Walk Away or Stay

[PocketSpeed11]

I'm someone who engages in both practice and practice play. In either scenario, what should I do if I come to the table and absolutely nothing is working for me that day? Do I pack it up and call it a day to avoid reinforcing bad habits or do I continue to shoot while trying to figure out what is wrong with my game (such as stance, stroke, preshot routine, etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Neil]

If you don't figure out what's wrong, how are you ever going to fix it or get better? First place to look at would be your mental attitude. Are you there to play, or just there because you feel you should be or have some spare time on your hands??

 

[PocketSpeed11]

If you don't figure out what's wrong, how are you ever going to fix it or get better? First place to look at would be your mental attitude. Are you there to play, or just there because you feel you should be or have some spare time on your hands??

I think that definitely answers that.

I'm a guy who's obsessed with pool. I love the challenge of the game, I love to practice drills that bore the heck out of most people, and I love to see the progress I make. So whether I'm practicing or practice playing, I'm always having a blast. But every now and then I go to the pool hall and nothing seems to be working for me. I try to work around it and figure out what is wrong...break it down to my fundamentals, but sometimes I just can't figure it out.

I was wondering about this because I had read a comment in the main forum a while back where the guy said he would just leave the pool hall if things weren't going right that day...he believed that in continuing to play he would be reinforcing bad habits. It would be terribly hard for me, even on a day when I can barely make a ball, to just pack up and leave. But if instructors felt like doing so would be better for my game then I would force myself to.

 

[Neil]

I think that definitely answers that.

I'm a guy who's obsessed with pool. I love the challenge of the game, I love to practice drills that bore the heck out of most people, and I love to see the progress I make. So whether I'm practicing or practice playing, I'm always having a blast. But every now and then I go to the pool hall and nothing seems to be working for me. I try to work around it and figure out what is wrong...break it down to my fundamentals, but sometimes I just can't figure it out.

I was wondering about this because I had read a comment in the main forum a while back where the guy said he would just leave the pool hall if things weren't going right that day...he believed that in continuing to play he would be reinforcing bad habits. It would be terribly hard for me, even on a day when I can barely make a ball, to just pack up and leave. But if instructors felt like doing so would be better for my game then I would force myself to.

I feel that if you walk away, you are reinforcing negative thoughts until next time you try to play. It leads to a downward spiral. If you can't figure out what you are doing wrong, try sitting down and closing your eyes and concentrate on remembering how it felt to play real well. When you have that feeling, go back to the table and start playing.

Learn to really pay attention to just what you are doing when you do play well so you can duplicate it. Get a solid pre-shot routine, that alone does wonders.

Since you like drills, have you tried the Billiard University drills yet?

 

[FranCrimi]

I'm someone who engages in both practice and practice play. In either scenario, what should I do if I come to the table and absolutely nothing is working for me that day? Do I pack it up and call it a day to avoid reinforcing bad habits or do I continue to shoot while trying to figure out what is wrong with my game (such as stance, stroke, preshot routine, etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

I think it depends on what the reason is that's causing you to not play well that day. For example, eye strain can cause a player to have a bad day, or being weak from not eating enough that day, or being too full and lethargic after a big meal, or not getting enough sleep where it finally catches up to you.

The key is to pick up on potential issues before you decide to play that day. In more cases than you would think, there is usually an underlying issue not related to pool that causes an off-day. So, should you play through it? It depends on the issue. For example if your eyes are tired and strained, you should rest them. If you had a big meal, your body is putting a lot of energy into digesting the food. It will take some time before it wears off.

Tension is another game-killer. If you walk into a pool room tense, it will take some time before you can relax and start to play well. Doing a short physical exercise routine before leaving for the pool room helps a lot.

 

[scottycoyote]

i think you should stay and try to play thru it. Ive had some of my biggest breakthru's that way. Do you keep a pool log?

 

[Scott Lee]

You can't fix what you don't know about. You can't fix what you can't measure...and you can only fix one thing at a time. You need to understand what is keeping you from performing well on bad days, and what you do (exactly) on days you play well. An instructor who uses video analysis can help you define these things, and suggest an appropriate plan of action.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

 

[BilliardsAbout]

1. Never leave on a bad shot. Set up something you can be confident about, execute it well, and put in your brain/arm memory bank.

2. Don't leave the whole session. Take a break in the rest room, splash cold water on your face, and think about something other than pool for a few minutes. Lots of times when I've come back to the table again, I know what I did wrong before the break.

 

[Donny Lutz]

Never quit with a miss...

1. Never leave on a bad shot. Set up something you can be confident about, execute it well, and put in your brain/arm memory bank.

2. Don't leave the whole session. Take a break in the rest room, splash cold water on your face, and think about something other than pool for a few minutes. Lots of times when I've come back to the table again, I know what I did wrong before the break.

Lots of great answers already offered here.

I may deserve credit for introducing the concept of "Never quit on a miss", when I was a Certified Bowling Instructor (1959-1969).

When I had an off night on the lanes, I almost never untied my shoes till I had thrown at least one perfect strike. In any sport, we operate on what's in our memory bank. If you "quit on a miss", the next time you play your last memory will be a negative one. The reason pros do repetitions after missing a shot is to bury that error in the memory bank.

I've been using this in my pool teaching since 1965. The message is this: Even if you're having a day so bad you want to sell your cue (or bowling ball), collect yourself, set up an easy shot (or a few) that you can't miss and execute it properly. In other words make the memory of your last shot always a positive memory.

 

[Fenwick]

Lots of great answers already offered here.

I may deserve credit for introducing the concept of "Never quit on a miss", when I was a Certified Bowling Instructor (1959-1969).

When I had an off night on the lanes, I almost never untied my shoes till I had thrown at least one perfect strike. In any sport, we operate on what's in our memory bank. If you "quit on a miss", the next time you play your last memory will be a negative one. The reason pros do repetitions after missing a shot is to bury that error in the memory bank.

I've been using this in my pool teaching since 1965. The message is this: Even if you're having a day so bad you want to sell your cue (or bowling ball), collect yourself, set up an easy shot (or a few) that you can't miss and execute it properly. In other words make the memory of your last shot always a positive memory.

Exactly how I practiced when I bowled. I also believe it's better to spend 2 hours 5 days a week playing, practicing with good results then then 6 hours 5 days a week playing bad. Like you I try to finish on a good note.
I also believe in biorhythms. Some days you can't do the things you could do.

 

[justadub]

I've been in the OP's shoes more than a few times. And I'm just a beginner, trying to find my way in this pool world. When I can get time away to play, and it simply isn't working, it is maddening.

I try to play thru it as best I can, and if I start to get too frustrated, I set up a few basic shots, hit those, and call it a night.

A lot of times, it has nothing to do with your ability (or lack thereof) and everything to do with life outside the poolroom. Be it fatigue, illness, stress, conflict, work or any of a thousand outside forces, or more. Trying to fix your pool game in the face of such is fruitless, and will only create more stress.

Of course, many times in those instances, playing pool is very helpful, too. But if it ain't working and you can tell, it might be better to come back another day.

 

[ENGLISH!]

I tend to agree with Ms. Crimi & Just-a Dub, Bruce.

It is somewhat foolish in my opinion to think that one's playing ability will all of a sudden decline significantly unless there has been some physical ailment or accident to cause it.

I would think that usually it would just be an anomaly for the day. That being said I would certainly like to end play & leave with a good last impression.

When it happens to me I will simply play through it because I know my good play will return & it is just a mater of time. If for some reason it does not for say one of Fran's reasons or such, I will quit before I do any real damage to my confidence but I will end it on a good note.

 

[Mikjary]

I think it depends on what the reason is that's causing you to not play well that day. For example, eye strain can cause a player to have a bad day, or being weak from not eating enough that day, or being too full and lethargic after a big meal, or not getting enough sleep where it finally catches up to you.

The key is to pick up on potential issues before you decide to play that day. In more cases than you would think, there is usually an underlying issue not related to pool that causes an off-day. So, should you play through it? It depends on the issue. For example if your eyes are tired and strained, you should rest them. If you had a big meal, your body is putting a lot of energy into digesting the food. It will take some time before it wears off.

Tension is another game-killer. If you walk into a pool room tense, it will take some time before you can relax and start to play well. Doing a short physical exercise routine before leaving for the pool room helps a lot.

This is why I read these forums. Pool is more than just a physical activity. Well said!

Best,
Mike

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

You can't fix what you don't know about. You can't fix what you can't measure...and you can only fix one thing at a time. You need to understand what is keeping you from performing well on bad days, and what you do (exactly) on days you play well. An instructor who uses video analysis can help you define these things, and suggest an appropriate plan of action.

I disagree with this notion. While video analysis (no need for an instructor, my own video analysis would suffice in my case) may possibly help to tell me what I am doing wrong (if anything) with my fundamentals, it does nothing to tell me why I am doing it wrong today when I have no problem on most days. What if I'm just not seeing the angles today? How will video show me that? In fact, video could actually hurt me because I may attempt to change my stroke when it's really a perception problem that's troubling me.

Personally, I think Fran's comments are spot on. There are many things that can cause you to suddenly play poorly that would defy visual analysis. You may never figure it out on any given day. Why push yourself when it's just not working? It goes against the most famous axiom regarding practice:

"Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect."

 

[AlexandruM]

I can go to poolroom only 2-3 days per week, so If I had a bad day, I don't quit, but I do simple things: stop shots, stun shots, speed shots.
My last shot should be a successful one, however I don't believe it really works for me.

 

[randyg]

I disagree with this notion. While video analysis (no need for an instructor, my own video analysis would suffice in my case) may possibly help to tell me what I am doing wrong (if anything) with my fundamentals, it does nothing to tell me why I am doing it wrong today when I have no problem on most days. What if I'm just not seeing the angles today? How will video show me that? In fact, video could actually hurt me because I may attempt to change my stroke when it's really a perception problem that's troubling me.

Personally, I think Fran's comments are spot on. There are many things that can cause you to suddenly play poorly that would defy visual analysis. You may never figure it out on any given day. Why push yourself when it's just not working? It goes against the most famous axiom regarding practice:

"Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect."

"New eyes see better"

randyg

 

[StuartTKelley]

Sometimes I want to quit as well but I make myself stay at the table until it's worked out. I have a table at the house and though I'd rather sit on the sofa and say forget it, I won't let myself. If it helps it all I can tell you what it usually is for me and it's simple....grip. I find when I'm missing balls or not stroking well it's almost always because I'm gripping the cue too tightly. Also where I'm gripping the cue..if it's forward I'll move it back some and that usually fixes the problem..sometimes it's too far back on that day so I move it forward. I was told to try this change up if things weren't working and so far it's worked. When I lighten up my grip it fixes 95% of my issues though. This is just what causes my problems most of the time. Fatigue, stress, outside factors are also part of it but I do my best to just be playing pool when I'm at the table and not thinking about life for an hour or two or three...however long I'm there. I never play my best when I'm exhausted or if I drink so I avoid those things as well. It's supposed to be enjoyable. Also, don't spend your entire time at the table worrying about what you're screwing up and it will come to you much easier. Just play...it will reveal itself if that makes sense. It does to me. I do say to myself before I get my cue out, light grip, stay down on my shot , relax, and shoot. If I go over this in my head I usually start out well. I'm not a beginner but these things help me. I am a nobody in pool but I hope this helps, it does me. Good luck! Play well.