Killer Instinct

P

Porter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
My Opinion.

All other things equal it is the player with the ability to maintain a killer instinct that wins. I am not talking about just focus or concentration. I mean the attitude that the player maintains where he or she wants to demolish their opponent.

Your Opinion?

It is the hardest part of the game for me. I get ahead in a set, or am playing a friend, or just a nice guy, I look back after the set and see where eased up. I am real bad about playing a weaker or young new player and my game drops off greatly trying not to discourage him. I get out of stroke and have trouble getting it back. I tend to play towards the level of my compitition instead of towards my potential. How can a player work to develope this killer instinct without becoming an ass? Or is that just part of the package.
 
Was it Capelle who wrote: Winning attitude in winning pool out; or something to that effect.

I remember I used to chant this in my head like a mantra once; and it actually worked:D. After some amount of soul searching and introspection I realised why. By having focussed on this chant I stopped thinking and started playing.

That's probably the key. Try to focus on what's on the table and not off!
 
IMO This happens to many above average players. I too have the same problem, playing at the level of the competition. My game has dropped drastically in the last 6 months. I play against beginner players and am having a hard time playing my game when playing against them. I try to give them a chance to shoot, so they can get better. However, I remember when I was at their level, the guys I played against didn't give me much time at the table...they drilled me everytime! In the last 2 weeks I've played my rear end off and have been leaving them with 5-7 balls on the table (8ball game) every time. I've realized that by "babying" the other players, they're not going to get any better! So...let the racks be run, IT'S ON!!!

Zim
 
I am a much better pool player today compared to ten years ago, but 10 years ago I was winning more tournaments. I definately attribute this to the fact that 10 years ago my killer instinct was much stronger than it is now. Focusing and wanting to win more than anything else is the name of the game.
 
Porter, Zim, and all you great shooters out there,

Please don't slack off when you're playing us less-experienced players. We learn best by watching you run balls and getting position and playing good pool and whooping our butts. Eventually, as we gain skills and confidence in our own abilities, our chairs will see less of our butts, but we're patient.

I know I play a lot better against a much better player when I know he/she isn't giving me any breaks. And winning a match (or even a game or two in a set) is so much sweeter for us when we know we've earned it fair and square, without you having to give us a "chance to shoot!"
 
My opinion is that in order to be a truly great player this killer instinct is an absolute must, as soon as you have the opportunity you must finish your opponent, no second chances. It is often this second chance where your opponent will jump on you, it's like a dogfight but you gotta finish your opponent off when you get the chance.
 
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