my final conclusion

The Piper

The Piper

Get Ugly...
Silver Member
I have been playing pool only for about 10 years now. Started when I was 14. But I have just come to some recent conclusions last night during a small tournament.

- I still hate to be any number of games behind.

- I really really really hate losing.

I just had to share that, because all day long, during work, my commute, lunch, and dinner, I have been replaying the games in my head. I decided to post that.

I finished 3rd.

Any thoughts on how to shake that feeling of being behind? That thought of "I have got to make something happen." I have played all sorts of sports and been in many pressure situations, but for pool, the "electric chair" feeling of sitting there and not being able to do anything kills me. What do you guys do in that situation?
 
The Piper said:
I have been playing pool only for about 10 years now. Started when I was 14. But I have just come to some recent conclusions last night during a small tournament.

- I still hate to be any number of games behind.

- I really really really hate losing.

I just had to share that, because all day long, during work, my commute, lunch, and dinner, I have been replaying the games in my head. I decided to post that.

I finished 3rd.

Any thoughts on how to shake that feeling of being behind? That thought of "I have got to make something happen." I have played all sorts of sports and been in many pressure situations, but for pool, the "electric chair" feeling of sitting there and not being able to do anything kills me. What do you guys do in that situation?
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I hope there were more than 3 people in the tournament.
 
Pleasures of Small Motions is a book that has helped me with these issues. One section talks about Dominant & *Egalitarian players - Dominant being hard to beat when ahead - *Egalitarian being able to overcome a deficit. These are just two characteristics of two types of players. The book of course goes into more detail.

My recommendation - Get the book!

*may be spelled wrong
 
I am always happy to see people recommend that book. It has help my game a lot.

This doesn't work for everyone but sometimes when I'm falling behind and get frustrated I shorten my patterns. Instead of calculating 4 or 5 shots and positions ahead I keep it to 2-3 moves to simplify it. This will help get my back on my regular speed.
 
STOP LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE!!!! Say you're behind 2 games. Well first of all it's obvious that it was possible for your opponent to win these games. Therefore it's possible for you to come right back. 2 games is nothing, it doesn't matter if he's on the hill or it's 2-0. You can't possibly tell me that you've never won 2 games in a row. And what is winning anyway? Making the 9, or running 7 random balls. Let's face it, you don't need to be superman to accomplish these goals. Every set is won one game at a time. And every game is one shot at a time. So don't think of the set, think of the shot. While you're sitting in your chair, don't think at all. There is absolutely nothing you can do while you are seated, so stop thinking about it. When you get to the table, play every shot like it's the most important shot of the game, because it is. Every shot in the future depends on your current shot. And the ones in the past simply don't matter anymore. Focus your energy on putting your rock exactly where you want. And remember, if you lose, so what? Play another set. There's always another tournament. It's not the end of the world, don't pretend that it is.
 
When I'm in the chair I continually run positive 'what if scenarios' like you would if you were playing chess...
 
Drew said:
STOP LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE!!!! Say you're behind 2 games. Well first of all it's obvious that it was possible for your opponent to win these games. Therefore it's possible for you to come right back. 2 games is nothing, it doesn't matter if he's on the hill or it's 2-0. You can't possibly tell me that you've never won 2 games in a row. And what is winning anyway? Making the 9, or running 7 random balls. Let's face it, you don't need to be superman to accomplish these goals. Every set is won one game at a time. And every game is one shot at a time. So don't think of the set, think of the shot. While you're sitting in your chair, don't think at all. There is absolutely nothing you can do while you are seated, so stop thinking about it. When you get to the table, play every shot like it's the most important shot of the game, because it is. Every shot in the future depends on your current shot. And the ones in the past simply don't matter anymore. Focus your energy on putting your rock exactly where you want. And remember, if you lose, so what? Play another set. There's always another tournament. It's not the end of the world, don't pretend that it is.
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Good advice - be in the present not past ('cause it will kill you).
 
somebody else posted these ideas awhile back but they stuck in my mind . To paraphrase; when a situation such as you described comes about think only about stroking the ball well. Of playing the game well. There are times when things are not in your control. Don't let those periods breakdown the things you can control. A good stroke, a nice cut, some nice juice on a ball. These can still exist , win or lose. But without them you will lose. Oh, also , shark the hell outa the S.O.B.
 
The Piper said:
- I still hate to be any number of games behind.

- I really really really hate losing.
Click to expand...

You must always remember, it's never over until it's over. Many times in tournament play, I've been behind with just one game, while my opponent was on the hill, and come back to win, by bearing down, playing one shot at a time, and maintaining a positive attitude.

You have to get over "hating" losing (you can 'dislike' losing, but hate is a strong word that will affect your mind in the long run). EVERYONE loses sometime...some of us lose more often than others, due to poor setup/delivery skills, or poor mental attitude. You have to be able to "trust" your stroke. Get some help to get over it, and get on to the next match/game.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
The last two tournaments that I have won, I was behind nearly every match. I need the "I have to make something happen" feeling in order to play my best game...often when I get ahead, I ease up and let my opponents come back...that's just the way it is; it is very difficult to overcome. Interesting, though it is.
 
Any time I've been behind, I've tried hard NEVER to tell myself something like: "I have to make something happen!". If I try to do this, I put way too much pressure on myself. If I just try not to think too hard about it, I'll usually play better. If my head is clear of any such thoughts, I'll be better able to concentrate on the basics and do what I need to do to win. I've always played better by NOT thinking too much.
 
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