What it takes to get back to instroke........

genomachino

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
For me it's many things but the most important is the fine tuning at the end. Finding someone to match up with and bet a little money, doesn't need to be alot, but just enough to make you not very happy if you lose.

For me it $100 or $200 races to 9.

Last night I was tired and I still played. You need to play like this also because you get tired in the tournys also and still have to win. It's kind of like a boxer trying to win with a broken hand. It turns into a totally different game at that point.

Last night I was playing on a table with shimmed pockets. Alot of humidity so you couldn't touch the rails on the way to the hole. I'm giving a young and up coming player here in Minneapolis 2 games in a race to 9. I have to play awful good to win but this is what will get me there.

When i get to the point where I'm putting every single ounce of effort that I have in my mind and body into every shot amazing thing will start to happen. Going through the repeated process on how I aim and set up the shot. How I look at the shot before I even get down. Even how I handle a shot after I miss it is so important. Get that focus back and try to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Right now I'm trying to get ready for a tournament at the Ho chunk casino at the Wi Dells on the 25th thru the 28th. Had surgery on my shoulder March 14th and wasn't even supposed to be playing at all until August. I have pain but it was worse than it is now for about a year before I had it fixed. The hard part was that I didn't play at all for about 8 weeks. I couldn't even get a fork to my mouth with my right hand.

I appreciate this young gladiator that has stepped up to play me and give me this special workout before the tourny. He plays like the perfect gentleman and alows me to concentrate on my playing rather than antics. I could say this is what the Doctor ordered but the doctor doesn't want me playing yet.

The young guy I'm talking about will be one of the best players in the country if he can keep his life straight.

Lost 2 sets yesterday but today is a fresh start. I have 2 days before the tourny this type of practice couldn't be better.

For me this is the final piece to polishing up my game before the storm. 8 to 12 hour sessions where you almost have to try and outrun the nuts. Anything less defeats the process.

If I win 3 or 4 sets in a row. He might get a bigger spot if I feel I'm close to my goal of being where I want to get. At this point it is not about the money but using the money for the push. To push yourself to the end of your limit of total concentration and total effort.

This is what I do. I hope it will give some up and coming players a little insight on the final tuning.
 
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For me it's many things but the most important is the fine tuning at the end. Finding someone to match up with and bet a little money, doesn't need to be alot, but just enough to make you not very happy if you lose.

For me it $100 or $200 races to 9.

Last night I was tired and I still played. You need to play like this also because you get tired in the tournys also and still have to win. It's kind of like a boxer trying to win with a broken hand. It turns into a totally different game at that point.

Last night I was playing on a table with shimmed pockets. Alot of humidity so you couldn't touch the rails on the way to the hole. I'm giving a young and up coming player here in Minneapolis 2 games in a race to 9. I have to play awful good to win but this is what will get me there.

When i get to the point where I'm putting every single ounce of effort that I have in my mind and body into every shot amazing thing will start to happen. Going through the repeated process on how I aim and set up the shot. How I look at the shot before I even get down. Even how I handle a shot after I miss it is so important. Get that focus back and try to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Right now I'm trying to get ready for a tournament at the Ho chunk casino at the Wi Dells on the 25th thru the 28th. Had surgery on my shoulder March 14th and wasn't even supposed to be playing at all until August. I have pain but it was worse than it is now for about a year before I had it fixed. The hard part was that I didn't play at all for about 8 weeks. I couldn't even get a fork to my mouth with my right hand.

I appreciate this young gladiator that has stepped up to play me and give me this special workout before the tourny. He plays like the perfect gentleman and alows me to concentrate on my playing rather than antics. I could say this is what the Doctor ordered but the doctor doesn't want me playing yet.

The young guy I'm talking about will be one of the best players in the country if he can keep his life straight.

Lost 2 sets yesterday but today is a fresh start. I have 2 days before the tourny this type of practice couldn't be better.

For me this is the final piece to polishing up my game before the storm. 8 to 12 hour sessions where you almost have to try and outrun the nuts. Anything less defeats the process.

If I win 3 or 4 sets in a row. He might get a bigger spot if I feel I'm close to my goal of being where I want to get. At this point it is not about the money but using the money for the push. To push yourself to the end of your limit of total concentration and total effort.

This is what I do. I hope it will give some up and coming players a little insight on the final tuning.


Couldn't agree with you more Gene...!! This is exactly what turns the bangers into player!
 
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i always enjoy your thread genomachino, i also enjoyed your other thread about your match with jimmy. when are you gonna write a book, your a good communicater(good story teller) count me in for one when you do.
 
Take care of that shoulder, man. If the doc says you shouldn't be playing then maybe you shouldn't be playing. Any pain at all is not a good sign. I can't believe you're going to be doing 8 to 12 hour sessions on a healing shoulder. And shoulders never heal correctly anyway so why risk messing it up?
MULLY
 
Practice was a success. Got down 2 sets and had to come back. great scenario for anyones game. The spot was right. Plus got paid a little for practice. Even better.

Now will be the real test. Play on 6 hours of sleep and try to keep at the same level. This is where the boys and the men are seperated. Not looking forward to it but a neccessary part of getting there.

As far as the shoulder it feels fine. A little stiff but no pain this morning. First day with no pain since surgery after playing a long time.

I most pleased about this. You only got one right arm.
 
Gene, are you still using the abbreviated strokes, or are you able to use your normal strokes?
 
This thread and others just like it are exactly why Gene has to be considered one of the most valuable members of AZ Billiards Main Forum.

Geno gives up the "SECRETS" to all of us.

Stay well Gene!

And thanks! Hope you are still teaching Precision Aim!
 
Practice was a success. Got down 2 sets and had to come back. great scenario for anyones game. The spot was right. Plus got paid a little for practice. Even better.

Now will be the real test. Play on 6 hours of sleep and try to keep at the same level. This is where the boys and the men are seperated. Not looking forward to it but a neccessary part of getting there.

As far as the shoulder it feels fine. A little stiff but no pain this morning. First day with no pain since surgery after playing a long time.

I most pleased about this. You only got one right arm.

Well , who you gonna play today?
 
Same for me. When I get outta stroke I go for:

- long sessions
- one on one, not ring or partners
- a worthy and focused opponent, not a walkover
- gambling something to assist in staying focused

Good luck moving forward.

Matt
 
thanks

Gene I want to thank you again for making the 2 hr trip to see Manny and me in Minnesota this weekend. Wish we could have stayed longer so you could have worked with both of us down there. I will show Manny all the new things you showed me. Thanks again for your help an support!



H.P.
 
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For me it's many things but the most important is the fine tuning at the end. Finding someone to match up with and bet a little money, doesn't need to be alot, but just enough to make you not very happy if you lose.

For me it $100 or $200 races to 9.

Last night I was tired and I still played. You need to play like this also because you get tired in the tournys also and still have to win. It's kind of like a boxer trying to win with a broken hand. It turns into a totally different game at that point.

Last night I was playing on a table with shimmed pockets. Alot of humidity so you couldn't touch the rails on the way to the hole. I'm giving a young and up coming player here in Minneapolis 2 games in a race to 9. I have to play awful good to win but this is what will get me there.

When i get to the point where I'm putting every single ounce of effort that I have in my mind and body into every shot amazing thing will start to happen. Going through the repeated process on how I aim and set up the shot. How I look at the shot before I even get down. Even how I handle a shot after I miss it is so important. Get that focus back and try to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Right now I'm trying to get ready for a tournament at the Ho chunk casino at the Wi Dells on the 25th thru the 28th. Had surgery on my shoulder March 14th and wasn't even supposed to be playing at all until August. I have pain but it was worse than it is now for about a year before I had it fixed. The hard part was that I didn't play at all for about 8 weeks. I couldn't even get a fork to my mouth with my right hand.

I appreciate this young gladiator that has stepped up to play me and give me this special workout before the tourny. He plays like the perfect gentleman and alows me to concentrate on my playing rather than antics. I could say this is what the Doctor ordered but the doctor doesn't want me playing yet.

The young guy I'm talking about will be one of the best players in the country if he can keep his life straight.

Lost 2 sets yesterday but today is a fresh start. I have 2 days before the tourny this type of practice couldn't be better.

For me this is the final piece to polishing up my game before the storm. 8 to 12 hour sessions where you almost have to try and outrun the nuts. Anything less defeats the process.

If I win 3 or 4 sets in a row. He might get a bigger spot if I feel I'm close to my goal of being where I want to get. At this point it is not about the money but using the money for the push. To push yourself to the end of your limit of total concentration and total effort.

This is what I do. I hope it will give some up and coming players a little insight on the final tuning.

I feel you Geno, I feel you! When all is said and done in the pool world, you've just got to get up there and put the balls in the hole. It takes total focus and concentration with every ounce of your being to get it right. But damn it feels good when you can make it happen. As Fats often said, "The toughest game on Earth!"
 
Tournament tough instroke, the final pieces...

For me it's many things but the most important is the fine tuning at the end. Finding someone to match up with and bet a little money, doesn't need to be alot, but just enough to make you not very happy if you lose.

For me it $100 or $200 races to 9.

Last night I was tired and I still played. You need to play like this also because you get tired in the tournys also and still have to win. It's kind of like a boxer trying to win with a broken hand. It turns into a totally different game at that point.

Last night I was playing on a table with shimmed pockets. Alot of humidity so you couldn't touch the rails on the way to the hole. I'm giving a young and up coming player here in Minneapolis 2 games in a race to 9. I have to play awful good to win but this is what will get me there.

When i get to the point where I'm putting every single ounce of effort that I have in my mind and body into every shot amazing thing will start to happen. Going through the repeated process on how I aim and set up the shot. How I look at the shot before I even get down. Even how I handle a shot after I miss it is so important. Get that focus back and try to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Right now I'm trying to get ready for a tournament at the Ho chunk casino at the Wi Dells on the 25th thru the 28th. Had surgery on my shoulder March 14th and wasn't even supposed to be playing at all until August. I have pain but it was worse than it is now for about a year before I had it fixed. The hard part was that I didn't play at all for about 8 weeks. I couldn't even get a fork to my mouth with my right hand.

I appreciate this young gladiator that has stepped up to play me and give me this special workout before the tourny. He plays like the perfect gentleman and alows me to concentrate on my playing rather than antics. I could say this is what the Doctor ordered but the doctor doesn't want me playing yet.

The young guy I'm talking about will be one of the best players in the country if he can keep his life straight.

Lost 2 sets yesterday but today is a fresh start. I have 2 days before the tourny this type of practice couldn't be better.

For me this is the final piece to polishing up my game before the storm. 8 to 12 hour sessions where you almost have to try and outrun the nuts. Anything less defeats the process.

If I win 3 or 4 sets in a row. He might get a bigger spot if I feel I'm close to my goal of being where I want to get. At this point it is not about the money but using the money for the push. To push yourself to the end of your limit of total concentration and total effort.

This is what I do. I hope it will give some up and coming players a little insight on the final tuning.

Getting that final touch is so important when you are preparing for a tournament. And this little 3 day session I've had compares to none when getting ready for a tournament.


Sunday I drove from Rochester,mn to Minneapolis. Went to shooters to try and find someone to play. Then I went to Two stooges and met a young and up and coming play they call Jr in. He agreed to play $100 sets. I had only 5 hours sleep the night before and was kind of tired from driving and hanging out all day but you have to play like that in the tournaments also.

The table is like double or triple shimmed so you not only have to make the ball but the shape gets a little tricky. Sometimes the shot looks perfect and the ball still rattles because of the speed.

I lose 2 sets. Not ready but that's OK. Jr is probably racked on the totem pole up here anywhere from 3rd to 5th. he can flat out play. If you don't run out he will beat you.

Days 2, 3, of the grind to get there..................

We agree to play the next day with the same spot. I'm giving him 2 games in a race to 9. I win the first set. Then the fatigue sets in a little. I also have some bad aches and pains coming from my repaired, not really healed yet right shoulder. But that's OK. I need to play with this. The tournament is in a few days. That's what this is all about.

I lose the next 3 sets in a row. I thought about quiting but that would kind of defeat the purpose. I'm awful tired but I'm keeping my blood sugar regulated pretty good so I continued. We battled it out the whole day for about 14 hours. I was stuck about 2 sets. We had doubled the bet so the money now was kind of higher than my comfort zone right now but that's OK also because I need to creat uncomfortable for myself and Jr is really contributing to the cause also.

Get to the Motel room at 5:00 am. Need to check out at 11:00. We started playing again at 1:00. I lost a couple of sets right away and was a little worried that my physical condition right now had deteriated too much to continue. I told Jr that I would play some more but we would have to play even. I had been missing some shots and seemed kind of helpless so he readily agreed to play even.

Next race we went hill-hill. Jr asked if I wanted to raise the bet and start over. I agreed. Now we are really over my comfort zone but thats OK. I need to get it going with as much pressure as I can. But maybe this was too much. Jr is shooting the ball in like the balls a peas and the pockets are bushel baskets.

Finally it happened. I hit my top gear that players from years ago had experienced. I still had to think and aim and focus real hard but everything was working.

We played until midnite this last day. I ended up 2 sets ahead but I made a big comeback and that was what was important. I hardly missed any shots on this triple shimmed table at Jimmy's pro Billiards. Sometime during that last day I had to give him the spot back but it wasn't even a factor.

years ago when a road player used to come through my home town and we played for about 3 or for days I would get in top gear. If there was a tournament right after it seemed I won many of them.

I've done everything I can to get ready for this HO Chunk tourny in the Wisconsin dell on the 24th 25th 26th 27th this month.

It isn't always the best player that wins these tournaments. It's the player that prepared and got to that top gear and can stay there for the whole tournament. Tired or not. Distractions or not. Whoever can stay focused. Whomever plays the best that day, that match, that game.

All I can say is I would not want to play me right now, today or this weekend. I'm as ready as I've ever been for any tournament in my life.

This is how you need to feel when you are going to something to not only play but to win.

ARE YOU READY. I am. And I feel like it. That's what's IMPORTANT.............................
 
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This thread and others just like it are exactly why Gene has to be considered one of the most valuable members of AZ Billiards Main Forum.

Geno gives up the "SECRETS" to all of us.

Stay well Gene!

And thanks! Hope you are still teaching Precision Aim!

Gene gave up on "Precision" Aim years ago, Joey. It wasn't precise enough for him. He has been using PERFECT Aim ever since. :thumbup:

Roger
 
Gene gave up on "Precision" Aim years ago, Joey. It wasn't precise enough for him. He has been using PERFECT Aim ever since. :thumbup:

Roger

Thanks for catching that Roger. :thumbup:

I really like Gene talking about what's going on in his head and how he is preparing for this tournament.

Wishing GENE the best shooting, the best luck and the BEST HEALTH!


JoeyA
 
He's actually a pretty good kid......

You might be right.....but odds are not looking too good.:frown:

I know he's been in a little trouble but it's guys like us that can help these young guys find the right way. We've been through alot.

The hard part for a young guy is to listen to wisdom and do the right things. This kid is real smart and i think he has already figured some things out. I'm already glad to be a part of his life and maybe make a difference.

Abd boy can he play. Alot of talent there.

I had the right people there at the right time in my life to influence me at just the right time. Without those people I don't know where I'd be today. I don't know if any of them would ever be on here to read this but I would really like to thank them all.

Timeing is everything. Right time and right place......
 
What the HAY!

Are we going to get an update on Geno's progress in the tournament he is playing in this weekend OR WHAT?
 
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