Some nights you simply do not have your best stuff. Unlike the baseball pitcher, who can call in a relief, you must stay out there and do your best. This is the beauty of league play. It's your turn, and it does not matter if you are ready or not. Finding a way to win, without your best stuff, is what makes a top ten player.
When things are going badly, you have not lost everything. It does not mean you are a bad shooter. Do your best and forget about it. Move on. Anguishing over a bad night can send you into a prolonged slump. There are times when you have ball in hand with just four balls on the table and you don't know what to do. The layout is easy, but no solution comes to mind. This is because you have no control over your stroke. Therefore, you do not know where the cue ball is going.
Without this position knowledge, you are hard pressed to anticipate the run-out. You are lost. Do not be alarmed. Do not feel sorry for yourself. You will only compound the problem. Shoot one shot at a time, and if you get into trouble, play a safety. Remember, we should be able to run four balls, but there are times when we cannot.
There are valid reasons why you do not succeed with an easy run-out. Do not beat yourself over the head. When you get into trouble, do not insult yourself and say, "I can't make a shot". Look for a safety and fight until the bitter end. Do not give up. Do not add to your woes. Your game will improve tonight if you understand that you are human and cannot play a perfect game of pool. Pool is for fighters. Nothing comes easy. Take one shot at a time, concentrate on each shot, and only that shot, if you win, that's good, if not, it is not the end of the world.
