playing at the level of your competition

[Arounceville]

so tonight i was beaten in league and for a little cash by another player who (not trying to be conceited) is a "straight shooter" and has the uncanny ability to completely hook me unintentionally . all that being said he made balls and won the games and i played very poorly does anyone have a good method for getting past playing at the level of your competition .good or bad thats been a problem for some time for me

 

[BWTadpole]

There can be a variety of factors in play here, but more often than not they tend to be either 1) the amount of focus put forth towards each shot, or 2) the rhythm or playing style of your opponent.

The first point is a common story around pool rooms. It seems like we play our best when we're outmatched, doesn't it? And some of our worst, most deplorable play comes at the hands of a much lesser player? To put it simply, the mentality shifts from "I really need to focus or I'll get my a$$ handed to me" to "I don't need to try as hard since I'll probably get another shot later." Consciously or unconsciously, the change happens. The solution here is to develop a routine (I'm sure SPF and Eberle students can be more specific) such that you perform each shot with the same level of dedication, thought, and focus. You don't have to pressure yourself, but you have to make sure you're not mailing in your work.

The second point here can be a little more subversive. This may not happen with everyone, but I've seen games turn into "shooting matches" where one player's propensity for shooting at the hole or playing aggressively in turn lights the fire inside their opponent to do the same. This also goes for a player shooting quickly, playing more safeties, banking instead of other options, etc. Again, the solution would most likely work back to finding a routine (that is, a conscious list of things to do) that works for you and adhering to it. You can't completely discount the effects of your opponent on your play, but you can do your damndest to ignore the unimportant parts.

I hope this helps shed some light on your dilemma. The first step to fixing a problem is completely understanding why it's a problem in the first place. Good luck and good shooting!

 

[Lock N Load]

BW, you tell it like it is!

There can be a variety of factors in play here, but more often than not they tend to be either 1) the amount of focus put forth towards each shot, or 2) the rhythm or playing style of your opponent.

The first point is a common story around pool rooms. It seems like we play our best when we're outmatched, doesn't it? And some of our worst, most deplorable play comes at the hands of a much lesser player? To put it simply, the mentality shifts from "I really need to focus or I'll get my a$$ handed to me" to "I don't need to try as hard since I'll probably get another shot later." Consciously or unconsciously, the change happens. The solution here is to develop a routine (I'm sure SPF and Eberle students can be more specific) such that you perform each shot with the same level of dedication, thought, and focus. You don't have to pressure yourself, but you have to make sure you're not mailing in your work.

The second point here can be a little more subversive. This may not happen with everyone, but I've seen games turn into "shooting matches" where one player's propensity for shooting at the hole or playing aggressively in turn lights the fire inside their opponent to do the same. This also goes for a player shooting quickly, playing more safeties, banking instead of other options, etc. Again, the solution would most likely work back to finding a routine (that is, a conscious list of things to do) that works for you and adhering to it. You can't completely discount the effects of your opponent on your play, but you can do your damndest to ignore the unimportant parts.

I hope this helps shed some light on your dilemma. The first step to fixing a problem is completely understanding why it's a problem in the first place. Good luck and good shooting!

You summed it up all the way. I like your answer to this post. If he use what you told him he will improve very good, and quickly.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Highmiles]

I'm getting pretty old. One of the things that has happened, is that I find myself becoming more involved in the mental aspects of the game, and less in the mechanics. My challenge is against the table, rather than my opponent. Am I still influenced by my opponent? Yes, although I resist it. The difference, at this point in my life, is that I change the point at which I make a defensive safety. I am extremely selfish about controlling my time at the table. It is MY table, and I want to be the one who controls how much time I spend on it. I do not want to leave the table, unless I have won a game, or have played a good defensive shot. If I am playing someone who is very good, I will stay with higher percentage shots, and plan where I will play defense, well in advance. Against a less skilled player, I will open things up a little. I am playing the table, but I am still influenced by my opposition. The benefit, at this point in my life, is that it clears my mind from distractions caused by the other player. Other than judging his skill level, based on how long he is capable of keeping me off of MY table, I am able to ignore him and his play, because he is no longer my direct opponent. I know this is a very abridged version, of what is going through my mind, when I play, but the best I can do without actual verbal conversation in describing it. On one level it is very, very simple, but on another, it can get very complex. I guess the bottom line, is that I want to eliminate all the distraction I can that is associated with my human opponent, because I cannot control that, only what I do versus the table.