Being raised makes you worse?

[ZeroTolerance]

I'm not talking about having to win that extra game.

I don't know about anyone else, but I seem to be having a lot more trouble winning a match (I barely even win a game, yeesh) since I got moved to a 4 a few weeks ago. Don't get me wrong, I love the challenge of having to win more games to complete a match. But since I got moved up, my game seems to have fallen to shambles, culminating in a terrible choke job this past week against a fellow 4.

Sometimes I think that maybe I'm overcompensating, trying to shoot "up" to my level. Admittedly I have been far more relaxed when I shot as a 3. Almost like a role reversal; I shoot better and closer to what a 4 should as a 3, but when I play as a 4 it seems I make boneheaded mistakes like I should have been making as a 3. Seems like when I've played as a 4 I feel more pressure than before. The more odd thing is that last time I was a 4, I shot relatively close to my overall win pct (close to 50). This time around it seems like I can't get the job done.

I've seen somewhat similar things happen to other people I've shot with. Anyone here get raised and had this sort of problem?

[scott13]

I know what you're talking about. I started this session as a 4, went 6-0, went up to a 5 and have gone 2-3. In my case, I think it's all mental. Like you said, putting pressure on yourself to shoot "up" to your new handicap. I've floated between a 4 and 5 for a year or so, so I've been here before and know I need to get my head out of my butt!

Don't forget, you're probably shooting a little tougher of opponents now that you've gone up also. Even if you lose to another 4, they could be at the "upper" end of a 4 and you just made it to a 4. There are a lot of things that could factor in.

My advice: Stay strong and keep pluggin' away at it. Everything will balance out sooner or later.

[kmlpag]

It is that way with alot of people. When I went to a 3 from a 2, I couldn't win a game. I went back down to a 2. Ping ponged back and forth until I finally stayed a 3. Same thing happened when I went to a 4. Ping ponged back and forth until I stayed a 4. I've been a 5 a couple of times, and can't win a game. I think it is just a head thing. Next time I go up to a 5, I hope I can stay there! Once you get used to being that number, your game will come back to you!

[dltrunn]

Maybe it is because you are playing better competition? A better shot will make you pay for your mistakes more often then the competition you were playing when you were at a lower handicap.

[Jobu's_empty_shot_glass]

hang in there...as scott13 put it...is the best advise...if you dont already know certain aspects of the game, now is a great time to start practicing them, like safety play! Defensive shots can get you alot farther then trying to run -n- gun. Get those problem balls broke up before you try to run out....and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!

[slanidrac16]

It's probably a confidence thing. Expectations of a 4 is highter than a three and subconciously you are trying to live up to that ranking.

My advice is to make it a positive if for no other reason you get to play more games. Put your oponents ranking out of you mind and play 1 game at a time. Do not think about the final result until it's final.

[DevilDog]

I don't think it makes you worse I just think you feel like you have a slight disadvantage for a while until you get used to playing at your new SL.
I was shooting great this session and was raised to a 5 a few weeks ago, I beat two 6's and then last week a 5 just killed me. I think there is a lot going on between your ears. Like Bobby Jones said of golf, the most difficult thing about tournament golf is the space between your ears. I think the same could be said for league play in pool.

[RJW60548]

Zero,
I feel you are talking about me. This session I have been on a rollercoaster. 4-3-4-3-4-3, I also feel I shoot better as a three taking on a 5 or a 6 is no trouble . But turn me to a four and watch the 2's woomp on me

[cepelinas]

Same problem here. I was doing great as a 4 and now that I've been a 5 the last few sessions, I'd be lucky if I was 40%. And losing to 3's and 4's. I've been a 5 several times but it never really stuck. Glad to know I'm not the only one suffering from "moving-up-itis".

[stevesgirl]

I think everyone goes thru what you are experiencing. Hang in there and it takes time to get used to your new status. Before you know it, you will feel more comfortable with yourself and your game. Key thing is don't over analyze yourself. I've seen you shoot because we shoot out of the same bar and I think you can handle it. Just learn a few more techniques (safties) and you'll do just fine.

P.S. It helps to have better teachers. You only get as good as the people you play with.

[ZeroTolerance]

the funny thing is that I actually play a ton of safeties. I have more problems running out than I do playing a D (I think the reverse is opposite for the majority).

I've seen some great points here (quality of opponents being one) that I never considered.

Right now I'm trying to figure out positioning, and what type of English to use to give myself positioning, helping to up my offensive game.

[champkind whammy]

the funny thing is that I actually play a ton of safeties. I have more problems running out than I do playing a D (I think the reverse is opposite for the majority).

I've seen some great points here (quality of opponents being one) that I never considered.

Right now I'm trying to figure out positioning, and what type of English to use to give myself positioning, helping to up my offensive game.


american southern slang is the choice for me there butnut....

[Jacoby Predator]

Scott13 was dead on, it's mental. Read a book called "The Inner Game of Tennis". One principle the book talks about is how we have 2 selfs and self 1 is always the critic and constantly judging. After recently being raised a level it sounds like you have been keeping tabs on your declining play. Thats your self 1 that's in overdrive trying to figure out what has happened. So long as self 1 is in control you will get the results you are basically tallying before they've happened. Self 2 is your self that shoots without as much thought. I bet you'd agree that when you were shooting better as a SL3 you weren't thinking about what you were doing as much. Think less while you are shooting and watch how fast you shoot better. Best of luck to ya

[Baggin]

...this is a perfect example of the fact that the handicap system WORKS!!!!...Zero is obviously not good enough to be a sl4...so Zero loses and will go back down to a sl3...so for all you edited (people) out there that think once you go up in skill level you shouldn't be allowed to go back down this is a prime example...if a player gets moved up because they had a good run of matches, then once raised can't win, should they be made to suffer at a higher handicap than their skill???...this only leads to discouragement which in turn leads to people quitting the leaque...which maybe is what most of the whiners out there should do...

...no disrespect meant towards you Zero, I just call a spade a spade...even if it's "all in your head" once you are good enough to be a four you will know it and you will be able to win...the fact is that it's not all about how you shoot the stick...the mental part is also a big factor in your handicap, along with every other aspect of the sport...

[ZeroTolerance]

...this is a perfect example of the fact that the handicap system WORKS!!!!...Zero is obviously not good enough to be a sl4...so Zero loses and will go back down to a sl3...so for all you edited (people) out there that think once you go up in skill level you shouldn't be allowed to go back down this is a prime example...if a player gets moved up because they had a good run of matches, then once raised can't win, should they be made to suffer at a higher handicap than their skill???...this only leads to discouragement which in turn leads to people quitting the leaque...which maybe is what most of the whiners out there should do...

...no disrespect meant towards you Zero, I just call a spade a spade...even if it's "all in your head" once you are good enough to be a four you will know it and you will be able to win...the fact is that it's not all about how you shoot the stick...the mental part is also a big factor in your handicap, along with every other aspect of the sport...

None taken. For what it's worth I think I'm good enough to be and stay a 4 (I've won way too much as a 3 to stay as one for a prolonged period), but my play has not reflected that at all. Overthinking is probably one of my Achilles' heels. Underthinking is the other. I guess I just need to "mid-think" :cool: