Many instructors and coaches working with billiards students at any level insist you need to be prepared to crush your opponent, annihilating him or her, completely and totally.
Maybe it gets that way when there is $100,000+ on the line, but in the world of casual players who are still overjoyed with four-five ball runs, this type of chalk talk may be pretty much “over-the-top”.
Some of the most powerful driving forces behind successful billiards players have nothing to do with skill sets, affirmations, the Inner Game or an attenuated desire to win. Very often it is just a desire to "get even"--a desire to win big and rub it in someone's nose.
But to imagine that kind of thinking dominates in pool halls across the country shows a remarkable lack of real world experience, typical of truly obsessive pool players.I'm not talking about a mild resentment here; seething bitterness fuels these obsessions or deep-seated emotional stress.
Sounds childish doesn't it.
Switch your focus to the hall of fame athletes in almost any sport--these guys and girls are driven, obsessed with winning and beating their opponent and arch rivals. But it is not to the point of annihilating them. They don’t go into contention bearing a grudge.No matter how good you are, its not fun playing someone who stays up nights figuring out how to clean your clock.
There is a lot to be said about learning from your opponent. You can bet he or she comes to the table with a completely different set of learning experiences. In today’s casual pool settings where you are often playing with close friends, don’t get trapped in the contenders only environment.
There is a lot to be said about learning from your opponent. You can bet he or she comes to the table with a completely different set of learning experiences. In today’s casual pool settings where you are often playing with close friends, don’t get trapped in the contenders only environment.
If you see something in your opponent’s game you don’t understand or can’t easily execute, don’t be afraid to ask.