Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

 

Number: 57 Jim Tellier July 2012

 

TOPIC: Get Over It!

 

CATEGORY: All Skill Levels

 

INTRODUCTION:

Youre at the table, maybe youve made a couple balls, and youre lining up the current shot. You go through your routine, everything looks ok, so you shoot.

Maybe youve missed the shot. Maybe youve messed up on position for the next shot. Eventually, you find yourself sitting in the chair while the other guy shoots.

Answer this question: What do you do while you are sitting there?.

 

TECHNIQUE:

I think there are 3 common scenarios that answer that question. You will be doing one of these things:

 

1.    Blanking everything out of your mind, ignoring whats going on until you (hopefully) get back to the table,

2.    Mentally re-playing how you messed up that shot, causing you to lose your turn, or

3.    Watching the table, looking for information about how the layout may be changing while your opponent is shooting, looking for potential safety opportunities, etc.

 

Analysis:

I dont like choice #1. Some pros do this, but remember that they have the luxury of having a referee to watch for potential fouls by the opponent, and they also have lots of experience that allows them to size up a table in very short order when they approach it at their turn.

Choice #2 is the obvious bad one, because it just serves to create negative energy, self-doubt and lowers your confidence. No matter how analytical you might be, if youre replaying stuff in your mind, youre wasting your own time and energy! Just make a promise to yourself to stop doing it. Youre going to be surprised how much it does to improve your game.

Choice #3 is the obvious best choice, in my opinion. But. You MUST be careful not to get sucked in to evaluating or admiring your opponents play! So what if hes a good shot maker? So what if he pulled out a jump-masse-3-rail kick shot? The only thing that matters is: when he misses, you will be back at the table. Let him do whatever he does, and assume that he will play at top-level. Or to put it another way: approach every opponent as if they were a 7! Whats most important is what you do when youre at the table.

 

Major point here is this: dont underestimate how much negative can come from dwelling on a mistake. The brain latches on to that train of thought and the results can be total distraction before you know what hit you. Better to be pro-active about your actions so you can avoid the demons!

 

May your next shot be on the 8-ball!

 

ARRRR!!!! J