Time to Vent

distractions

I agree with those that have posted that distractions are just another obstacle to overcome. There will ALWAYS be some kind of distraction in most any match. But it is only a distraction if you let it be. My concentration is more likely to be broken when I acknowledge the distraction in some way - like telling my opponent to stop practicing - or by calling the tournament director over to make a ruling. The very act of doing that would be more of a distraction to me than anything my opponent is doing. I am successful when I am able to block everything out except the task at hand - playing pool.
 
I just had this happen to me twice recently. The guys sharks you all night and plays dumb about it. This was our end of the year doubles tournament for league. It is kind of an honest effort league, no ball in hand, 99% of the guys play it completely honest but this one guy is just a jerk off. So anyway back to our doubles tourny, I've got my run all figured out and I get down on the cue ball, just as I'm about to pull the trigger he comes to the table and grabs the chalk which is right in my line of sight. So I'm thinking "whatever" but I stand back up and resent myself and just as I'm about to shoot again he then brings the chalk back to the table and sets it back down. So then the shit hit the fan. I asked him "are you about done with the f*cking chalk?" He does this kind of crap constantly in league. He didnt like that I called him out on it but he had it coming. Then later in the same match I was left with a tough cross face bank on the 8 for the win. As I'm about to shoot I can see him unscrewing his cue, which in our league is not a loss. So again I stand up to reset myself, I asked him if he was conceding the bank shot. He said "no I am not" and he proceeded to put his cue back together. Just as he got done, I got all lined up on the ball and fired the bank dead into the middle of the pocket for the win. I know I could hear people laughing up at the bar. No one else has ever called him out on it. It's so prevalent in our league that dirty pool like that has been named after him. If you're just trying to completely hose someone you are gonna get called "Dick" as this is his name. It's became accepted terminology in our leauge.
 
Personally I believe you must acknowledge things that distract you. Now if it never distracts you in the first place then in your mind that distract never happened. Like being in dead stroke and being oblivious to everything. But if you do notice a distraction and you dont acknowledge it, your now going to be thinking about the shot and the distraction and you have just split your mental energy between something you want to do and something that needs to be acknowledged.

Now in your situation you did acknowledge the other person distracting you and tried to stop him, but the distraction was never resolved before you went back to shooting. The whole point of acknowledging the distraction is to resolve it from distracting you any more.

A perfect example of pro doing this is Earl's out burst during a match. He doesn't internalize anything. Something bothers him he lets you know and saying it gets it off his mind.

There are some good books out there that talk about these things. Pleasure of Small Motions, Golf is not a Game of Perfect, Phill Cappele's Mental Game book.

If anyone has a good rebuttal please PM me. I am always willing to learn.

TJMC25's story is a perfect example of what I am talking about.
 
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sharkers

I believe it is better to stand above the fray rather than interact with the sharker. Ultimately - it is you vs. the TABLE. All that matters is what YOU do on the table when given an opportunity. I think that interacting with your opponent or trying to 'get him back' for a shark maneuver he put on you is a waste of energy, time and focus. Play the game right, show good sportsmanship and don't stoop to their level. You'll gain the respect of everyone in the club - and you just might find that some of your opponents follow the example you set!
 
sharking

I will say that one of the most annoying shark maneuvers - and it is so very common - is when your opponent needs to take a bathroom break while YOU'RE shooting. This has happened to me numerous times and it is one instance where I'll say something to my opponent. A guy tried this on me in a straight pool tournament last year when I was on a nice run. I had finished running a rack and as he racked the balls he said he needed a break. I told him that he could take his break if he wanted but I was going to continue shooting. There were 6-8 people watching our match and I said that they can be witnesses the results while he was away. He then just kind of shrugged and said - 'well, um ok - I'll stay here'. Hilarious. I don't know why people feel the need to do this because it is such an obvious shark.
 
A couple of thoughts....

First, banging balls on another table during a match is completely pathetic....as stated, it's unsportsmanlike and whether intentional or not, a clear form of sharking....

Second, taking more than 30 seconds or so on a shot, unless analyzing a specific rare tough shot or planning a run on a new table is completely pathetic....it's unsportsmanlike and whether intentional or not, a clear form of sharking.....

I don't know you moose, and this is not an attack on you personally, and I haven't seen you play....if you were playing incredibly slow, where it is painful to watch....and my friend started banging balls on the next table.....I wouldn't agree with his approach, but let's just say that I would understand and think that you got what you deserved....

Granted, you might not play slow at all, and if that is the case, then the guy banging balls was just being a jerk....
 
every time I miss a shot it is because I was distracted... :D jk

I can block everything out when at the table or even when my opponent is shooting, I don't pay attention to anyone talking to me.

Code blue!
 
I usually clear any balls near a table I'm playing on. Unfortunately the tournament director's don't protect the player's the way they should and if you complain you're looked upon as an a-hole. Ask him to stop and if he won't, sit down until he does. It' obvious you have his attention, by beating him already. Make sure you keep his attention. You don't give up all your rights when you enter a pool tournament.
 
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