Mental checklist for misses

L

lvlss42190

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm struggling with inconsistencies in my game. In practice I shoot about the same all the time.
When it comes to my league matches one week I will absolutely spank someone 2 handicaps above me and then the following week I'm the one getting spanked. It's like a Jekyll and Hyde of pool.

I've seen that it's a good idea to stop reacting to my missed shots and instead perform a mental checklist to help diagnose what went wrong. Aside from the obvious I don't really know where to begin. So from an instructors perspective what would be a good baseline to start with for an intermediate level player (I fluctuate between a 5 and 6 in TAP 8 ball)
 
lvlss42190 said:
I'm struggling with inconsistencies in my game. In practice I shoot about the same all the time.
When it comes to my league matches one week I will absolutely spank someone 2 handicaps above me and then the following week I'm the one getting spanked. It's like a Jekyll and Hyde of pool.

I've seen that it's a good idea to stop reacting to my missed shots and instead perform a mental checklist to help diagnose what went wrong. Aside from the obvious I don't really know where to begin. So from an instructors perspective what would be a good baseline to start with for an intermediate level player (I fluctuate between a 5 and 6 in TAP 8 ball)
Click to expand...

Here is a video I made several years ago that covers this topic:

Thought Process After a Missed Shot - Mental Game Mastery Clinic - December 2007
 
Blackjack said:
Here is a video I made several years ago that covers this topic:



Thought Process After a Missed Shot - Mental Game Mastery Clinic - December 2007
Click to expand...


Excellent post here. I've been in the game long enough that it took many years to realize the many things that Blackjack offers here occasionally & on the dead stroke university website for everyone.

Many here that squander their time in the aiming forums or online shopping for the new "magical shaft or tip" that will miraculously transform their game would benefit greatly from the info Blackjack offers.

This gentleman offers solid useful information. Those that struggle with their game would serve well to seek it.

Greenie for you sir
 
Get with Denny Stewart. I'm pretty sure he can help you get on track.
Steve
 
Bob Jewett said:
David offers excellent advice about your attitude after a mistake.

You also need to make sure your fundamentals are sound. Your physical mechanics. Many beginners and even intermediate players have significant problems with their PSR (pre-shot routine). I think consistency depends on a sound PSR.
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I agree with you completely!

If you enjoyed this video - please check out my other video - Your Brain is a Lousy Pool Player - in this video - I cover the importance of the PSR and how it all goes together to work with your mental game.
 
Bob Jewett said:
David offers excellent advice about your attitude after a mistake.

You also need to make sure your fundamentals are sound. Your physical mechanics. Many beginners and even intermediate players have significant problems with their PSR (pre-shot routine). I think consistency depends on a sound PSR.
Click to expand...


I'm sure to a degree that my fundamentals aren't perfect. I was never properly taught how to stand or line up a shot, it's just something I've taught myself, and I'm sure that has something to do with some of my missed shots. I'm looking to meet with a professional instructor in the near future I just haven't found anyone within a reasonable distance from home yet. I live in Youngstown, Ohio which is a little over an hour south of Cleveland if anyone on here happens to know the area well enough to suggest someone.
 
lvlss42190 said:
I'm struggling with inconsistencies in my game. In practice I shoot about the same all the time.
When it comes to my league matches one week I will absolutely spank someone 2 handicaps above me and then the following week I'm the one getting spanked. It's like a Jekyll and Hyde of pool.

I've seen that it's a good idea to stop reacting to my missed shots and instead perform a mental checklist to help diagnose what went wrong. Aside from the obvious I don't really know where to begin. So from an instructors perspective what would be a good baseline to start with for an intermediate level player (I fluctuate between a 5 and 6 in TAP 8 ball)
Click to expand...

Just wondering....if you shoot about the same all the time when you practice, how are you going to get better?
 
FranCrimi said:
Just wondering....if you shoot about the same all the time when you practice, how are you going to get better?
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Good question, however what I meant was in practice I'm much more consistent I have my ups and downs like any other time, but the exaggeration of the ups or the downs aren't as extreme as my matches from one week to the other.

I've gotten a couple PM's on here and I've reached out to Coach Lee Brett to see about his prices and possibly setting something up in the not too far off future.
 
lvlss42190 said:
Good question, however what I meant was in practice I'm much more consistent I have my ups and downs like any other time, but the exaggeration of the ups or the downs aren't as extreme as my matches from one week to the other.

I've gotten a couple PM's on here and I've reached out to Coach Lee Brett to see about his prices and possibly setting something up in the not too far off future.
Click to expand...

I knew what you meant. Most players think they play better in practice. It's not always true. We overlook a lot when we practice, but we feel the consequences of our errors more in competition.

Good luck with your PMs. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
FranCrimi said:
I knew what you meant. Most players think they play better in practice. It's not always true. We overlook a lot when we practice, but we feel the consequences of our errors more in competition.

Good luck with your PMs. Keep us posted on your progress.
Click to expand...
That's why it's good to do some kind of scored practice, such as Equal Offense. You can't avoid noticing the days when you can't run a rack, even if you make a lot of good shots.
 
FranCrimi said:
I knew what you meant. Most players think they play better in practice. It's not always true. We overlook a lot when we practice, but we feel the consequences of our errors more in competition.

Good luck with your PMs. Keep us posted on your progress.
Click to expand...

:cool::cool::cool:
 

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I've been talking to Coach Lee Brett on facebook and we have arranged something for mid May.

In the meantime I've delved into the VEPPs series by Dr Dave to get some new ideas on practice drills, and i've been focusing on staying focused on the game instead of my frustration after a missed shot.

Wednesday night is my league night and I worked late so I didn't have time to get comfortable before my match started (captain likes to put me in first since it starts at 7pm and I have to be awake for work at 445 in the morning). My opponent wins the lag, and the first rack he earns himself a break and run, second rack I get one shot at the table with nothing good to shoot at, sold out and he took the second rack as well, After that things started to go my way, I ended up losing 5-3 in the hill game, however after a rough start against someone who was clearly better than myself I kept my cool and played well which is not the normal outcome for me in a situation like this. It's hard to watch yourself start off in a 2 game deficit in a 4-5 race knowing there's nothing you can do when you're not at the table.
 
FranCrimi said:
I knew what you meant. Most players think they play better in practice. It's not always true. We overlook a lot when we practice, but we feel the consequences of our errors more in competition.

Good luck with your PMs. Keep us posted on your progress.
Click to expand...

The Lady just nailed it........again :-)
 
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