Why is it that, without fail...

DogsPlayingPool

DogsPlayingPool

"What's in your wallet?"
Silver Member
I play noticeably better immediately after watching the pros play in person? This happened when I attended the Predator 10 Ball event earlier this year and more recently after attending the tournament at Hard Times this weekend.

While I may pick up some technical tips here and there from watching the pros, it seems that what happens is a little more mysterious than that. It is as though from watching them play all day I somehow absorb how they think their way around the table. Their focus definitely rubs off on me. When I play after attending an event I do seem more focused and make better decisions. I seem to walk around the table more purposefully. It's as though I play better simply because I'm inspired to play better. Or that I have some increase in confidence that it is not so difficult from watching good players compete all day.

BTW, the effect is not nearly as noticeable from watching DVD's as it is when attending in person.

Alas, it also seems that this improvement is only temporary. :mad:

Does anyone else experience this?
 
You are feeding off pure pool energy. When you come in direct contact with it, the gods temporarily smile upon you :).
 
It has been my experience that the Pool Gods are Women... NOT men.

Smiling or not... when you do get exposed to the 'correct way' of performing on the table, your subconscious remembers.

We all tend to over hit all too often. When I see the pros play and see how little effort they put into a shot (little effort=less power) their accuracy and speed control is so much better than when I shoot... well, I guess I just slow down and it comes together so much better.

I try to keep this 'little effort' alive by doing my drills at the same speed (or just not as much power, only what is necessary to get shape or the final position I need)

My follow through on each shot is also more pronounced. Not as quick to pick up the cue from the table. I guess I am slowing down and being more deliberate on each aspect of the shot.

But, I know what you are referring to and have really enjoyed the effect. I''ve also seen and spoke to other players that have experienced this and we all end up agreeing that we need to see more PROS play more often....
 
Man I thought it was only me! I do play better but I had know idea why. I guess I look at them so hard and see the things that are humanly possible to do because they are doing it right in front of me. If I could put the feeling in a can an open it when I needed it I would be awesome.
 
Because your brain can learn visually. I'm sure there's a fancy scientific term for it, but "Monkey see, monkey do" seems to work for me.

This is why almost every great player from the generations before actual coaches, books and Internet forums filled with *wonderful* advice were available pretty much grew up in a Pool Hall as this was the only way to master the sport. A lack of consistent exposure to really good players is one sure way to limit the potential of anyone's game. (At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.)

For the seminal work on this subject see "The Inner Game of Tennis", or for a more modern take "The Pleasures of Small Motions".
 
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I think the person that posted first had it right.. even if he was joking.

Everyone emenates energy from the astral body ( if you believe in that kind of stuff, if you don't then you don't w/e ) and I believe that you absorb all that positive energy and etc. from being around those players.

I seen it first hand when I was just learning english by playing with a skill level 9 in the APA. After a few games with him I could string together 4-5 balls effortlessly.. but then put me up against some slow skill level 3 that is more then often drunk and i'll sink right down to their level.

We pick up on these little emenations that people give off, whether we realize it or not.


Just my 2 cent.
 
players

DogsPlayingPool said:
I play noticeably better immediately after watching the pros play in person? This happened when I attended the Predator 10 Ball event earlier this year and more recently after attending the tournament at Hard Times this weekend.

While I may pick up some technical tips here and there from watching the pros, it seems that what happens is a little more mysterious than that. It is as though from watching them play all day I somehow absorb how they think their way around the table. Their focus definitely rubs off on me. When I play after attending an event I do seem more focused and make better decisions. I seem to walk around the table more purposefully. It's as though I play better simply because I'm inspired to play better. Or that I have some increase in confidence that it is not so difficult from watching good players compete all day.

BTW, the effect is not nearly as noticeable from watching DVD's as it is when attending in person.

Alas, it also seems that this improvement is only temporary. :mad:

Does anyone else experience this?
Click to expand...
players come from players - they show you what is possible
 
I get this too. We had Alex Pagulayan and Ralf Souquet here in a tournament and I watched them all day long. I played afterwords and played like a god. I just started to stroke like them.

I also before a tournament try to watch some good DVD's, especially with good safety play. I usually watch Guiness tours of the top asian players like Yang and Wu play. After watching them play I find myself always playing the percentages and playing good safeties.

I also watch match's of Shane breaking in 10ball over and over and I find it helps me aswell on my break. I try to copy his follow through and position of cueball on the break and keep a smooth accelerating speed and a nice pop ;). It feels so good when it works.
 
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So it is not so uncommon. It does seem like an energy thing, picked up by osmosis or some such deal.

The interesting thing for me is that it isn't in just one area that I notice the improvement. Every aspect is better. Potting, position, speed control, pattern selection, stroke, yada yada...are all better, at least for a short while before I come out of the trance, usually a few days later.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
So it is not so uncommon. It does seem like an energy thing, picked up by osmosis or some such deal.

The interesting thing for me is that it isn't in just one area that I notice the improvement. Every aspect is better. Potting, position, speed control, pattern selection, stroke, yada yada...are all better, at least for a short while before I come out of the trance, usually a few days later.
Click to expand...

It's for this reason that I make it a point to have a practice session every so often with people that I work with. They get to have the physical experience of actually performing while also watching the things that we have been working on.

I also believe that during tournament play when you are in between matches that you should seek out a match in progress with someone that plays close to your style of play. This will put your mind into the correct frame and prepare you for your next match.
 
Astral energy makes you play better.... haha.. c'mon...

Why does everyone look for some "magical" answer all the time?

You could be in a room full of the most positive people in the world, who can't make a ball, and you watching them or being around them will not in any circumstance make you a better player.

It comes from seeing how something is supposed to be done and by actually watching a certain success percentage. You sort of get used to seeing it done right and therefore, tend to have less negative images in your head as you yourself shoot.

Here is a test for you... go watch the worst pool players in your town for a couple days, then go play... I bet you play worse for a bit.

As far as the other stuff.... you can go chant... and I will keep playing with the best and we will see who maintains their game... :)
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
I play noticeably better immediately after watching the pros play in person? This happened when I attended the Predator 10 Ball event earlier this year and more recently after attending the tournament at Hard Times this weekend.

While I may pick up some technical tips here and there from watching the pros, it seems that what happens is a little more mysterious than that. It is as though from watching them play all day I somehow absorb how they think their way around the table. Their focus definitely rubs off on me. When I play after attending an event I do seem more focused and make better decisions. I seem to walk around the table more purposefully. It's as though I play better simply because I'm inspired to play better. Or that I have some increase in confidence that it is not so difficult from watching good players compete all day.

BTW, the effect is not nearly as noticeable from watching DVD's as it is when attending in person.

Alas, it also seems that this improvement is only temporary. :mad:

Does anyone else experience this?
Click to expand...
I know exactly how you feel!
I have the same situation after watching the great ones play live.
It pumps you up.
When you see them approach the table, and certain shots with a different attitude than yourself, it inspires you to do the same.
When you see them make shots that are uncomfortable for you but routine for them, it inspires you, especially when you stay for a whole tournament and watch this process be repeated!

That's my take on it. It does have an effect....a positive one.
 
When you watch the game being played the right way and a large percentage of shots executed properly it leaves a lasting impression on you.

You also see the proper cue-ball movement and your postion play is much better.
 
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