Most likely, if you react negatively, that attitude carries over to your next shot. Have you ever been so angry with what you were facing that it consumed you? Were you so flustered and overwhelmed by the thoughts of “I can’t believe I did that!” or “That sucked!” or “What a crappy roll!”? Believe it or not, those negative feelings can influence the decisions we make and how we execute them.

I remember the days of being an incredibly emotional player. I wore everything on my sleeve. You could tell if I hooked myself or if I got perfect shape. And, you could definitely tell that I was going to miss my next shot by how affected I was from the previous one. I expressed every single feeling towards every single shot. By the end of each match, whether I won or lost, I was completely emotionally depleted. It’s taken me years to gradually overcome this natural response and step towards a new outlook for each shot.

It’s not an easy transition to completely separate yourself from your emotions during a match, but just give it a try and you’ll begin noticing immediate benefits. During this transition, look around. Notice the players in the room that pound their cue into the ground and yell and scream profanities at the balls. How silly do they look? (Nothing personal, if this is you.) What did that change? Now, watch Allison, Thorsten, Karen, and many of the other top pros. Notice their calmness and lack of response, regardless of what shot they face. During competition, this flat affect strengthens their consistency.

Every ounce of negative energy wasted on reacting to something in the past, something that you can not change, drains you. Better yet, redirect that energy and focus on something you can change. You can not change the outcome from the previous shot, but you can change and control what happens next with the actions you take. Why allow yourself to waste all that energy reacting to what your opponent did to you? It still doesn’t change what you need to do. Rather, use that energy to determine which rail to kick at or how to play a nasty safety.

Try this: When you’re hooked or faced with a tough shot, whether you did it to yourself or your opponent left it for you, try to approach the table with a feeling of thankfulness. Be thankful to have a shot. Whether you like it or not, a shot is a chance to win. So, don’t piss and moan about what you left yourself or if you get out of line. Redirect that energy! If your opponent left you that same tough shot, you would be thankful to be at the table again. Appreciate the fact that you’re at the table and make the best of it.

Nobody said it would be easy. In fact, not reacting at all can even affect your opponent. I love it when my opponent gets all bent out of shape and jumps out of their seat because they can’t tell if I have a shot or not. I’m not saying that you can’t be a great player if you show your emotions, but just don’t allow it to consume you.

So, as you’re making out your list of resolutions add this one to it and make it a positive year, every year.

I wish you and your family a Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Samm Diep
House Pro at Table Steaks East in Aurora, Colorado
http://www.pooltipjar.com/