I'm going to have to apologize for this thread a little because I'm looking for some books regarding the mental aspect of pool. I remember quite a few threads with them mentioned but I searched and couldn't find the darn things. Can someone in the know post the titles of these books? The mental part of my game is the worst part of my game (like putting in golf). I can shoot lights out against a great player that I am comfortable with and then curl up in a ball and screw up easy outs when I play one that I'm not comfortable with or who is in my head. I'm pretty sick of it. Any advice given in the thread is much appreciated as well.
mental game
- Thread starter noRulez
- Start date
Pleasures of Small Motions - Bob Fancher
A Mind For Pool - Phil Capelle
My book Lessons in 9 Ball also has an abundance of information on the mental game also. The link is in my signature, the other books are available through Amazon, and several other websites.
A Mind For Pool - Phil Capelle
My book Lessons in 9 Ball also has an abundance of information on the mental game also. The link is in my signature, the other books are available through Amazon, and several other websites.
noRulez said:
i've got them both, neither book will do much for you or your game. i wont say its a complete waste of time reading one or both, just dont expect great things to happen as a result.
just stay positive........there, thats about all the advice the books will give.
DCP
DrCue'sProtege said:
DCP, you need to understand that you are an exceptionally negative case and you simply do not understand the concepts presented in the books.
NoRulez : IGNORE DCPs ADVICE, IT IS TERRIBLY BIASED DUE TO HIS POOR ATTITIDE
Dave, also recommends The Inner Game of Tennis by Gallwey in addition to the 2 excellent books suggested by BJ
dcp, that's just about the most unhelpful shite post i have ever had the misfortune of seeing on az.
not only is it a load of crap and you are trying to inflict your negativity, laziness, and inability to learn anything new onto other people, but i also feel you are being incredibly disrespectful to the hordes of people who have tried to help you with your sorry game and have recommended those books.
back on topic, those two books are really great. especially pleasures. a real eye opener. and one more book i would recommend is the inner game of tennis. extremely good too.
not only is it a load of crap and you are trying to inflict your negativity, laziness, and inability to learn anything new onto other people, but i also feel you are being incredibly disrespectful to the hordes of people who have tried to help you with your sorry game and have recommended those books.
back on topic, those two books are really great. especially pleasures. a real eye opener. and one more book i would recommend is the inner game of tennis. extremely good too.
I do not like to argue on the forums but I strongly disagree with DCP here. I have read both, most recently POSM, and I took a lot away from both. POSM was what I read getting ready for the Canadian Championship and I went into the events and my matches confident and focued. I would HIGHLY recommend POSM to anyone who is looking to reach the next mental level.
That said, I was fortunate enough to spend a fair bit of time on the phone with Blackjack. Let me tell you he is a great guy and EXTREMELY knowledgeable. His books are guaranteed to be my next investment...when my wife says I can.
I am sure anything Blackjack puts into writing is worth its weight in gold.
The Inner Game of Tennis has been a book I have heard about for years and every person I have spoken to that has read it has had profound effects on their mental aspects to everthing in life, thus that also falls on my short list of future investments...when my wife says I can.
Knowledge is power. Read. Learn. Destroy.
That said, I was fortunate enough to spend a fair bit of time on the phone with Blackjack. Let me tell you he is a great guy and EXTREMELY knowledgeable. His books are guaranteed to be my next investment...when my wife says I can.
I am sure anything Blackjack puts into writing is worth its weight in gold.
The Inner Game of Tennis has been a book I have heard about for years and every person I have spoken to that has read it has had profound effects on their mental aspects to everthing in life, thus that also falls on my short list of future investments...when my wife says I can.
Knowledge is power. Read. Learn. Destroy.
DrCue'sProtege said:
I don't really "expect" anything to happen. I just want to read the book, soak it in and use the knowledge to my advantage. Isn't that what learning is all about? There are no miracle pills out there that you can take and become a great pool player. It takes work and most of us here are willing to put in that work. I'm sorry, but I've read all your threads and never said anything. You're way too negative about everything. Chill out and enjoy the game my friend.
PoolSponge said:The Inner Game of Tennis has been a book I have heard about for years and every person I have spoken to that has read it has had profound effects on their mental aspects to everthing in life, thus that also falls on my short list of future investments...when my wife says I can.
This is the only book you need. I'm not saying all good players have read this book but it appears all that have read this book are good players. It's so simple, so direct. You can read it in an afternoon and you'll never forget it.
While all of the books mentioned are worth the time and effort I would also recommend an older book.
Loehr, James, E. (1982) Mental Toughness Training For Sports. ISBN 0-8289-0574-6.
I understand that some of the newer vesions may not be as good, though I have not seen them.
Loehr develops the AET model with specific directions for improving level of confidence and competence. Of all the texts discussed I think that Loehr provides the best specific directions for self improvement. It is for the serious player in any of several sports with good insight and application to playing pool.
Loehr, James, E. (1982) Mental Toughness Training For Sports. ISBN 0-8289-0574-6.
I understand that some of the newer vesions may not be as good, though I have not seen them.
Loehr develops the AET model with specific directions for improving level of confidence and competence. Of all the texts discussed I think that Loehr provides the best specific directions for self improvement. It is for the serious player in any of several sports with good insight and application to playing pool.
I just read "The One Minute Guide to Playing Better Pool" by Patrick Scott Smith MA.
This is a concise and to the point book that covers some of the major areas of the mental game without being to in depth. I think it was worth the price and is not a long read. This book does not cover any of the other fundamentals needed such as stance or stroke or shot selection it is strictly on the mindset primarily concentration.
I think I will be looking for a copy of the Mental Toughness Training For Sports as suggested by JoeW
Edit: JoeW I just found the Mental Toughness book online I will let you know what I think when it it arrives.
This is a concise and to the point book that covers some of the major areas of the mental game without being to in depth. I think it was worth the price and is not a long read. This book does not cover any of the other fundamentals needed such as stance or stroke or shot selection it is strictly on the mindset primarily concentration.
I think I will be looking for a copy of the Mental Toughness Training For Sports as suggested by JoeW
Edit: JoeW I just found the Mental Toughness book online I will let you know what I think when it it arrives.
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JoeW said:
I agree - the older version of Mental Toughness Training For Sports was better than the newer version - and it really helped my game. I also read the Inner Game of Tennis, and although I related to what it said, it didn't help me that much. I really want to read POSM sometime soon.
Melinda
I've read most of the books mentioned, and while I haven't seen or heard of Dr. Joe's recommendation 'Mental Toughness Training For Sports' , I'm sure that it has a lot of value as well. I just want to make this comment.
As someone who has felt at various times that he has had a lot of problems with the mental game, I've reached the conclusion that there is no substitute for confidence and positive thinking. The best way to get in the zone is to shoot one shot with total confidence in the outcome, and then to string it into 2 and then 3 and then a rack, and more racks and so on. Yeah, but how do we achieve that you ask ? When we achieve our goals in perfect practice we memorize the route back to the area for later competition. The more confidence that we've gained during meaningful practice of everything from the fundamentals to runout patterns are later brought to the table in competition. For me, there's no other way. Significant wins result from hard work...Tom
As someone who has felt at various times that he has had a lot of problems with the mental game, I've reached the conclusion that there is no substitute for confidence and positive thinking. The best way to get in the zone is to shoot one shot with total confidence in the outcome, and then to string it into 2 and then 3 and then a rack, and more racks and so on. Yeah, but how do we achieve that you ask ? When we achieve our goals in perfect practice we memorize the route back to the area for later competition. The more confidence that we've gained during meaningful practice of everything from the fundamentals to runout patterns are later brought to the table in competition. For me, there's no other way. Significant wins result from hard work...Tom
I picked up Pleasures of Small Motions on Amazon for around $12. I know everybody is entitled to their opinion, but I don't understand anyone saying that it's not a great read. A little difficult to follow at times, but if you have patience (and to play this game well, you need a lot), you will be rewarded.
addition
Don't forget Eberle's Zen of Pool. I am still waiting for a book or article by a martial arts master who makes the connection to pool. Speed & relaxation not muscle & tension= power, focus of chi energy etc. Does anyone have such a citation?
noRulez said:
Don't forget Eberle's Zen of Pool. I am still waiting for a book or article by a martial arts master who makes the connection to pool. Speed & relaxation not muscle & tension= power, focus of chi energy etc. Does anyone have such a citation?
Testing, One, two, three
Here is a way to determine how well the concepts in the Inner Game of Tennis work for you.
First let me explain for those who have not read Galway?s book. He differentiates between Self 1 and Self 2. Self 1 is the part of you who thinks through and executes a shot. It is where you consciously tell yourself and become acutely aware of some aspect of your game. This conscious control is often not very good because it is conscious.
Self 2 Is the part of you who just plays. For instance when you play at a new sport such as throwing baskets as a kid you don?t think. You do not judge your efforts nor are you able to calculate what needs to be done. You just do it. You may keep missing the basket to the right or the left and you just shoot to get closer to the basket. No thinking just observe what is happening and let your body adjust whatever needs to be adjusted.
According to Galway, allowing Self 2 to play is what makes any athlete arrive at their potential.
Does this work? Here is one way I found that allows me to see that Self 2 is a much better pool player than Self 1. Place an object ball some place in the middle of the table. Place the cue ball near the foot spot.
Now bank the object ball off the long rail into the corner pocket and simply observe your efforts. No judging or trying to figure out what to do. Just do it.
When I do this I find that Self 2 misses one side, then the other, then pockets the ball. I have no idea what I am doing other than hitting center ball and Self 2 calculates all the angles, speed, etc. After he has made the shot a few times I change the configuration by moving the balls six inches or so and letting him figure it all out all over again.
Tim Galloway is right; Self 2 is a much better player than Self 1. He learns faster and retains the information better. In addition, he learns from past mistakes and soon begins to make these long rail banks on the first attempt.
If you are good at long rail banks then try it with two rail banks. I think that you will find, as I did, that Self 2 is one heck of a player.
Here is a way to determine how well the concepts in the Inner Game of Tennis work for you.
First let me explain for those who have not read Galway?s book. He differentiates between Self 1 and Self 2. Self 1 is the part of you who thinks through and executes a shot. It is where you consciously tell yourself and become acutely aware of some aspect of your game. This conscious control is often not very good because it is conscious.
Self 2 Is the part of you who just plays. For instance when you play at a new sport such as throwing baskets as a kid you don?t think. You do not judge your efforts nor are you able to calculate what needs to be done. You just do it. You may keep missing the basket to the right or the left and you just shoot to get closer to the basket. No thinking just observe what is happening and let your body adjust whatever needs to be adjusted.
According to Galway, allowing Self 2 to play is what makes any athlete arrive at their potential.
Does this work? Here is one way I found that allows me to see that Self 2 is a much better pool player than Self 1. Place an object ball some place in the middle of the table. Place the cue ball near the foot spot.
Now bank the object ball off the long rail into the corner pocket and simply observe your efforts. No judging or trying to figure out what to do. Just do it.
When I do this I find that Self 2 misses one side, then the other, then pockets the ball. I have no idea what I am doing other than hitting center ball and Self 2 calculates all the angles, speed, etc. After he has made the shot a few times I change the configuration by moving the balls six inches or so and letting him figure it all out all over again.
Tim Galloway is right; Self 2 is a much better player than Self 1. He learns faster and retains the information better. In addition, he learns from past mistakes and soon begins to make these long rail banks on the first attempt.
If you are good at long rail banks then try it with two rail banks. I think that you will find, as I did, that Self 2 is one heck of a player.
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This guy wrote a pretty good article that's posted here on AZB. It's a lengthy article but worth the read IMO. It deals with the mental aspect of the choke shot. I highly recommend it for your reading pleasure.
Craig
Craig