how the pros (focus)

J

jcpoolgod

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok......i have a pretty strong stroke....i know how to move the ball around....i can basically get to where i want to everytime....yet.....i dont run out that much....I think it has to do with focus.....What separates the pros from every other great player in ever pool hall in the world..? what do they do in order to have such amazing focus.....? Can anyone help me figure out a way to increase my runouts when i have the ability to runout? what do the pros do to have such focus. I really just want to improve my game......tell me what you do in order to improve your focus
 
When you're at the table, try not to look at or think about anything but the table and the balls.
 
1. practice weaknesses

2. build confidence and trust in your abilities

3. experience (seasoning) put pressure on your game

4. make mistakes....we all do

5. learn from the mistakes....take notes on weaknesses

6. go back to #1

the Pros do nothing different, or know secrets. They focus, practice, and have a burning desire to win or be the best or hate to lose or need the money....etc.

G.
 
Besides hitting a gajillion balls, just about every top level pro seems to have a consistent and effective pre-shot routine. I really think this is important to the process of telling your mind it is time to bear down so to speak.

Hope this helps.
 
Johnny Archer has the greatest concentration and focus. He practices it before each and every shot by cleaning the lint off the table. :thumbup:

Seriously I don't know how to answer your question because focus as far as I know is not something that can be imparted. You must develope it yourself.
 
I would say a strong visualization of the desired outcome of a given shot is huge. Don't think it through, see it through :)
 
Besides skill (obviously),

I agree that concentration, focus, and calming one's nerves are the most important aspects to being successful in pool. It is hard to maintain them though
 
You can go the quick route and get a bottle of FocusFactor for $20 from Wal-mart. Well, it could really work.:grin-square:
 
I bought a book called "Pleasures of Small Motions" written by a sports psychologist. It's a great book that covers the mental part of the game...I'm only a few chapters in and it's already made a big impact on my game.
 
abie10 said:
I bought a book called "Pleasures of Small Motions" written by a sports psychologist. It's a great book that covers the mental part of the game...I'm only a few chapters in and it's already made a big impact on my game.
Click to expand...

Jeanette Lee swears by that book. Kind of a take it or leave it FYI.:confused:
 
Maintaining focus is another skill that needs to be practiced and developed. So my claim is that pro players do not have a method for maintaining focus that anyone could adopt just by learning about it. They need to have a method for constantly improving their skill of maintaining focus.

I've found Timothy Gallwey's book The Inner Game of Tennis helpful on this very subject.
 
abie10 said:
I bought a book called "Pleasures of Small Motions" written by a sports psychologist. It's a great book that covers the mental part of the game...I'm only a few chapters in and it's already made a big impact on my game.
Click to expand...

That book, along with "The Inner Game of Tennis" seem to be the two most often noted books for building the foundation of a strong mental game. I, too, have only just begun "Pleasures of Small Motions" and it has opened my eyes, so to speak already.

JAW725 said:
I would say a strong visualization of the desired outcome of a given shot is huge. Don't think it through, see it through
Click to expand...

This is another excellent tip. I first read the explanation of why visualization is so important in "The 8-Ball Bible", and that really helped me play better patterns and improve my position control. "Pleasure..." really expands on that idea as well and can help you build a better mental game.

All of this leads up to building a pre-shot routine - a repeatable and consistent pre-shot routine. Exactly like building stroke... How you look at a shot, how you look at the position, how you finish your mental calculations then get down on the shot and turn your conscious brain off before executing the shot - these are all points that come from being focused, and are all things that can be learned and developed.

At least, that's my plan anyway. heh. ;)
 
It comes in a bottle.
417_0.jpg
 
I would love to have the key to 'pro focus'. A Pro looking at a hard shot - yes a chance to make a great shot and win... we are like - crap, now I'm going to miss and lose.

It is strange what focus/nerves can do. If I could get my practice game on a table with these guys, I could do well. For some reason, I have a block. A few times now, I have been up only to make a few stupid mistakes to let them in. Once I get a big name under the belt, I'm hoping for better focus/belief. Once I know that I can beat them...... I get to play the game instead of the player.
 
JarnoV said:
Maintaining focus is another skill that needs to be practiced and developed. So my claim is that pro players do not have a method for maintaining focus that anyone could adopt just by learning about it. They need to have a method for constantly improving their skill of maintaining focus.

I've found Timothy Gallwey's book The Inner Game of Tennis helpful on this very subject.
Click to expand...

this is THE best book on the subject. I've read the book multiple times now, any time my psych needs a recharge I go for it. It's not the solution.. you are the solution.. you just have to get there.
 
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