Nostalgia
04-12-2005, 07:31 AM
Just wanted to share a recent observation.
As some of you may recall, I had been having a lot of trouble with my game. My shots were all over the map.
I took a lesson with an APA certified instructor, and he corrected some serious problems with my stroke (elbow sticking out, not staying down on the shot) and opened up my stance a bit.
I've spent the last couple of months practicing fundamentals. On every shot I concentrate on that smooth, straight stroke. I'm doing drills for my problem shots.
The problem was I didn't see any improvement; I'm still getting bumped out of the second round at my local 9-ball tourney. It was frustrating.
I played with an old pool buddy of mine the other night who hasn't seen me play since before my lesson. He remarked more than once that he was amazed at how much better my shotmaking was.
Since then, I'm seeing the types of shots I'm consistently making, and yes, it's 180 degrees from my old game. I'm choosing - and making - shots I was actually afraid to shoot before. It's funny how you can not notice something like that when it happens gradually, then BOOM!, you notice it all at once.
So for those of us who are frustrated with our practice and progress, just a word of encouragement: it'll pay off. Once you realize it has, your confidence will go up, which makes your game better. It's a vicious cycle, in a good way /ccboard/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Joe
As some of you may recall, I had been having a lot of trouble with my game. My shots were all over the map.
I took a lesson with an APA certified instructor, and he corrected some serious problems with my stroke (elbow sticking out, not staying down on the shot) and opened up my stance a bit.
I've spent the last couple of months practicing fundamentals. On every shot I concentrate on that smooth, straight stroke. I'm doing drills for my problem shots.
The problem was I didn't see any improvement; I'm still getting bumped out of the second round at my local 9-ball tourney. It was frustrating.
I played with an old pool buddy of mine the other night who hasn't seen me play since before my lesson. He remarked more than once that he was amazed at how much better my shotmaking was.
Since then, I'm seeing the types of shots I'm consistently making, and yes, it's 180 degrees from my old game. I'm choosing - and making - shots I was actually afraid to shoot before. It's funny how you can not notice something like that when it happens gradually, then BOOM!, you notice it all at once.
So for those of us who are frustrated with our practice and progress, just a word of encouragement: it'll pay off. Once you realize it has, your confidence will go up, which makes your game better. It's a vicious cycle, in a good way /ccboard/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Joe