Don't "Play Down" To Your Opponent - Billiards Mental Training

[@raferb]

Jon, your opponent, is an old teammate of mine, and is a pretty darn good shot. It was bad luck he scratched on the break of the 11th rack. Nice match and commentary!

[@OnTheSnap]

Love playing with Jon!

[@clintd1704]

One thing I changed was to stop taking risks when playing a lesser skilled player. I believe once you get over being nervy, then it’s only about the table. Keeping control and making good decisions. Looking forward to seeing more of your matches.

[@OnTheSnap]

Great perspective. Sometimes it does take and adjustment of that balance between offense and defense. Thanks for the comment!

[@juliomac8497]

This is what I had to realize. Take what's there and feed off their mistakes.

[@tomaszsosnowski9279]

That's a good video to watch for me as a novice player. I would cringe from watching myself play, the tactical blunders, miscues, scratches, bangers. A nice break from watching Mosconi Cup level pool!

[@OnTheSnap]

Thanks for saying so. I wanted to make sure that my channel was a transparent look at amateur pool, not just all my wins.

[@tomaszsosnowski9279]

@@OnTheSnapi am almost done with watching it in it's entirety, and I know I've learned something. Your commentary is a valuable insight into how to play.

[@OnTheSnap]

Thanks so much! You're in the right place 😄

[@millerjt]

11:10 "you never really wanna scratch" - Clearly you don't know my playing style. Scratch all the time, keep em guessing.

[@OnTheSnap]

No one can anticipate my moves. Not even me!

[@SarahShootsPool]

You two are funny 😂 I prefer to safe myself often! Ah the things we do to keep them guessing!

[@ClutchCarson]

Fun to watch.

[@OnTheSnap]

Glad you enjoyed it! More on the way.

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

I can definitely relate, and the key is just like boxing. . .Either take the golden gloves, or the black & blue. It's not a rehearsal.

[@OnTheSnap]

💯. Great way to think about it.

[@pdn]

I always try to play the table, but I've found that the more familiar I am with my opponent, the more likely I am to play down to their level. Definitely something I need to work on.

[@OnTheSnap]

It can really sneak up on you in a match. Is there anything specific that helps you snap out of it?

[@pdn]

@@OnTheSnap just watch the balls. During their turn I just kinda space out and watch the balls roll. Don't anticipate their shots. Everything sorta fades away after that and I go back to just playing the game. Takes practice.

[@OnTheSnap]

Good one. I've noticed that focusing too much on the opponent's face and body can be distracting and not usually helpful. Just pay attention to the game and it helps you home in on the task at hand. Cheers for the discussion!@@pdn

[@patricvursen3314]

that unbelievable Cluster is the afterMath of a second ball hit. A so called defensive break.

[@OnTheSnap]

haha so true! I eventually learned my lesson and switched to the head ball. Some days a certain break just doesn't want to work.

[@haloguy420]

6:50 what rules are these? I didnt see him call the 1 ball yet he keeps shooting. In apa do you not need to call your pocket?

[@OnTheSnap]

Hey, good question. Yeah, in APA as long as you make a good hit on your ball, any of your balls count if they drop and allow you to continue shooting. The only ball you have to call is the 8. People have mixed feelings about it, but for the most part it doesn't do much to change the outcome of a match.

[@tomsorlie4197]

Nice match. 8 ball shot. Hard to say. I'm thinking if you lowered the butt of your cue just a bit, hit just below centre on the cue ball and with a good follow through - you make that ball. I don't think it had anything to do with the side pocket.

[@OnTheSnap]

Good feedback! I'm sure I could have made that ball.

[@brianphillips6713]

so im going to be real. you are your own worst enemy. your really worry about shit that dont matter. like people walking by that shouldnt be a problem. second you are playing the table and yourself. the skill lvl of any one shouldn't matter because every one gets lucky. your trying to play like a pro when your still learning and i know that based off your own commentary. the main thing is you forgot to have fun. thats the reason we as pool players play in the first place. i know the mental part of this game very well an i use that aginst my opponents every time and its only because they let me. when i play i always have fun even with a person who is better, you didnt down play ur opponent you beat yoursef. i dont want to write a book just remember to enjoy pool as it it ment to be and dont turn it in to the stress of a job. have fun getting better you have a good eye for things just dont beat yourself up in the process.

[@OnTheSnap]

Really helpful comment. You're right - I do beat myself at times. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to play like a pro; they're great role models, and I owe a lot to them for the improvements in my game. Love that you brought up having fun. I have a tough relationship with that! It's something I still need to work on. Having fun would help me stay loose.

[@ryan382]

Use inside English when you shot at the second ball it will hit more full because the entry angle is arching into the stack. @on the snap I think if you move the ball in to the first diamond or so into the "break box", you can make the cue ball go forward down to the short rail.

[@OnTheSnap]

Good thoughts. Personally, I don't mess with side spin on the break. Too much can go wrong at that speed. I do like the idea of the curve into the rack, kind of like spinning a bowling ball.

[@hammerlane3871]

Those first 2 breaks are why I will never in my life use the 2nd ball break, it just sucks. Center left, from the end rail, and I pound it as hard as I can. You hit them hard with a good stroke and something is bound to drop

[@OnTheSnap]

There is a lot that can go wrong, that's for sure. I started experimenting with it because in regular league you don't know what kind of rack you're going to get. During a match I'll usually adjust if my break isn't working for me, but this particular day was especially bad.

[@williamsheppard8738]

What is your Fargo

[@OnTheSnap]

Hey there. Interestingly enough, I don't have one yet. I took time off from the game, and in that time Fargo came around. Since I got back to it about a year ago, I have yet to play in Fargo rated events. That being said, I was beating 690+ players during Masters play in Vegas, so conservatively I'd say mid to upper 600s.

[@richardclingempeel6111]

That's what I hated about apa, we call every shot in Napa.

[@OnTheSnap]

I'm with you - not a fan of the slop in APA. They could easily change the rule for Masters league, at the very least.

[@steveellis9026]

Loved NAPA until the room with it in our area closed its doors during COVID. However, I disagree about the importance of the call shot, I am of the opinion that letting "slop" count has very little if any effect on the outcome. Nobody complains about it in 9-ball.

[@OnTheSnap]

Sorry to hear about your poolroom closing. I've been there. Can understand your perspective on called shots/slop. In the long run, it won't matter that much.

[@Thykindomcome]

Opponent Fargo about 530-540?😮

[@OnTheSnap]

Good guess! 430 as of today.

[@OnTheSnap]

Edited because I searched for the wrong person at first.

[@johnhayes6414]

It's not good shooting a ball in the far corner passing a side pocket if you don't need to. You have a chance hitting the side pocket horn.

[@OnTheSnap]

Which shot are you referencing? Can you give a timestamp?

[@johnhayes6414]

37:40 I would have played corner pocket 8 ball same pocket.

[@OnTheSnap]

Oh that shot. I should have gotten shape above the 8 to play it in the top right corner where I was standing in the video at this timestamp. Bringing that side pocket into play caused me to miss for sure. Caught the point.

[@Saikonautic]

you a DnD player?

[@OnTheSnap]

Big-time! I've been playing 5e since it came out. How about you?

[@Saikonautic]

Heck yeah man, dming a campaign in Midgard campaign setting from KP. I'm interested in this AP masters format. what skill level should i be before i attempt it? I'm sl 5 8&9ball right now

[@OnTheSnap]

@@Saikonautic Masters is perfect for you. It's open to any SL, so you can start any time. As a 5, you'll get a lot of experience with different styles and levels of experience.

[@steveellis9026]

I disagree with you on that last 8 up the rail. I watched it several times and I think you under cut it slightly (maybe even cut it away from the intended target), the point of the side pocket had no influence. JMHO.

[@OnTheSnap]

Thanks for the comment! It's definitely possible that it was just an over-cut.

[@dacjeep]

cant watch.... motion sickness

[@OnTheSnap]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully future videos are better.

[@naterussellsr.7982]

Quality was awful and you spoke way too much

[@OnTheSnap]

Well, thanks for taking the time to give feedback. I'm working on improving the quality - still new to using the camera to record my matches.

[@naterussellsr.7982]

@OnTheSnap just being honest man. The camera for this match was in a pretty decent spot for the height you had it. Maybe if the camera was higher, the auto focus wouldn't spaz out as much. Just sayin man... this I the first and only match I've watched from you.

[@OnTheSnap]

No worries, I really do appreciate the feedback!