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I'm just watching Shaun Murphy play Barry Pinches right now in the Grand Prix 2009. It's round 1, and the match is best of 9. Shaun Murphy has a near perfect cue action, and Barry Pinches has everything wrong with his mechanics and cueing. Shaun Murphy takes an early 2-0 lead. Incredibly, this match goes to the last frame. Barry can't possible steal this match can he? Just take a guess who wins.
It happens to some of us: even though you should win and all odds point in your favor, you still lose to a weaker player. For some of you out there, it's hard finding the determination to beat a much weaker opponent - especially your m8's or someone you play socially. Even in tournament play where you are often giving the opponent a start (giving "weight" as us Canadians call it), and it's meant to equalize the match, you still lose.
Why is it happening and then more importantly HOW do you teach yourself to win?
I have some ideas
Firstly, why it happens and some of the repercussions:
1. You think you don't need to bring your A game and so you play lazy and take on shots you shouldn't. You miss easy balls cause you think your opponent can't score anyways. Repercussion: Your opponent knows you are better so he brings his A game and full concentration. His higher concentration swings the match in his favor. You lose.
2. You watch your opponent too closely and get upset by his lack of understanding, shot selection, or poor cueing. Repercussion: You are now watching the opponent and when you get to the table (which will be often), you aren't prepared to win. You lose.
3. You feel bad for your opponent and don't try your best. You don't play the safety roll up, or miss intentionally to let your opponent in. Repercussion: Your opponent gets a false sense of his ability and thinks he can beat you. Now, you have not only let him in, you boosted his ego too. You lose.
4. You try making a big break, or scatter the reds thinking it's an opportunity to experiment. Of course you would never take on those shots against an A player or someone better than you. You miss, cause well everyone misses tough shots and some shots are just silly to attempt under other circumstances. Repercussion: Your opponent comes to the table and reduces your lead. You lose.
I'm sure there are a lot more reasons. Feel free to reply.
Now, importantly, HOW to overcome the above issues.
1. Firstly, the best thing you can do to a weaker player is beat them. That helps them understand that THEY have things to work on - just like you once had things to work on when YOU were the weaker player. Beat them. In fact, do your best to dominate the match completely if you can. Bring your A game each and every time. That's the game and it's a learning experience they get to benefit from like you once did.
2. Don't worry about giving "weight" in tournaments. If you are good enough, why not challenge yourself? That's how you get better. Don't try dogging shots or hiding your ability. If you are good, play to your highest standard. Even if it means you need to give more weight next time. Look at it like a challenge.
3. Ignore your opponent. It doesn't matter if he tries silly shots, get flukes, etc. When you come to the table, you are supposed to play the right shot that you believe, and with your best ability. That's snooker. Your skill against someone elses skill. When you are not at the table, think about the last shot you missed, and what you might not be doing properly (approach, selection, grip, cueing, etc).
4. Take a tip from Ronnie. When he isn't at the table he is almost indifferent to what the opponent is doing (well except for the Ebdonizer). He watches, but doesn't really care. When he gets to the table, he is focused on his own ability and brings total focus to the job at hand.
5. Even if you are way in front in the match, still put your best foot forward. Just think, if you don't, your opponent gets a chance to beat you and then tell all his friends he beat a better player. The words spreads around and the next thing you know, you are the fish and everyone guns at you thinking you aren't as good as they thought.
Hope that helps!
It happens to some of us: even though you should win and all odds point in your favor, you still lose to a weaker player. For some of you out there, it's hard finding the determination to beat a much weaker opponent - especially your m8's or someone you play socially. Even in tournament play where you are often giving the opponent a start (giving "weight" as us Canadians call it), and it's meant to equalize the match, you still lose.
Why is it happening and then more importantly HOW do you teach yourself to win?
I have some ideas
Firstly, why it happens and some of the repercussions:
1. You think you don't need to bring your A game and so you play lazy and take on shots you shouldn't. You miss easy balls cause you think your opponent can't score anyways. Repercussion: Your opponent knows you are better so he brings his A game and full concentration. His higher concentration swings the match in his favor. You lose.
2. You watch your opponent too closely and get upset by his lack of understanding, shot selection, or poor cueing. Repercussion: You are now watching the opponent and when you get to the table (which will be often), you aren't prepared to win. You lose.
3. You feel bad for your opponent and don't try your best. You don't play the safety roll up, or miss intentionally to let your opponent in. Repercussion: Your opponent gets a false sense of his ability and thinks he can beat you. Now, you have not only let him in, you boosted his ego too. You lose.
4. You try making a big break, or scatter the reds thinking it's an opportunity to experiment. Of course you would never take on those shots against an A player or someone better than you. You miss, cause well everyone misses tough shots and some shots are just silly to attempt under other circumstances. Repercussion: Your opponent comes to the table and reduces your lead. You lose.
I'm sure there are a lot more reasons. Feel free to reply.
Now, importantly, HOW to overcome the above issues.
1. Firstly, the best thing you can do to a weaker player is beat them. That helps them understand that THEY have things to work on - just like you once had things to work on when YOU were the weaker player. Beat them. In fact, do your best to dominate the match completely if you can. Bring your A game each and every time. That's the game and it's a learning experience they get to benefit from like you once did.
2. Don't worry about giving "weight" in tournaments. If you are good enough, why not challenge yourself? That's how you get better. Don't try dogging shots or hiding your ability. If you are good, play to your highest standard. Even if it means you need to give more weight next time. Look at it like a challenge.
3. Ignore your opponent. It doesn't matter if he tries silly shots, get flukes, etc. When you come to the table, you are supposed to play the right shot that you believe, and with your best ability. That's snooker. Your skill against someone elses skill. When you are not at the table, think about the last shot you missed, and what you might not be doing properly (approach, selection, grip, cueing, etc).
4. Take a tip from Ronnie. When he isn't at the table he is almost indifferent to what the opponent is doing (well except for the Ebdonizer). He watches, but doesn't really care. When he gets to the table, he is focused on his own ability and brings total focus to the job at hand.
5. Even if you are way in front in the match, still put your best foot forward. Just think, if you don't, your opponent gets a chance to beat you and then tell all his friends he beat a better player. The words spreads around and the next thing you know, you are the fish and everyone guns at you thinking you aren't as good as they thought.
Hope that helps!
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