Up until the past couple of weeks, I have been hitting the balls pretty consistent. All of a sudden I am having trouble with the last 3 balls on the table, I'm losing in ring games where I usually leave the game winning, and I lost a one pocket game with the locks....I have considered taking a break or just practicing more everyday. Im not sure what my problem is or what to do to fix it. Any advice out there?
In a slump?
- Thread starter traa89
- Start date
traa89 said:
Must be something in the water in North Carolina being that is where i am also...lol.
I am having what you call the shanks in golf but yet on the pool table it is called a brain fart... I can be rolling right along then right out of the blue i miss something that i should make 99.9% of the time...
It is dwelling in my head but i know that i am a good player and these things happen from time to time....Just remember this...treat it like a virus, start eating good food and drinking plenty of water and most important get plenty of rest. You'll feel better and it will just go away=)
Slump
Hi traa89,
I am sure that everyone goes through slumps from time to time. I, for one, have been in and out of these unwanted slumps. I believe the biggest cause for going into a slump is mental capabilities! Here are some examples: #1-Mental Pressures(MP): Your playing in a tournament and you have 1 more match to get to the hill, when suddenly your girlfriend calls you and says " I just took the EPT and it's positive and I need you here with me right now!" Remember to turn off cell phones before tournaments and gambling! #2-Getting Sharked:Among some of the other MP's are things that you are not used to or familiar with: You are playing a 5 ahead set for $200 and you are hitting the balls real sporty (like your A+ game) You started the set out playing like a champion, with the score 3 up and all you need is 2 games to win the stew, when all of a sudden, a group of people walk in the joint and are very loud and obnoxious and 2 of them go to the juke box to play $40 worth of the music you hate the most! Oh did I mention the volume knob on the juke box was stuck at 287 decibels and the really bright flashing lights you are seeing isn't from police vehicles, but rather the new designer clothes with flashing colored led's that the other 7 were wearing! Now all of a sudden the score is 3+ in favor of your opponent, who by the way, likes all the loud music and such. Now, unless you are Houdini, you most likely won't get out of this trap. #3- Phyisical and Mechanical:We should all know that if you have been playing pool for sometime, certain things can set your game in a slump. Some examples of the physical portions would be things that happen out of our control, such as shoulder joint pains, back problems, vertigo, etc,etc. The mechanical structure of a good player goes back to having solid fundamentals! Make sure when you are competing, that the basic fundamentals are all in tact.
So, to wrap things up, here is what I would do:
1. Before any competition, do a practice warm-up and check to see if all the basics are in tact. Now practice some banks, when content, play the 9 ball ghost some races to 5 until you win!
2. Now that #1 is complete, you have to learn to over come the MP's and sharks that will hinder your game from A+ to F- and put you in a slump! I know you have heard the saying "Play like you Practice" which is very difficult to do if you don't practice pool with these types of distractions going on as you play! One thing you could do if noises bother you is to get a good pair of ear plugs!
Just my 5 cents worth!
Hi traa89,
I am sure that everyone goes through slumps from time to time. I, for one, have been in and out of these unwanted slumps. I believe the biggest cause for going into a slump is mental capabilities! Here are some examples: #1-Mental Pressures(MP): Your playing in a tournament and you have 1 more match to get to the hill, when suddenly your girlfriend calls you and says " I just took the EPT and it's positive and I need you here with me right now!" Remember to turn off cell phones before tournaments and gambling! #2-Getting Sharked:Among some of the other MP's are things that you are not used to or familiar with: You are playing a 5 ahead set for $200 and you are hitting the balls real sporty (like your A+ game) You started the set out playing like a champion, with the score 3 up and all you need is 2 games to win the stew, when all of a sudden, a group of people walk in the joint and are very loud and obnoxious and 2 of them go to the juke box to play $40 worth of the music you hate the most! Oh did I mention the volume knob on the juke box was stuck at 287 decibels and the really bright flashing lights you are seeing isn't from police vehicles, but rather the new designer clothes with flashing colored led's that the other 7 were wearing! Now all of a sudden the score is 3+ in favor of your opponent, who by the way, likes all the loud music and such. Now, unless you are Houdini, you most likely won't get out of this trap. #3- Phyisical and Mechanical:We should all know that if you have been playing pool for sometime, certain things can set your game in a slump. Some examples of the physical portions would be things that happen out of our control, such as shoulder joint pains, back problems, vertigo, etc,etc. The mechanical structure of a good player goes back to having solid fundamentals! Make sure when you are competing, that the basic fundamentals are all in tact.
So, to wrap things up, here is what I would do:
1. Before any competition, do a practice warm-up and check to see if all the basics are in tact. Now practice some banks, when content, play the 9 ball ghost some races to 5 until you win!
2. Now that #1 is complete, you have to learn to over come the MP's and sharks that will hinder your game from A+ to F- and put you in a slump! I know you have heard the saying "Play like you Practice" which is very difficult to do if you don't practice pool with these types of distractions going on as you play! One thing you could do if noises bother you is to get a good pair of ear plugs!
Just my 5 cents worth!
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Take an hour a day and play with NO PHYSICAL MISTAKES. Be a coward, and dont shoot if you might miss. Play safe. Dont hit a shot til you know where youre goin - when you can do this in practice, youll do it in play. BTW, when you are feeling good, go ahead and shoot. But always take the shot that has highest pecentage of success. You play better in practice because of repeating play - in ring games, one hole, etc, you must learn to play accordingly..
What usually works for me is to take a week off from playing. No practice, I forget about pool for a week. I find other things I like to do, and waste a couple nights watching TV.
When the week is up, I'm so excited about playing again, my focus feels like it has improved 20%. I feel like most of my errors come from concentration lapses, and it's because I'm not as into the shot as I should be.
I seem to focus better when I'm not obsessively practicing and playing ALL the time.
A little break for real life makes you realize how much you love pool.
When the week is up, I'm so excited about playing again, my focus feels like it has improved 20%. I feel like most of my errors come from concentration lapses, and it's because I'm not as into the shot as I should be.
I seem to focus better when I'm not obsessively practicing and playing ALL the time.
A little break for real life makes you realize how much you love pool.
Read the article that Solartje put up today. http://64.233.183.132/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=2&gl=be[/QUOTE]
Neil,
Are you sure this is the correct link? I get a google page when clicking it on.
Neil,
Are you sure this is the correct link? I get a google page when clicking it on.
Put all your change in your right pocket.
Now tie your left shoelace in a double knot.
Turn your hat around backwards and put a blue tee behind your right ear.
Now tie your left shoelace in a double knot.
Turn your hat around backwards and put a blue tee behind your right ear.