Fish On

I played pretty good yesterday,I'm happy with my play.I mean it wasn't great but I learned a few things about myself,and that's what matters the most,that you learn something and walk away with it!For me to say I learned something is not that hard any time I play,it's walking away with it that's tough.Really it's coming back to the table with it that's the hardest!

I played The Fish yesterday!He called me up at the perfect moment to get me out of work.I think,let me put that in capitals for my critics! I THINK we played 4 sets race to 9.The scores I do remember are the ones that count most to me,because I'm getting closer to being competitive in these sets against The Fish.So this is how I remember it,the 1st set I won 9-4,2nd set 9-7 The Fish,3rd set 9-7 The Fish.This is where I'm a little fuzzy in my memory 4th set 9-5 The Fish.

Now I don't like to lose,but I have found that for me,the loses are where I learn the most about my game.I seem to walk away with more when I lose.Don't get me wrong about winning I walk with a lot then also,but if you ask me how I won,I would have a harder time telling you shot by shot,but on my loses I can tell you exactly how I lost!I wish it meant that I could just fix the errors,but it doesn't work like that.The good news is I remember the errors,and have an opportunity to correct them.

In one of my older posts I stated that Mike The Fish just likes to beat me up when we play.Well I stand by that statement!The Fish was not a happy fish during or after the 1st set.I could see it in his face.I don't think he was mad,but he was definitely not happy to lose 9-4.I on the other hand was ecstatic,I was playing real good,and it felt great!I was hoping that I could keep it up for the day,and for the most part I think I did.Even though I only won 1 set,I kept it tight for at least 2 more.The Fish is a very good player so he is supposed to win in long races,and in multiple set sessions,which he did.The weaker player is not supposed to be able to keep up,but I think I kept up very well.

My game is coming back slowly but surely,and I feel it's going to come back stronger than ever.I could really use some time on the table by myself just doing drills,I haven't done any drill work in at least a month,so I need to set some time aside for that.I've really just been playing tough matches against tough players,players that play balls better than my best game.I have always heard that playing the toughest matches you can find is good for your game,but it's not good for your confidence,that I can tell you for sure.My confidence has suffered a lot due to playing these matches,but a win like that puts a lot back!In the long run I think your better off playing a combination of tough matches and matches you know you have a chance of winning,not just 1 set,but complete sessions.In fact I think only playing tough matches could be a detriment to your game!Your confidence could suffer as much as mine did,I was at the point of praying just to make a single ball!That's not good.I'm sort of still at that point,whether I'm confident or praying will depend on my next session,I'll come to the table with the confidence of beating The Fish,but if I can not come out firing I'll be praying before to long.I know that's not the right mindset but that's where I'm at now.Just writing that will help me overcome that hitch in my game!

Tonight is 9 ball APA league night.I've only lost 1 match in league,so you would think it's a confidence booster for me,but it really isn't.And that's because of the format,APA 9 ball is more like straight pool(14.1),you don't have to make a single 9 ball to win your match,it goes by points.So all you really have to do is make sure you take 5 points from every rack(single ball is 1 point 9 ball is worth 2 points).That's how I've been playing in the league,I do just enough to win,no more no less.It's a little bit of a balancing act but I'm managing.So you can see why it's not such a great confidence booster.Now that I wrote that also,maybe it should be,it's not an easy thing to do.You have to be able to clock the other player almost immediately or your in trouble right away,you also must be able to run when you need to run,which is never easy to turn on and off.I have a few tricks I use to facilitate that,but it's not fail proof.For me I have to be in the right mindset to play league,and do well.Fortunately I have been.I only lost the 1 set,and if I remember correctly I didn't lose by much.Last week I had to give weight(a spot/balls/points)and that's the first time I had to,and I did just fine.

So what have I taken away from the game and this blog post aside from carpal tunnel syndrome?I know what I got from both!I hope you guys got something from all this writing,I think you should be able to walk with something.I feel you should be able to learn from some of my mistakes,and it will save you some time with your game.So maybe you'll share it with me and write a comment.
STRETCH