What to do when you're playing bad?

[davem147]

Ok... You're a decent player, you know what you're capable of and can score a 40+ break when in amongst the balls. But what do you do when you're really struggling and can barely pot a ball?

I just had one of those sessions, sooo frustrating. But I also think the weather may have been a factor (today was so humid and muggy) I was actually sweating while playing. Anyone know?

[WHolmes]

two options really, step away from the table and take a break or try to push through and find some form again

[CueAntW147]

I know exactly how you feel there are a few options :

1) if you have more than one cue chuck the cheapest one across the room ( being careful not to hit anyone else as by now others will be giving you funny looks ) or even snap the cheapest one - it will make you feel good initially but you could regret it down the line, and don't snap/throw your best/only one as then a cue search will start which can be expensive and will also drive you nuts ! be warned ;-)

2) shout at yourself and/or thump the cushion with your fist & maybe swear a little ( but not if there are young kids around ) - this will also make you feel good but your hand may hurt and you may get funny looks if there are people in the club or even get chucked out.

3) there will always be helpful players/team mates in the club who will be only too pleased to help, and tell you where you going wrong which is great - then you realize you have have seen them play before or you decide to watch them play and guess what most the time there worse than you are !

4) ignore points 1, 2 & 3 as they are very risky, can be dangerous and don't always work, just dig in and play through it and eventually things will come good and try not to worry too much about it as it will drive you nuts and make things even worse ;-) good luck mate !

[mattyshinobi22]

I know exactly how you feel there are a few options :

1) if you have more than one cue chuck the cheapest one across the room ( being careful not to hit anyone else as by now others will be giving you funny looks ) or even snap the cheapest one - it will make you feel good initially but you could regret it down the line, and don't snap/throw your best/only one as then a cue search will start which can be expensive and will also drive you nuts ! be warned ;-)

2) shout at yourself and/or thump the cushion with your fist & maybe swear a little ( but not if there are young kids around ) - this will also make you feel good but your hand may hurt and you may get funny looks if there are people in the club or even get chucked out.

3) there will always be helpful players/team mates in the club who will be only too pleased to help, and tell you where you going wrong which is great - then you realize you have have seen them play before or you decide to watch them play and guess what most the time there worse than you are !

3) ignore points 1, 2 & 3 as they are very risky, can be dangerous and don't always work, just dig in and play through it and eventually things will come good and try not to worry too much about it as it will drive you nuts and make things even worse ;-) good luck mate !

nice 1 ant. no.2 made me laugh. did that the other day. lost a match should of won. missed silly black for game and cracked me hand om table. after he had gone home of course. hurt like hell. but didnt change way was feeling so its stupid to do really. but yes good advice. easy said then done though

[CueAntW147]

nice 1 ant. no.2 made me laugh. did that the other day. lost a match should of won. missed silly black for game and cracked me hand om table. after he had gone home of course. hurt like hell. but didnt change way was feeling so its stupid to do really. but yes good advice. easy said then done though

lol......thanks mate we've all been there i lost again last night so thought about doing no 1, did no 2, and experienced point 3 but trying to do point 4 ;-) and joking aside i should have put this in my last post really it can help getting advice from the " good " people in the clubs if your lucky enough to have some, and the good people we have on the forum ;-)
Hope your doing ok anyway mate........

[mattyshinobi22]

yes mate all been there. unfortunately in our team if ya going through a bad spell people like to remind you to get a rise outta you! lol
but it works for you in end as when you stop taking yaself too serious and have a laugh, ya seem to get a bit of form back and relax.

am good mate ta. haven't bought a playing cue in about a year now so gotta be a step up in swooping cues!

hope your keeping well too mate.

[davem147]

Thanks guys
All good advice, and some of it made me laugh lol.
Anyone else??

[CueAntW147]

Thanks guys
All good advice, and some of it made me laugh lol.
Anyone else??

Might depend on your age this one - Point 5 Accept the passage of time and that you will never play to the same standard again, even though there will still be flashes of brilliance it's mostly downhill from now on - but don't worry you can still talk about all the great shots you've played, all the great breaks you've made and all those great matches you've played in, as it's good to be nostalgic.......lol......and enjoy just playing for fun from now on....;-)

[Terry Davidson]

Might depend on your age this one - Point 5 Accept the passage of time and that you will never play to the same standard again, even though there will still be flashes of brilliance it's mostly downhill from now on - but don't worry you can still talk about all the great shots you've played and all the great breaks you've made as it's good to be nostalgic.......lol......and enjoy just playing for fun ....;-)

True enough as that's what I do

[CueAntW147]

True enough as that's what I do

lol......At last ......i've been waiting for you to come along and save this thread with some proper advice mate ;-)

[CueAntW147]

Forgot point 6 - Imagine that your playing in front of big crowd in a big match or even an exhibition match , it will inspire you and bring the showman out in you.......though it can cause problems.
I do this and people say when i knock a good long pot in i pause and wait for the applause........even though there's not many watching.....lol

[davem147]

Might depend on your age this one - Point 5 Accept the passage of time and that you will never play to the same standard again, even though there will still be flashes of brilliance it's mostly downhill from now on - but don't worry you can still talk about all the great shots you've played, all the great breaks you've made and all those great matches you've played in, as it's good to be nostalgic.......lol......and enjoy just playing for fun from now on....;-)

Haha I certainly hope not. I'm 23

[CueAntW147]

Haha I certainly hope not. I'm 23

That's ok then.......you have many great things to come ( although most the things i've mentioned will still happen to you eventually ) this is just a temporary blip in form.......point 6 will help you....;-)

[840aj]

I've been going through a more prolonged dip in form. Everybody is giving me "helpful" advice but one friend hit on something that has helped. He said he'd noticed my cue action had become shorter. Thinking about it, it made sense. When you look at a lot of older players there is definitely a trend towards short and jabby. I'm not sure of the physiology but getting older is definitely a factor. Also, losing confidence can produce similar effects. I'm practising more than ever and trying to keep a longer action with a smoother rhythm and I'm playing much better.

[itsnoteasy]

Stay still, relax your grip, it will start to flow.