3 minute read
SPM Billiards Magazine 50
FIGHTING OFF A SLUMP POOL SCHOOL IS OPENBy Steve Jennings
Anyone who competes in any sport on a regular basis is bound to find themselves in the dreaded slump from time to time. A slump is a point when nothing seems to work like it’s supposed to work. It’s hard to pinpoint when a slump will hit, what causes it, and most importantly, how to make it end. It doesn’t matter if you are a strong player or an average amateur; sooner or later, you find the wheels falling off for seemingly no reason, and the harder you work to get out of it, the worse it seems to get.
Slumps are largely a mental issue that can show itself in your physical game. They are like the monster under the bed that sneaks up on you when you’re least prepared. We don’t really know why it showed up, we’re not sure how long it’s going to stick around, and we’re not sure how to fight it off. And even worse, the harder we fight it, the stronger it seems to get.
Slumps can appear for various reasons and can be extremely frustrating. They can steal your selfconfidence, make you question every decision, and degrade your performance.
So, what should we do to combat the problem? Well, it may be surprising to learn that even professional instructors don’t have all the answers. But we do know how to find them. I contacted some sports psychologists to learn what I could on the subject and found some things we could do to get out of a slump. One recommendation was to simply slow down our shooting process. By taking an extra moment to just step back and evaluate our options, we allow our mind to organize our thoughts and assess our options. While frequently our first instinct is the correct choice, weighing our options may let us see a better solution for the immediate situation.
Sometimes, more experienced players have a tendency to overthink or complicate things. Over time, we learn that we can sometimes dig ourselves out of a hole by taking somewhat extreme steps. Overuse of spin or too much speed can make performing a shot more difficult. Getting perfect shape doesn’t do any good if our object ball doesn’t drop into the pocket. Making the shot with a reasonable chance at the next shot is much better than heading to your chair. Simplify your game as much as you can. That’s always good advice, even when you’re on top of your game.
Get back to the basics. Focus your energy on what makes your game work best. Have your shooting routines slipped away? Are your stroke mechanics preventing you from accurately delivering the cue ball to your intended target? Is your stance preventing your body from properly aligning with your shot? These are the things we need to maintain for peak performance.
These are simple steps we can all take to get back on track when your game falters. Thinking you can power through the situation can ultimately prolong your recovery. The biggest roadblock in your recovery is self-doubt. You will likely find your game coming back to you by simplifying things. And as it does, your self-confidence will return, and that slump will become a distant memory.
Until next time
Steve Jennings
ACS/SPF/PBIA Master Instructor
