Keeping your confidence at the table.

jhanso18

jhanso18

Broken Lock
Silver Member
We have all fallen pray to it at one point or another. When you look at the shop, step to it and fire KNOWING that it will fall in the cup, the percentage is in your favor every time!

That being said, I don't get the chance now a days, and won't for a while, to hit balls everyday and build the confidence. The shots look fine to me when I get down. I know how to hit it, where to aim, and feel goo going down to the cloth. For some reason, once I'm down, I have this doubt in the back of my mind and I can't figure out why!!!!!! I'm not sure if it's because I don't see the balls falling enough, or what it is. I even still make most of what I'm shooting at, but for some reason can't get my brain to shut off.

Has any one else dealt with this, or had a similar problem? If so, how did you fix it? Do I just need to except that until I start hitting balls for an hours everyday or similar, that this will be the norm? I just want to feel confident about every shot BEFORE I pull the trigger!!!

best,

Justin

P.S. I have a bad habit of over thinking.
 
some suggestions

take lessons
play with people that will give you a positive push
keep playing and believe in yourself
keep in mind you cannot make every shot for whatever reason...but you can improve.
 
I think that you have a really tough topic here. It is probably at the root of high level playing.

The only solution I know of is to play the table and to know what your average run is. In that way you do not expect more of yourself than you can deliver.

Ever notice that players in the top ten simply walk away from a shot they miss. They do not get angry. Great players can be down many games and then come back. I think that these people are able to ignore, not concentrate on, or forget, prior misses.

There are times I have a shot that I know I can only make 10% of the time -- at the best of times. So I say Ok lets give it a whirl. If I make it I am elated, if I miss my attitude is, well that was expected. Where is my next shot.
 
Maybe that's the problem. I've seen perfect pool, and that's what I'm expecting of myself. I know how to play every shot before I get down on it, and because I've made up my mind, that is the way to shoot it, I expect to execute it as such.

I give myself no room for error. I expect to play every shot just the way I want. I don't think about percentages, and how hard the shot is. I just think that's the way you hit this shot. I think I need to adjust my approach to thinking about a shot.

I get so fricken nervous when I play competitively, that my hands will shake sometimes. I'm not intimidated by any person I play. I never think about how good they are, only how terrible I am. Even though when I'm level headed I can play very good, IMO. I have the same problem when I'm being watched by people I don't know. If I'm just messing around with friends, I have ZERO problems.


Good feed back thus far.

for refference, I play half hour to 1 full hour, on a TIGHT valley table in my basement, by myself, 2-4 times per week if I'm lucky. Then I play league 1 night per week.


Thanks,

Justin
 
jhanso18 said:
I give myself no room for error. I expect to play every shot just the way I want. I don't think about percentages, and how hard the shot is. I just think that's the way you hit this shot. I think I need to adjust my approach to thinking about a shot.
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I have absolutely no problem with thinking like that. I'd say do NOT change that mentallity. If you walk into a shot thinking about the percentages and the chances you might not make it , you shouldn't be taking that shot period. (assuming your not backed into a corner)

It's pool. Nothing is moving, no one is playing defense, there is no opponent. Every single shot you line up, you should be able to make. If you miss, it's (typically) only your fault.

I don't care if I'm shooting a 2 rail kick into a 3 ball combo, if I decide I'm taking that shot then I KNOW I can make it and that is all I see happening. If not then I'm not shooting the shot, I'm shooting something else I KNOW I can make.

Now that doesn't mean you can't figure in 2 way shots at times but that doesn't change your thought process when it comes to getting down and shooting the shot.

I say expect perfection and always thrive for it. Just be honest and realistic while on the journey to get to it.
 
jhanso18 said:
for refference, I play half hour to 1 full hour, on a TIGHT valley table in my basement, by myself, 2-4 times per week if I'm lucky. Then I play league 1 night per week.
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I'd say go play outside of your house more often, or just put yourself in pressure situations you're not used too.
 
RRfireblade said:
You have to train yourself to see it in your mind. Thats where it really comes from.;)
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Yes, visualizing the shot, including getting shape on the next ball, is absolutely key.

Let me add that the unconscious rules! Whenever you have any doubt or are second-guessing yourself, get-up and refocus with the same visualization routine. We have all usually paid the price, when we've failed to pay heed to that "nagging little voice."
 
I would go out and play more, but my time is limited at best. I have a 1 year old, and like to be at home to help and spend time with the family. I know once he's older it will get better, and somethings are far more important than pool. After he goes to bed is when I practice if I'm not busy or too tired. I've found practicing while tired causes more harm than good.

As to some of the other stuff, I will give some of it a go. I've been trying to play this weekly 9-ball tourny more regularly, but just havn't made it down nearly as often as I like.

I use to have a guy here locally that was great about sorting out what I was doing wrong, and giving me a way to work on it. Real quality pool is few and far between here now. Outside of Shane when he's home, there are only 2-4 guys that make a strong short stop, and half of those are only that good on a BB.

I think my next progression will come once I put a big table in my home. I know when I use to play on the big table vs. the BB, my game would improve much faster, and more steadily.

One last thing, I've started playing a LITTLE bit of straight pool and find it to be a blast! Good way to bring back the fun! High run so far is 33. I struggle with clusters, and thought this would be a good way to also help my 8ball game.

Thanks again for all of the advice guys,

Justin
 
I have learned (with age) to take it as it comes. I know for a fact that no one has a lock in a match with me. I also know I don't have a lock most of the time. If the rolls are going my way I can and have beat any caliber player.
When the rolls are not going my way I just hope they turn around before the sets over. I have had my opponent on the hill so many times and the rolls turn and I come from the dead to take the set. If your not hitting them great then just grind it out. If you lose then so be it. I never expect to win or lose because I have won and lost in to many situations. I have played dead perfect and lost and played bad and won. I think for me it's best to not expect to win or lose, just take it as it comes.
Until I learn Joey and earls method of willing the ball in lol
PS just jerking your chain Joey A lol
 
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