Pool Update

I've been on a 50/50 streak recently, with a bad record against 4s (5-2 race). However our teams our doing solid so we can still expect to make the play offs.

A conclusion has been reinforced in my mind from my recent losses, and watching some of my teammates games. That is -- when faced with a choice between a tough shot and a safety, err on the side of shooting the safety. :)

While I'm on the subject of pool tips, another one that has helped me this past year is the focus on "delivering a good shot." I compare this to bowling. In bowling you can deliver an otherwise perfect ball and not be rewarded with a strike (leave a 10 pin). Pros sometimes mumble after these occurrences "That's the best I can throw it" or "I threw it good." Once you release the ball, you can't do anything. The best you can do is focus on that delivery. In pool, the same thing can happen - you can get a bad reaction from a rail, cloth conditions can affect speed, and sometimes you hit a nice break-out shot only to be left in a bad position.

If you hit a bad shot because its a bad shot, so be it. You should reflect on it, try to improve, etc. But if you made a good delivery and get a bad result, don't dwell on it - accept the results and feel good about making a good shot. More often than not, having a solid delivery will give you results. And I've found it gives me an extra sense of calmness / confidence when I'm about to shoot knowing I'm going to deliver a good shot regardless of the outcome.