Work ethic is the single most important factor, not only in becoming a good player, but remaining at that level over an extended period of time. And I don’t care if you’re Shane Van Boening, Jayson Shaw or Joshua Filler, once you start taking your talent for granted and start compromising on that work ethic, your game is going to start slipping.
When players get into a comfort zone, they tend to confuse their solid play at the table with having figured out a secret to success that doesn’t exist: Perfection.
At this point, players become just a little more lax with practice and focus. They begin to feel like they can turn their talent on and off like a faucet. Next thing you know, they can’t figure out why they are missing every other shot.
That’s why the top players, like Van Boening, generally participate in every tournament they can attend. That continuous competition forces him to stay focused and hungry, and drives him to continue his rigorous practice regimen. Despite his powerful game, if Van Boening stopped practicing for a month it would be noticeable.
Of course, constant practice and pushing is exhausting, both physically and mentally. That’s why it’s so difficult to stay on top. That same drive your had to reach the top is hard to maintain.
Not surprisingly, fundamentals are key. Even great players can get nonchalant at the table every now and then. And when balls stop dropping, their subconscious mind starts to panic and they start focusing on the outcome of a shot instead of on the techinque. They start jumping up on the shot. They twist their wrist or try to steer the ball. Their grip tightens.
Because the relentlessness of practice can be draining, it’s okay to take some time away from the table. Just understand that you simply won’t be as sharp immediately upon your return.
To that end, I have a drill that helps get my mind and body back into synch. It’s a simple drill whereby I toss 15 balls randomly out on the table. I take ball in hand and start pocketing balls. My focus is on two things: following through on a dead-straight line, and staying down on the shot until every ball has come to a stop.
It should only take a few racks for that groove to come back.
If you come to me and say you’re getting out of stroke, I’ll check your fundamentals. I’ll see if your stroke is timid at all. I’ll ask you about your thought process. When you’re shooting, forget about the outcome and focus solely on technique: Use a loose grip on your cue; follow through on a straight line; and stay down on the shot until the balls stop rolling.