Reflecting on your losses, should you have...

I can honestly answer neither. I guess I don't play safe enough because I rarely play for money or tournaments... so I'll take flyers more. But generally speaking when I lose it's because I missed a ball that I was trying to make and felt I could make. I chalk that loss up to imperfect fundamentals. If I sincerely see a ball I don't even have a 30% chance of making, I do duck.
 
I always blame myself when I lose focus during a long match. Staying in a long game mentally is the toughest skill for me to learn.
 
I've seen your safeties. I agree :)
Oh thats just mean... ROFL... :D

Regarding analyzing losses... Most of the time I will lose because I get too aggresive on the table... For instance, taking a shot I have no business taking...

-saige-
 
Really a basic, fundamental part of the game, but with me it's always cue-ball control. Where does that white ball end up after the shot, whether I make my object ball or not.

When I play better, I notice I give myself better leaves and my opponent worse leaves. When I play poorly, it's just the opposite.
 
Losing to me means more practice time. That's all.
I've learned 3 things that helped my game;
1. Trust what I know and commit to the shot before I get down to shoot.
2. Accept the results no matter what. I don't pout when I miss or be gleeful when I make a shot. Stoic response. There is a match going on, I need to keep my emotions in check until the match is over.
3. Pre-Shot Routine always go through my pre-shot routine. This action is what pushes all the distractions to the side and lets me focus on the job at hand... getting down on the shot and executing.
 
My reflection after I lose goes: Stop missing so many F***ing shots!!!! ya I could say "ehh could have played better position or better safties" but it's always boils down to the shots that I didn't make (usually very easy shots) that cost me matches.
 
Well put Tom. I need to get to that zone.:thumbup:



Losing to me means more practice time. That's all.
I've learned 3 things that helped my game;
1. Trust what I know and commit to the shot before I get down to shoot.
2. Accept the results no matter what. I don't pout when I miss or be gleeful when I make a shot. Stoic response. There is a match going on, I need to keep my emotions in check until the match is over.
3. Pre-Shot Routine always go through my pre-shot routine. This action is what pushes all the distractions to the side and lets me focus on the job at hand... getting down on the shot and executing.
 
played more safeties or been more aggressive?

Definitely play more safeties.

In most cases, the more safeties I play, the more games I win, but I am usually aggressive and go for most shots.

In retrospect of many of my losses, I should have been more careful. I've had a lot of losses that have been one or two games in races and mistakes are costly.

If you can constantly tie up a player with good safes, it can take them out of the match.

Chris
 
It depends on the individual match, and who I was playing. Sometimes I realize I should have played more safe but went for it instead. Other times it was selling out on a safety when I should have gone for it.

It boils down to mental focus and attitude. Hindsight is always 20/20


:cool:
 
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