop caring what someone else says your skill level is. Besides, they're not supposed to know your true speed anyway...
 
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