What Are You Doing Wrong?

MilwShooter

MilwShooter

Pool? Never heard of it..
Silver Member
I haven't posted on here lately because I've been hard at work trying to figure out why I was able to tell anybody how to hit a shot (accurately) but when I got to the table I wasn't getting more than 4 balls at a time. I've figured it out...

Last night I played I won 8 out of the 15 games I played. Not a big improvement by any means but I was playing with a 102 fever (my normal temp is 97.4), so this is good to me. While in my feverish haze I figured it out...My level of focus was killing me. I had to accept the fact that I couldn't focus as well last night because of the fever and suddenly I played better. So, to those who swear they are doing everything correctly and are focusing on everything to figure out what it is they are doing wrong, just stop thinking about it and do it.

It seems like ever since I've been teaching people how to play I've become over analytical of myself. Now that I've stopped thinking about my shots, I've been making them well and getting my leaves (for the most part). I guess if having a little less focus doesn't work then just try playing with a fairly high fever...But that doesn't sound as healthy.
 
You know what...I noticed I play pretty good when I have a cold or flu.
I think it's because I tend to keep things very simple, and because my muscles feel weak, I'm shooting softer.

My mentality, when I'm sick, is to expend just enough energy to get the job done, and no more.
 
okinawa77 said:
You know what...I noticed I play pretty good when I have a cold or flu.
I think it's because I tend to keep things very simple, and because my muscles feel weak, I'm shooting softer.

My mentality, when I'm sick, is to expend just enough energy to get the job done, and no more.
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I couldn't have said it better myself. You are just trying to think at the most primal level possible.
 
It's been my experiance that the better you play the easier it is to concentrate. By that I mean, if you are confident that you are going to make the ball it is easier to take the time to plan out your run. A lot of players who lack confidence tend to hit tough shots with a give up stroke, hoping something good happens.
 
I learned a long time ago you cant think about sh*t when your bent over the shot. You can only visualize the shot in detail and feel your stroke aka speed control. All of my thinking is done when I am standing up analyzing the table. If I am thinking bent over the shot, its goodnight or my pool game.

I agree with cameron, If I playing on a tough table and I know the shots are tough, Its much more of a struggle to plan things out and execute. If I get comfortable though my confidence rises and I play 2-3 balls better.
 
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metallicane said:
If you're sick, stay home, although I am glad you played well.
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I went to play one night when I had pink eye and a cold. Not a good idea to walk into a super smokey pool hall with super scratchy eyes and a chest cold.
 
If you think about it, the pool table has to be a germophobes worst nightmare. Every player is touching the felt, chalk, balls, rack, & bridge. They may cough into their hand to be polite, but that hand is about to touch everything you touch...and you're probably gonna be sick too.

You ever smell your bridge hand after playing for a while? We all accept that our hands get dirty from the chalk on the felt, but I promise that goo is more than chalk...it's kinda black right (not blue).
 
milwshooter said:
it seems like ever since i've been teaching people how to play i've become over analytical of myself. Now that i've stopped thinking about my shots, i've been making them well and getting my leaves (for the most part). I guess if having a little less focus doesn't work then just try playing with a fairly high fever...but that doesn't sound as healthy.
Click to expand...


i always seem to play better when i'm not over analyzing everything....... Trust your practice, don't second guess

you can keep your high fever idea, i'll stay home and rest.
 
Playin pool sick!

Wait until you get the "Swine Flu" you'll be playin like God, may even be playin with him, or Not!:yikes:



David Harcrow
 
This is why I use a glove on my bridge hand :)

What I am doing wrong is infact thinking too much about my stroke but not thinking enough about power control.
 
It's so funny that all the things I tell people...I forget about and just DO. Sometimes I forget I'm playing pool and my mind wanders, that's usually when I play my best. Focus is great, but too much will throw me off. That's why all those Focus Factor threads a little while back were ignored, I don't need more focus...I need less. Wacky Tobacky perhaps? lol
 
catpool9 said:
Wait until you get the "Swine Flu" you'll be playin like God, may even be playin with him, or Not!:yikes:



David Harcrow
Click to expand...

There are a couple accounts of Swine Flu here in Milwaukee, so you never know... Of course, with this big lawsuit for my back I have an outstanding bill at my doctors office so until the lawsuit is done or the enormous bill is paid by me, I can't see a doctor anyways. Guess I'll take the gamble and hope it's something else.
 
My own pool game goes directly by the book: the more I focus and take time to think about it, the better I shoot. There are never any exceptions. I don't play any better if I just "let my stroke out" or whatever. I never get a better leave by just trying to 'feel' the amount of spin than when I just carefully work it out beforehand.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. Not to criticise what you're saying at all... I'm sure for many people it'll work great. I think a handful of people (like me) are a little rigid and mechanical and they need to really think things over to play their best pool.

I do play worse when sick, but focusing less makes it REALLY bad >_<
 
I read a book once that told me that you have to be having "fun" before you can focus.

A friend of mine once said, "I know HOW to play, I'm just not very good at it." Somehow this makes sense to me.

Anywho, I may not be too stellar at this silly game, but I have learned that as long as my feet are "under" me in stance, and I "trust" myself (or my stroke), I do seem to play at MY best.

Mostly worthless insight, I'm sure, but it works for some of us lesser players
 
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