playing "loose," playing "well"

E

evergruven

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
haven't been playing a ton lately, weather's too nice out here in seattle
couple hours a week, some rotation, some eight-ball, just enjoying it

tonight I go in knowing I've got 30 min.-hour to get my fix
my rack run avg. (seven balls) was way up tonight, I ran a tough 8-ball rack
wondering why? not necessarily looking for an answer, but wondering out loud
I know the subconscious has been discussed here, maybe something's clicked?
and maybe tmmw I'll dog it- but tonight I was playing at a nice steady pace
didn't look too hard at cut angles, or think too much about where's the cb going
but I still had good cb control, wasn't slopping it. good speed, balls were smoothing in
in short, I was "thinking" a lot less than I would, were I playing "seriously"
again maybe it's just been "one of those nights"- but surely there are reasons for it all
that which we least understand included- ?
 
You got lucky. The stars were aligned, your body was in perfect chemistry, your brain was alert and active. Your timing and rhythm were in sync.

This famous quote by golf legend Gary Player: "The harder I practice, the luckier I get," is on the money. Having everything working in perfect sync takes hard work and practice --- way beyond what the average player can comprehend. And even then it doesn't happen all the time.

So consider yourself lucky when it happens.
 
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I tend to lose more when I'm playing well. When I'm making everything I tend to try and make everything, even though the shot calls for a safety. This usually results in a missed shot leaving my adversary an open table. Brian.
 
evergruven said:
haven't been playing a ton lately, weather's too nice out here in seattle
couple hours a week, some rotation, some eight-ball, just enjoying it

tonight I go in knowing I've got 30 min.-hour to get my fix
my rack run avg. (seven balls) was way up tonight, I ran a tough 8-ball rack
wondering why? not necessarily looking for an answer, but wondering out loud
I know the subconscious has been discussed here, maybe something's clicked?
and maybe tmmw I'll dog it- but tonight I was playing at a nice steady pace
didn't look too hard at cut angles, or think too much about where's the cb going
but I still had good cb control, wasn't slopping it. good speed, balls were smoothing in
in short, I was "thinking" a lot less than I would, were I playing "seriously"
again maybe it's just been "one of those nights"- but surely there are reasons for it all
that which we least understand included- ?
Click to expand...
I would like to better understand. You typically run all the solids or stripes in Eight Ball (seven balls) and are surprised you ran 8 tough balls?
 
BilliardsAbout said:
I would like to better understand. You typically run all the solids or stripes in Eight Ball (seven balls) and are surprised you ran 8 tough balls?
Click to expand...

sorry, I meant that one way I practice is by throwing seven balls out and running them in rotation
I also play 8-ball. I run racks of both sometimes, but last night something(s) clicked and I executed very well

thanks all for the replies-
 
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evergruven said:
sorry, I meant that one way I practice is by throwing seven balls out and running them in rotation
I also play 8-ball. I run racks of both sometimes, but last night something(s) clicked and I executed very well

thanks all for the replies-
Click to expand...
Two possibilities:

1) Laws of probability (lucky run)
2) Something clicked--identify the something, was it aim (see the lines/angles crisply), feel (slightly different grip perhaps), etc.

I keep bullet point notes on my own game this way.
 
I am not an instructor but I've noticed that after taking a few days off I usually play better. I think it's a combination of letting my body rest/recuperate and the game is more interesting after a break, allowing easier focus.
 
boogieman said:
I am not an instructor but I've noticed that after taking a few days off I usually play better. I think it's a combination of letting my body rest/recuperate and the game is more interesting after a break, allowing easier focus.
Click to expand...

coming back to the game after time off is a trip. I remember when I started playing again after not playing for half a year due to covid, I literally got dizzy getting down on the table😆. but then as you point out, sometimes time off helps. if your body needs a rest, no question rest is helpful. for me, pool is still so much of a learning experience, beginning to end of chain. I think time off, even just a few days, can help the brain process and assimilate experience. again for me I feel myself going back and forth in terms of both my skills and results, but ultimately going forth. while admittedly still at a relatively low level, the better I get/more comfortable I feel, the longer it's taken me to see the difference/experience to show. I'm enjoying it tho. it's been, and continues to be, a fascinating journey through pool.
 
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