Shelly Barnes is the House Pro at Corner Pocket in Albuquerque, NM, a BCA-Certified Instructor, and a WPBA Touring Professional. Shelly's past columns are archived here. Visit Shelly's Website at http://www.flash.net/~shelly5/
	KARMA By Shelly Barnes Everyone has a rhythm, whether it is for pool, cards, jogging, etc. Competitors tend to perform better when they stay in their own rhythm. Blackjack players have a rhythm of play and many believe in a rhythm of the cards, especially when playing from a six-deck shoe. Joggers and runners have a rhythm and when interrupted by obstacles or traffic, it affects their whole routine. Pool players have a rhythm and when two players have a similar tempo, the entire match is usually quick-paced, competitive and high quality. The flow is smooth and both players are comfortable in their game. When they do not, it is a battle for control of rhythm and tempo. Some players play more safeties, take bathroom breaks, or slow down their game in an effort to break an opponent's rhythm. I do not believe in trying to win this way, and while in it isn't always the case, you will probably run into players like this sometime in pool playing career. Preparation is the key for this situation and there are many ways to handle it. Thinking of a song with a good beat, squeezing a sandbag, concentrating on your breathing, or watching someone with a rhythm similar to your own are all good ideas. Just as important as rhythm is positive energy. It sounds simple and optimistic, "be positive" but there is more to it than that. If a player is having a bad day or has lost her tempo, she sometimes slips into negative thinking. She expects the worst, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Once her energy becomes "negative," it can be grabbed up by her opponent and used to his advantage. This energy is used for focus and concentration, which is needed even more when things aren't going your way. It takes a lot of mental energy to concentrate and focus on each and every ball for a match. It becomes even harder as the day progresses and stamina is tested. Of course, we all have those times when playing seems effortless, better known as "being in the zone." These times are pure utopia when they happen but are few and far between. You need to be ready for those "not so easy" times. Just as a player can lose his tempo and become negative so can a player who is on the receiving end of unfortunate rolls. Everyone gets lucky and unlucky in our life and the fraction of time we spend on a pool table should not be the only measurement. It can be frustrating and disappointing because you are playing in the moment, or a particular match/tournament is extremely important to you. However, if you let yourself get too upset, you lose energy and when an opportunity presents itself (and those unlucky roles turn lucky), you may not have enough strength to take advantage of it. Precious energy thrown from your "aura" or "self" becomes a valuable asset to your opponent. Just as you can lose your energy, you can gather energy from an upset opponent. Most people tend to play their best when they have achieved inner quiet, are relaxed, have a positive attitude and a good rhythm. There are those exceptions who play better when they are angry. I have met a few and they have found a way to channel their animosity into their game. It is up to you to figure out when your best game comes out but if you are thinking about strangling your opponent, it is not likely that you are focusing your energy and concentration on your game. If you have any questions, stop by the Corner Pocket and say hello. In the meantime, life is too short to be miserable. "Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." "Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is like expecting a bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." (Just a reality check!) Keep shooting and have fun!   All copyrights are owned by Shelly Barnes. No duplication is allowed without her permission.