What inspires you and what doesn't to continue to play ?

[KoolKat9Lives]

Inspires me to play more:

- the challenge of this pure game never ends
- improving. It keeps the fantasy/dream alive. Without it, my will
to play at a high level will smolder
- the respect you get from playing at a high level
- the satisfaction from beating the guy that used to thump you, for breaking
personal records of packages, balls run, etc.
- coming home with more money than when you left


De-Inspirations (one flows to the next):

- the lack of people's integrity & lack of will to fight for it that is so pervasive in the game
- the lack of respect people outside of pool give to people in the game
- lack of money in the game, the futility

 

[12310bch]

total commitment

what inspires me too keep playin i love the game so much i wanna improve i know what kinda game i got an what i can do an i know in my heart i can hang with alot of them i have the desire an the wants an alot of people have faith in me like i do an hopefully my game comes out sooner then later lol

but what keeps me going is pool is an Addiction an i love the game an it inspires me to keep going to improve my self to see if i can be the best that i can be

an i know i can be way better i.m not a League player i am way better then that but i do play League to stay in Stroke an its practice for me to play matchs with other people

u just gotta have the Drive an Desire an inspiration to want to get better its alot of hard work this is not an Eazy game by far but once u get to learn the Fundamentals an mental game an Angles its a really fun game an thats what u like about it it keeps u wanting to learn more an keeps u playing what keeps the fire lit inside of me is i have alot of motivation an Desire Drive i have alot of Heart ani want too get better

i been playin for 13 years on an off so thats another reason i don.t quit playin i love it tomuch i.ll never quit pool

i allso have Goals an 1 of them was Achieved AZB an people of AZB has helped me get to that Goalin New orleans at Big Easy great people great tournament an i got 1 match away from top 16 out of 62 players

my next goal is to place in White diamonds tournament an play in DCC Music city classic an other pro tournaments u only get better if u play players way better then u so do asmuch as u can an Achieve ur Goals Good luck to u my friend my heart is out to u an i hope ur goals an dreams do come true as mine will

Robley AKA *AZB Horse 2009*

Robley we all love you since you joined us but you are so damned POSITIVE and UP it makes me tired. Just what is it your taking .Send me a bottle.:joyful:

 

[BigCat]

I've read some really great posts, but I'm stuck here thinking something is wrong with me. My inspiration is so much different then alot of guys here. Sure I have goals to obtain 'titles' or levels of success but those are goals to make me go practice or drag myself to a local tournament after a hard day of work.

My inspiration comes from wanting to beat those guys with the huge egos and attitudes. To destroy the people who doubted me years before. To beat the old timers that never gave me the time of day and not just beat them but put a 5 pack on them. Look into their eyes while i'm at the table and to see the realization that they don't have a chance in hell.

I also draw on the people I put around me. My friends and mentors mean alot to me. I not only want to make them proud but I also want to be there for them, to let them know that they'll give up on themselves long before I give up on them.

I can definitely relate to this post. Both on the ego-maniacs and drawing on the positive people around me. Very good post. While this is not my only inspiration, I'd be lying if I said it didn't contribute to it.

Here in Arizona (aka the Twighlight Zone as someone recently observed), there are some serious ego-maniacs and numerous people who feed into these certain ego-maniacs'... well, egos. It's annoying as hell and keeps me from going into certain pool halls if I don't have to. It's ridiculous.

And it's also nice to know that there are those few people who genuinely want to see you improve and do better. I have a 14.1 coach who is exactly like this and it makes me want to be a better player (and person).

Ray

 

[crawfish]

I play for the overabundance of money, fame, respect, and women that accompany pool. Nothing else.

 

[paksat]

I know what the sport, yes sport, is capable of. It just hasn't been in the right hands yet.

pool can become huge, beyond what probably anyone can think.

My inspiration comes from wanting to beat those guys with the huge egos and attitudes. To destroy the people who doubted me years before. To beat the old timers that never gave me the time of day and not just beat them but put a 5 pack on them. Look into their eyes while i'm at the table and to see the realization that they don't have a chance in hell.

I also draw on the people I put around me. My friends and mentors mean alot to me. I not only want to make them proud but I also want to be there for them, to let them know that they'll give up on themselves long before I give up on them.

I guess our inspiration is the same.

 

[NewStroke]

I play for the overabundance of money, fame, respect, and women that accompany pool. Nothing else.

I also play to be around people like Mr Crawfish. Gives a breath of fresh air to the community.

 

[Snapshot9]

Slumps are a result of mechanical or mental flaws in your game becoming more pronounced, due to whatever reason (often laziness I think). You can either take time off and you will play no worse than you used to or you can identify the problem, fix it and improve your game.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if most slumps are result of an overestimation of ones game. I've definitely been guilty of that on occassion (re:this summer).

Cam - That was an astute answer. Most players develop mechanical flaws without being aware of it. Although not a mental flaw, emotional turmoil in your life can also throw a player into a slump.

Taking myself for example, for a whole year after I broke up with a woman that I was engaged to and went with for 2 years, I shot 2 to 2.5 balls below where I would normally shoot. Nothing I did or tried seemed to matter. It was like my transmission was slipping. After about a year, I slowly came out of it.

 

[poolmaster]

AS it seems to everyone that losing to and/or playing badly against somebody your supposed to have a lock on is the ultimate discouragement. Actually watching the top pros on TV was kind of a bummer too because they make it look so easy. But I would sulk a bit and eventually get back to normal.:sorry:
But recently I found something that pumps me up . Streaming local pool tournaments show players who are closer to my skill levels. They miss balls that I could make and they shoot bad patterns when I see good alternatives and they shoot bad position when I would have played it differently. I really learn and gain confidence from watching imperfect play rather than the perfect play of the elite. These players could all beat me
but that's not the point . I think we learn and gain confidence through the mistakes of ourselves and of others. So I make a point of noting how I would have done better in those instances where I could have. My confidence and enthusiasm zoom upward again and I go out to hit the tables with my head held high.

When I watch pool on tv or internet , I too see all the wrong things that they do. But
and there is a big but, if you were in their shoes and pressure started to cook your brain
you too most likely would make a lot of mistakes. When I watch it on tv, I'm the best
player there is.

 

[poolmaster]

I've read some really great posts, but I'm stuck here thinking something is wrong with me. My inspiration is so much different then alot of guys here. Sure I have goals to obtain 'titles' or levels of success but those are goals to make me go practice or drag myself to a local tournament after a hard day of work.

My inspiration comes from wanting to beat those guys with the huge egos and attitudes. To destroy the people who doubted me years before. To beat the old timers that never gave me the time of day and not just beat them but put a 5 pack on them. Look into their eyes while i'm at the table and to see the realization that they don't have a chance in hell.

I also draw on the people I put around me. My friends and mentors mean alot to me. I not only want to make them proud but I also want to be there for them, to let them know that they'll give up on themselves long before I give up on them.

Very good that you mentioned this subject. There is a great feeling when no one
believes in you and get the chance to prove them wrong. Especially to those arrogant
*****s that think their crap don't stink. I kind of love to be an underdog and most of the
times rule for one. I think most of the people that don't have faith in you and tell you
that you have no chance of succeeding are the people who didn't succeed themselves
and they want you to be in their club.

 

[12310bch]

whats for dinner

When I watch pool on tv or internet , I too see all the wrong things that they do. But
and there is a big but, if you were in their shoes and pressure started to cook your brain
you too most likely would make a lot of mistakes. When I watch it on tv, I'm the best
player there is.

I know what your talking about. I have fried my brain many times in tournament or big game moments. But as you said , when you are
watching T.V. you are vicariously playing without that pressure and that is a good experience to absorb for future reference when you need to think and act in a pressureized atmosphere. ( please explain to me what I just wrote.):shrug:

 

[robleyf7]

I don't understand. 3 nights a week, and you don't enjoy it? Is someone forcing you to play league? If I didn't enjoy doing something, I don't think I would sign up to do it 3 nights a week.



Steve

well tobe Honest i do it becuz it gets me out of the house an i get to practice i really do Enjoy the people an friends i.m around

its just playin the same people every week for the past few years gets boring u know

an i stay on the team becuz they never been to vegas or anything like that so i wanna try an make that happen for them

 

[robleyf7]

Robley we all love you since you joined us but you are so damned POSITIVE and UP it makes me tired. Just what is it your taking .Send me a bottle.:joyful:

you know i have somuch love for this game its unreal an i guess its a fire thats lit inside of me that keeps me going an i.m so joyfull to talk about pool with people an help them with there game

it makes me feel so good to talk about pool with you all an to help someone it just takes my breath away to think i helped someone improve there game some its not much i.m not no pool

Instructor or mister Joe Waldron but i been playing this game for 12-13 yearsi just havent been playin just League for 13 years i I Tought my self banks an kicks an other stuff an to give back too pool Community it makes me feel good inside an i get Excited when someone ask about pool you know makes me feel great an it allso picks up my Confidence believe it or not lol

 

[poolmaster]

I just want to thank everyone for sharing their opinions. Different things
work for different people, and that's the beauty of it. If everything and
everybody were the same, this world would be a one boring place to live.

 

[phenom]

get out and away from the wife....

 

[poolmaster]

you know i have somuch love for this game its unreal an i guess its a fire thats lit inside of me that keeps me going an i.m so joyfull to talk about pool with people an help them with there game

it makes me feel so good to talk about pool with you all an to help someone it just takes my breath away to think i helped someone improve there game some its not much i.m not no pool

Instructor or mister Joe Waldron but i been playing this game for 12-13 yearsi just havent been playin just League for 13 years i I Tought my self banks an kicks an other stuff an to give back too pool Community it makes me feel good inside an i get Excited when someone ask about pool you know makes me feel great an it allso picks up my Confidence believe it or not lol

This is a very good thing that you're doing. I only wish there were more people like you.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I'm not inspired, but I'm almost expired. I play pool 'cause it gives me something to do on a Monday.

 

[JoeW]

For me inspired is the wrong word. It is more the challenge that is fascinating and keeps me coming back. The requirements for fine motor control, the complexity of the game and of course the mental aspects needed for great play are fascinating. I like the idea that I only have to walk to the next room to experiment and play with the issues. I like the idea that this is a difficult sport to master and that the complexities and interactions between the physical and the mental are difficult to tease apart.

In my life I do not compete with others, I compete with myself. Even in a league match I am competing with the table and the problems it presents when playing this particular person. Competition is enjoyable for the challenge to my last attempt. I am truly one of those people who does not care if I win or lose, I am in it for the best game from my opponent and myself.

While there are many league players in my geographical area I don’t seem to be able to find anyone who wants to play on a nine footer on a regular basis. This is discouraging and can lead me to not care about playing so the leagues, while they do not inspire me, they do test me and keep my interest. I guess I am unlike the majority of players here. For me playing pool is primarily a solitary highly challenging pursuit not unlike many other things I have done. The social aspects get me out of the house to be with friends and to meet new people.

In my thinking the final challenge is always with one’s self. Unfortunately most of us partially define ourselves by what our friends say and do. I think that when this is recognized and we know that in the end our friends do not really know what makes us tick then we come to the realization that we should be the one who defines who we are.

My buddy might say I had an impressive shot, game or match, but only I know how well I really play so I go with what I know about myself. When I find that I can win over an opponent I usually lose to I am pleased when I can do it on a regular basis and this indicates, to me, that I have mastered another element of the game.

I am of the opinion that there is much that my background in psychology can contribute to playing pool. From what I have read in the available literature about the mental aspects of playing pool I came to the conclusion that there is not much information that is useful and I have always liked the idea of contributing through summarizing what we do know that will help others play better. If there is an inspiration it is in the idea that maybe I can add to the literature on the mental game.

I guess there are many different reasons for taking up this game.

 

[JoeW]

In thinking about it some more it occurs to me that I am one of those people who is actually pleased when a friend has a B&R. I admire his skill and good fortune. Of course if he puts a six pack on me I know I am playing against the wrong person as I do not want to be a spectator, rack boy or whatever.

If there is an inspiration it is in the comments of Robleyf7 and a few others who have found that some of the things I have written based on what psychology can contribute has made their game better and helped them reach a new level of play. That inspires me to keep on keeping on. Different strokes for different folks.