Stuck at mediocracy

[NineBallNut]

I am new to this forum and thoug maybe I could get some sound advice. I play pool quite a bit. Here's the problem I'm having. It doesn't matter if I'm playing nine ball or eight ball. I run the table down to either the last two balls or the money ball, then just like clockwork, it's like a switch turns off and I do something stupid like jar the ball in the pocket or play poor position. This has become a big problem for me obviously because I lose a lot of games I shouldn't. I've worked on stepping back from the table to gather myself instead of running right up and shooting. I've worked on having a consistent pre shot routine, but time after time, I just keep doing the same stupid things. So my question is this, what else can I do to make these things go away. It's like I go from being a very compitent player to a beginner in 5 seconds. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[drivermaker]

I am new to this forum and thoug maybe I could get some sound advice. I play pool quite a bit. Here's the problem I'm having. It doesn't matter if I'm playing nine ball or eight ball. I run the table down to either the last two balls or the money ball, then just like clockwork, it's like a switch turns off and I do something stupid like jar the ball in the pocket or play poor position. This has become a big problem for me obviously because I lose a lot of games I shouldn't. I've worked on stepping back from the table to gather myself instead of running right up and shooting. I've worked on having a consistent pre shot routine, but time after time, I just keep doing the same stupid things. So my question is this, what else can I do to make these things go away. It's like I go from being a very compitent player to a beginner in 5 seconds. Any suggestions would be appreciated

It's a medical problem...called asshole puckering syndrome. Drugs are required.
Until then, take two aspirin, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Stop by the front desk and my nurse will get your payment. I'm glad your first post was such a common malady, making my job of diagnosis a lot easier. NEXT!!

 

[sjm]

I am new to this forum and thoug maybe I could get some sound advice. I play pool quite a bit. Here's the problem I'm having. It doesn't matter if I'm playing nine ball or eight ball. I run the table down to either the last two balls or the money ball, then just like clockwork, it's like a switch turns off and I do something stupid like jar the ball in the pocket or play poor position. This has become a big problem for me obviously because I lose a lot of games I shouldn't. I've worked on stepping back from the table to gather myself instead of running right up and shooting. I've worked on having a consistent pre shot routine, but time after time, I just keep doing the same stupid things. So my question is this, what else can I do to make these things go away. It's like I go from being a very compitent player to a beginner in 5 seconds. Any suggestions would be appreciated

If you maintain a consistent pre-shot routine, you are setting yourself up for success, but there is still the danger that you are allowing negative thoughts to creep into your head. My best guess is that you need to improve your mental game, but you need to help me out here:

1) Are your thoughts over the cue ball different toward the end of the rack?

2) Do you feel more pressure as you get closer to the end of the rack?

3) Is your breathing pattern any different towards the end of the rack?

4) Do past failures haunt you as you get near the end of a runout?

 

[NineBallNut]

If you maintain a consistent pre-shot routine, you are setting yourself up for success, but there is still the danger that you are allowing negative thoughts to creep into your head. My best guess is that you need to improve your mental game, but you need to help me out here:

1) Are your thoughts over the cue ball different toward the end of the rack?

2) Do you feel more pressure as you get closer to the end of the rack?

3) Is your breathing pattern any different towards the end of the rack?

4) Do past failures haunt you as you get near the end of a runout?

the answers are no to number 1 and yes to all the rest

 

[sjm]

the answers are no to number 1 and yes to all the rest

Then the mental game really is your issue. Have you read Phil Cappelle's superb book on the mental game? I'm no sports psychologist, but I do know this: if your pre-shot routine doesn't prepare you both physically and mentally for your shots, it isn't good enough. Every indication is that what's missing from your game is the power of positive thinking. Don't panic, you're going through a phase most players encounter at some point.

It all sounds like a lack of confidence. When I was young, a mentor of mine told me that stubbornness is part of confidence. Why, I asked? I was told that one needs to be stubborn in the belief that the very next shot will be executed successfully. As I've aged, I've come to believe this more and more.

 

[mjantti]

I used to have the same kind of problem. When the adrenaline is building up towards the end of the rack, you might be actually playing slightly faster and rushing into shots. Make sure that your pre-shot routine is always the same. Breathe deep breathes, learning a proper breathing technique cannot make things worse. Doesn't matter if you're shooting at the 1-ball or the last game ball, just rely on your rhythm and mechanics. It's a different thing if you are rather inexperienced and don't have rock solid mechanics. Just a slight flaw in your stroke is multiplied when you feel the pressure on those last balls. Do you feel your stroke is slightly different on those last balls ? If so, you might be doing something unwanted extra movements on last balls. Try find someone knowledgeable to watch your game or try videotaping your game. I learner a great deal about my stroke and stance after taping my game with a borrowed videocamera and a tripod.

Sjm has a good point, you should grab some books on the mental side of pool and see if they can help you from your last-ball-choking.

 

[piglit]

Just keep at it, it is all repetition/ muscle memory and knowing what to do in any given situation.

K.I.S.S.- keep it simple, son (or stupid, depending on how frustrated you are!). When you take easy shots, you'll make a higher % of them. Sounds obvious, but it really will make you a more consistant player. There's an old saying, 'that guy can't play- he never takes a hard shot!' and, watching the best players, it's evident that they seek to make any given runout as easy as possible. Watch Jeremey Jones. He is my textbook example re: the prior.

Also, you may be trying to do something that you aren't ready for (running whole racks). Keep at it though, there are lots of people who play real good pool who look like the wouldn't be any good at it.

And, finally, keep asking questions. There are lots of folks here who know lots about pool. I especially like using the WEI table to illustrate situations (and bless Mr. WEI for giving it to us!).

-pige

 

[cheesemouse]

buck fever

I am new to this forum and thoug maybe I could get some sound advice. I play pool quite a bit. Here's the problem I'm having. It doesn't matter if I'm playing nine ball or eight ball. I run the table down to either the last two balls or the money ball, then just like clockwork, it's like a switch turns off and I do something stupid like jar the ball in the pocket or play poor position. This has become a big problem for me obviously because I lose a lot of games I shouldn't. I've worked on stepping back from the table to gather myself instead of running right up and shooting. I've worked on having a consistent pre shot routine, but time after time, I just keep doing the same stupid things. So my question is this, what else can I do to make these things go away. It's like I go from being a very compitent player to a beginner in 5 seconds. Any suggestions would be appreciated

Some call it 'buck fever' others call it '8/9ball fever' but whatever it's called most players have had to deal with this hurdle in their games. I had it bad once upon a time but luckily I also had a mentor who offer this advice in the form of a question: Why would you stop running balls? Of course, I didn't understand until he explained further that in the beginning game and middle game you are always playing position for the next shot so why not just continue doing that beyond the end game. In other words continue playing position with the cueball on an imaginary ball with the end game shot. What playing position on the imaginary ball does is it keeps you in your physical/mental rythm and makes the fever balls just like the other balls that come early in the run....I hope that isn't to confusing....LOL

 

[JimS]

I've found that if I run several balls in a row leading to the game ball I tend to lose intensity when I get to the game ball. It's like when I get to the game ball I feel relieved and happy that I made it and I let down....my focus diminishes. It's like I feel like I've already won the game, just having gotten that far so successfully and then I screw up shape on the game ball and/or just miss an easy shot on it.

My solution is to slow down as I get closer to the game ball, take deep breaths, focus intensly prior to playing shape for the "out" and then, as has been suggested above, play shape on an imaginary shot to come after the game ball.

 

[catscradle]

Then the mental game really is your issue. Have you read Phil Cappelle's superb book on the mental game? ...

I agree Capelle's book is good, but I have to once again recommend the #1 book concerning the mental side of sports. Read "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Tim Gallwey. Some of it is throw away because it is tennis specific, but it offers great general advice about dealing with choking. Basically it's main idea is to lighten up and just play. Gallwey says it better, read the book.

 

[vapoolplayer]

Just keep at it, it is all repetition/ muscle memory and knowing what to do in any given situation.......

-pige

that sounds to be about the best advice. i was going through this a couple months ago. every damn time i'd almost be out i'd do something to sabotage it. i just kept playing and playing, after a while i didn't think about it when the last few shots came up. i'd just keep shooting normally and it would almost be a surprise to me that there were no balls left on the table. sometimes if i was playing someone i'd ask them if i'd broke and run that rack, not to be rubbing it in, but honestly it was a surprise to me that i was getting out. i'm nowhere near a top level player yet, but just by "keeping at it" as stated above the problems are ironing themselves out.

thanks

and capelle's a mind for pool is a very good book, it wouldn't hurt to check it out. also i believe someone wrote a book titled something about small motions, i haven't bought it yet, but its supposed to be about the mental aspect i believe.

thanks

 

[NineBallNut]

appreciate the advice

Thank all of you for your great advice. I have read some of the fore mentioned books, but obviously the information didn't sink in. Sometimes you just need someone to kick ya in the butt and tell you somethin you already knew just to get things started again. It's just been frustration cause I went from being the top of my 2 leagues the last two years, to losing to people that you obviously should be able to beat. again, thank you

 

[Rickw]

I agree with all of the above and would only add that you should look forward to every shot as an opportunity to shoot rather than dreading any shot. Get back to the love of the game and the desire to shoot. Look at every shot as "your" shot and be glad that you have that opportunity. Also, work on maintaining a calm outer appearance because if you look calm and relaxed, there's a good chance you will start to actually feel calm and relaxed after a while. Some of the best players look like they're taking a walk in the park when they're playing some of the most important games.

 

[chefjeff]

Thank all of you for your great advice. I have read some of the fore mentioned books, but obviously the information didn't sink in. Sometimes you just need someone to kick ya in the butt and tell you somethin you already knew just to get things started again. It's just been frustration cause I went from being the top of my 2 leagues the last two years, to losing to people that you obviously should be able to beat. again, thank you

Play in the Drivermaker Holiday Tournament at the top of the forum posts listings.

This may help you get past your problem.

Driver, do I get a commission on new entries?

Jeff Livingston

 

[drivermaker]

Play in the Drivermaker Holiday Tournament at the top of the forum posts listings.

This may help you get past your problem.

Driver, do I get a commission on new entries?

Jeff Livingston

You sure do get a commission...Willee is paying it out of a slush fund from all the money he saved by not gambling or playing in the DCC. (Don't start whining Willee, just pay the man)

 

[rayjay]

Read (or re-read) The Pleasures of Small Motions, focused specifically on the mental game of pool. It's not all about attitude...a lot of it is about understanding why it happens, understanding motives, understanding expectations, and moving past them. Once you really internalize this, you can enjoy the game and play the game you are capable of playing.
rayjay

 

[mjantti]

Rayjay has an important point here. There is no way you can get everything out of a book just by reading it once. I reread the Pleasures in Small Motions lately and it gave much more important information I was able to relate to. A good instructional book is an asset to your game no matter how many times you read it.