My biggest problem is that I shoot great against players about my speed or worse. Against players better than me I have a tough time beating them even if I get the opportunities. If they play bad or give me opportunities I have a tough time capitalizing on them and getting out. What have you done to overcome this problem and become mentally confident against them.
What books/drills have made you mentally stronger
- Thread starter salam4
- Start date
I'd say you need to take a few moments to take a couple of breaths. Calm yourself down. Walk around the table a few times if you need to to plan out your shot and shape. Get into stance and do some practice strokes. I feel that it all comes down to the basics. Do all of them and don't skip and say "That's and easy shot" and forget to line up properly; resulting in a conflicting mindset like "Why'd I miss such an easy shot??"
Also, don't go nuts after missing a shot. Sure better players might keep you warming your seat but that should make you want to focus more so they can get stiff sitting all day.
Also, don't go nuts after missing a shot. Sure better players might keep you warming your seat but that should make you want to focus more so they can get stiff sitting all day.
keep it simple
Are you covering all of the factors on each and every shot.
There are quite a few of them and skipping one or more will
often result in an unforced error.
Without knowing how your innings typically end, it's hard to
tell where/ when/ how your process is failing you.
Either that or you're not betting high enough.
Are you covering all of the factors on each and every shot.
There are quite a few of them and skipping one or more will
often result in an unforced error.
Without knowing how your innings typically end, it's hard to
tell where/ when/ how your process is failing you.
Either that or you're not betting high enough.
The best book ever written might just be "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. The lesson taught is that having great expectations can get in the way of doing the hard work and maintaining the composure needed for success.
Let an unswerving commitment guide you ---- not your expectations --- and you're on the road to success, whether you're playing pool or trying to excel at anything in life.
Let an unswerving commitment guide you ---- not your expectations --- and you're on the road to success, whether you're playing pool or trying to excel at anything in life.
Good thread. I'm posted in similar threads on shooting forums.
In general ANY commpetitor will perform their best against SLIGHTLY inferior competition. You play someone you respect, and who plays good enough to push you, but isn't a threat to run over you.
Too much respect stiffens your arm up, so to speak. You think too much, and choke. We all do.
Look into the "Toughness" books by Matt Loer. Sure they cover more physical activities, but preparation and confidence is gained much the same way.
Read books like "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Basham.
Study Golfers, and fighters. It's all about mental attitude, and preparation. KNOWING you're going to get chances, and KNOWING you've put in the prep and are ready to capitolize.
In general ANY commpetitor will perform their best against SLIGHTLY inferior competition. You play someone you respect, and who plays good enough to push you, but isn't a threat to run over you.
Too much respect stiffens your arm up, so to speak. You think too much, and choke. We all do.
Look into the "Toughness" books by Matt Loer. Sure they cover more physical activities, but preparation and confidence is gained much the same way.
Read books like "With Winning in Mind" by Lanny Basham.
Study Golfers, and fighters. It's all about mental attitude, and preparation. KNOWING you're going to get chances, and KNOWING you've put in the prep and are ready to capitolize.
=)
"Inner Game of Tennis"
"Inner Game of Tennis"
"Mental Toughness Training for Sports" by James E. Loehr.
"The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey.
"Winning: The Psychology of Competition" by Stuart H. Walker.
"A Mind for Pool" by Philip B. Capelle.
"Overcoming Contenderosis" tapes by Ryan Elliot.
Last, though I cannot recommend it, "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Bob Fancher Ph.D. A lot of people swear by this, I am now trying again to get through this and make any sense at all of it. In my opinion, the above are superior.
"The Inner Game of Tennis" by W. Timothy Gallwey.
"Winning: The Psychology of Competition" by Stuart H. Walker.
"A Mind for Pool" by Philip B. Capelle.
"Overcoming Contenderosis" tapes by Ryan Elliot.
Last, though I cannot recommend it, "Pleasures of Small Motions" by Bob Fancher Ph.D. A lot of people swear by this, I am now trying again to get through this and make any sense at all of it. In my opinion, the above are superior.
Pleasures of Small Motions by Bob Fancher, available at Bebob Publishing
This is the book that you want
You are in the same boat as many other players, don't let it get you down.
This is maybe the wrong way to answer but I find that the better and more knowledgeable about pool I get... the more mentally strong I get too, because I know my shooting ability can overcome even my bad nerves/temper. I've seen many players claim they choke up against better players, but if they were to analyze their game ball-by-ball, or per-inning average, or whatever... the reality is they lose to the better players because they are better players. Their own playing was about the same all along.
You cannot beat a better player on 'mental toughness' alone. In fact, forget mental 'strength' or 'toughness' as a concept. Those are terms that I think best describe how you fade the bad rolls and losses. Determination and competitive drive is a different thing that cannot be given to you from a book. You either want to play seriously and win or you just don't care enough.
Your solution therefore is to make it so that those opponents are NOT better players... by becoming better yourself from a strictly technical point of view. Practice for better mechanics, better shotmaking, better planning (probably in that order). When you have the skills, the mindset (which can be boiled down to "I'm gonna f%ck this guy up") quickly catches up.
I'd throw out the mental books and get "The 99 Critical Shots in Pool" by Ray Martin, to start.
You cannot beat a better player on 'mental toughness' alone. In fact, forget mental 'strength' or 'toughness' as a concept. Those are terms that I think best describe how you fade the bad rolls and losses. Determination and competitive drive is a different thing that cannot be given to you from a book. You either want to play seriously and win or you just don't care enough.
Your solution therefore is to make it so that those opponents are NOT better players... by becoming better yourself from a strictly technical point of view. Practice for better mechanics, better shotmaking, better planning (probably in that order). When you have the skills, the mindset (which can be boiled down to "I'm gonna f%ck this guy up") quickly catches up.
I'd throw out the mental books and get "The 99 Critical Shots in Pool" by Ray Martin, to start.
Difference
There is a difference between playing well and knowing how to win. You can play the best you can and still lose.
I got most of my mental toughness through physical discipline and martial arts. I believe in mind, body, and spirit being in harmony.
Read 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu.
There is a difference between playing well and knowing how to win. You can play the best you can and still lose.
I got most of my mental toughness through physical discipline and martial arts. I believe in mind, body, and spirit being in harmony.
Read 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu.
AGREED!
I have owned this book for years and it still travels with me to tournaments! =)
Two books that helped me a lot during my first years was "Advanced Techniques" by Robert Byrne and 99 Critical Shots. I believe these two books are a "must" in any player's library.