Kapitola 13 — Duševní vlastnosti hráče

Soustředění, pozorovací schopnosti, trpělivost a trénink – to je ta mentální stránka karomu, která odlišuje šampiony od talentovaných hráčů.

Sebedůvěra

Hráč jakékoli hry musí mít určité vlastnosti a hráč karromu není výjimkou. Pro hráče, který má sebevědomí, není nic obtížné. Takový hráč se pak učí snadno. Jakmile však ztratí sebevědomí, i ten nejjednodušší úkol se pro něj stane obtížným. Hráč karromu, který sedí u stolu s sebevědomím, dokáže snadno zvládnout i obtížné tahy a předvídat průběh hry od začátku až do konce. Sebedůvěru si člověk buduje neustálým tréninkem, plným využitím úchopu a naprostým oddaním hře.

Níže uvedu několik příkladů, kdy hráči, kteří si věřili, podali skvělý výkon.

V jednom z otevřených semifinálových zápasů karomové dvouhry, které pořádal sportovní klub Jaihind v Bombaji, postoupili do finále Apparao z Andhra Pradesh a Ramesh Chitty z Bombaje. Vítěz finále měl získat zlatou medaili. Apparao již dosáhl hattricku, když vyhrál národní mistrovství v předchozích třech letech, zatímco Ramesh Chitty měl na kontě vítězství ve všech soutěžích o zlatou medaili. Zápas začal a Apparao snadno vyhrál první partii. Ramesh však vyrovnal skóre vítězstvím ve druhé partii. Po druhé partii, a

Následovala obvyklá desetiminutová přestávka. Zatímco si dávali čaj, Ramesh s naprostou jistotou řekl mému bratrovi, že třetí partii vyhraje, i kdyby se Apparao ujal vedení. Diváci si partii užívali a netrpělivě čekali, až Ramesh zvítězí. K jejich naprostému zklamání však Apparao předvedl vynikající formu a dosáhl skóre 27; partie byla proto jednostranná a zcela ve prospěch Apparaa. V tomto okamžiku Ramesh, posílen svou sebedůvěrou, zahájil svou skutečnou hru a ohromil nejen své příznivce, ale i soupeře Apparaa.

Ramesh vyrovnal skóre na 27:27. Diváci propukli v jásot a Ramesh zvítězil na poslední šachovnici, čímž si zajistil vítězství v partii i v celém zápase. Všichni mu srdečně gratulovali.

V dalším zápase, který se odehrál ve Vanamali Hall (Bombaj), proti sobě nastoupili Suhas Kambli a Azimuddin Shaikh. Ve třetí hře se Suhas ujal vedení a měl 27 bodů proti Azimuddinovým 16. Na poslední desce měl Suhas zahájit hru. Desku otevřel klasicky tím, že si do kapsy uložil svou první minci. Viděl, že jeho další mince je blízko kapsy. Poté všechny své mince přetáhl na svou stranu. Za těchto okolností předvedl Azimuddin spektakulární hru, která neměla obdoby. Nedovolil, aby se striker dostala do rukou soupeře. Jediným tahem sebral všech devět mincí pomocí Queen a zápas vyhrál s 13 body.

In the National Championship competition in 1970, a match played at Madras between Suhas Kambli of Bombay and Satyanarayan Dilli of Madras again brought out the great determination and self-confidence in both the players. In the final Suhas took the first game easily. In second game too, he led 28-6. The spectators were thus watching a one sided game, but here, Dilli stopped Suhas and leveled the game 28 all. He played superbly in the last board to win the game, In the third and final game the position was just the reverse. Dilli was encouraged by his supporters and he took the lead 28-6. The spectators were thinking that Suhas was finished as he lost the second game. Suhas was however fully confident and gracefully he leveled the score 28 all. The spectators were watching with delight and Suhas forced his win by winning the final board and the match.

Concentration

If we read a book with concentration we remember most of what we read. Similarly if we concentrate in on carrom, we are able to observe the changing position of the coins and we can thus rearrange and manipulate our game.

Concentration of mind can help us to fix a point on our coin where we have to strike for pocketing it. If a player does not look outside and concentrate on the board only, his eye sight gets set and in the process he gains confidence.

Observation

Players never think of observing the game. They can learn only by observation. One can learn and improve if one’s observation is keen. An opponent can also be judged by observation of his game and his deficiencies can be best exploited to our benefit.

In an International First test against Sri Lanka I was playing against Fernando. I lost first game. I was observing Fernando’s game keenly and I noticed that Fernando was making maximum use of brush and glance. While playing the second game, I played in such a way that Fernando could not get opportunities to use his weapons. He then lost his confidence and yielded second and the 3rd game in my favour.

In Bombay I met an opponent whose game on his right was weak. He was playing well on his left side. I therefore played in such a way that his maximum coins were brought to his right side. Even I shifted my placement of striker to right for the break.

Improper observation or no observation also results in misguiding the strokes; e.g. if there is some powder near the coin the player does not notice it. He plays as usual and finds his coin not reaching the pocket.

In a match Played at Nagpada Neighborhood House, Ramesh chitty was playing against kadir khan in the quarter finals, Kadirkhan’s last coin was near the front pocket. Kadir, however, failed to observe a lump of powder near the border. He had to only pocket that coin to win the match. The way in which Kadir gripped the striker, Ramesh being a seasoned player understood that Kadir would make a double due. Kadir really did so, and lost the match because of his failure in making a proper observation.

Never Have Over-Confidence

However, confident a player may be, he should never be over confident. Generally a player becomes over confident when he takes a formidable lead. I shall now quote an instance of players losing the match because of over confidence.

In the state level final, doubles match played between Ippakkayal and Kairamkonda of Bombay Amateurs club and Suhas Kambli and Devji Sumra, a well-known pair in Bombay, the latter pair won the first game easily in just three boards. In the second game also they reached again in 3 boards and were just one point short of winning the game and the match, Kambli and Sumra then became over confident and Started playing with at most ease trying to pocket easy coin by exhibition strokes. The amateur pair, however played cautiously and won the second game thus making Kambli and Sumra lose their confidence in the third game. They lost their control on the striker and lost the third game and the match only because of their overconfidence.

ln one such match played at state level Suhas Kambli underestimated the performs of Sumra although Sumra was playing extremely well in that tournament. In the quarter final match played between Ramesh and Sumra, Ramesh lost and admitted that, despite the best ever game played by him Sumra exhibited excellent form to defeat him. Ramesh, therefore, advised Mohamed Tahir to play a watchful semifinal game against Sumra. Tahir also replied that with a proper defense, he would play against Sumra and he was over confident that Sumra would not be in a position to win against him. However, in that match, Sumra showed superb form and Tahir was taken aback. Sumra easily won the match against Tahir despite of the good defense by the latter. In the final, Sumra was to play against Suhas Kambli, the other players advised Suhas to be watchful as Sumra was initiating the break with a fine display. Suhas was overconfident and said that he too could make a good break and could also put up a solid defense. However Sumra, from the beginning dominated the game and before Suhas could put up any resistance, Sumra won both the games in just 25 minutes; Suhas could gather just five points in one game and could not get a single point in the other game. Tahir and Suhas thus lost to Sumra, because of their overconfidence.

I also fell to overconfidence once at Madras. Suhas Kambli and I reached the singles final by defeating Satyanarayan Dilli and Lazar respectively. I took the first game. The thought struck me that Suhas had rarely faced any defeat at the hands of any player from outside Bombay and I thought of defeating him. I became slack as I had won the first game. Suhas however played correctly and I then had to accept the worst ever defeat as a carrom player. I lost the second and third game 29-0, 29-O. This is the fate of an over confident player and was a lesson for an over confident player and was a lesson for me.

Stability or Patience

A player should not lose his temper at any cost. Even if an opponent is left with the last coin to win the board, the game or the match one should not accept defeat till the coin is actually pocketed by his opponent. I have seen a few players accepting defeat at this stage and conceding the match. This is absolutely incorrect.

In Nagpur, in a quarter final match played between me and Stephenson of Coimbatore, we both won the first and second games respectively. In third game, we had a neck to neck fight. Stephenson was 28 while I was on 27.

Stephenson practically cleared the board and ultimately, only one of his coin was on the board, that too at distance of just 1" away from the right hand pocket. My defeat was imminent. I could have accepted defeat and left but I quietly remained in my seat. Stephenson because of his over confidence arranged his stroke wrongly and instead of pocketing the coin easily, made a double due. I placed both his coin in the outer circle and he could not pocket any of them. Ultimately I cleared all my five coin to win the game and the match.

In Madras, I had to play against Apparao in semi-finals. Apparao, as stated earlier, had a record of a hat trick in the National Championship. We both took one game each. I was playing a wonderful game and the spectators were also full of praise for me. I, therefore, played an offensive game and made 27 points against only 2 by Apparao. Despite the situation, Apparao was very calm. Slowly and steadily, he started reducing the gap and won the third game and the match. I am sure he could do it only because he was patient throughout.

I had seen a superb combination of confidence and patience in the game of Ahmed Ansari of Bombay. I played a match against him in the Nagpada Neighborhood House tournament at Bombay. We both pocketed one game each and in the third game, I increased my lead to 27 Nil.

Thereafter, Ansari played a wonderful game. He opened the board and cleared it in one spell, thus made 14 points. In the board played subsequently, I got one point and my score reached 28. He again opened the Board and gave a repeat display to make 14 points and leveled my score 28 all. The spectators gave him loud applause. In the board, although I had a break, he got the point and won the match. This was the only example in the history of carrom that where a player played two consecutive break to finish games. The record was equaled by v. Lazar of Tamilnadu in the Madras Nationals against Kadirkhan of Bombay but he lost the match. He had made white slam in the last board of first game and first board of the second game.

Never Underestimate the Opponents

Never underestimate your opponent. I had once committed this blunder in the Kurla Sports club open competition. I was playing against a boy Balu Iyer. As Balu was a regular player of Kurla sports club, I was well acquainted with his game. It was the first round of the match. I had decided that I would make an attempt to pocket all the coin in one spell. I started my attempt from the very first board but I could not achieve what I had intended to. In the second game, I started with the intention of getting a full board but as I could not get it. I allowed Balu to win the board. He thus won the second game. I thought that I would certainly get a break to finish in the third game. However, the third game started in such a manner that my coin became implicated and I lost all my concentration. Balu made full use of the situation and took the lead 23-0. As it was the first round, 8 boards limitation rule was applicable to it. Only 3 boards were to be played and it was obligatory on me to take the game in remaining three boards only. Realising the situation, I changed my game and then only the situation turned favourable for me. I could reach 29 in these 3 boards to snatch the match. Ultimately I won the tournament.

But I could not forget the first round in which I was about to be thrown out only because I underestimated the opponent.

Another experience I had in the Bandra Open Carrom Competition. During these days Abdul Jabbar had created a sensation in Carrom competitions. He was to play against Devji Sumra. Sumra was very junior and to reach the board comfortably, he had to take support of a couple of pillows on the chair. Jabbar was therefore least worried and was playing an irresponsible game. However, before Jabbar could visualize the situation, Sumra pocketed the first game in just four boards and within hardly seven minutes. Jabbar immediately came to his senses and understanding the situation played cautiously. He won the second and third game by virtue of his experience and using all the tactics that he had. Jabbar had to fight hard to win that match had he continued to underestimate Sumra he would have been defeated. A few years after, the same pair fought again at Vanmali Hall, Dadar. It was an unforgettable match. Both played extremely well in the first game to score 28 all. The last board was to be opened by Jabbar and taking advantage of the position, he pocketed all the coin with the Queen to win the game. He repeated a similar feat in the second game to win the match. When the score was 28 each again. Thus Jabbar made break to finish in the last board of each game. (a record).

An Open Mind

A few players after playing well start thinking that they are the champions and now there is nothing left to learn. They conveniently forget that knowledge is a vast ocean and whatever we learn is only a microscopic part of it. Every player should always bear in mind that he has to learn more and more. No sooner do these players complete their scheduled matches then they leave the hall and do not take interest in watching the game of others. They never wish to learn from others. Every stroke on the board changes the position of coin on the board and under such odds how others play and what they achieve is worth watching. We can only learn from such experiences. A wonderful stroke, cut or glance played by a player can make us think of using it in our game, provided we give due attention to the game of the others. A player should have creative mind. He should always be in search of new strokes or combinations of different strokes.

Practice

Practice is a necessity for any game. It can be had by various ways and means. One can have it alone by attempting various strokes, cuts and glances himself. A few players play with comparatively less skilled players. They naturally dominate in such a practice but this method is of no benefit in the long run. As far as possible, one should practice with a better player or at least with a player of one’s own standard. One should practice with players having different styles in order to get in touch with a qualitative game. If we play with same players again and again our game becomes stereotype and monotonous. For continuous practice, one should have patience and concentration. The combination of these qualities is admirable in case of five times National champion Suhas Kambli. He spends hours together practicing all alone. In 1959, Suhas and I were selected to play in the Junior National Championship to be played at Hyderabad. During those days, the National competitions were played an 32"x32" boards. We were accustomed to play on board having dimensions of 29"x29". All the players in Bombay therefore had to practice on a board of 32"x 32" and one such board was made available to us at Ghalib Club Bombay. I used to go and practice in the club. To my surprise, I never met Suhas in the club as he was busy ‘kite flying’. I think, God has gifted this player amply since he is expert in all sorts of games. Once he visited Galib Club and played against me. Prior to that, I had no opportunity to witness his game. Suhas naturally lost against me in just 3 boards and without a single point against his name. He took this defeat so badly that thereafter, he practiced on that board for 36 continuous hours without even food or drink. He is a unique example of such concentration. He then entered the competition to become a sensation at Hyderabad. Of course, it is up to every individual player as to how long and in what way the practice should be had. It all depends on one’s grip. I have a different method. I never practice on the day I have to play a match. I sit at the carrom table with as earnest desire to play since I have deprived myself of this pleasure throughout the day. I think that is why I can put up a very good show. In case, I have to play daily in some competition, my game on the earlier day is my practice. I do not practice in between my two matches. Of course, my grip is simple and my heart and soul in the game is my might. Carrom has therefore never interrupted my routine. In one of the National competitions I met Suhas Kambli in quarterfinals. The match was in the evening and as per my routine, I did not touch carrom during the day. As against that, Suhas was practicing throughout. The official of the Association asked me to have a bit of practice. He was wondering whether I had come for play or rest. I turned a deaf ear and was eagerly waiting for the evening to come. Because of my earnest desire to play, I gave an excellent performance. In the first game, although Suhas never allowed me to pocket the Queen even once, I won the first game. The second game was also easily taken by me to win that match. However, I strongly feel that a player should be in a position to play for longer durations. In National competitions, about five matches are required to be played daily and the player has to play continuously for 10 to 12 hours a day. Ramesh Chitty, a stalwart in Bombay needs less practice but he is unable to play for hours together. As a result of this, while he dominated local tournaments he had to accept defeat at the hands of unseeded players in the National Championships. A few players practice on ‘Bulldog Carrom board’. The frames of such boards are broader as compared to ‘Champion Boards’, Players practicing with bulldog boards find it difficult to play on a champion board which is used for the matches. The players practice on Bulldog board which has broad border than champion board and therefore their grip changes. This change is so minor that an amateur may not even be aware of it. Ultimately, when they lose the match, they blame the atmosphere in the hall. Their persistent defeat sometimes disheartens them in competitions.

Some players deliberately prepare boards with smaller pockets. This is done with a view to augment the accuracy of the game. The player practicing on such a board has to pocket his coin in a straight line only as the pockets are just sufficient to accept the coin. Ultimately, the player is not accustomed to use such strokes which are otherwise needed. It is not true that he who pockets coin in straight line is a champion. There are several players who are able to use correct straight strokes. They are unable to win the championship as they fail to use other possibilities. Some players practice in commercially organized clubs. In these clubs, the loser is required to pay some amount to the club owner. The owner is in his turn provides materials like carrom board, coins, striker, powder, electrical fittings etc., pays rents for the place, and keeps the balance as his profit. In such clubs, a player tries to play against an inferior player in order to avoid payment of fees. Gradually the weak players gain the advantage of improving their game. some of us feel that, in a way, it is proper to play in clubs, as the player tries his best in order to not to part with his money. I, however do not concur with this idealism. I feel that these players pray with defensive tactics. While playing bet games and money making becomes one of their aims. They are constantly under pressure not to lose, they ultimately become victims of shivering, trembling losing their grip, not positioning, reeling backward and so on because of fear and panic. This is the end of their game. Some who still survive cannot maintain their form. Some spectators take bidding in favour of certain players. As the player has nothing to lose in it, he plays dashing game but ultimately, he too gets frustrated when a major share of his win is swallowed by the bidder. Finally he tries to bet independently. As money making becomes his business, he never participates in competitions and is not able to win the favours of the spectators who are real admirers of the game.