Lack of killer instinct.

CaptainJR

CaptainJR

Shiver me timbers.
Silver Member
My teacher/coach tells me and a friend just mentioned the other day that I don't take the game seriously enough. I think I am but they say that I could win even more games if I'd quit talking with the opponent, laughing at my mistakes, fooling around, etc., etc. in-between shots.

I feel I am very serious when I'm over the ball and I'm seriouse enough that I take lessons. One thing that does lead me to agree with them is, I seem to have a little trouble closing sometimes. Get near the end of the run, relax, lose concentration, and miss a shot or position that I shouldn't miss.

Do you think this is all related?

I certainly enjoy myself when playing, but you would think I'd enjoy winning more. I guess for you to reply to this, you need to have the correct perspective. So I'll say that I am a fairly good player as is. (700 or higher in local league play, {non-handicap league}) They just seem to think that if I instilled a little more 'killer instinct', I could get to the top 10 regularly in some fairly big, local tournaments. ($70 to $100 entry fee type tournaments, good players only type)

I really don't know if this is something I can change. Or maybe inside I don't want to change it for fear that after I change it, I won't have any excuses left. I don't know, just thinking out load here.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you
JR
 
I know what you're saying.

CaptainJR said:
My teacher/coach tells me and a friend just mentioned the other day that I don't take the game seriously enough. I think I am but they say that I could win even more games if I'd quit talking with the opponent, laughing at my mistakes, fooling around, etc., etc. in-between shots.

I feel I am very serious when I'm over the ball and I'm seriouse enough that I take lessons. One thing that does lead me to agree with them is, I seem to have a little trouble closing sometimes. Get near the end of the run, relax, lose concentration, and miss a shot or position that I shouldn't miss.

Do you think this is all related?

I certainly enjoy myself when playing, but you would think I'd enjoy winning more. I guess for you to reply to this, you need to have the correct perspective. So I'll say that I am a fairly good player as is. (700 or higher in local league play, {non-handicap league}) They just seem to think that if I instilled a little more 'killer instinct', I could get to the top 10 regularly in some fairly big, local tournaments. ($70 to $100 entry fee type tournaments, good players only type)

I really don't know if this is something I can change. Or maybe inside I don't want to change it for fear that after I change it, I won't have any excuses left. I don't know, just thinking out load here.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you
JR
Click to expand...


Not too long ago I found that I was in about the same boat. I wanted to play good and as long as I felt I showed everyone I could still play, I was happy. I went to the tournaments and would visit with friends instead of trying to win every single game. Once I realized what I had started to do, I worked on changing my perspective. Now when I go to the tournament, I go to not only win my matches, but to destroy every person I play. I tell myself that I came to win, not to play good, to win. Every shot counts. If I'm not going to wi the tournament, I could be home with my kids. So beat every person you can 7-0 or 9-0. See how many people you can agitate by not giving them a decent shot for 3,4,or 5 games in a row. Be quiet, focused, and ready to play. This is what I tried and the next 3 ABC handicap tournaments I got 1st place. That don't mean you'll win every tournament and this approach may not work for you, but set yourself a goal to do better and it will happen. Always remember to enjoy yourself, it's a great game. Hope this helps. Sam
 
satman said:
Not too long ago I found that I was in about the same boat. I wanted to play good and as long as I felt I showed everyone I could still play, I was happy. I went to the tournaments and would visit with friends instead of trying to win every single game. Once I realized what I had started to do, I worked on changing my perspective. Now when I go to the tournament, I go to not only win my matches, but to destroy every person I play. I tell myself that I came to win, not to play good, to win. Every shot counts. If I'm not going to wi the tournament, I could be home with my kids. So beat every person you can 7-0 or 9-0. See how many people you can agitate by not giving them a decent shot for 3,4,or 5 games in a row. Be quiet, focused, and ready to play. This is what I tried and the next 3 ABC handicap tournaments I got 1st place. That don't mean you'll win every tournament and this approach may not work for you, but set yourself a goal to do better and it will happen. Always remember to enjoy yourself, it's a great game. Hope this helps. Sam
Click to expand...


I think you had the killer instinct for a long time and just let it go to sleep for awhile. When you use the word DESTROY and try to blank them out, THAT's killer instinct as long as you maintain the focus and attitude to follow it out to completion. Everybody doesn't have that in them, as a matter of fact very few. I'm not sure that our first poster does and I don't think he'll be able to develop it. But that shouldn't stop him from enjoying the game as long as he's happy doing what he's doing.
 
My feeling is it all depends on what you at looking for and why you play. If you play because you enjoy destroying and devastating your opponent then you must have a KILLER instinct and have the attitude that winning is all important.
 
I have the same problem as you in tournaments or when just playing with friends for fun. But...when gambling, that killer instinct really comes out, 'cause I'll be damned if that goof ball in the chair is going to take money out of my pocket!

In tournments, the money is already spent, to me, I just can't get into tournament play. I'd rather play one hole or play $1 a point straight. Just me though.

I know this doesn't really answer your question, but if I'm out to have fun with my buddies, I do the same thing as you, if we're gamblin' I want to beat'em until their broke...

FWIW,

Jim
 
I reckon that is why I quit gambling on my own play. When you have money involved winning becomes so important it, to me at least, takes away from the sheer enjoyment of 'the game'. Sometimes at a bar someone will say -"shoot for a beer?". My standard answer - "If you need a beer I'll be happy to buy you one. If you would like to shoot a game of pool for the enjoyment of shooting then I'll furnish the quarters". If I want to gamble on pool I'll get me a racehorse to stake or work the rail.

Also, a lot of times when you mix alcohol with gambling you wind up with someone getting rowdy.

I like tournament play as I gives me a chance to play against folks that I would not normally have the opportunity to compete with.
 
Well, you all gave me some good feedback. I'm heading out to Ivory Pool Hall in York Pa. today for a little tournament and give a try at seeing if I can keep my poker face on for the duration. Just enjoy the game in itself.

Thank you
JR
 
CaptainJR said:
Well, you all gave me some good feedback. I'm heading out to Ivory Pool Hall in York Pa. today for a little tournament and give a try at seeing if I can keep my poker face on for the duration. Just enjoy the game in itself.

Thank you
JR
Click to expand...


Whether the face is a poker face or a smiley face, it's still only a mask. Underneath in your heart has to be the desire to rape, pillage, plunder, and destroy. Is that there?
 
You shouldn't confuse Killer Instinct with Focus!

Some people can only focus when they have the killer instinct, but that doesn't mean Killer Instinct is necessary for focus.

I believe most superior sports stars are driven more by a pursuit of perfection of themselves than at focusing on destroying opponents.

To me, any thoughts about the opponent are a distraction. My goal is to focus on choosing the right shot and then focus on executing it well.

To be chatting and joking around a lot while you play will likely detract from your focus. Try to be relaxed but readied to concentrate.
 
Colin's point is good, but your team mates may have a point also,

when i am in league and it is my turn to play I am focused on the table and nothing else matters whether it is my shot or not. My mind set is I am going to win! I don't want stray thoughts entering my head so I refrane from being verbal with the other player(s) or my team except to call fouls, etc. Some people can handle talking casually to their opponent during a game but your team mates may think your opponent is trying (and succeeding) to get into your head.

Ten years ago I was playing a guy in an APA league, I had already won the first four games before I realized the guy was following me around the table and standing behind me on every shot. No big deal but he was singing to the music on the system BADLY, off beat off key. It was not until the middle of the fifth game that my focus began to slip and I notice what he was doing. So I made a game of his sharking. I'd fake like I was setting up on a shot then I would whip around to the other side of the table and shoot something else. One time I positioned him so my team mates could hear him sing I then stopped and turn to my mates and said "lets all sing along with so and so!" I ended up beating the pants off the guy 6/0. The first part was focus the last part was anger.

Who cares where you get your inspiration to win but you need it to win! If you can turn your focus on and off like a light switch, great, talk all you want. But if you really have something you want to talk about with your opponent why not do it after you beat them. Unless ouf course you both enjoy trying to shark each other and both know thats what your doing...
 
Craig Arnold said:
Colin's point is good, but your team mates may have a point also,

when i am in league and it is my turn to play I am focused on the table and nothing else matters whether it is my shot or not. My mind set is I am going to win! I don't want stray thoughts entering my head so I refrane from being verbal with the other player(s) or my team except to call fouls, etc. Some people can handle talking casually to their opponent during a game but your team mates may think your opponent is trying (and succeeding) to get into your head.

Ten years ago I was playing a guy in an APA league, I had already won the first four games before I realized the guy was following me around the table and standing behind me on every shot. No big deal but he was singing to the music on the system BADLY, off beat off key. It was not until the middle of the fifth game that my focus began to slip and I notice what he was doing. So I made a game of his sharking. I'd fake like I was setting up on a shot then I would whip around to the other side of the table and shoot something else. One time I positioned him so my team mates could hear him sing I then stopped and turn to my mates and said "lets all sing along with so and so!" I ended up beating the pants off the guy 6/0. The first part was focus the last part was anger.

Who cares where you get your inspiration to win but you need it to win! If you can turn your focus on and off like a light switch, great, talk all you want. But if you really have something you want to talk about with your opponent why not do it after you beat them. Unless ouf course you both enjoy trying to shark each other and both know thats what your doing...
Click to expand...


I had that same problem and what i did was played in every tourment and match up with players that was my speed and 1or2 balls better then my self.To get the right game and get the killer out of my game and now i just can't play for fun NO MORE.But that happens when u want the killier to come and it works for me .But that is jus my way of doing things .KILL or B KILLED..
 
Colin has a point. You must focus on choosing the right shot, which gives the best success rate. How many times have you chosen a wrong shot, even knowing it's a wrong shot, but for some reason going for it ? It might be that you're leading 6-0 race-to-7 and you think you can't lose or you want to experiment some wild idea in your head or want to impress some spectators/girls. If you concentrate on making the right choice, it will give you the edge and some more killer instinct. At least your opponent will think you have more killer instinct because you won't make any stupid choices.

For me, the rear killer instinct has something to do with safety shots. Why bother trying a 4-out-of-10 shot when you can hook your opponent and leave him a 1-out-of-10 shot ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top