I'm turning over a new leaf w/my pool playing...

M

mrpool06

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
After going 1-3 this week in BCA league, I've decided to turn over a new leaf and play "loose & just let go". In other words, I'm going to try to just relax & not try so dang hard to strategize, play perfect position, overthink, etc.....

The reason I'm going to do this is that I (briefly) had thoughts again of just quitting pool. I am devoted as I can be, practice & read when I can....but am no more than an average player. My record in league this year is 21-23.

Who knows, maybe this new attitude will actually help my game somewhat. Not that I'm going to just slop balls in....I will still strategize & play safeties if needed.....but I'm going to just focus on having fun & not being so damn serious.
 
"How do you feel Eddie?" "Fast and Loose."

It all depends on what type of fundamentals you have. If you are over-thinking everything, just relax and have fun. If you have the fundamentals down well, you should be fine.

Don't overthink things, but also, don't just shoot balls and forget about trying to play position and other strategy.
 
cheesemouse said:
Let'er buck Montana...:)
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Ha ha, I'm the furthest thing from a cowboy actually. I've never cared for horses or the country scene. My hobbies are things like pool playing, playing guitar, hiking, fishing, photography & golf. I mostly listen to rock music. Just had to set that straight!
 
1) You gotta play for the love of the game and the love of a fight;

2) Ya gotta focus on process as opposed to results --- and in this way let your opponent and the sweators fade into the background;

3) Ya gotta do your homework so that playing pool feels easy;

4) Ya gotta let go control of your shot after you've made your decision and let go of the match;

5) Ya gotta overcome frustration by learning something from your mistakes;

Good decision. I can't tell you how much problem I have with the same issue, and the list above is what keeps me motivated to play. We all have to accept our current level of proficiency and enjoy the process of learning and being the best we can be.
 
lewdo26 said:
1) You gotta play for the love of the game and the love of a fight;

2) Ya gotta focus on process as opposed to results --- and in this way let your opponent and the sweators fade into the background;

3) Ya gotta do your homework so that playing pool feels easy;

4) Ya gotta let go control of your shot after you've made your decision and let go of the match;

5) Ya gotta overcome frustration by learning something from your mistakes;

Good decision. I can't tell you how much problem I have with the same issue, and the list above is what keeps me motivated to play. We all have to accept our current level of proficiency and enjoy the process of learning and being the best we can be.
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Good list!!!
 
mrpool06 said:
After going 1-3 this week in BCA league, I've decided to turn over a new leaf and play "loose & just let go". In other words, I'm going to try to just relax & not try so dang hard to strategize, play perfect position, overthink, etc.....

The reason I'm going to do this is that I (briefly) had thoughts again of just quitting pool. I am devoted as I can be, practice & read when I can....but am no more than an average player. My record in league this year is 21-23.

Who knows, maybe this new attitude will actually help my game somewhat. Not that I'm going to just slop balls in....I will still strategize & play safeties if needed.....but I'm going to just focus on having fun & not being so damn serious.
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I agree with you 100% that we should all remember that we are playing a game and that we're supposed to have fun (I don't, of course, mean horsing around!). I believe that you play your best when you are enjoying what you're doing, and that playing well, in turn, makes the game more fun!

It's certainly worth it to relax, but it's equally important to reach and maintain a high level of concentration in order to play good pool. As such, I would certainly advise you to make sure that relaxation doesn't mean not paying attention to details or not being completely absorbed in what you are doing.

If I may say so, what I get from your post is not so much that you are failing to perform in competition what you can do in practice. I get more of a sense that you may be frustrated with a seeming lack of progress in your game. If that is the case, I recommend that you seek the services of a qualified instructor. When a player's game seems to stagnate despite spending solid time at the table, it suggests that either fundamentals, pool knowledge, or the mental approach may be in need of improvement. An instructor can identify those problems and work with you to correct them. That relatively small investment can pay large dividends in your game and in your competitive results!

Also, watch the best pool that you can find. It's amazing how much you learn from attentively watching the best!

Good luck,
VIProfessor
 
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