State Your Weakness Here . . .

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
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And if you have a plan to work on it, what is it?

I am frustrated with what the main weakness is in my game because I do a lot of things well and it feels like this particular facet of my game should be way up there, but it isn't. :embarrassed2:

In fact, it has been much better in the past making me think I may be in an age-related decline - or perhaps, more specifically, a diminishing eyesight related decline. Whichever it is, I sure would like to do the best I can with what tools I have left.

Here's my weakness: I miss way too many relatively easy straight in shots. WTH. :angry::mad::embarrassed2::confused::frown:

What makes it extra frustrating is that I play very strong position, kick and bank real good, and I am completely confident in my pattern play plus I know when to duck and am fairly proficient at safety play, as well. These are supposed to be the hard parts of pool, right?

So, I guess it's time to drill baby drill.

I suppose I need to get back in touch with my accurate and repeatable stroke, must try to stay as close to center ball strikes as possible, and reacquaint myself with my spf pre-shot routine.

Any other suggestions would be most welcome.

So what's the main weakness in your game and what do you plan to do about it?

best,
brian kc
 
Patterns.

I have started to break the balls and map out every shot. No more starting a run without having a exact plan. It may not always work out as planned but I have noticed I am thinking my way through the racks much better now.
 
99% of the time I am in line to run out, I end up losing focus on a shot and playing something silly like trying to create an angle that's not really available or thinking about the shot while I'm shooting, causing me to miss an easy shot. Did that twice in league, cost me the set after I was in easy shape for the win. I always tell my son and others I teach things to do not think in the shooting position (got that from a Buddy Hall quote) and it's something I do quite a bit, my brain conspires against me.

My break and run % is very low because of this, I start looking at the finish and loose track of where I am.
 
Cdryden said:
Patterns.

I have started to break the balls and map out every shot. No more starting a run without having a exact plan. It may not always work out as planned but I have noticed I am thinking my way through the racks much better now.
Click to expand...

Me too. When I don't know where I'm going I try to hold the cue ball too much, end up hitting thick and missing.
 
The roller-coaster. I will have 3-6 months stretches where I can take on the world, and then like 1-2 month lay off where I can't seem to put it together. I never sure what changes these ups and downs...

I also get in my own head REALLY bad. I think I can run every rack I step to. I agonize and take insane shots thinking they will go, and I will run out. I have about a 30% rate of completion when taking the ridiculous shots. I always think letting the player back to the table is dangerous, because I can't run out from my chair... I should really start to play more racks like a play one pocket. Play the smart shots and wait for my opportunity.
 
I have trouble pinpointing this.

Some days I miss balls I shouldn't.
Some days I'm underhitting every ball and always short on shape.
Some days I just refuse to get out.

I think it's actually confidence. I have all the tools in my toolbag.
But I'm scared of (and hate) to miss and lose.
Sometimes I go through an entire rack cinching every ball.

I also need plain old practice. I'm told playing recreationally 3 times a week with my buddies
isn't going to get me to A player or above.
 
The no non sense approach of a person who has single focus, and never slows down allowing his opponent too win. Killer Instant. Aka I have weak focus.
 
My biggest weakness, out of many, is that I'm a slow starter, usually by the time I'm warmed up and ready to rock, we're already halfway through the match and I have to play catch-up. Against very slow players or when I get stuck in the chair for a long time, it takes me right out my game.
 
focusing on the job at hand.......as the evening gets later and later I get tired and am not able to focus as before......has really cost me some matches after midnight! I have tried chocolate bars etc but nothing seems to work except sleep.
 
I try to be too perfect on position when it is usually unnecessary. I end up boning myself WAY more than it every should happen... Sometimes less is more, and more is less...
 
I still miss too many easy shots. I'm going to have a major breakthrew in this department this year. My solution for this is to start playing 14.1 and work towards a respectable run. I'm tracking every run that I attempt and every time I write down a small number it stings, much more so than when you miss a random ball playing some other game.

Oh yeah...and will continue to work on my cueing as well.
 
I make minor tweaks to my stroke. From night to night, they're rarely ever exactly the same. I'd imagine that's not helping things.
 
Being careless on occasion and make a shot with no purpose what so ever.. I don't line up to make it, I don't plan on a safety I simply, walk up to the table line up to something in that direction and then realize why the bleep did I even bother shooting that.


I am my own worst enemy, but we are trying to work it out.
LL;)
 
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Art !!!

Good pool is basic. Great pool is really
basic. The KISS principle wins.

But I love the art of pool. Why go one rail when
three is so much prettier ? I end up playing for
the art of pool rather than for the win, and the better
I'm playing the artsier it gets. So I end up hooked or out
of line and that is not pretty!
 
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