When you have those days that you just can't seem to get into a rythym and every run out seems like a lot of hard work, what do you do? Do you just play through it? Do you just call it a day and find something else to do? In the past when I felt like this, I would unscrew and get out of the pool hall. I played 10 to 12 hours a day back then and I'd just chalk it up to being burned out. Then come back in a day or 2 and be hungry again and play lights out. But, right now I don't have the luxury of playing 10 to 12 hours a day and I felt like this last night and just couldn't get in the mood to play. I played for about 2 hours and never did catch a gear that I was comfortable with. I'm going back tonight with a different attitude because I feel like I cheated myself last night. Anyway, I just wanted to know what are some of the things that others on here might do in that situation because I'm sure everyone must run into this once in awhile. Peace to all.
What do YOU do?
- Thread starter Rude Dog
- Start date
Rude Dog said:
We've all had such days, where it was tough to find a rhythm and enthusiasm. For me, if I'm laboring at nine-ball, one thing that works sometimes is to switch to a simpler game just to get some good feelings to grab onto. Two such games are six ball and eight ball. Once you get a good feeling about your game, you may be able to switch back to nine ball with a renewed enthusiasm.
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First, Rude Dog, let me say that I wish you the best of luck in the Open, and I am praying for your wife. She has your love and support to help her through and that's the most important thing.
As for this "slump," sometimes it does help to lay off for a couple of days; of course, you're preparing for a big tournament so I don't know if you want to do that. Another thing you could try is keeping a "pool diary," where you write down how you're feeling when you're playing - especially when you're playing great. I have done this and find it works for me. I try to be very specific: How tight is my grip [hold]? How straight is my stroke? Are my eyes locked on the object ball when I pull the trigger? It is even helpful to note your state of mind when you're playing your best: Calm and relaxed or nervous and agitated? I think focusing on the minute details and writing them down can help you understand what exactly you're doing when you're playing well, as well as allow you to focus on something concrete rather than the hopeless feeling that accompanies a slump.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Kerry
BTW, love the signature line!!
As for this "slump," sometimes it does help to lay off for a couple of days; of course, you're preparing for a big tournament so I don't know if you want to do that. Another thing you could try is keeping a "pool diary," where you write down how you're feeling when you're playing - especially when you're playing great. I have done this and find it works for me. I try to be very specific: How tight is my grip [hold]? How straight is my stroke? Are my eyes locked on the object ball when I pull the trigger? It is even helpful to note your state of mind when you're playing your best: Calm and relaxed or nervous and agitated? I think focusing on the minute details and writing them down can help you understand what exactly you're doing when you're playing well, as well as allow you to focus on something concrete rather than the hopeless feeling that accompanies a slump.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Kerry
BTW, love the signature line!!
On days like this I used to just go home from a place that I was playing in. I've waited till the next day to see if I'm hungry again. Since I have a table at home is a little bit different. When I don't feel like playing I just take a break and do something else untill hunger strikes back 
Rude Dog,
I am not the greatest player in the world (though not the worst either), but I am a serious student of the game and I love to compete. To me, however, the standard advice (always given to lay off when you are in a slump, or to quit practicing when you get tired and sloppy) is NOT TOTALLY CORRECT. Sure, effective practice is better for developing a good stroke, but we also need to practice competing. In pool, where long matches and gambling sessions are a way of life, we MUST develop the ability to work through this feeling - we don't have the option to just quit if we get tired. Part of my practice routine is to practice until I am fatigued and getting a little sloppy, and then force myself to play a perfect rack (or two) before I quit. It forces you to focus on the pre-shot routine, and to rely on your mechanics - things that I find are essential in competition not only in pool, but also in many other sports. In this way my practice is preparing me for those times in competition where I begin to get a little tired or sloppy.
Personally, I rarely have a slump, but if I ever have a feeling that I am missing shots or shape too frequently, I always go back to shooting some medium difficulty straight shots (bridging off the table, and also off the rail) to make sure the stroke is rock solid. If the stroke is rock solid then all is right with the world - no slump can stand up in the face of a perfect stroke. JMO
I am not the greatest player in the world (though not the worst either), but I am a serious student of the game and I love to compete. To me, however, the standard advice (always given to lay off when you are in a slump, or to quit practicing when you get tired and sloppy) is NOT TOTALLY CORRECT. Sure, effective practice is better for developing a good stroke, but we also need to practice competing. In pool, where long matches and gambling sessions are a way of life, we MUST develop the ability to work through this feeling - we don't have the option to just quit if we get tired. Part of my practice routine is to practice until I am fatigued and getting a little sloppy, and then force myself to play a perfect rack (or two) before I quit. It forces you to focus on the pre-shot routine, and to rely on your mechanics - things that I find are essential in competition not only in pool, but also in many other sports. In this way my practice is preparing me for those times in competition where I begin to get a little tired or sloppy.
Personally, I rarely have a slump, but if I ever have a feeling that I am missing shots or shape too frequently, I always go back to shooting some medium difficulty straight shots (bridging off the table, and also off the rail) to make sure the stroke is rock solid. If the stroke is rock solid then all is right with the world - no slump can stand up in the face of a perfect stroke. JMO
I shoot through it. Instead of shooting 9 ball or drills, just throw 15 balls up and shoot them in randomly. You will start making balls again and successful shooting is what it's all about. You'll start getting back into a groove then and you can start doing the 9b and drills again. You're much better off, imo, to find a way to work through it than to just quit. You think Johnny Archer just quits when he's having a little trouble, or Efren or Busta? I don't think so.
drivermaker
Banned
Dog...the first thoughts that come to my mind are for you to get rid of your original post and delete this thread. If you think you're having problems, you WILL have problems if you dwell on it. So, you had one or two off days, no big deal. I think your brain has been a little overwhelmed recently and it just decided to go into a shut down mode and take a rest at inappropriate times. Your sleep might be off, your nerves a little jangled, and that takes it's toll in unexpected ways, sometimes the physical coordination, balance, and even vision goes a little haywire. Just take it for what it's worth, you've been around this game long enough. I think what RickW said is good...just throw all 15 balls out on the table and run a few racks where you can get your speed and stroke down without forcing things. Get good rest and relax. (easier said than done at times)
Rude Dog said:
I would venture a guess that many of us posters on this forum can count our 'run outs' one one hand for a week, and you are working hard on 'every run out'.
Nothing that is worth having is easy. You can run out a rack of 9 ball and you think you have a problem.
You are a pool player that has a 'game' that is probably better than most players, and you have a brain that is keeping you from "Accepting" your skill level. You say you can "run out", but there is a problem!
I say "Accept" the table, shoot your shots and move your marker when you win, Repeat until they hand you the cash.
Sir, I would rather have NO "rhythm" and be able to "run out" than have all the "rhythm" in the world and NOT run out.
Good Luck at the open. I'll be there.
Thanks for all of the replies from everyone. I think my thread may have been a little misleading though. I wasn't looking for answers to this problem I had last night, I just wanted to know what others do when they have it. I just got home from 4 hours of practice and I played real good tonight. My focus was there, saw every mistake I made, learned a few things about the table, and had a good time. I even ran 4 racks at one time, which is a big deal on this table, very tight pockets. The 1 thing that may have been my problem last night was I needed a new tip, which was ready for me when I got there tonight. With so little time before I go to the Open I can't allow myself a couple of days off like I used to be able to do in the past when I played 10 hours a day. Anyway, thanks for all the well-wishers for me at the Open, I appreciate it a lot. I will be ready when it's time to play, you can all count on that. Peace to everyone!
trust me, i run into this problem all the time. seems like if i struggle early on of an evening, it will just continue to snowball. on nights when i just want to rack and break and try and run out, i sometimes will put 4 balls on the table first, take cue ball in hand, and run out the 4 balls to try and build up some confidence and/or momentum. some nights i think i should be going to the U.S. Open, other nights its like i have never played before. and that is being truthful.
many people say pool is a lot like golf. they like to compare pool to putting. i used to have an old buddy that was very negative and pessimistic when we used to play golf. if he missed his first shot, putt, whatever, he was done for the day. so before we would start to play, i'd take him to the closest green, and have him make about a 10 foot putt before we actually started competition. that way, he had a little momentum or confidence once we began.
good luck at the Open Rud. wish i knew who you were so i could follow you.
speaking of which, with any luck in the next few weeks i might actually get to play Nick Varner. i'm keeping my fingers crossed the opportunity presents itself. i am gonna smoke him!!!! well, i might smoke a cigar while we play, i dunno.
DCP
many people say pool is a lot like golf. they like to compare pool to putting. i used to have an old buddy that was very negative and pessimistic when we used to play golf. if he missed his first shot, putt, whatever, he was done for the day. so before we would start to play, i'd take him to the closest green, and have him make about a 10 foot putt before we actually started competition. that way, he had a little momentum or confidence once we began.
good luck at the Open Rud. wish i knew who you were so i could follow you.
speaking of which, with any luck in the next few weeks i might actually get to play Nick Varner. i'm keeping my fingers crossed the opportunity presents itself. i am gonna smoke him!!!! well, i might smoke a cigar while we play, i dunno.
DCP
DrCue'sProtege said:
DCP,
That would be extremely cool. One of the local billiard shop managers gets to see Nick and his wife on a semi-annual basis - he says he's is one of the nicest guys and best players ever. We expect a comprehensive report of your upcoming victory (ahem).
My two cents...
I've noticed that I always need to eat a little bit every now and then, especially during a tournament. You wouldn't believe how much your concentration suffers if you are low on sugar in your blood. But don't eat too much. Willie had a point of practising also when feeling tired but IMHO with a little bit food.
Couple of points:
- You will always have good and bad days. If you play like a god, it doesn't mean you're going to play same the next day.
- If playing badly in a tournament, go take a walk outside between racks/matches. Fresh air helps your brain to work better and during the walk try to think something else for awhile and then approach the table with fresh thoughts. If you play passively, try to gather a little bit adrenaline in your system. If you feel shaky and nervous, take a few very deeps breaths... you can lower your heart rate by concetrating on your breathing for a while.
- If I play badly in tournaments, I try to relax and rely on my mechanics.
- If I play badly in practice, I try to check my head & elbow stillness, make sure I have a half-a-second pause in the final back stroke and that I'm not jumping up in the shot or "guiding it" with my body.
I've noticed that I always need to eat a little bit every now and then, especially during a tournament. You wouldn't believe how much your concentration suffers if you are low on sugar in your blood. But don't eat too much. Willie had a point of practising also when feeling tired but IMHO with a little bit food.
Couple of points:
- You will always have good and bad days. If you play like a god, it doesn't mean you're going to play same the next day.
- If playing badly in a tournament, go take a walk outside between racks/matches. Fresh air helps your brain to work better and during the walk try to think something else for awhile and then approach the table with fresh thoughts. If you play passively, try to gather a little bit adrenaline in your system. If you feel shaky and nervous, take a few very deeps breaths... you can lower your heart rate by concetrating on your breathing for a while.
- If I play badly in tournaments, I try to relax and rely on my mechanics.
- If I play badly in practice, I try to check my head & elbow stillness, make sure I have a half-a-second pause in the final back stroke and that I'm not jumping up in the shot or "guiding it" with my body.
I have the luxury, I guess, of having access to a very strong player. When I get bored with the game or can't make a decent out I go play him. It helps me refocus on the game. Watching and especialy playing better players gets me back in stroke pretty good.Good luck
Andy
Andy