Playing the table

[Bluewolf]

I come into the match, confident, focused and relaxed. Typically I come in believing I will win. Then I am put up against someone better than me like an sl5 or something. I play well and sometimes beat them.

I think my worst mental error is when I am matched against a weaker player. I think it is in the bag, and I am too relaxed. When I lose it is often against weaker players.

I have talked to other league players and many of them do the same thing. To me, it is a 'mental' error, one I need to work on so that my play will be consistent and I can advance.

Perhaps this is what separates the mediocre players from the good ones.

I always heard 'play the table not the player'. I had noticed before that this was happening but last week it really clicked when I got beaten by a 'weaker' sl3 and the above phrase took on a new meaning. I guess a light bulb went on, I recognized this was a mental aspect, in much the same way as being able to have confidence and focus.

I have not talked to many great players about this but just assume they have gotten past this. Allison fisher or mika immonen sure does not typically make this mistake.

Laura

 

[satman]

Everyone loses to lesser players occasionally. However, if there is a considerable gap in playing ability, it is sometimes hard to focas on the match. Yes you should play the table, but if you know the person you're playing, you can play your safety's based on their weak spots. Do they have problems with bank shots, long shots, or maybe using the bridge. Your main focus should be make the ball or play safe on every shot and not winning or losing the game. Nothing else matters but the shot at hand, if you miss the shot or the safety you may not get another chance. Play all your matches like you deserve to win.. Sam

 

[THE SILENCER]

hello laura, i can speak as a S/L 7. when i come to a match, i feel "my chances are as good as anyone else's" i never ever feel or say to myself, i can kill this person, i should win so easily, they are going down, thoughts like that, set you up for your brain and spirit, to leave you when you really need them to win. winning is a passion, a burning from within. always say " i do not know who will win, but if i put my heart, soul, brains spirit, and everything else, knowledge, strong fundementals, two way shots, and god looks down on my breaks and rolls, maybe i shall be fortunate and skilled enough to pull it off and win" that's how a true champ, feels before a match. never feel the "other" two ways, i can never beat this person, or i'm gonna kill this person, both attidtudes will cause you to lose, hope this helped.

 

[Bluewolf]

What an epiphany!!! Thanks, now that makes perfect sense.

'Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open.'

Laura