Mental block preventing run outs

tsunami

tsunami

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm a newer player. Been playing two years but really started taking my game seriously about 6 months ago. I have a table at home and I've ran out maybe 5 times in the last two months.

So I just started league and playing a 9 ball tourny and I'm having a mental block when I'm about ready to run out. Last night I made an amazing jump shot on the 1 (lucked it in was just trying to hit it but ill take it). Proceeded to the 4 where I missed position and then made a good bank on the 4 and got back inline. Made it to the 7 with perfect position and that's when it happens. I think this is gonna be an amazing out and then I miss the 7 and lose the game. What should I do when that thought pops up. Before that I was totally focused on what I was doing. Just reset the shot and go through my routine again. Will I get over that lack of focus as I get used to getting out more? I was so pissed but this has been happening almost every time I play now on essentially shots I never miss.
 
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Play the ghost when practicing. It will put pressure on you even when you practice alone. It will also allow you to measure your progress and build confidence as you go. For example, if you achieve, say, besting the 6 ball ghost, you have a pretty good feeling that you are the fav to get out the majority of the time you approach the table and there are 6 balls left.

Also, just keep at it. If you do, you will likely become surprised when you DON'T get out. Just comes from quality practice and tools you can rely on like a strong preshot routine and a reliable stroke.

Also, read and set up shots from Ray Martin's 99 Critical Shots in Pool. indispensable reading for a pool player.

Lastly, remember to have fun. I play my best pool when I enjoy what I am doing, even if gambling or in a tourney. If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doin' - this will help you keep from snapping a shaft or two in half, not that I've ever done that in my errant youth...
 
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Thanks for that advice. I need better quality practice. I'll check that book out. I just recently started playing the ghost more but 6 ball ghost is something I haven't thought about. I'm a golfer first so I know the importance of a pre shot routine. I feel my stroke is good. I get whatever action I want on the cue ball. It's just that thought that I'm getting out here that throws my focus off.
 
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tsunami said:
I'm a newer player. Been playing two years but really started taking my game seriously about 6 months ago. I have a table at home and I've ran out maybe 5 times in the last two months.

So I just started league and playing a 9 ball tourny and I'm having a mental block when I'm about ready to run out. Last night I made an amazing jump shot on the 1 (lucked it in was just trying to hit it but ill take it). Proceeded to the 4 where I missed position and then made a good bank on the 4 and got back inline. Made it to the 7 with perfect position and that's when it happens. I think this is gonna be an amazing out and then I miss the 7 and lose the game. What should I do when that thought pops up. Before that I was totally focused on what I was doing. Just reset the shot and go through my routine again. Will I get over that lack of focus as I get used to getting out more? I was so pissed but this has been happening almost every time I play now on essentially shots I never miss.
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read this, it is exactly what this guy is talking about. focus on the process, not the outcome.

http://www.drkevinroby.com/content/new-way-keeping-score-process-focus-versus-outcome-focus
 
jalapus logan said:
Play the ghost when practicing. It will put pressure on you even when you practice alone. It will also allow you to measure your progress and build confidence as you go. For example, if you achieve, say, besting the 6 ball ghost, you have a pretty good feeling that you are the fav to get out the majority of the time you approach the table and there are 6 balls left.

Also, just keep at it. If you do, you will likely become surprised when you DON'T get out. Just comes from quality practice and tools you can rely on like a strong preshot routine and a reliable stroke.

Also, read and set up shots from Ray Martin's 99 Critical Shots in Pool. indispensable reading for a pool player.

Lastly, remember to have fun. I play my best pool when I enjoy what I am doing, even if gambling or in a tourney. If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doin' - this will help you keep from snapping a shaft or two in half, not that I've ever done that in my errant youth...
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Definately agree with you on this one jalapus logan
 
tsunami said:
I'm a newer player. Been playing two years but really started taking my game seriously about 6 months ago. I have a table at home and I've ran out maybe 5 times in the last two months.

So I just started league and playing a 9 ball tourny and I'm having a mental block when I'm about ready to run out. Last night I made an amazing jump shot on the 1 (lucked it in was just trying to hit it but ill take it). Proceeded to the 4 where I missed position and then made a good bank on the 4 and got back inline. Made it to the 7 with perfect position and that's when it happens. I think this is gonna be an amazing out and then I miss the 7 and lose the game. What should I do when that thought pops up. Before that I was totally focused on what I was doing. Just reset the shot and go through my routine again. Will I get over that lack of focus as I get used to getting out more? I was so pissed but this has been happening almost every time I play now on essentially shots I never miss.
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Focus is part of it, but the real thing is there are 4000 varieties of shots in pool, some will come in a pool match especially if you go out of line and shot with english is the way, if you are not prepared for it you will miss. I have been saying it on AZB do not play 9 ball game until you are done with the 4000 shots, then shoot 9 ball, if you fail on some shots back to drawing board. You have to be confident on the table and know exactly where to aim for any shot, other wise you will miss under pressure. Especially for you you have a table at home.

Good luck.
 
I think when people have that thought consciously , the very next thought is that your going to blow it. (Maybe even like you did the last time)

Somehow you need to stop at that point and put those thoughts out of your head. Don't thinking about the run out and just focus on the next shot.

I'm guessing you don't have a strong pre-shot routine so that would be my first suggestion. A solid quality pre-shot routine will get your mind trained on the shot at hand and not on all the what ifs and other bad thoughts.
 
You mentioned resetting... It's a very good habit to get back up and reset whenever you feel a little doubt.

There's also a weird thing that happens after an exciting fluke, or the opponent's bad roll, or a really nice shot, etc... you get right down to shoot and then miss the next ball. Almost like you feel guilty for getting away with such a nice shot / good roll, or you're amped up still.

You wanna stand up then also.

Otherwise, if only run out 2-3 times per month, then not running in league should be considered 100% normal. You're not quite there yet. But you're getting there! All you can do is take your time, plan each shot, and don't halfass anything. The runout takes care of itself.
 
I like the progressive ghost drill.

Start by randomly throwing out 4 balls and try to run out. Once you can do that 4 times, move up to 5 balls. You've got to play pretty good before you ever get to play 9 ball.
 
I hope you find out soon, I am in the same boat you are. Ive been playing about 1 1/2 years now and it happened to me Sunday nite again. I made a nice shot on second to last ball, I had break the last ball out of a cluster on that shot and did but I was so straight on the last ball I had a hard time getting in posistion on the 8 (8 ball league) The 8 was tough but definately makeable, I flat out missed. My run almost normally ends on ball 6, I think the problem is starting to worry so much about getting posistion to finish the run that you are not putting much focus on your next shot, at least I think thats my problem.
 
Ah, the mind is a wonderful thing...most of the time. If you're having thoughts of "an amazing out" on the 7, you need to remind yourself that you have to make a perfect shot on the 7 with perfect shape on the 8, etc. You're living in the future...won't work. You have to stay focused on the present, not that last great shot or the next trophy. Don't have any thoughts at all when you're down, think while you're standing up, then execute the play you decided on. If you start having thoughts while you're down, like changing spin or force, or especially ego boosting stuff, stand up and start over. Stay focused on the present. Lots of good advice in the posts above, have fun!
 
Don't think about the run out and just focus on the next shot.
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What he said.

It's not a run out,,,,its just one shot.

One of the things I "try" to remember to do is pretty simple...but simply effective is this:

After considering shape, spin, speed, ect...I try to let this be my last thought. "Make the f'n ball".
Seriously. Try it.

Like me, you might just be considering it all and forgetting to reconsider the simplest of objectives.
 
You're putting extra emphasis on the last couple balls... And rightly so because well... If you miss... You lose....

Try to play them like you're just hitting balls at home... Its a mental game and its putting a slight quiver in your stroke... Sometimes... I think to myself "I'm gonna show these people how to finish a run strong"... Its a little cocky... But be confident and vision the balls dropping...
 
I second the advice about staying in the present. All you can control is the next shot. Make the ball and get shape. Reset, repeat.

Sometimes when I get caught up in trying to run out, I have to remind myself that it's not possible to "run out" right now. All I can do is shoot one ball at a time. If I keep shooting one ball at a time successfully, the runout will take care of itself.
 
the420trooper said:
I like the progressive ghost drill.

Start by randomly throwing out 4 balls and try to run out. Once you can do that 4 times, move up to 5 balls. You've got to play pretty good before you ever get to play 9 ball.
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That's about 75% of my practice. I expect to always get out with 4 balls and get out with 5 probably 1/2 the time. It's a focus thing. I need to just reset and focus on the here and now. Thanks for some sound advice.
 
tsunami said:
Will I get over that lack of focus as I get used to getting out more?
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Yes, you will. I don't necessarily agree with the concept of piling on the pressure, but here's how I look at it:

Most likely the miss on the 7 was a careless mistake, right? It wasn't a tough shot, or complicated shape to get on the 8, right?

I try to think of the first 6 balls you made/ran as an investment. Especially when you banked that 4. As you get closer to the end if the run, the investment grows higher, and the risk becomes greater. Many times, towards the end of a run (like when you're shooting the 7), the risk is immense. If you miss, there is a good chance your opponent will run the last couple of balls.

-----

So I imagine myself as a corporate CEO during an economic downturn. The middle managers (my self doubt) are freaking out, saying "we're not going to make it!" ("I'm going to miss!"). The Wall Street analysts (the rail birds and others watching) are saying "this company is on the verge of bankruptcy" ("no way is SloMoHolic going to get out here").

As CEO, it's my job and responsibility to ensure that my company (runout/game/match) succeeds. It's my responsibility to be confident, for my own employees, and for the analysts (and my stockholders / teammates). It's my responsibility to ignore the critics (rail birds), reassure the managers (my self confidence), and keep my employees (my mind and body) focused on their jobs.

-----

To me, this approach makes it feel more like responsibility than pressure. It gives me more of an ability to settle down, gain confidence, and "do the right things" (like aim intently, perform my full pre-shot routine, and stay down when I shoot).

And this whole concept is easy to remember - I just tell myself "you're the CEO" and the rest of the metaphor falls into place.

Just as a more experienced CEO will be able to handle tough economic times better than a new CEO, so will your ability to run out (or manage entire matches) grow as you gain more experience in those situations.

I know my explanation was long and probably different than what you may hear from others, but I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

Good luck!

-SloMoHolic
CEO
 
A preshot routine isn't just for physical functions it covers being consistent mentally as well from shot to shot.

It incredibly common to see lesser players make a incredible shot and leave themselves perfect only to blow the next shot, no matter how easy.

Your preshot routine MUST have a mental component that you work on as well. Experience and repetition build confidence in your ability to execute.

I found that when I truly understood that I was in control of the outcome of each shot, I felt a profound sense of comfort and confidence. It helped me settle down and take as much or as little time that I needed to feel comfortable and confident with what I had to do.

One last thing your tempo or pace that you play at may change dramatically as you start to feel pressure, causing you to not be ready to execute. You have to be consistent with everything period.

It all boils down to discipline......You will never see a un disciplined champion!
 
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