Is The Force With You? by  Frank  "TheBarber" Almanza ãTricks of the Trade Inc.

 

IS THE FORCE WITH YOU?

 

                For all you out there that have aspirations of becoming a better player, did you know that there are two ways of playing pool?  That’s right, two ways and we’ll try to analyze them both.      

               

                One way to play is to let our instincts take over and do all the work for us. When we play this way, our best playing abilities are displayed on the table.  You know something like “let the force be with you” and all that stuff. This type of play comes out when we are relaxed and our tempo is at it’s best, thus we wind up deriving a good deal of enjoyment from what we do. The touch for all the shots that require finesse seem to pour out perfect, time after time.  We draw the cue ball looking for two feet and end up within inches of our desired target.  Our follow shots are more precise.  Ball pocketing becomes a breeze, and the wins come easy.  We have the ability to see patterns instantly.  We come up with safeties with the greatest of ease, when they are needed.  We think, man, life doesn’t get any better that this.  What joy if we could play this way all the time.  All of you that have played for any period of time have experienced this a number of times, I’m sure.  Those of you that have, know what I mean. Those of you that haven’t, are in for a treat.

 

                The other way to play is to hard nose everything that we do at the table, by bearing down with heavy concentration on all shots.  We work hard to pocket the balls, and work hard to position the cue ball.  Our tempo is at a much slower pace.  We labor hard to find patterns that have the highest percentages and are less complicated, as far as stroke and position is concerned.  It takes us a bit of time to find the best safeties. With this type of game all of our wins are hard earned.

 

                Which way would you prefer? The first way of course.  Who wouldn’t?  Let’s check it out.  Now the Barber speaks…

 

                First, let me tell you that you will play like you practice. The proper way to practice is to work hard at it.  You should concentrate hard, take your time on all shots.  Study the patterns and safeties to condition your mind to pay attention to all the aspects involved with the shot.  Never attempt a shot without having a plan. Easy winning begins with a solid foundation of hard work.

 

                The truth of the matter is, that there really is only one way to play and it’s a combination of both ways that I illustrated.  Jumping into a match and asking your instincts to take over immediately could turn out to be disastrous.  Hasty decisions or missed shots early in the match may allow your opponent to take control of the match and you may never recover from them.  In my experience, I have found that the instinct game without a solid basis will only sustain itself when you know that your opponents have lesser skills than you do, and they will permit you to make mistakes without punishing you.

 

                Once a worthy opponent puts the pressure on, you’ll find that the first thing to abandon you are your instincts.  When this happens, you’ll realize that what was so easy, now is seemingly impossible.  You’ll want to draw the cue ball two feet and instead you get four feet, or maybe just get three inches, or worse, you wind up with a perfect stop shot.  Finding the angle for the object ball to the pocket becomes difficult.  Even just walking up to the table becomes a chore.

 

                If you want to have fun, then play with your buddies, have a few brews, and slap the balls around the table, as you joke and laugh.  Or better yet, beat up on an opponent that doesn’t have a clue about pool.  Is that fun? Maybe it is, if that’s what you like, but that’s not for me.  It’s ok to socialize a pool game with friends but recognize it for what it is.  When we’re playing serious, this game is not meant to be fun. Our satisfaction comes from performing and executing the way we intended to.  There is a difference between fun and contentment.  Fun can be had whether you win or lose. Contentment can only be had when you win.  I was once asked after winning a big tournament how I felt. I replied that I was mentally exhausted but that if I hadn’t been, then I was doing something wrong.

 

                Start all matches with dedication, concentration, and a slower tempo, as your game starts to show results, your rhythm and confidence will increase.  It’s very important to build your game up to your natural rhythm without trying to rush it.  A good foundation will allow you to build your tempo to what is comfortable.  When you reach your natural rhythm and start to bring out your best, you will not even be aware of it because when one reaches “the zone” nothing else matters.

 

                When your game reaches this plateau in this fashion it is very difficult for an opponent to derail you because of the foundation you game sits on.  If your opponent finds a way to apply pressure, you’ll have a better chance to weather the storm till you get back on beam. Meaning to say, that if you have a slight slip, you have something to grab onto, as oppose to falling straight down.

 

                In summary: we never know from one day to the next what we have until we are asked to step up.  Just because we had a powerful game yesterday doesn’t mean it’s still here today.  We need for it to wake up and come forward on it's own accord.  Start up by being cautious and meticulous until the rhythm finds you and not vise versa.  When this happens, you are ready to win the whole tournament and not just a few matches.  Good luck and good playing.  May the force be with you.