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Lessons
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Private Lessons
Want to improve your game? If you need to get ready for a
big tournament, improve your play for league night, or even if you
just completed your game room and you just want the basics, lessons
are offered for any age or skill level!
Owner and in-house instructor, Dan Mulhollen, has 35 years
experience and can improve your game - no matter what kevel of play
you are currently at.
Dan can instruct on a one-on-one basis, group/team lesson, or
offer a complete clinic. Lessons can be done here at Mully's,
at your favorite club or tavern, or in the privacy of your own home.
He can also show you some amazing trick shots that are sure to
impress your friends!
Call or email us for
complete details!
Free Online Quarterly Lesson
Below you'll find great tips to spruce up your game, learn new shots
and tricks, and just all around learn more about the game. You
can even search archived lessons from the past!
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Lesson of the
Quarter -- January, 2007 |
The Big Match
Many of our customers, tournament players, and league players tell me about blowing a game or a match with the 'Big Gun'. I can speak about this through experience and from being down that same road. Even though there is no replacement for playing tough players week after week, here are some suggestions for us working stiffs that have to work for a living and can't spend hours upon hours to practice every day.
First and foremost, you must remember that A bad day at a hobby or sport that you enjoy is better than a good day at work! This mind set alone will help your attitude and demeanor around the table. You must tell yourself before a match that great players make mistakes and get lucky or unlucky just like everyone else. The important part is knowing how to handle these situations when they arise. Before and during a match, sit very straight in your chair, shoulders back and good posture. This will help your breathing and oxygen intake when the butterflies start setting in. Remember: a little bit of nervousness is natural and ok. Slight nerves will keep you sharp and intense.
When it is your turn at the table, block out of your mind how the balls got to the position they are currently in. Your opponent running the last 2 racks or missing an easy shot and getting lucky to leave you snookered has nothing to do with the next shot at hand. Block the score out of your mind and who you are playing. If your opponent is in the chair, he or she can do nothing to affect the shot you are about to take.
If you trust the things you do and practice and prepare, you will exude a confidence at the table. If something happens during the match that could be considered 'bad luck', DO NOT SHOW ANY EMOTION OR SAY ANYTHING. Remember the phrase 'Never let them see you sweat'... that should be your motto during the match. Your opponent is watching your every reaction both at the table and sitting down. An even keel of emotions, not too high, not too low, will be a positive for you and just might be a negative for your opponent. Disgust or outburst from an opponent will only fuel a good players confidence. When a great players sees another player get an unlucky roll or miss an easy shot and that player keeps their cool, they know that they are in for a tough match. Remember, your opponent is experiencing all of the same emotions that you are feeling.... it's who handles them the best that really matters.
The most important suggestion I have is this - BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE. Most people tend to hold their breath over every shot then catch up on breathing as they are walking around the table.. This is the biggest downfall of a good player. They can't execute normally during crunch time or with tough players. The more nervous you get, the more oxygen you need, which in turn calls for good breathing habits. Low oxygen intake will make you concentrate less, be less smooth, and also be less rhythmic. If you watch a great basketball player, bowler, golfer, pitcher.... before every critical shot or pitch, you will see them exhale, exhale, exhale then shoot.
So the next time you practice, concentrate on breathing at all times, during the shot and while you are walking around the table.
All of these pointers will help you take your mind off of the circumstances of the match and allow you to do what you do best, have fun playing pool!
P.S. - CONCENTRATION - is the ability to think of nothing, put everything on cruise control and let the chips fall where they may!
Signed,
Mully
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