Just Curious...

[ACL]

So, a variety of answers to a widespread affliction.

But no one has nailed down the cause and possible cure… yet.

Lou Figueroa

For me it's the six inches between my ears. My mental game has gotten better so the good streaks last a bit longer and cold streaks are getting shorter. Most of the time it happens when I have had a rough day or some kind of outside noise (stressor).

 

[Mensabum]

Oh...not true!!!!....some guys have completly nailed down why and when they play bad vs good.

They are called "Hustlers".....the affliction (and cure) is $$$$.

It is like I say every morning at the beginning of my work day when I sneeze........"Looks like my work allergy is kicking in......I know the cure....I just can't afford it"....

For the "Non Hustlers"....the answer is "comfort zone".......$$$ may have an effect on that as well

Most of us are aging out my friend. Hiding your true speed is an art in and of itself, but we all find that after months of this on end, hitting the gear we all have can be problematic when we need it the most.

 

[gregcantrall]

Hiding your true speed is an art in and of itself

The funny part is the skill that is oh so often overlooked is the cueball control.

He is so darned lucky every time he missed I had nothing. He never made a hard shot!" He is just lucky.

......Like uh? Remember Efren scratching his head as he smiles and says, "I got Lucky."
"I would rather be lucky than good is my response " to the he got lucky complaint.

 

[Mensabum]

The funny part is the skill that is oh so often overlooked is the cueball control.
......Like uh? Remember Efren scratching his head as he smiles and says, "I got Lucky."
"I would rather be lucky than good is my response " to the he got lucky complaint.

My father's catch phrase was "I'd rather be lucky than good any day."
Glad to know he wasn't alone in that.
Any good player will figure out pretty quick if he never has a clean shot after you're done that there's a bit more than luck involved. Lol. You can shout it to the moon and back, but most will quit ya real fast. Thanks Greg!!

 

[The_Brit_Pool_Player]

It's all a mental game.

That's what I figured after long talks with one of the top players at my local place. I was fortunate he took an interest in my revisiting the game after so long and very fortunate that he was coming up to me to play a few racks. I 've heard since he is picky about who he plays.
He has been playing a long long time at a high level and often explains some of his thoughts regarding mental preparation, named a few books to read etc.

also watched this video which goes into the mental aspect and it gets interesting when he starts to talk about the conscious and subconscious part of playing the game. There are times I over think the shot, especially when running a table and get to a pretty straight forward black and miss it. I've realized my hole shot process changes when I start to over think, get nervous. I let the conscious part of my brain take over when I should simply allow my subconscious part, which knows exactly what to do, just get on with it and pot the fecking ball.

It's well worth a watch.

 

[heater451]

S

sure.. I think even the best players in the world have times where they run through rough patches. I was always told when your game takes a step back thats when you should push harder because your getting ready to level up.

And the better a player is, then the less they probably go into slumps, and the shorter they last. Of course, if you happen to practice for hours a day, then I would think that would help to accelerate through any "rough patches".

 

[Mensabum]

It's all a mental game.

That's what I figured after long talks with one of the top players at my local place. I was fortunate he took an interest in my revisiting the game after so long and very fortunate that he was coming up to me to play a few racks. I 've heard since he is picky about who he plays.
He has been playing a long long time at a high level and often explains some of his thoughts regarding mental preparation, named a few books to read etc.

also watched this video which goes into the mental aspect and it gets interesting when he starts to talk about the conscious and subconscious part of playing the game. There are times I over think the shot, especially when running a table and get to a pretty straight forward black and miss it. I've realized my hole shot process changes when I start to over think, get nervous. I let the conscious part of my brain take over when I should simply allow my subconscious part, which knows exactly what to do, just get on with it and pot the fecking ball.

It's well worth a watch.

Well said my friend across the pond.
I wish more players understood just how important it is to get out of your head. You ARE your own worst enemy in this case.
You can always tell the players who have mastery over the 'Zone' or 'in dead stroke', or what have you, bcuz they assume a certain posture and focus level that's physically noticeable. A change from their normal play.
You can actually see the difference. At least that's what they tell me.

 

[Mensabum]

Well said my friend across the pond.
I wish more players understood just how important it is to get out of your head. You ARE your own worst enemy in this case.
You can always tell the players who have mastery over the 'Zone' or 'in dead stroke', or what have you, bcuz they assume a certain posture and focus level that's physically noticeable. A change from their normal play.
You can actually see the difference. At least that's what they tell me.

Also, nothing against instructors, they are invaluable for new players, but having new players count or say a phrase or anything along those lines during their stroke means they will never be able to allow their subconscious to fully take over.