Sorry for the delay between posts but Sarah's been visiting and trying to live the Billiard Life while having a day job...man, I'm exhausted.
(I dunno know about you but I think it screams "Tourist" when you ride the Subway with a huge smile on your face. It's just a HUGE INVITE to have all the crazy people start talking to you.)
Anyhoo, I didn't play APA Leagues this Sunday due to the fact that our Thursday Amsterdam League schedules matches on Sunday as well. (I join a Thursday League to play, you know, on Thursdays...) I did play APA Leagues last Sunday and barely won my match against another SL5 38-35 and I was able to get a match in at Amsterdam this past Sunday and, to no one's surprise, I lost to another C player 7-3.
I played terrible.
Wanna know why?
Cause playing safeties has now introduced doubt into my decision making.
Before if I could see a relatively open pocket for the object ball I'll shot at it.
Now?
If the shots 50/50 or so I have to ask "Hmm...is it better to play safe here instead? Do I risk selling out if I shoot at this ball? It's an iffy shot. I might miss it. Safe? Don't safe?"
And the fact that I'm now thinking that "I might miss it and sell out" has introduced the thought of missing, the possibility of missing, into my preshot routine and has messed with my confidence just a teeny bit.
Now I know I'm not gonna make every shot as a recreational hack C player but I did shoot every shot before, even low percentage shots, with 100% confidence that it was going in. Now I'm doubting myself...and it's just enough to get me off my mental game.
Plus my safeties suck. As a working stiff I have to often use "game time" as "practice time" and try stuff I shouldn't be trying in matches that matter.
Like safeties.
There's just not enough time for me to practice until I'm comfortable with new things before trying it in matches.
It's why I can go into some craptastic slumps.
But, hey, craptastic slumps make good posts!
Anyway, that's the quick update as I'm getting ready to head off to Valley Forge, PA for the Super Billiards Expo. I'll be at booth 99/100, the Mezz Cues USA/Billiards Life booth, if you want to meet the Big Buddha in person.
(I dunno know about you but I think it screams "Tourist" when you ride the Subway with a huge smile on your face. It's just a HUGE INVITE to have all the crazy people start talking to you.)Anyhoo, I didn't play APA Leagues this Sunday due to the fact that our Thursday Amsterdam League schedules matches on Sunday as well. (I join a Thursday League to play, you know, on Thursdays...) I did play APA Leagues last Sunday and barely won my match against another SL5 38-35 and I was able to get a match in at Amsterdam this past Sunday and, to no one's surprise, I lost to another C player 7-3.
I played terrible.
Wanna know why?
Cause playing safeties has now introduced doubt into my decision making.
Before if I could see a relatively open pocket for the object ball I'll shot at it.
Now?
If the shots 50/50 or so I have to ask "Hmm...is it better to play safe here instead? Do I risk selling out if I shoot at this ball? It's an iffy shot. I might miss it. Safe? Don't safe?"
And the fact that I'm now thinking that "I might miss it and sell out" has introduced the thought of missing, the possibility of missing, into my preshot routine and has messed with my confidence just a teeny bit.
Now I know I'm not gonna make every shot as a recreational hack C player but I did shoot every shot before, even low percentage shots, with 100% confidence that it was going in. Now I'm doubting myself...and it's just enough to get me off my mental game.
Plus my safeties suck. As a working stiff I have to often use "game time" as "practice time" and try stuff I shouldn't be trying in matches that matter.
Like safeties.
There's just not enough time for me to practice until I'm comfortable with new things before trying it in matches.
It's why I can go into some craptastic slumps.
But, hey, craptastic slumps make good posts!
Anyway, that's the quick update as I'm getting ready to head off to Valley Forge, PA for the Super Billiards Expo. I'll be at booth 99/100, the Mezz Cues USA/Billiards Life booth, if you want to meet the Big Buddha in person.
