Mental block?

[Ratta]

What does your skill level or your opponents skill level have to do with how you play?

Completely forget about the score, your opponent, and all the outside stuff. Think about the last time you were in Dead Stroke... What were you thinking about? Nothing, you were calm, relaxed, clear headed and in auto-pilot mode. So with practice on a solid routine and fundamentals (Mother Drills are perfect), you will be able to let everything go and just do your thing.

Last year I moved from an APA sl 7 to an 8 and initially I was worried like you. I put too much pressure on myself and struggled. But once I went into matches remembering one key thing - Pool is fun, so I started playing more relaxed.

Skill levels do something bad for us, it limits us. As a skill level 7 before, did you ever play a 3 or 4 and you ended up barely winning because you got sloppy. This happens because we play down because we think "oh I will get another shot".

Work with an instructor to get your fundamentals as strong as possible and your routine rock solid, everything else will come after that.

That is a very underestimated point- ppl getting exhausted (about whatever), putting unnessecary pressure on themselves etc. -

You really have to learn to *just enjoy the game*. An important thing is also- to not think about the past if you re at the table.
At the table you re always in the present-in the *now*.
The past is just to use, if you already have negative thoughts-then you should create yourself kind of a mantra and think of a positive thing than will get back into line

Pressure is ALWAYS just created by ourselves!

Present is where you re thinking, sighting and doing!
Future is after the game!

lg
Ingo

 

[StuartK35]

I don't think it is a mental block at all. I think you are right about your opponent that night. He sounds like a sand bagging 6 that needs to be moved up. You will have no trouble winning your share of matches as an 8. Best of luck and happy new year! Regards, the Deacon. :wink:

Hey Deacon,

I think you're right about that sandbagger! I should call Andy and have a long talk about him! ha!! Hey, who said you could read this thread son?! It's none of your business if I'm on here telling people you're sandbagging 6!
HAA!