How to retain flow after prolonged safety or when balls run awkward

[Pookerman]

Hey guys,

I’ve been playing today. I started off cuing nicely and feeling confident. Toward the end of the first frame I was one pot off snookers required but the balls kept running awkward. Even with my opponent completely mi****ting shots, everything just kept running safe. This continued on for what felt like 30-40 minutes. By the time I eventually did win the frame I felt drained and had completely lost my cue action, concentration and confidence for that matter.

This frequently occurs for me. Especially if I’m playing lesser players. It’s as though I lose all discipline and concentration as the frame drags on which eventually can feel fatal for the rest of the match. It’s as though I lose my alignment and overall touch and feel in my cuing arm and every pot from then on becomes a chore.

When this happens has anyone got and advice on how to refocus and regain rhythm?

Cheers.

[Cue crafty]

Good first post Pookerman!

It's a difficult one, and it's what separates a lot of the professional players from mere mortals. I've always admired the way the likes of Higgins, can sit out for 3 frames then make a ton in the next like nothings happened. Having a well trained pre shot routine helps you trust your technique, but I'm also wondering was this a proper match, or practice frames?

Make sure you play plenty of friendlies with players as good or better than you if possible, less "scrappy" frames will help. 😉

[Pookerman]

Cheers crafty, Thanks for the response.

Yesterday were just practice frames, thank god lol.

One of my playing partners is a high quality, century break player and funnily enough I actually find it easier playing him. Maybe not getting the result, but actually being able to play with fluency throughout the whole match. it’s because every shot requires thought and focus if I want to actually get in and have knock. The frames stay relatively tidy and even in longer bouts of safety the challenge of the safety play keeps me focused. I also think I can actually sometimes benefit from being away from the table for periods while he’s putting a break together. Just gives me time to recalibrate and refocus.

I’m probably answering my own question here in part. When playing lesser players I think its easy to take for granted that I don’t have to be perfect to win, I’m losing focus and stop thinking every shot through as I get bored. I’m probably becoming sloppy on my pre shot routine which in turn allows poor fundamentals to creep in and as negative results happen so do negative thoughts which compound each other. From this point I’m then just not refocusing.

[Cue crafty]

Cheers crafty, Thanks for the response.

Yesterday were just practice frames, thank god lol.

One of my playing partners is a high quality, century break player and funnily enough I actually find it easier playing him. Maybe not getting the result, but actually being able to play with fluency throughout the whole match. it’s because every shot requires thought and focus if I want to actually get in and have knock. The frames stay relatively tidy and even in longer bouts of safety the challenge of the safety play keeps me focused. I also think I can actually sometimes benefit from being away from the table for periods while he’s putting a break together. Just gives me time to recalibrate and refocus.

I’m probably answering my own question here in part. When playing lesser players I think its easy to take for granted that I don’t have to be perfect to win, I’m losing focus and stop thinking every shot through as I get bored. I’m probably becoming sloppy on my pre shot routine which in turn allows poor fundamentals to creep in and as negative results happen so do negative thoughts which compound each other. From this point I’m then just not refocusing.

Yeh, no worries mate. So there it is in a nutshell, these days I tend to shy away from playing lesser players than myself for those exact reasons. Only time I will do is if using handicaps in a comp.

The trouble is as well, that some of those lesser players like to wind you up and try and take a scalp they can brag about etc whereas when you play your peers there is mutual respect. 😉