The problem I have is on league is I can't put a ball in to say my life and my position play isn't any better . I play at a local bar on Friday nights and practice a coupe times a week at home and shoot really well . I know its in my head and I'm putting more pressure on my self because its a 4 man team but I just can not get out of this funk . I'm new in here and any help would be great .
Poor league play
- Thread starter ROG
- Start date
Donovan_45
Registered
Hang in there!
I know exactly what your going through. At the beginning of the season I got up to the #1 spot on our team, but that didn't last long (a few weeks) and now I am shooting the #4 spot and in a huge slump. Every time I get to the table I can feel my heart beat in my chest and I have hardly any confidence when I shoot (I pretty much expect to miss). Last week I took the attitude that I don't really care what happens, results: I get 10 zipped in the first game by their best player, second and third game I won and the last game I 10 zipped their #3 player. I think I value how I end up shooting way too much and put way too much pressure on myself to do well. I am really interested in getting a couple books on the mental side of pool, because at times I think that is my largest weakness.
Corey
I know exactly what your going through. At the beginning of the season I got up to the #1 spot on our team, but that didn't last long (a few weeks) and now I am shooting the #4 spot and in a huge slump. Every time I get to the table I can feel my heart beat in my chest and I have hardly any confidence when I shoot (I pretty much expect to miss). Last week I took the attitude that I don't really care what happens, results: I get 10 zipped in the first game by their best player, second and third game I won and the last game I 10 zipped their #3 player. I think I value how I end up shooting way too much and put way too much pressure on myself to do well. I am really interested in getting a couple books on the mental side of pool, because at times I think that is my largest weakness.
Corey
On league night I go up to the table and I just keep 2nd guessing my self . I'm so worried about cue ball placment and letting my team down I cant shoot . The thing is I play some of the same people on Fridays I'm better then half of them and its like I have no fear in my shot I know its going in . I was never one for doing drills but I guess I'm starting there tonight and see if this will help .
I don't mean this to be inflammatory, but how can you be better than half of them if you can't beat them when it counts? Perhaps I misread your statement above but it seems that the pressure of the league match is getting to you.
Establishing a competitive mindset will benefit you greatly.
I believe that you will find that playing to win is far more effective than playing not to lose.
And again.....here it is 
First you have to detect what s going wrong <-- and this is often easier from the point of view by a qualified person my friend. Competition is a different thing than training anyway. But first i would contact a guy (instructor or player) who s able to detect your problem(s). Often it s not just that mental part- most of the time it s about technical abilities you have to increase. The mental part is for sure amazingly important, but the first thing you have to learn is the technical part (fundamentals).
Then you re feeling much *safer* and many things will go much easier.
Try to get a 1 on 1 Session with a good instructor-will be a benefit for a lifetime.
lg
Ingo
First you have to detect what s going wrong <-- and this is often easier from the point of view by a qualified person my friend. Competition is a different thing than training anyway. But first i would contact a guy (instructor or player) who s able to detect your problem(s). Often it s not just that mental part- most of the time it s about technical abilities you have to increase. The mental part is for sure amazingly important, but the first thing you have to learn is the technical part (fundamentals).
Then you re feeling much *safer* and many things will go much easier.
Try to get a 1 on 1 Session with a good instructor-will be a benefit for a lifetime.
lg
Ingo
ROG
You said you practice a couple of times a week, but when it's match time, things seem to go downhill. I have to wonder what you are practicing, and how you go about it. Your practice time has to be time to build specific skills that will go with you when you compete.
You also need to develop a consistent, repeatable stroke that you can use on every shot.
The third important thing is to get your three routines perfected.
When you have these things firmly in your game through perfect practice routines, your mind is free from thinking about your fundamentals. Once you have done that, your mind is free to think about other things. Now, if you start thinking about all the people watching you, and whether you are playing up to their expectations (or your perception of what their expectations are), you can get in trouble.
If, on the other hand, you think only about the things you actually have control over (Angle, Speed, and Spin) you will find your game improving. Do your thinking about the shot at hand before you get down on your shot. Once you have made your decisions, get down on the shot and execute it. You have about 10 to 12 seconds before you will start second guessing yourself. That's where your routines come into play.
If you can get with a good instructor, as Ratta suggested, you can get the help you are looking for. If you don't know of a good instructor, let me know where you are, and I will see if I can offer some suggestions for you.
Steve
You said you practice a couple of times a week, but when it's match time, things seem to go downhill. I have to wonder what you are practicing, and how you go about it. Your practice time has to be time to build specific skills that will go with you when you compete.
You also need to develop a consistent, repeatable stroke that you can use on every shot.
The third important thing is to get your three routines perfected.
When you have these things firmly in your game through perfect practice routines, your mind is free from thinking about your fundamentals. Once you have done that, your mind is free to think about other things. Now, if you start thinking about all the people watching you, and whether you are playing up to their expectations (or your perception of what their expectations are), you can get in trouble.
If, on the other hand, you think only about the things you actually have control over (Angle, Speed, and Spin) you will find your game improving. Do your thinking about the shot at hand before you get down on your shot. Once you have made your decisions, get down on the shot and execute it. You have about 10 to 12 seconds before you will start second guessing yourself. That's where your routines come into play.
If you can get with a good instructor, as Ratta suggested, you can get the help you are looking for. If you don't know of a good instructor, let me know where you are, and I will see if I can offer some suggestions for you.
Steve
Steve
Sounds like what your saying is right on the money . I know over the last few mounths I've been doing a lot of reading then trying to put that into my playing on league night . With that and the pressure of trying to do well in front of team is a big problem for me . I started yesterday doing basic drills I think this will help a lot . I would like get an instructor but so far I have not been able to find one , I live in northern Michigan .
Sounds like what your saying is right on the money . I know over the last few mounths I've been doing a lot of reading then trying to put that into my playing on league night . With that and the pressure of trying to do well in front of team is a big problem for me . I started yesterday doing basic drills I think this will help a lot . I would like get an instructor but so far I have not been able to find one , I live in northern Michigan .
ROG...As Steve/pooltcher mentioned, I am here in Michigan, and available to come work with you. I have several students both in N. MI and the UP available to check with for testamonials about how I was able to help them. PM me with some contact information, or give me a call.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
773-551-7473
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
773-551-7473
ROG, I think that you need to find your confidence so you can bring out your best game during league play. First you have to try to figure out why you lose confidence. I think the main reason people lose confidence in a team situation is because they don't see themselves as equals to their team mates. Something is causing you to put yourself beneath your team mates, which makes you worry about letting them down.
Try to keep in mind that every single player has good days and bad days. They make mistakes and do great things. Study your team mates and take note of their mistakes and that they are not perfect. Try to imagine yourself equal to them as opposed to beneath them. That is the first step in raising your confidence level so you can bring out your best game. And remember, even with the best of confidence, everyone makes mistakes.
Good luck...
Coming from the perspective of having been in your shoes (rather than from the instructors, as this is their forum to answer questions....) methinks you're trying to do too much. At least right now. When I get the same affliction you're having now, I've been taught to "simplify". Less (or no) english, stop trying to make your leave exact, focus on "make this ball" without stressing over the leave.
Once your do that for a while, you start getting your internal stuff in order and can begin working in the other stuff, english, playing for position, etc. It may only take a few balls, or a few games. Just step back and make the ball, and go from there.
Works for me, at least. I wish you luck.
All the other stuff the instructors have posted are certainly the real answers. You just gotta get to that place to be able to make all that work for you.
Once your do that for a while, you start getting your internal stuff in order and can begin working in the other stuff, english, playing for position, etc. It may only take a few balls, or a few games. Just step back and make the ball, and go from there.
Works for me, at least. I wish you luck.
All the other stuff the instructors have posted are certainly the real answers. You just gotta get to that place to be able to make all that work for you.
Good point, Justa....whenever I see one of my team mates struggling in a match, I often tell them to get back to the basics...just make the shot. Often, when we try to do too much, we end up digging a hole that just keeps getting deeper.
A good example last week, one of my guys had an easy shot, and had he shot a simple stop shot, would have had a reasonable shot on the 8. Instead, he tried to draw back for perfect shape, ended up drawing too much and froze the cue ball to the eight. He had no shot on the 8, where had he played is simple, would have had an 80% chance of making it.
K.I.S.S.
Steve
A good example last week, one of my guys had an easy shot, and had he shot a simple stop shot, would have had a reasonable shot on the 8. Instead, he tried to draw back for perfect shape, ended up drawing too much and froze the cue ball to the eight. He had no shot on the 8, where had he played is simple, would have had an 80% chance of making it.
K.I.S.S.
Steve
You are most welcome. Scott, Randy, myself, and a few others work together enough that we all pretty much know and teach the same things...and there are thousands of students out there who can speak to the fact that what we teach is extremely effective when applied correctly.
Glad you got to work with him. I promise if you work on the things he showed you, you will see the results.
Steve
Glad you got to work with him. I promise if you work on the things he showed you, you will see the results.
Steve