Just like baseball players fall into slumps, you will have similar experiences in pool. Your game disintegrates and you make playing decisions that would be embarrassing for a beginner. These times can be depressing, leading to thoughts of giving up the game – a true tragedy.
When you are shooting below acceptable levels, you have to take some steps to shorten up the amount of time you spend in pool playing hell. Here are a couple of different ways to make the transition from the swamps into the light.
When you come to the practice table, rather than immediately start banging balls around, do some stretching exercises as if preparing for a physical competition, such as tennis or a track & field event. Do about 10 each of different stretches for your arms, back, neck, torso, etc. Then prepare to shoot some balls. Throw out a rack of balls on the table and just shoot them in, randomly and without thought. Keep your mind a blank. Do two or three more racks. Shooting in 40 or 50 balls while your muscles are loose, allows your back brain to take over control of your stroke.
Now is when you can set up some specific shots to work on. Maintain the loose stroke you have been using and use only stun for cue ball control. After about a dozen successful shots, use draw for a set, then use follow for a set. By this time, you should have recovered your routine skill level. You may even notice some improvements.
Another option is to simply give up the game for a week or two. Do something else that takes up your attention and time. Here are a few ideas: read a book or two, go to some movies, watch some good PBS shows, get some classic movies. When you do come back to the table, at first only work on easy shots, then slowly increase the difficulty factor. You will find that the slump has passed, and like above, may experience some improvements.
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