...particularly when you're playing better players. I see this all the time, especially with league players APA sl4-6 and weak 7's or similar. Sl2's and 3's are usually still learning how to pocket balls and play basic shape.
I played a little weekly tournament today and noticed everybody (mostly league players) playing the same way. So these are just some friendly words of advice.
Strange things happen in a handicapped league setting such as APA. Stronger players are matched with weaker players frequently. The stronger player must play more conservatively because 1 game might cost the match. Conservative play means a lot of safety play. The weaker player sees this and tries to mimic the style. It works for them, it should work for you too, right? Wrong. You can't do this against a better player, you will lose.
You must understand that strong players can move just as well (in fact, better) than you. A chess match puts the game in his favor. While you're bunting your balls around the table, he is positioning his balls for a runout.
Your line of thinking should go something like this.
Q: Can I run out? Including the 8.
A: Yes. Then you need to attempt this.
A: No.
Q: Why not? Which balls are trouble?
Q: Where do I need to move the trouble balls so that I can run out?
Q: How am I going to move those balls?
There are only 2 correct answers at this point: break them out while making a ball or break them out while playing safe. Then you need to figure out how you are going to put yourself in a position to break out those balls...ie what angle you need.
You should not be thinking, "Well, if I move this ball here, then he can't run out." That thought will burn you. When you think this way, you end up with a table where all your balls are clustered up and his are wide open. NOTE: This IS a valid strategy when you play a weaker player, because the situation is reversed.
How should you approach better players? RUN OUT! RUN OUT! RUN OUT! Shoot the lower percentage shots. Fire at the break outs. Hope for the best. You're not supposed to win (he's better than you), but at least you're giving yourself a chance...and guess what: you're getting better by challenging yourself.
What about similarly skilled players? This happens a lot too. Both are sl5's, but Player X likes to bunt balls around and Player Y likes to fire away. Player X is probably the favorite in this game because he tends to miss a lot less. But Player Y is improving his pocketing and CB control. Eventually, Player Y jumps a level and Player X has no chance.
BTW: These are things that team captains should be looking at, too. You want X playing the 3's and 4's and you want Y playing the 6's and 7's.
Alright, that's it for the lesson.
I played a little weekly tournament today and noticed everybody (mostly league players) playing the same way. So these are just some friendly words of advice.
Strange things happen in a handicapped league setting such as APA. Stronger players are matched with weaker players frequently. The stronger player must play more conservatively because 1 game might cost the match. Conservative play means a lot of safety play. The weaker player sees this and tries to mimic the style. It works for them, it should work for you too, right? Wrong. You can't do this against a better player, you will lose.
You must understand that strong players can move just as well (in fact, better) than you. A chess match puts the game in his favor. While you're bunting your balls around the table, he is positioning his balls for a runout.
Your line of thinking should go something like this.
Q: Can I run out? Including the 8.
A: Yes. Then you need to attempt this.
A: No.
Q: Why not? Which balls are trouble?
Q: Where do I need to move the trouble balls so that I can run out?
Q: How am I going to move those balls?
There are only 2 correct answers at this point: break them out while making a ball or break them out while playing safe. Then you need to figure out how you are going to put yourself in a position to break out those balls...ie what angle you need.
You should not be thinking, "Well, if I move this ball here, then he can't run out." That thought will burn you. When you think this way, you end up with a table where all your balls are clustered up and his are wide open. NOTE: This IS a valid strategy when you play a weaker player, because the situation is reversed.
How should you approach better players? RUN OUT! RUN OUT! RUN OUT! Shoot the lower percentage shots. Fire at the break outs. Hope for the best. You're not supposed to win (he's better than you), but at least you're giving yourself a chance...and guess what: you're getting better by challenging yourself.
What about similarly skilled players? This happens a lot too. Both are sl5's, but Player X likes to bunt balls around and Player Y likes to fire away. Player X is probably the favorite in this game because he tends to miss a lot less. But Player Y is improving his pocketing and CB control. Eventually, Player Y jumps a level and Player X has no chance.
BTW: These are things that team captains should be looking at, too. You want X playing the 3's and 4's and you want Y playing the 6's and 7's.
Alright, that's it for the lesson.
