very bad slump!!!

Z

ziskan1013

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Recently, i've been having a HORRIBLE slump in my game. I can't make simple shots, complex shots, shots that I would usually make 99/100 times and everything else in between. At my pool hall, I win maybe one game out of ten or so, which gives you an idea of how bad it is.

I'm no pro nor am I a high ranked player. I am pretty decent and can run maybe 4-5 balls in a game of 8-ball with some effort on my part. Right now, I'm lucky if I can do 2. I am getting so frustrated and am really losing alot of motivation to keep playing. I was having a wonderful streak before this slump. I was playing some of the best games I have ever played and my control of the cue was just a sight to behold.

I figure i'm just playing too much and need a rest. Anything else you all can suggest to help me out of this slump? Any tricks or techniques you use to get back to form?
 
Breaking the slump

In times of a slump I have found that a break or rest from the game can be very helpful. However what I prefer to do is take it back to the basics. My slumps tend to stem from my complacency; I don't keep my head down, don't follow through, things like that. So I set up basic drills that promote good form. As I practice the drills I think everything through and analyze my form and technique. Video is also helpful for this.

I hope that this helps in some way.

-Jimmy
 
JLITALIEN said:
In times of a slump I have found that a break or rest from the game can be very helpful. However what I prefer to do is take it back to the basics. My slumps tend to stem from my complacency; I don't keep my head down, don't follow through, things like that. So I set up basic drills that promote good form. As I practice the drills I think everything through and analyze my form and technique. Video is also helpful for this.

I hope that this helps in some way.

-Jimmy
Click to expand...

TAP! TAP! TAP! When in doubt, go back to the basics! Don't forget that a slump can often be the precursor to a reevaluation and subsequent improvement in your game. Keep working and learning!
 
If you want to improve at a faster pace, make it a routine to do practice drills. Just make sure you are practicing with the correct basics/fundamentals. Books, videos, and asking a good player questions will help.
 
Practise is great! If you can only run two, and you're having a hard time focusing....run two and duck. Sometimes defense is your best offense. Try a little one on one and put something up ( sounds like you've got to get in stroke )
Little Debbie
If you go off more than 5-6 barrels in a set....go back to the drills.
 
2 balls in 8 Ball is not a slump... Its a lack of knowledge. I'm not trying to be harsh and I hope it does not come off that way :)

A slump for somebody who is consistant with the basics would be leaving the last 2 or 3 balls in 8 ball. Streaks like this are not slumps. They are signs of a thirsty player waiting for somebody to say "here is what you are doing wrong"

If you used to make 5 and now 2, that is such a drastic change (especiaaly in 8 Ball) that it tells me you need hit the books.

I recommend getting some basic lessons or some ol fashioned book learning. It will do wonders for a player of your speed. It really will. Your game will double in strength, overnight, after some good info has been passed your way.

Use that info and get consistant, and comfortable, with it before you learn more advanced methods. Before you know it, you'll be tough to beat and bangers wont stand a chance against you.



Anyways, when I hit a slump, which happens all the time :), its always cause of the mental game. I can not emphasize this enough. High level pool is played on a mental level. It sounds easy but it is EXTREMELY mentally exhausting :( If I step back and apply knowledge and clear thinking, I snap out of slumps instantly. Your slump is mental too, but only cause your brain does not have the information it needs to reliably get past 2 balls.


Just my opinion, BTW.
 
Almost everyone here is preaching from the same book. BASICS!! I hear your problem and have been there times myself. I remember one night I was playing against a local pro and holding down the fort. Forcing him to shoot hard shots, setting him in cue ball traps, etc. Now I did beat him a few games but overall this pro won more games. However I came away with more than he did because I learned a few new things. I took an hour to screw off, smoke cigs, chit chat, and then found someone to play who was a banger. I couldnt play to my ability and was losing games. Finally I assumed was either not focused or too tired. "Both sorry excuses" A friend then tells me that I didnt take him serious and I seemed more interested in the color of tiles than the layout on the table. Now when I catch it I start from square one. Down to Grip/Stance/Way to Approach Table/Angles, and most important to learn and will help you more than anything else. FOCUS ON THE SHOT AT HAND!!!! Not the last one/Not the next one. THIS SHOT!! Good luck!!
 
VIProfessor said:
TAP! TAP! TAP! When in doubt, go back to the basics! Don't forget that a slump can often be the precursor to a reevaluation and subsequent improvement in your game. Keep working and learning!
Click to expand...


YEP, sounds to me you're about to reach a new plateau. If you were proud of your game just a short while ago and it all went in the garbage in a short period it looks like you learned something new that worked wellfor you. But remember, many times when we take on a new improved technique some of the old crap we thought was handled re-surfaces. This is why going back to fundamentals is normally a solution.
Forget about how many balls you can run. Consentrate on delivery of the stroke, stance, bridge, rhythm. This is what's important. Not running balls. Running balls is a consequence of good form and technique.
 
ziskan1013 said:
Recently, i've been having a HORRIBLE slump in my game. I can't make simple shots, complex shots, shots that I would usually make 99/100 times and everything else in between. At my pool hall, I win maybe one game out of ten or so, which gives you an idea of how bad it is.

I'm no pro nor am I a high ranked player. I am pretty decent and can run maybe 4-5 balls in a game of 8-ball with some effort on my part. Right now, I'm lucky if I can do 2. I am getting so frustrated and am really losing alot of motivation to keep playing. I was having a wonderful streak before this slump. I was playing some of the best games I have ever played and my control of the cue was just a sight to behold.

I figure i'm just playing too much and need a rest. Anything else you all can suggest to help me out of this slump? Any tricks or techniques you use to get back to form?
Click to expand...

i've been there and i'm still doing what i can to recover. the person who posted right after you mentioned taking it back to basics. that's a good idea. has something complex happened in your life? that has something to do with your game. playing pool is a bunch of small motions that require a lot of focus so a little distraction actually becomes a big thing.

take sometime off, remember to enjoy what you're doing. watch some accu stats and go back with renued focus your game.


Is it a woman? don't let her distract you man! Stay the course!
 
Since you indicated that you might be playing too much, how many hours a week are you playing?

I would suggest that you focus on your fundamentals...and possibly work with an instructor who can evaluate how your playing and help correct any problems with your game.
 
As you push ahead you'll keep getting pulled back to the "basics" or real mechanics of the game.

When you change your focus ...english or speed or safe play or banks somthings gonna slip...when it does you'll get pulled right back to the basics.Its not a bad thing.Its just how this big ol learning curve works.

Bridge,stance,backhand,follow through and "see the ball play".Focus on these for one day and you will see the difference ime.Then move back to the challange that took you off course,but with these same things in mind....and that will get better as well.

Steep ass learning curve indeed my friend...one of the many reasons this game is very cool.We all back up in our play,its the only way to get ahead.
 
FOCUS: Here's how.....

Go into a bar and find the biggest, meanest, ugliest guy in the place. Then shoot him an air-barrel race to five for $100.00.

That should get your game back on track!
 
ziskan1013 said:
Recently, i've been having a HORRIBLE slump in my game. I can't make simple shots, complex shots, shots that I would usually make 99/100 times and everything else in between. At my pool hall, I win maybe one game out of ten or so, which gives you an idea of how bad it is.

I'm no pro nor am I a high ranked player. I am pretty decent and can run maybe 4-5 balls in a game of 8-ball with some effort on my part. Right now, I'm lucky if I can do 2. I am getting so frustrated and am really losing alot of motivation to keep playing. I was having a wonderful streak before this slump. I was playing some of the best games I have ever played and my control of the cue was just a sight to behold.

I figure i'm just playing too much and need a rest. Anything else you all can suggest to help me out of this slump? Any tricks or techniques you use to get back to form?
Click to expand...

You have alluded to some of the problems yourself. Listen to what you said and take your own advice.

And it never hurts to have your game analyzed by a competent teacher.

It is normal for players of all levels to have peaks and valleys.

A valley or slump is what you are in now and it is the valleys that often make many players leave the game. The ones who come back time after time facing their demons and overcoming them are the ones we call "pool players".

JoeyA
 
If you have reviewed your basics and everthing is ok, I would suggest taking an extra second before pulling the trigger for your final stroke, as when people play better they tend to speed up and your eyes might not be making the transition from cueball to objectball before your stroke begins, give your eyes a second longer to focus on the objectball before your final stroke, make sure you really see it.

Secondly sometimes if you play your best pool and exceed your standard level or have a jump in your game, your mind becomes uncomfortable about exceeding that boundary and being in uncharted territory and creates issues(bad habits reappear or new ones suddenly jump out) with your game to bring you back where it feels comfortable. Only by working through these issues does your brain begin to believe that the new level was earned and not just a fluke night.

Keep fighting and find that higher level!

Bern
 
As others have already said, go back to the basics. I wouldn't suggest matching up with anybody until you've had a chance to evaluate just what's wrong and fix it. I had about a two week stretch where I was not playing well at all. Talked to a former pro about it maybe being my setup. I found out {on my own} that when I got down on the shot, my head wasn't in the right spot. Instant improvement.
 
an update:


well, today, i've shot pool for about 8 or so hours, just working on my game. i've taken a huge step back and went back to basics. my stance, my stroke, my foot position...everything. I spent considerable time practicing on my own, focusing on various components of my game to help me figure out certain shots. its been a very taxing event but i feel like i'm making some progress.

i think i'm mentally exhusted from figuring out angles and cuts and banks...etc. things are starting to come together and i was able to break and run every now and then and consistently pulling together 5-6ball runs. i still feel like i've got alot more to do and alot more re-evaluation ahead of me but the worst of this slump seems to be passing by.

THANK GOD!
 
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