Sharking

I

IrishInMaine

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How do you deal with someone who is trying to shark you especially if its a friend doing it. i have a friend that i see trying to throw people off there games as soon as this player is down, and on occasion i have to play this person they go from "was that a good hit" to "that it wasnt a good hit" i want to be pleasant i enjoy pool i dont want to get into argueing but im almost ready to just go play in the opposite direction to get away from this persons attitude which will be hard because id have to travel further to play in tournaments
 
There are many ways to deal with it. Here are a few that I use and seem to work for me. I am not looking to make people angry and like you I just want them to stop sharking.

First I recognize that they are attempting to shark. This means that I can anticipate it. Knowing it is going to happen helps a lot because I do not get angry when the shark pulls his trick. The first few times I just stop what I am doing, wait a few seconds and then proceed. If that doesn’t work my next step is to simply stop what I am doing and stare at the person for 30 seconds or so (a long time). Everyone near the table knows why I stopped as I am looking at the shark for a long enough period of time that he and everyone knows why I have stopped playing.

Some people are just jerks and try to make like they were not attempting to shark. They try to cover their tracks, so to speak, and continue with some sort of comment. At that point I tell them that their talking while I am shooting is distracting and that when they have finished I will continue playing. I need not say that they are sharking. I make the statement that it bothers me to have someone do what they are doing. I make like it is my problem.

I have asked people to go and sit down, not to stand behind my shot, and to light their cigarette someplace else as needed. While I say that it is my problem it soon becomes obvious to everyone that it is the jerk who is a poor sport. Usually he quits, but not always. If it persists I just stop playing until the behavior goes away.

Remember that you are in control and that by simply highlighting his behavior and waiting until he quiets down he will make an ass of himself. That puts you back in control with a little satisfaction to boot, and you are still the good guy.

Works for me.

BTW I have noticed that after I have used these tactics some of the other players have picked up on it and have used similar behaviors to stop the shark attack. The shark wants to not only throw you off your game but make it look like you are not able to take the pressure as if you are the one who is less than a man. That is one way he covers his tracks. Recognize that, admit that it can throw you off your game and you defeat his attempts.
 
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Since this is a practice partner, I'd try to "educate" them on proper competitive etiquette. Tell them that you enjoy playing with them, but to continue, they must submit to certain courtesies. First, when it is not their turn, they must remain seated in a chair. Second, they may not make ANY comment whatsoever (or wave their cue/hand/etc), until the shooter has completed their turn. If the person refuses to acknowledge these simple courtesy "rules" (they are mandatory in professional matches), then you should discontinue playing with them, and find someone who will 'play by the rules'. If they try to say that "you don't have to do that", print out this thread and show it to them. Good luck!

BTW...the rule about good/bad hits ALWAYS goes to the shooter, unless there is a referee watching the shot.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
IMHO Sharking comes from many directions, sources, friends, competitors, and if you can FOCUS your ATTENTION 100% PLUS on what you are doing, be it treating a wounded soldier while under fire, (like a military medic) fixing a flat tire on the freeway, or playing Pool. The shark attack (distraction) will not bother you.

"SHARKING" is a fancy term for a distraction IMHO!
 
Practice with someone distracting you and learn to focus and block it out, like a silly girlfriend or wife. When whoever realizes they can't throw you they stop.
 
SoniDJ said:
Practice with someone distracting you and learn to focus and block it out, like a silly girlfriend or wife. When whoever realizes they can't throw you they stop.
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A distraction can shatter your focus.

JoeW's advice to eliminate the distraction eliminates the problem. Stopping to wait for the shark to stop is very effective in eliminating the problem.
 
Ive practiced at a party house with a table as main entertainment. This sounds terrible but, if all else fails and they keep sharking wait for them to get in front of your shot then scoop the hell out of the ball and try to hit them. LOL. JK bad idea. Just ask them politely to step away from the table if they cant respect that then stop playing them.
 
Excellent post Joe W. I agree with everything he said. You don't have to say anything. No argument no confrontation, just "the look".:yeah:
Anytime you are distracted (no matter what the reason), you should stand up, chalk your cue, and start over.
 
I usually let the first one slide by and then a few minutes later just start casually talking about how last time someone tried to intentionally shark you that you smashed your cue stick over their skull.

Then, next time they do something, unscrew your cue stick and put it away then go over and get a house cue. When he asks you what the hell you are doing just look at him and smile and say "well, I don't want to ruin my own stick, do I?"

He'll probably stop. :grin:
 
Your friend is an idiot. Just wait and time will take care of him. Does he have nice teeth? He will lose them someday. If you care about this guy try to reason with him away from the table and explain pool ettiquete(spelling?) to him. He is insecure with his skills and feels he must get into your head which he has. There are many ways to shark people, some very subtle. Great players let their stick do their talking.
 
IrishInMaine said:
How do you deal with someone who is trying to shark you especially if its a friend doing it. i have a friend that i see trying to throw people off there games as soon as this player is down, and on occasion i have to play this person they go from "was that a good hit" to "that it wasnt a good hit" i want to be pleasant i enjoy pool i dont want to get into argueing but im almost ready to just go play in the opposite direction to get away from this persons attitude which will be hard because id have to travel further to play in tournaments
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if they're in your view of the balls or the back ground ask them to move. nothing wrong with insisting your opponent take his seat or at least stay out of your line of sight when you're shooting.
 
softshot said:
I practice daily with a 3 year old in the room... I can no longer be sharked:grin::grin:
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No doubt, but my 3 year old would be my daughter's finance. He really is a great kid, but GD he bugs the everloving sh$t out of me when I'm playing... his mannerisms, sighs, comments...pretty much every damn thing.

They are always over at the house and I keep inviting to go to the basement to play as I feel if I can get to the point where I don't loose my game when I am playing him I will never loose my game when it matters.

My son and I call him my kryptonite, but today changed his nickname to my training tool.

Anyway, just had to post and vent since I just fininshed playing 3 hours straight with him. It sure will be great when he doesn't get to me anymore
 
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