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Nov 01, 2004 :: Trust Your Coach
Taking Notes
(a side note from Samm's Side Pocket)
Two years ago, I decided it was time for me to take my game to the “next level.” This was a year before I would meet The Monk and 18 months before winning any national title. It was at this time that I decided pool was more than just a hobby for me; it was my life. Once I realized and embraced my passion for this game, I knew I had to do something about it. What I am about to share with you is the first of many steps I took (and am still taking) along the way.
One day, I returned home after a bad night at league. I was wearing this itchy turtle neck and felt incredibly uncomfortable all night. I was so preoccupied with being hot and itchy when I was at the table that I could not make a ball. I mentioned this experience to a good friend of mine and he suggested I begin using a log to note these things. What a brilliant idea!
I purchased a small 6” x 9” notebook which I kept with me at all times. The cover was even made of a furry leopard print that matched my pool case. ‘I never left home without it.’
Using this log, I tracked everything. I noted what I was wearing, to the details of my matches, to what kind of day I had, to how I felt after a match. I even wrote down things I ate that day that may not have agreed with me.
Without even realizing it, in writing these things down I was doing the “measure your progress” element that The Monk refers to in his teachings. Every week, I would go back and review things I had written. I began noticing patterns and learning a lot about myself. I learned that I didn’t play well in long-sleeved shirts (especially turtlenecks) and that I needed to work on my reverse cut shots.
Those were only a couple of the many things I would discover. I also began noticing that I was tracking the same information every time. Since I was using a blank notebook, I always had a new canvas to convey my thoughts. I was writing different events/thoughts about the same things every night.
In March, when I began Samm’s Side Pocket, I took everything I had written and created a user-friendly Game Log to share with other players like me. This log is better than the makeshift log I was keeping. I created a template to track all the important things from each match (opponents, winnings, feelings, and things to practice). It comes with blank table diagrams and notes pages. I also included some of The Monk’s drills from The Lesson in the back of the log.
This log was put together from my heart and I am happy to be able to share this product with my fellow players. I am even more thrilled to meet others who seek the same resources on this wonderful pursuit to mastering the art of pocket billiards. If you are interested in ordering a Game Log, please send an email to samm@sammspocket.com and mention this article to receive a special gift with your order.
