Skills are declining

SlashingAxe

SlashingAxe

Pool newbie
Silver Member
(My R button bit jammed so may be missing sometimes) Hey everyone I'm new to the forum and pretty new to pool(started last August? 2014). I joined the apa league hoping to have a little fun fo now until I get better and join better leagues. My team and I did amazing we're going the the local team championships and hopefully nationals but this sping season I've been getting worse instead of progessing. My teammates watch me and even they say they don't know what's happened but they notice it as well. My stance has been the same, bridge the same, and my mentality I admit I need bit more fcus not to get upset but I'm just not shooting the same not even close. What are some common mistakes that beginners make to make them shoot bad? Normally I'd mess up mly positioning but I'd at least be able to pocket balls. Now I can't even pocket balls let alone get in shape for the next shot. Any help to improve?
 
AZers can be extremely helpful if you provide a video of you shooting. Make sure the frame shows your entire body (actually more important than the rest of the table). Best to take video from the front and the side.
 
Maybe you've slacked off the basics, poor fundamentals, or more likely you've had the chance to see and play better players and now you're trying to do what they do and it's not working out so well. If that's what it could be remember that good habits and skills take time to develop. Get back to things that worked for you, the rest will come in time, orrrrr..... every now and then my game really starts to suffer. Most pool players are superstitious and creatures of habit. Sometimes I'll find myself looking for "my lucky socks" or "lucky shorts" or something equally stupid. Then it's time for a re-evaluation of stuff. I find that I have become obsessed with lucky objects or gadgets, kinda like when "Nuke Laloush (in Bull Durham) was breathing out of the wrong eye lid. Time to get back to basics, I put away everything custom and most of the gadgets and pull out my simple cue, case, and breaker. I put a couple of pieces of chalk and a scuffer in my case and I play with only that stuff for a while, back to basics. As my game picks back up I'll begin to work in an abriviated version of the things I was carrying around before. Getting back to basic play with a basic cue and only the essential gear helps me to refocus. During this period I might spend a couple of hours a day putting balls on the spot and hitting them into the corner pocket, all stop shots, it helps me refocus.
Find what works for you, it'll come.
 
It's doubtful anyone here can offer much help without just getting 'lucky'. ;)

To play pool, or any other sport really, to a high level you have to learn some self diagnostics. No one can help you without out watching and collecting a data on at least a number of your matches over a segment of time. To try is an exercise in futility. Videos of you shooting are really useless as well, everyone is unique and there are plenty of people out there who play very well without doing everything "textbook".

What I would suggest is to have someone chart your matches or video tape them and chart them yourself. Start by tracking things like missed shots, what percentage of that type of shot you would expect to be able to make at your level and specifically how you missed. (left/right/etc) Track missed positions and exactly how also. (Long/short/etc). Try and determine if you played the best route to get out. (Table/game management) Sometimes seeing it after the fact and away from the table opens your eyes to things you didn't see when in the moment. That sort of thing. I would bet that in short time you will start to find some patterns, once you dial in in the problems, you can then form a plan to correct them.

Further, this is the kind of thing that will benefit you in the long run as you start to learn to pick up on these diagnostic type things on the fly. I always pay attention to everything I do, good or bad. If I'm missing shots, I am careful to see why on each one. Then I can correct it right then and there before it's too late. You will also begin to learn your tendencies, how you might error when rushed or under pressure or whatever. Often times it may not even be you but idiosyncrasies of the table and equipment that require you to correct for. This ability to diagnose and adjust quickly is one of the things that separates the higher levels of players from the rest.

IMO.
 
Last edited:
One thing I did recently to help my game improve is have a friend video tap me playing. I did this so I can see what I was doing right and wrong and where I could improve.
 
I'll try being extra careful to review my fundamentals when I practice again maybe I did try incorporating another player's style subconsciously as sometimes I'll notice I don't follow straight but that habit is decreasing thankfully. Idk why I never thought of recording myself since I watch streams or videos when I can. Thanks everyone I'll post a video in a few days time when I go to my higher level teammate's house to practice maybe he can help point something out as well.
 
The big thing with new(er) players on my past teams was the fact they're trying to hard. Thinking about your leaves to much, trying to alter too many fundamentals at once (i.e. watching youtube videos), and using way too much english. Oh and "popping" up was a big issue.

I learned to shoot with bigtime left/right english. As I got better I used this as a crutch, mostly against better players (for ex. SL7's 8's). It's done nothing for my stroke and always seems to make leaves even worse. My local cuebuilder and instructor has me on a "half-tip at the most" diet and it's done wonders for my game (especially lately).
 
My guess is "head problems", it happened to me in my second year at league.

You have to remember "its just a game" then strike with vengeance.
 
I am in the same boat and my problem was watching a bunch of videos on aiming systems and trying to get better by some gizmo. What I found is it makes me think way too much and my game is suffering. Now I just want to get back to where I was a couple of months ago and it seems like the more balls I hit by focusing on basic stroke, staying down and follow through with my stroke is helping.
 
My experience this is caused from one of two things:

I - fundamentals change you aren't aware of - if you stop making everything then it could be head position or eye position.

Shoot some straight in long shots with no english and see if you are making them or if you have to move your head to see them correctly. That will give you a clue. If you're missing them the same way every time your head/eyes are probably in the wrong place. (Because you said you're still setup the same) If you're spraying it and rattling it and missing on both sides, you probably have introduced some wobble somewhere. Could be bad pre-shot routine, bad rhythm, bad grip. Work with someone to figure it out. As suggested Scott Lee is excellent.

II - You watch better players and start using english too much to try and get position. This is usually because you're overthinking position in the first place.

Throw some balls out and just shoot them in without english. Focus on using ball speed FIRST to try and get position. And then focus on getting the right angle so you can get position on the next shot without using english. You'd be surprised how many position shots you can get to with only top and bottom.

I suspect when you start shooting balls without english you'll start making a ton more. Then, even in matches, don't use english other than top/draw unless it's an emergency.

At this point in your game, every time you use side spin it should be a conscious choice and one not to be made lightly.

If you are making balls like crazy without english, wait, wait, wait to incorporate it back into your game. Practice specific shots with specific english until you have them as second nature and pay close attention to where you have to aim to make them. Only after a particular shot/english combination is a sure thing can you incorporate it into your regular game.

For example, making a slight cut into the corner with outside bottom english to come back to the side of the table you're shooting from is a useful shot - So practice it from all different angles, lengths, etc and pulling back to specific points on the rail. Once you've mastered it and it comes up, hit it with confidence. Then pick another shot - maybe working off the end rail from a side pocket shot etc...
 
What Six said or maybe you're taking the process for granted. Like it was mentioned about your focus.. you go through the proper motions, but that's not enough to make the ball. You've got to focus on pocketing. There's a reason that so many people still muff the easy shots.
 
Started playing in August, and your team has done quite well in APA.

Does this mean you have moderate skill set that has eroded or has your team been carrying you and you are feeling pressure to contribute more?

Is it possible that you have been winning due to a huge and continuing windfall of luck? rather than your potting ability?

Basics are basic. Be sure you have mastered them before you complicate things with copying another's style or technique.

Try playing on big tables to help your small table game, assuming you want to improve.

Good luck to your team, but it sounds like you may have that covered.:thumbup:


..some of this is in jest, some is not.

Welcome to the forums.

Get some qualified instructor help, if problems persist. Bad habits can be undone when they have not been in existence long. It's fixable.
 
I'm not sure if the link will work since my profile is private if it doesn't show let me know and I'll open my profile but I'd prefer to keep it private. This is a video of me shooting maybe you guys can spot something wrong besides me going out of position on everything. At my uncle's I was shooting fine for my level out of position but able to pocket balls which makes me think it's a mental problem. Sorry for the quality a bit the video size was too big in hd.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=817524751635769&l=7670484489124981855
 
Keep it simple. Practice of course. Make sure you compete with the best players you can. I learn a lot playing better players. I rarely ask questions. Just watch what they do. A small affordable wager will generally take your focus up a notch.
 
Just another thought, I see you're in California. I don't know what the weather is like where you are (here it sucks). During the winter my game really falls off. The bad weather really has a very negative effect on me, my concentration level drops and a lot of time even my motivation to play is nonexistent. Weather all over the country is a little odd this winter, far worse than it has been in past years, perhaps you have a bit of winter depression. For me personally, if I don't feel well I don't play well. Although pool isn't a real physical game I believe that health, physical and mental, is of great importance. You don't have to be one of those people with 3% body fat that only eats organic seaweed and drinks natural spring water or anything like that, you can be fat and diabetic with no legs, but if you are feeling right and you feel like playing, if you feel good, you likely play much better.
 
GoldCrown said:
Take lessons from an instructor such as ..Scott Lee.

Learn good habits NOW. They last forever.
Click to expand...

Yep, what he said. Getting started with good habits and fundamentals will knock years off the learning curve. This step is crazy to overlook.
 
You've gotten many opinions & you'll get more.

Perhaps you have just taken your good start & natural ability for granted & did not realise the precision that this game can require. Perhaps you're simply trying too hard maybe for too much at your current level. You mentioned focus.

Also see tony the tiger's post.

Good Luck & Best Wishes,
Rick
 
SlashingAxe said:
I'm not sure if the link will work since my profile is private if it doesn't show let me know and I'll open my profile but I'd prefer to keep it private. This is a video of me shooting maybe you guys can spot something wrong besides me going out of position on everything. At my uncle's I was shooting fine for my level out of position but able to pocket balls which makes me think it's a mental problem. Sorry for the quality a bit the video size was too big in hd.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=817524751635769&l=7670484489124981855
Click to expand...

Not to be too mean but since you asked..... You have no preshot routine, you seem to align and/or step into the shot inconsistently and you are shooting like it's a race, you seem to unintentionally apply backhand English on occasion (correction attempt I would guess) and you don't look over any shot at all with more than a simple glance. There doesn't seem to be any position play or conscious thoughts of routes.

To be honest, your game seems to be loaded with potential for inconsistency. IMHO, you really need to get back to some core basics and build up from there. I would definitely suggest some quality lessons at this point to help you understand and ingrain these things some more. Best of luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top