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Aug 30, 2004 :: He's Got Your number, So What?
The Difference between Winning & Losing
I have traveled this journey for over 20 years and I have taken my share of stumbles. Most of the times, it has been the inner game that has caused me to trip and fall.
As time passed by, and my experience grew, I learned how to handle the set backs this game is sure to bring. Now I share this with you in my weekly newsletter.
To teach one at the expense of his experience would make me the worst of masters. All I can do is Point the Way for you.
You must travel on by yourself, but you are not alone.
In my weekly newsletter I focus my articles on you the player, rather than the mechanics of the game. I desire to give you hope, strength and optimism for your future in this game.
One line, one word, one thought may be the difference between winning and losing. My articles are designed to open your eyes to new and exciting concepts in the game of pocket billiards.
How do you handle the one player
who has your number?
Most of us face that one person who gets all the rolls. The fact of the matter is we cannot beat this player. Not only is he lucky, we get the bad rolls. There are times when the opportunity to win is right in front of us and we will do something dumb and lose the game.
I broke and made five balls. I was looking at my starting ball straight in. It was an easy shot. The remaining four balls were hangers.
My nemesis grinned and said in a low tone, “I don’t think” He paused for a moment and continued, “even you can mess this up”.
I hit the ball so soft it rolled up to the pocket and stopped just short. Of course, he gets up and asked, “Would that be ball in hand?”
What is it about the one player we cannot beat? I had a student fly in for a three day lesson. When I asked him what he wanted to get out of this three days, he told me he wanted to beat so and so. I designed my three days with him so he could achieve his desired results.
This is what we worked on;
First, we learned that we must focus on one shot at a time. We needed to see the shot for what it is. In my program I have identified the shots that win games, the kind of shots that come up all the time. In fact, I have an entire series of these shots.
So we learned to recognize them, and we learned exactly how to shoot them. What was most important to understand is that these shots are simply shots. It does not matter what the situation is or who we are playing. Regardless of the outcome, you need to deliver the proper stroke.
The one key ingredient in shooting the shot is to do it with one hundred per cent effort. You must deliver a committed stroke. During the Maine Event I asked my students to recite over and over this mantra.
“See the shot.
Know the stroke.
Shoot the shot.”
It does not matter who you are playing.
As for our nemesis, we must relax and give way to his power over us. Our very resistance gives him strength. When we respond we create problems. If we do not respond we do not have problems. Here is your key to success.
