The yips

victorl

Where'd my stroke go?
Silver Member
I played in a Japanese pro tour match yesterday and was in a tight 10 ball match when I finally caught a gear, or so I thought. My opponent started rattling balls and I would clear up right until the 8 or 9 ball, and as soon as I thought to myself, "I got this!", suddenly my mind would go absolutely blank and I would blow easy shape or miss the shot completely. It's like I had to force my cue forward, which resulted in a terrible poke-a-stroke.

Unbelievably, I did this about five games in a row and sold out every one of them and my oopponent was more than happy to clean up. With my opponent on the hill up 8-2, I finally cleared up and then broke and ran the next rack and let out a sigh of relief, thinking I'd gotten over it. Then the next rack, I had an easy back-cut on the 10 and it happened again. I left it hanging and that was it, lost 9-4 but should have won about 9-3.
I've missed shots under pressure before, but It's never been this bad. I mean 6 times in 1 match? I feel absolutely disgusted with myself.

If anyone's got advice or a similar horrific experience or whatever, bring it on!

Cheers,
Vic
 
I think you answered your own question. You used a poke stroke. While standing envision a smooth follow thru. Take a deep breath and execute. You should be doing this on all but a very few shots.

P.S. I'm not a instructor by any means.
 
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