Pool league burnout

justnum

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.

I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
 
justnum said:
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.

I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
Click to expand...


” When I’d get tired and want to stop, I’d wonder what my next opponent was doing. I’d wonder if he was still working out. I tried to visualize him. When I could see him still working, I’d start pushing myself. When I could see him hit the shower, I’d push myself harder.” – Dan Gable, Olympic Wrestling Champion

LOL, just kidding. Happened to be working on my Softball team's off season training program and the above quote is what I decided to base the program on...as far as burnout, when I feel that way, I focus for a bit on the things I love about league such as competing, finding mental toughness, laser focus, etc....Good luck.
 
If you think you’re burned out, you’ve probably been burned out for weeks.
 
justnum said:
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.

I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
Click to expand...

When you quit looking forward to going.
 
It certainly is possible you have had your fill.

How are you measuring 'getting better'?

Durely, you must be aware about the whys the better players bwin?

justnum said:
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.

I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
Click to expand...
 
easy-e said:
If you think you’re burned out, you’ve probably been burned out for weeks.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^^^^

If you think you're experiencing burnout, you probably are. If you're already on a team
maybe take a couple of weeks off, if you miss it, if you find yourself thinking about it,
curious who won or lost then you probably just needed a week or two off or maybe a
session. If you don't crap what the results were and you'd rather be watching the game
on TV or, rather be out to a movie or dinner it might be time for a more extended rest
 
justnum said:
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.
Click to expand...

So, playing against better players is a perfect opportunity to get better. Instead of focusing on your play; instead, focus on theirs. Watch their approach to the table, watch their stroke, watch their preshot routine, watch their position play. When the match is over, ask them why they shot certain shots, or went the route they did. Try and make some new friends. Maybe they'll coach you a little on the side.

It's lessons for $10 bucks - or whatever it is to play a night.

justnum said:
I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
Click to expand...

Like the other said, if you feel burned out, then you are. Take a week or two off. But when you come back, come back with a different approach. Or else you'll just get burned all over again.

Josh
 
justnum said:
Is playing league pool worth it if you are against better players?

I play league pool and there are better players, but just because I play them doesn't make me better.

I don't expect to win the league either.

I think I have pool league burnout.

Are there other signs of pool league burnout I should check for?
Click to expand...

There are always better players, and yes playing them won't make you better, unless you study how they play. You won't learn to pocket balls better, but you will learn when and how to play a safe, position patterns, run out patterns, using multiple rails, how they hit the ball.

Practice and working with a coach (even if that coach is just a better player not a pro teacher) will make you better, most league players don't do any of that.
 
Take a break, play some snooker or something cue related. I normally play napa leagues on nine footers. I’m pretty burnt out from that so I’m going to do a season of bar table leagues with completely new ppl and new locations. If it’s a chore then forget about it. You’ll get hungry again
 
Sounds like you have two issues confronting you. If it's burnout and most of us have gone through it. Take time off...take the session off. If you are on more than one team (some guys play 4-5 nites a week on different teams and leagues); stay with one team on one league.

As far as improving your skills perhaps if you fix the burnout part the improvements will start to show. If not find someone more experience than you and see if they are willing to help you starting with you mechanics and basics. If you can afford to pay someone all the better.

Not long ago I was on the same APA team for several years and just felt burned out. Took a session off and when I came back asked the division rep to place me on the team that was struggling the most. He put me on the team that always placed dead last. I didn't want to be the Capt or co-Capt but advised the Capt (who was an experienced skill level 3) who and when to put up, strategy and coached time outs (since no one else did) as a result...I felt motivated to play, the team made the play offs rounds last session and came in second this session. What I'm trying to say is sometimes change is good and we get a chance to re-invent ourselves no matter what our skill level is. Or seek someone out to improve your game. We should continually strive for improvement.
 
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If you don't enjoy it anymore, time to take a break in my view. It may be time to look for a different team in my view as well.

I been doing the league thing for 20 years, and honestly, it's more about getting together with my teammates and having a good time. There are better teams than ours, but none have as much fun as we do. It's what we look for when someone moves or stops playing. We look for a teammate that will fit in, not a world beater. Don't get me wrong, we want to be competitive but we all have days jobs and it's not life or death for us as it seems to be for some in the league.

A few years back we got third in Vegas, so we do want to be competitive, but mainly it's to have fun, relax, and forget about life issues for a short time. Gotta keep this stuff in perspective. :)
 
Why would I want to play against people who are not as good as me? I always want to play people people who are better than me.
 
OP, forget two or three weeks off...take a whole session off. Then you'll find out for sure how much pool means to you. I've done it more than once and I end up always wanting to get involved in leagues again. See how a session off makes you feel and adjust accordingly.

Maniac
 
I think of leagues as social. I almost always get burned out near the end of the season (just feeling ready to not have a regular commitment). But I always feel ready to dive back in next session. But I don’t ever think of leagues as skill-building. Perhaps if I lock horns with someone after. But the 3 games I came out to play never taught me much.


Respectfully, Matt
(I don’t take myself too seriously. I hope you can return the favor.)
 
Find a good coach who can help you improve and that will help change your mood, otherwise there might not be much incentive to play, when you start to see yourself and your game get better it will change your attitude about the game and it might become fun again, like mentioned above even if it is a player you know that is a little better he might have some ideas or watch some videos.
 
Pool league burnout...look for these signs;
1. Ability to whine over any change, such as balls, chalk or which table you got.
2. Ability to recite every rule and call foul on anyone breaking any rule.
3. Proud owner of an 8 x 16 case which holds all your cues and paraphernalia.
4. Owner of a league jacket, hat and shirt covered with patches indicating champion.
5. You've lost 2 jobs because of a conflicting schedule at work and league match times.
6. The zippered pouch on your cue case looks like a "Lost and Found" for pool gloves.
7. Every custom shaft you buy turns out to be "defective."
8. The manufacturer of True Sticky Spots want to sponsor you on the Tri-County 8 BallTour.
9. You have a number of 350 pound pool groupies that want your body.
10. Mom wants you to look for a job.
 
Is it worth it?

Do you enjoy it? Do you have fun when your there ? That’s all that matters.
 
Over the years I have suffered burnout on a couple of occasions. Its due more from stress of being a captain on every team I am on rather than the playing itself.

I folded a usapl Monday team a couple months ago. I just folded a Thursday 9 ball team last week.

I only have a Sunday and Friday team now.

Monday I was asked to put another team together for usapl again which is starting back up soon and I said no way in hell. I reluctantly agreed to just pls on a team because I really like the usapl format and miss playing it.
 
I Got Lucky said:
Why would I want to play against people who are not as good as me? I always want to play people people who are better than me.
Click to expand...

And why would the people who are better than you want to play against you? I think it's silly to assume you can only improve by playing someone better than yourself. Every game you play is an opportunity to learn and improve your game, no matter who your opponent is.
 
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