What do you do when in a slump?
- Thread starter Shooter1
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Sometimes it's best just to take a break. Grab a bite to eat, have a beverage, and relax for a few minutes, then try again later. If you are still shooting like crap, crack open your cue, pack it up, and live to fight another day.
Breaking a slump
What I learned about a slump is three things.
1. They suck
2. They don't last forever
3. You usually play better when you break out of it.
What I have done is put my cue down and take a break for a few weeks. When you come back, play some straight pool to build confidence up in pocketing balls. If you can, play someone your speed or a bit less always helps. Beating someone always is a confidence booster...lol
What I learned about a slump is three things.
1. They suck
2. They don't last forever
3. You usually play better when you break out of it.
What I have done is put my cue down and take a break for a few weeks. When you come back, play some straight pool to build confidence up in pocketing balls. If you can, play someone your speed or a bit less always helps. Beating someone always is a confidence booster...lol
I'm with 1,2,3. Ways to break out of it? Take a break, play more, play crazily aggressive for sh1ts and giggles, focus on one of your other hobbies if you have a table, play snooker for who gets the highest break not who wins the most games, play pool games you don't nornmally play (if you play everything play 9 ball with 10 ball rules or play straight pool with some rules you make up on the night). Bottom line, just play. Everyone hits a slump and most get out of it. How you deal with the slump determines whether or not you become a better player post slump. Or take a break.
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Link to 101 Tips to Improve Your Game by George Fels
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?ldhxbll58urg18z
That's a good link Pushout, thanks.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?ldhxbll58urg18z
That's a good link Pushout, thanks.
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Nice share! Thanks!!!!!
You're welcome! I've given this away for years, even used it as a giveaway at the opening of a local room (no longer in operation) and even had permission from Billiards Digest to do so. One of the best things George put together, in my opinion.
Had a really shitty Saturday night. In the middle of taking a week off. It's very rare that I do this, I even posted early that I normally play through it...
That happens to me a lot ... :thumbup:
Curse, and curse a lot! Usually helps. Also, as many bangers can attest, start betting, and bet high so you will be sure to "get your head in the game". Always seems to work for them, too!
Seriously, I recognize that I am off and either put my cue up and just hang out with my buddies, or I start playing one handed jack-up. Normally when I am off it is because I am standing up too fast or my backswing is waving, and playing one handed helps to get me back in line on both aspects.
Seriously, I recognize that I am off and either put my cue up and just hang out with my buddies, or I start playing one handed jack-up. Normally when I am off it is because I am standing up too fast or my backswing is waving, and playing one handed helps to get me back in line on both aspects.
Quote:
"Had a really shitty Saturday night. In the middle of taking a week off."
yep - I can relate to that.
One thing I noticed with my own game. Sometimes I just try to damned hard. I get to the table - I check my stance, check my grip, check my stroke, get my left eye over the cue, get that "quiet eye" thing going, breathe right, yada yada ....
But when I get to where I'm missing shots. ... Sometimes it helps to quit thinking so much. I walk up - and just shoot what feels natural without thinking. Then - BAM ... I shoot some good stuff. I do that for a few days and then get back to "concentrating" on fundamentals and "doing it right". Often after a slump - my game goes up a notch or two. But ... YMMV.
"Had a really shitty Saturday night. In the middle of taking a week off."
yep - I can relate to that.
One thing I noticed with my own game. Sometimes I just try to damned hard. I get to the table - I check my stance, check my grip, check my stroke, get my left eye over the cue, get that "quiet eye" thing going, breathe right, yada yada ....
But when I get to where I'm missing shots. ... Sometimes it helps to quit thinking so much. I walk up - and just shoot what feels natural without thinking. Then - BAM ... I shoot some good stuff. I do that for a few days and then get back to "concentrating" on fundamentals and "doing it right". Often after a slump - my game goes up a notch or two. But ... YMMV.
It might help not to call it a slump. Call it a plateau and work through it. Yes, once you cross the plateau by getting better you never really go backwards. The table knowledge that is acquired busting through the plateau stays with you.
That's a good point Philly. And personally I never thought of it that way (meaning that I never think I'm in a "slump"), but I do get to where I'm not shooting to the best of my abilities. I started shooting again at the beginning of this year after many years away from the game. This time - I was determined to actually improve. I'm not drinking when I shoot now (usually). Maybe my shot making skills haven't gone up all that much - but my position play has improved tremendously. I would love to play a younger me ... lol.
I took 40+ years off. Played from 14 to 21 and played pretty sporty. I am back 3 years now. You never lose your table knowledge. It only gets better. I am playing better than ever.
Drills. Specifically I go back to my stroke drills. Usually when I'm in a bit of a slump it's some minor flaws in my fundamentals that creep back in, that hurts my confidence, and things spiral from there. When that happens I go to the poolroom by myself, and do 2 to 3 hours of hardcore practice. Usually that helps bring my stroke around, and more importantly it gets my mind right.
Get a slump buster, lay off for a while, different cue, different game, etc.....
A slump is more mental than anything and I believe it's usually a confidence issue.
I think that we can look to movie quotes to solve most things, primarily - The Karate Kid,
if we look to that series we can solve just about any problem we might encounter.
Slumping? Back to basics, if you're missing shots, can't make your English work,
break not working, you suddenly can't make a cut shot, or whatever, it's likely because
something has changed, either mechanical, physiological or something like that.
Now/, you can use a different cue, wear women's underwear (like Nuke LaLousche), or my personal favorite - find a slump buster, but I think the best by far is back to basics.
You must breathe - no breathe, no life.
Figure out what has changed. Forget the lucky underwear or lucky socks, can't play without your pool shoes or whatever. I think you you have to play through it. Simplify your routine and get back to basics
...or get yourself a slump buster, best thing since plastic wrap
A slump is more mental than anything and I believe it's usually a confidence issue.
I think that we can look to movie quotes to solve most things, primarily - The Karate Kid,
if we look to that series we can solve just about any problem we might encounter.
Slumping? Back to basics, if you're missing shots, can't make your English work,
break not working, you suddenly can't make a cut shot, or whatever, it's likely because
something has changed, either mechanical, physiological or something like that.
Now/, you can use a different cue, wear women's underwear (like Nuke LaLousche), or my personal favorite - find a slump buster, but I think the best by far is back to basics.
You must breathe - no breathe, no life.
Figure out what has changed. Forget the lucky underwear or lucky socks, can't play without your pool shoes or whatever. I think you you have to play through it. Simplify your routine and get back to basics
...or get yourself a slump buster, best thing since plastic wrap
Go back to some of my drills and keep playing.
I generally lay off Pool for a short time, or I will practice 14-1 alone.