The Value of NOT Playing Pool (especially when you are struggling)
- Thread starter kollegedave
- Start date
If playing pool came with report cards every 6 months players might know what to improve on.
Instead players stick to what works despite lack of improvement. It is called the good enough attitude.
The problem is when they realize they are not good enough and dont know how to improve.
If anyone wants to invent or design training aids, its one way to clearly assess what you are good at or what you are not good enough at.
Instead players stick to what works despite lack of improvement. It is called the good enough attitude.
The problem is when they realize they are not good enough and dont know how to improve.
If anyone wants to invent or design training aids, its one way to clearly assess what you are good at or what you are not good enough at.
SeniorTom
Well-known member
I wonder how much the top Pros enjoy playing pool, or does it seem more like work to them. Personally, it would be pretty neat to be able to play as well as they do, but I don't have the desire to invest that kind of time and stress into becoming their level. I will work on my game especially cue ball control aspects, and my stroke as well, but some of my most enjoyable times playing pool are when I just let go of the intensity and just hang out with my friends bashing some balls around.
Always surprises me how much people play.... During the summer months I might play 5 competitive racks of 8 ball a week, (league). If I include 'warm up' time to that 5 racks... ...maybe 2hrs of play. During the fall/winter/spring season that would stretch out to maybe 3hrs a week. Might play in a heavy handful of tourneys throughout the year.
If I decide to 'reset' so to speak. The elapsed time is measured in weeks not hours or days. However a down turn in my play typically doesn't run pass a single day.
I've noticed a recent trend of down playing fundamentals on the forum. Quite frankly, I think it's the only thing worth developing and practicing. The value of a solid foundation that you can fall back on while struggling is immeasurable. Whether it be coming back from a real break in play, or realtime during a match.
If I decide to 'reset' so to speak. The elapsed time is measured in weeks not hours or days. However a down turn in my play typically doesn't run pass a single day.
I've noticed a recent trend of down playing fundamentals on the forum. Quite frankly, I think it's the only thing worth developing and practicing. The value of a solid foundation that you can fall back on while struggling is immeasurable. Whether it be coming back from a real break in play, or realtime during a match.
The_JV,
I am a baseball fan. I heard a story once (I don't know how true it is) that during or after Mickey Mantle's famous 1956 season, he saw Ted Williams at the All Star Game. Williams was super into hitting technique and fundamentals and was looking forward to talking to Mantle about Mantle's technique, because of Mantle's recent success. The story goes that Williams found Mantle and started quizzing Mantle about Mantle's hitting technique. Mantle claims never to have heard of or considered any of the things Williams was talking about, but after having the issues brought to his attention, Mantle went into a dreadful two-week slump.
Count me as a Ted Williams guy when it comes to fundamentals. For me, sometimes small things make a big difference, and having time away can sometimes make those small things seem bigger, more noticeable, and new, because your once familiar process has become just a little strange.
It is not my intention to down play fundamentals. Quite the opposite. However, I wouldn't want to send anyone into a "Mickey Mantle slump" either. My point is that people may not often think about using a break from pool as a way to illuminate portions of their fundamentals that feel strange when they get back to pool.
kollegedave
My apologies Dave,
My comment about the down play of 'fundamental importance' on the forum wasn't directed at you. Just a general thought on the current 'tone' of the forum I've noticed of late.
I do agree that it's extremely easy to tumble down the rabbit hole of fundamental fixation when you're struggling. When I see players suffer from this. It's typically because they try to fix everything rather than focusing on an aspect and seeing it through. I'm not a instructor by any stretch of the imagination. However I do field a fair amount of questions from those locally that are looking to improve. My initial advice...?..., don't change anything for 3 months. Not you stance, stroke, aiming method, tip..., etc. If they can do that, then they can be taught. If they can handle managing that one thing. Then they graduate to focusing on one different thing that may improve their play... You'd be amazed how that one request gets me out of doing anything further...lol
Anyways, my point wasn't about fixating on fundamentals while struggling, but making it a point to develop them to second nature early on so they're in your back pocket when you need them. I rarely follow the rigid routine I had when I played snooker. That said, at any moment I can switch back to that routine. Doing so eliminates so many variables when things aren't going so well and I need recalibrate.
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A pool player’s best weapon is having a short memory. Taking a hiatus from pool means you return with a clean slate.
Just forget whatever you did before because the only thing……THE ONLY THING….that matters is what you do now.
Before is in your rear view mirror so keep your eyes on the road in front of you. Play smart, pay attention to the cue
ball speed and temper that with using English sparingly and carefully & just forget whatever previously bothered you.
Just forget whatever you did before because the only thing……THE ONLY THING….that matters is what you do now.
Before is in your rear view mirror so keep your eyes on the road in front of you. Play smart, pay attention to the cue
ball speed and temper that with using English sparingly and carefully & just forget whatever previously bothered you.