No sooner did I click send on my New Year’s Resolution post did I get “the” phone call from InsidePool to attend the Derby City Classic. Well, I guess it was tentatively on my calendar anyway, but I wouldn’t have minded staying home for a little while and actually unpacking my toiletry bag. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to go and I’m so curious to see how the event will be this year in the new venue. I’m glad I got to go last year before they moved it.
It’s only been four days, and my stroke is almost back on track. I had two great nights of practice Wednesday and Thursday and played in the Rack ‘Em bar table 8-ball tournament last night. Amazingly, I didn’t play half bad. I showed up 30 minutes late, pra
cticed on a big table for another 30 minutes before winning my first match, losing my second, and winning the next four to finish third. Two of the four players I beat on the losers’ side were super tough players that I’d never beat before so I was pretty excited about that. In a short race to two on the back side, I lost the first game in both matches and broke and ran on the hill to win the first one.
I realized last night that not playing for a month in December didn’t affect my abilities as much as I thought it did. It mostly affected my confidence and my speed. When I consciously bare down and remember to do all the right things mechanically, I always make the shot, even when I’m not sure if I’m going to.
The two biggest ones for me are: (1) Smooth backstroke with pronounced pause and (2) Follow through all the way. When I always remember to do those two things on every shot, I almost always execute exactly how I intend to.
The worst part of not practicing for a month was that I had forgotten how to compete.
I had forgotten that all those little things are what equate to my overall performance.
I couldn’t remember how to be fierce.
I had forgotten my pre-shot routine.
I couldn’t remember how to get focused and stay there.
And all of these things combined were a recipe for disaster and a complete lack of confidence. Who knows how long it will take to get back to the euphoric peak of my career, which wasn’t even the best pool that I could play.
Clearly, I haven’t paid enough dues to be able to go for 30 days without hitting a ball and bounce back from it. I envy those who can. I had a couple great practice sessions prior to Oconomowoc, but as soon as the pressure was on, I had forgotten who I was and what I was capable of. That was more frustrating and devastating than simply losing out of the tournament. How long will it take me to recover from this? Will I ever? Can I redevelop that tournament toughness that took me years to learn (and was not even in its prime)??? Those are the sort of thoughts that make a player want to quit pool forever…
No pool for me today. Just the gym and some errands. Back to the drawing board tomorrow.
The Plan: to play as much as possible before leaving for Derby.
Samm, What was the reason for taking a one-month break from pool in December?
Regardless of the the reason, pool is very much a mental game. While your physical abilities can recover very quickly from an extended break, you pay a price by losing that mental sharpness and intensity…as you noted in your blog.
It might also be worthwhile to examine your practice regimen. In the long run, practicing against stronger players will help you improve more than practicing against weaker players.
Finally, try to have fun and enjoy yourself more. With your hectic travel and work schedule, you’re burning yourself out and getting frustrated as you fall short of your expectations. Establish realistic goals and priorities. Develop a positive attitude. Once again, try to have fun and enjoy yourself more.
Samm, “When I consciously bare down…” now there’s a Freudian visual…I don’t know if I can bear it, heh heh.
p.
Haha… You would catch that, Pete.