Tips Anybody?

For me, I had to learn to not lose. I accomplished this inadvertently by putting myself into competitions I couldn't possibly win. It is really liberating to know you can't win--it allows you to learn to play your best game no matter what the odds.


I think this is *excellent* advice. I did the same thing a while back in a state tournament. I got soundly beaten by several much better players, and as far as I know probably did the worst of all players at the tournament, but I had nothing to lose - I was not expected to win! - so I played my heart out and felt very relaxed.

Despite losing, I ended up playing some of my best pool and taking some games from those mofos :)
 
Hey Guys I need some tips for shooting in league. I am a solid 4 (right now they moved me down to a 3) but in league I dont shoot as well as I do outside at a pool hall or a bar. Outside of league I give our 6 a run for his money everytime we shoot. I think I get nervous and second guess myself. I know what english to hit and my speed is almost down pat but I dont know what it is about shooting in league. We just took first place and are going to tri cups so I want to get this out of my system now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys.

This is going to sound corny but if you can do all the things you listed above, there is only one other thing to do....BELIEVE.
 
BTW, there is a difference between losing and not winning. Losing is when you cause the outcome, by mis-executing. Not winning is when you play your best, but your opponent is better that game.

Good luck.

Tap, tap, tap! And tap again. :thumbup:

We aren't always going to win. Sometimes the other player will beat you. The key is to not beat yourself. If the other guy wins by simply playing better than you, fair enough, good game, work on doing better next time. You don't have to be happy about it, but "stuff" happens, and you played your game the right way.

If you cause yourself to lose by doing something stupid, reckless or too aggressive, THAT's when you can be upset at yourself and your performance. Fix that mistake first thing, and then go back to practicing your game and get better.

I've lost almost as many matches as I've won, and I'm a relatively new league player like your are. Two weeks ago, I did something stupid that led to my losing that evening. Last week I played a player who is a far better shot than me, but I played smart, he got too aggressive and lost the match. I didn't beat him, but he lost. These last two weeks have taught me a serious lesson in how to play. Not "how to shoot", but how to "play".

Good luck!
 
Same here, also my first league session. I almost always play rather better when there's nothing at stake and no one is watching the game, i.e. in off-hand games.
It's mainly mental and all boils down to confidence I guess.

How/what did you figure out, Johnny?

It was two-fold. The first was the realization that focusing mentally on the mechanics of my stroke was a sure-fire way to screw them up. The second was another realization as to *why* it's important to visualize the shot.

Once I stopped thinking so much and started visualizing and relying on my body's memory, I started getting consistently better position while also making more balls. Those two things kept my anxiety down, so I was calm during my matches.

Now, if it's hill-hill of course I'm gonna be nervous, but I'm confident I won't be as nervous as I would've been a month ago.
 
Hey Guys I need some tips for shooting in league. I am a solid 4 (right now they moved me down to a 3) but in league I dont shoot as well as I do outside at a pool hall or a bar. Outside of league I give our 6 a run for his money everytime we shoot. I think I get nervous and second guess myself. I know what english to hit and my speed is almost down pat but I dont know what it is about shooting in league. We just took first place and are going to tri cups so I want to get this out of my system now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys.
Stop telling yourself you're a 4.
Stop telling yourself you have problems in league play.
Stop telling yourself you get nervous.
Stop telling yourself my speed is almost down pat.

Look at the positive things you stated and dwell on them.
I have good speed.
My english is good.
I can give any 6 a run for their money
I am sure.
 
Stop telling yourself you're a 4.
Stop telling yourself you have problems in league play.
Stop telling yourself you get nervous.
Stop telling yourself my speed is almost down pat.

Look at the positive things you stated and dwell on them.
I have good speed.
My english is good.
I can give any 6 a run for their money
I am sure.

Well put!!!
 
if nerves are your main issue, get a preshot routine, and play for money during practice. playing for money will make league play seem like childsplay.
 
eat good food: wheat bread and chicken breast, juices, fruits right before you play and even during(i like bananas). then make sure your tip is in good order...you know how to check for that? find his weakness and drill his a$$.
 
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