There are players who consider themselves more aggressive, more offensive than the average. There are players that consider themselves more defensive, less aggressive than the average. We even have names for styles like "Chicago" style (I guess to most that means a squeezer, a grinder, etc.) I'm not sure what to call the opposite style, perhaps a "Momentum" or "Aggressive Shooting" style. Each has his own reasons and rational.
So, when these guys meet on the 9' green felt battlefield in a match that is considered to be even as to outcome, which has the greater influence on the others game, and how so?[/QUOTE
Lock down tight moving/trapping is intimidating, but then so is 8 and out...
Intimidation in any form leads to errors, ( forced and unforced ) and whoever makes the most errors always loses in the end...
What looks good on paper ain't necessarily how it plays out on the table...
I watched a match the other day where a guy who plays a very strong defensive game was getting 11/6 from a player who moves about the same... Both play solid defense, very close on paper... You would think the player getting the spot would have a decent game... Not so... His opponent runs balls better and banks much better... This intimidates the player getting the big spot into making more errors, forced and unforced, thus losing the match 6/1..
Can this be done to the more aggressive player... (Moi) You damn tootin...
Jerry Matchin and Tom Wirth are two players who I am familiar with, who's styles intimidate me... They are trappers, ( good shooters also ) who are constantly moving their soldiers into favorable positions, while hiding the CB...
It's not a cinch they would beat me in a short race, but they are definitely the favorites because they force me into making errors.. I don't know the game well enough to guard against these traps, so I'm automatically intimidated...
Learning a more balanced game would stop some of this intimidation, but it just takes time and a good mind... Pretty sure I don't have either...