Slumps stink

RichSchultz said:
Thanks...I really don't know why I'm collapsing after being ahead, sometimes by large margins.
Click to expand...

Therein lies your first step. Before you can fix anything, you have to know what is and what is not working. If you don't know that, you can easily break something that was working. I agree with Scott, see a qualified instructor. When you have a solid PSR, you don't have slumps.

That said, there is a little you can do now. Try and identify if it is a mental problem or not. Are you getting cocky when ahead and letting up a little and getting sloppy without really realizing it? Are you so convinced now that you will lose that your mind is finding ways for you to lose? Your mind will try it's best to do what you tell it to. If you are thinking of losing, it will find a way to do just that.
 
Neil said:
Therein lies your first step. Before you can fix anything, you have to know what is and what is not working. If you don't know that, you can easily break something that was working. I agree with Scott, see a qualified instructor. When you have a solid PSR, you don't have slumps.

That said, there is a little you can do now. Try and identify if it is a mental problem or not. Are you getting cocky when ahead and letting up a little and getting sloppy without really realizing it? Are you so convinced now that you will lose that your mind is finding ways for you to lose? Your mind will try it's best to do what you tell it to. If you are thinking of losing, it will find a way to do just that.
Click to expand...
Neil, Greenie for you! You absolutely nailed it.Thanks!
 
RichSchultz said:
I actually go faster and faster...and have to consciously tell myself to slow down. So much going wrong, it's not one thing, I fear. 15 losses...just killin' me.
Click to expand...
I can't help but wonder if alcohol consumption is implicated, increasingly as the match progresses. I gave up even beer until after my match(es). I'm much happier for it. Slumps suck.
 
mikewhy said:
I can't help but wonder if alcohol consumption is implicated, increasingly as the match progresses. I gave up even beer until after my match(es). I'm much happier for it. Slumps suck.
Click to expand...
Mike, I'm with you...don't drink when I play. Maybe I should, to loosen up a little.
 
Slump

I'd recommend two things. First find a qualified instructor that video tapes. That will get your stroke on the road.

Next is to think more about process than results. Winning, slumps, who beats who etc., are for the most part out of your control. Do the stroke work with an instructor and trust your process.

My sense is that you are trying too hard to "win" and in the process changing your set up as Lou suggested.
 
RichSchultz said:
I've lost 15 of my last 16 matches. Unbelievable. How does one regain confidence? I've read Inner Game of Tennis and Pleasures of Small Motions. Nothing is working.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty bad slump. Kudos to you for hanging in there. The good thing is you always come out of it a better player. I know everybody is different but for me it always comes down to playing cheap sets with the best players I can match up with and HAMB and I eventually come around.
 
RichSchultz said:
I've lost 15 of my last 16 matches. Unbelievable.
How does one regain confidence?
I've read Inner Game of Tennis and Pleasures of Small Motions.
Nothing is working.
Click to expand...

Slumps are not really curable.
It is a recurrent condition with periods of relapse and remission that can be managed with proper care.
Sorta like herpes.

Jennifer Barretta
 
Cole Dixon had one of the worst stokes, the WORST stance at the table, and sometimes played the worst positiin shots so much so, that he would have driven ANY instructor crazy BUT, what he DID have that no one could teach, or demonstrate.....was with HIS skills, as bad as they were....the ability to FOCUS, CONCENTRATE on the shot he was faced making at that moment, follow through, and MAKE the ball. He NEVER let up on someone he was playing nust because he was in the lead in what ever race he was playing, because he played you like you were always ahead in the race and he was going to loose if he didn't kick it in gear. So, my advice to the OP, is to play like you're coming from behind to try and win, instead of thinking you've got the match won because you happen to be in the lead at the moment. Think about it, what do you think your OPPONENT is thinking....that he's winning already, when he's behind?

Cole played to NEVER let you win a game, no matter what the race was to and would NEVER let up, even if the score was 10-0 in a race to 11....and YOU have the 0.
 
Last edited:

Attachments

  • IMG_0824.JPG
    IMG_0824.JPG
    33.2 KB · Views: 106
Last edited:
Oh man don't I know it, lost 6 out of last 8 matches, before that just a steady stream of 50/50 win losses. Before that, everything was flowing wins were piling up like nothing. Gonna get a tip change...
 
I don't ever go into a match looking to win, I force the opponent to beat me. I think when I made that distinction I started playing more cohesively. Trying to beat someone is an uphill task for me, it's takes a lot of mental effort and doesn't always work out. But it's always easy to make it as hard as possible for the other guy to beat me. Shoot it's actually fun to watch them struggle if I lay a good defense or start on a good run. So instead of trying to win, it's like I am making sure I don't lose, or seeing how hard I can make it for the other guy to win.

For anyone who is still with me, I am talking about the same game but two different perspectives. One of them really works for me. So if things aren't working maybe give it a try and change your mind around. Defend yourself all the way to a victory.
 
Rick, if you have a particular shot that gives you difficulty, CONSISTENTLY that's a good thing, because it's fixable. If you expect to win, then the man in the mirror should be looked at a little closer. In pool one learns never to EXPECT anything, just hope for the best and if your ''paying attention'' and being nice to yourself, then progress will happen. Now if ya play 2 hours a week....................expect nothing.
 
Destroyed my opponent tonight, and seriously folks, you all helped. I thought a lot about your collective advice. Thanks!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top