Okay, I Feel Good Again!

[audiopro]

I have been in a slump the past couple weeks. I have not shot poorly, but I have not played my game well.

Tonight I spent some time shooting against my Dad, who is a good player. I won our race to 5 by one game, which is an accomplishment for me even when playing good. But I think I have stumbled upon something, I thought I would share. Curious if anyone else has experienced similiar.

Past couple weeks while practicing, I am playing against no one. No real incentive to push myself and take my time. Past couple weeks at league I have played against very low rated players, 2's vs me a 5. And again, I have shot poorly.

Now tonight playing my Dad, I took my time and really concentrated. I took him seriously! Maybe more serious than my practice games, or low rated opponents. I think this is something I have to mentally get past myself. But I just wanted to share this experience with everyone. This revelation of mine so to speak.

Sorry if anyone is utterly bored or disinterested with this post. But had to vent somewhere... :?

[DZ314]

No dude, don't bash your own post! It is a perfectly legitimate revelation. I think you might be experiencing what is often referred to as a lack of the killer instinct which is very common. Everyone probably does it from time to time, and that is to ease off against lesser and/or no competition while stepping it up against better competition. Sometimes I find myself doing it and it annoys the crap out of me. It happens subconsciously and I usually will realize it when I miss an easy shot and go to sit down wondering what the heck I just did! After that I will think to myself, "Ok self, look, that was NOT you playing just then. That was the shadow of your former self who was still unsure of what he was doing. Now get back out there and show them and you what the REAL you is capable of doing! Kick ass!!"

[skor]

I always play better when I play someone who is considered to be a better player then I am, I guess it's the challenge that brings out the best of me :)

[dags_lax]

I call it playing down to the level of my compitition and yes it is a problem for me at times. Like Skor when playing the better competition I play better. I may not win but I am playing well which is more important to me.

[CJK]

Happens to me too frequently. In fact, it happened just last week. I won my first two games, with little room to spare, against the other team's middle two players (four man teams). Then I played their worst player (he's a 4 in local VNEA rankings; I'm a 7), and lost because I lost focus. I hit a shot to play position in a much flashier method than necessary (just screwing around because I figured with six balls in, and him having five left on the table, it was a sure thing). I left myself a crappy shot at my last ball, where I had to play a really tight cross-side bank, which meant I had to hit it hard with english. The cue ball went up the table, then came back and pocketed the eight in the corner. That got me to refocus, and I ran the table on their best player when he didn't make anything on the break. I realize it's possible to go the other way, to get so intimidated by a good player that no shots will fall, but I think I've gotten over that, because I started out getting slaughtered by great players, so now I know they do have weaknesses.

[audiopro]

Yeah, I am thinking it is normal to play down somewhat. In martial arts if a black belt is sparring a white belt and goes all out, the white belt is not going to come to class again because he will have to many broken bones.

Ok, so playing down is a good thing in that case. Maybe in some ways in pool too, but not when you play down so much ya lose and feel crappy.. So I guess it is finding a happy medium, which happens when you realize you are doing it. And are able to control yourself to NOT do it.

[DZ314]

That is the key, to realize it and correct it so that you don't have those negative feelings afterwards. You can even prevent it by thinking about how you are going to play your best before even starting to play no matter who you are playing against.

[sonnic]

I just had my league night last night we played a very easy team and as a team we won but i lost 2/3 which really burns my ass because i expect to WIN. just last week i played the 4th best guy in our league and i beat him 2/3 and got a table run. this week i played like the 35th ranked player and got wipped. What the hell? I do this all the time and it really sucks. I wish i could get my self mentally ready before any match and play my own game. but that is easier said than done.

sonnic

[audiopro]

About a year ago I was a 4 in APA 8-Ball league. I lost my match to another 4, but later that night played a guy on my team who is a 7, the highest you can be in our area. I beat him 6 out of 7 games. Not because he shot bad, but my game was just on. He was not very happy as he was pretty cocky to begin with.

So I know it's in me. Pool is mechanics to me. The only reason you miss a shot is because you did it wrong. There are not to many variables, save an off level table or other minor things. But there is one person on the table at a time, not like football or basketball, where your battling several people at the same time.

So when I miss a shot, there is no one to blame but me. And I should never miss, because I should line it up perfect, and hit it correctly. "In a land called perfect, unfortunately we dont live anywhere close to perfect" :?

[skor]

playing down is the worst thing that you can do (I do it too, but I'm trying to shake that habit), If you come to the table and give it your best, you might get used to playing like that and when you'll need to be at your best you'll fail.
I think that the right thing to do is to try to play the best that you can regardless of who you are playing, even if it's a friendly game with your friends or practice game.
If you'll play in practice as if you're in a tournament final, then playing in a tournament final will be like playing in practice. :)

[Tanar]

This is exactly where the saying, "play the table, not the player" comes into effect. I am just as guilty as the rest of you for playing down. This is why when I play in practice, I like to play for money (even something like $0.50) because then you have somethng to lose.

Our team played one of the weakest teams in the league last night and I won all 4 of my games while only giving up 11 points. One game was even won with a jump 8 ball in the corner pocket. When your game is on, its a thing of beauty as my game has been in the crapper lately. I find that when I play weaker teams, i aim for a perfect night and that helps elevate my concentration level.

[skor]

the big question now with reffernce to another thread, is Is playing down unintently(some times we don't realize that) in league will be consider sandbagging, since number of innings and safe shots are being taking into cosideration in handicap calculation ?

just something to thing about :)

[audiopro]

Well, it is sandbagging when it is done on purpose. When your just having a sucky night, it isn't sandbagging.

Sandbagging is hard to get away with where I shoot. We have pretty much nothing but regulars and everyone has been there for years. We all know each other. Hang out with each other outside of the bar. We all know each others play levels relatively well.

[KGeeEd]

I got this from one of Bert Kinister's tapes. To increase your intensity and concentration during a practice session play against the "Ghost".

Set up a shot, ball patterns or anything you want ot work on. Set a target goal that is within your reach. Put a little pressure on yourself. Start with a goal of making that shot or pattern 6 times in a row without missing. Keep progressing until you work up to 10 in a row. Start with Putting 6 balls on the table so you do not have to keep count. Make the last ball either the 8 or the 9 which would be the game ball and adds a little more pressure. Every time you miss without making the amount of balls in a row that you set as a target the "ghost wins". You have to have a runout. Have a race to 5, 7, 9 or whatever you choose. This can get very frustrating and really puts the pressure on when you get down to the last ball and game. You do not quit until you beat the "ghost".

Try this with a spot shot. It is not easy to make 10 spot shots in a row. If you make 9 and miss on the 10th the "ghost" wins. Have a race to 7. This will make you concentrate. Word of caution: quality and not quantity is important. This is not about trying to shoot a lot of balls in. If you keep rushing the shots you will lose and develop a lot of bad habits.

Good luck the "Ghost" is a damn good player. :evil: