Do you give all your shots the same Attention!

[ric23]

Like ShootingArts said, "give every shot the attention it deserves and needs."

Really evaluate the table after the break or anytime shooting for shape when the table is congested. But whatever "simple" or "easy" shot you consider to be easy/simple, keep it that way. Sometimes this makes you overthink things that are and should be automatic based on your skill.

 

[duckie]

There is a larger concept to be considered in this thread—the sub-conscience.

Do we concentrate on every detail of everyshot? No. Thats why we have a sub-conscience and a conscience part of the brain. Again, we use the sub-conscience to save energy until needed later.

There is even a larger concept in that there is no difference in attention needed to wash dishes well and to good shot making.

Everyday living requires the same level of paying attention. We just get out of the habit because somethings have become so in grain that we perform it as second nature, without thinking. So much so, you may not be paying attention that you do this.

You do not think about walking any more as you have done it so much, there is no needed thoughts to do it, walking is second nature now. But at one point in your life, you had to, if not you fell.

So now you walk, but how many really pay attention to the feel of the soles of your shoes as they meet the pavement? What the muscles are being used, your style of walking and so on.

Paying attention is really being just aware of what is happening at that moment in time. Like just feeling the smoothness of the sliding of the cue staick as you stroke and not giving any values to that feeling, just experincing the feeling.

I've stated before that it is better to expand the "zone" such that you are always in it and not trying to find it.

Want to increase your odds of being in the zone while at the table, try being in the zone away from the table.

FWIW

 

[Lock N Load]

Hello Hu.

A fine group to agree with! When I'm driving down the highway I don't give five miles of straight interstate at 70 the same attention as I give a curve when I'm rolling at 115, tires screaming in a four wheel drift. It would be a tremendous waste of energy. I remember when I was first learning to drive, I did give everything the same intense attention. A thirty minute drive at low speed wore me out.

On the other hand, the trick is to give every shot the attention it deserves and needs. A ten inch tap in of the money ball is a wee bit different than a ten inch shot and three rail shape in traffic to get to the next ball. Both require some attention just as driving down the interstate at 70 does, just not equal attention.

I often played pool most of the night after working most of the day. There were a few core things I learned that I considered hugely important to my game. Not burning energy I didn't need to was one of them.

Hu

I like good input, such as you just gave. I appreciate you taking your time to give this good input too. read up a little where I told a story about not paying attention to an easy shot and lost! There are different levels of attention too!
A pool shot is not going to cost you your life or someone's life like driving a car without paying attention can! If I drive slow or fast I pay close attention all the time. thanks again Hu.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Well put, Duckie.

There is even a larger concept in that there is no difference in attention needed to wash dishes well and to good shot making.

Everyday living requires the same level of paying attention. We just get out of the habit because somethings have become so in grain that we perform it as second nature, without thinking. So much so, you may not be paying attention that you do this.

You do not think about walking any more as you have done it so much, there is no needed thoughts to do it, walking is second nature now. But at one point in your life, you had to, if not you fell.

So now you walk, but how many really pay attention to the feel of the soles of your shoes as they meet the pavement? What the muscles are being used, your style of walking and so on.

Paying attention is really being just aware of what is happening at that moment in time. Like just feeling the smoothness of the sliding of the cue staick as you stroke and not giving any values to that feeling, just experincing the feeling.

I've stated before that it is better to expand the "zone" such that you are always in it and not trying to find it.

Want to increase your odds of being in the zone while at the table, try being in the zone away from the table.

FWIW

Thanks for your input. Bruce Lee, OK, 8 ball lover, whew!
Regards,
Regards.

 

[12310bch]

Each shot should be given the RESPECT it deserves. if you treat the easy shots that the POOL GODS give us in a cavalier way they will surely strike you with a miscue or some other punishment. How many times have you said, "How the ftuck did I miss that shot." You know then that they gotcha.

 

[ric23]

Each shot should be given the RESPECT it deserves. if you treat the easy shots that the POOL GODS give us in a cavalier way they will surely strike you with a miscue or some other punishment. How many times have you said, "How the ftuck did I miss that shot." You know then that they gotcha.

True statement!

 

[Lock N Load]

Thanks for your input, 12.

Each shot should be given the RESPECT it deserves. if you treat the easy shots that the POOL GODS give us in a cavalier way they will surely strike you with a miscue or some other punishment. How many times have you said, "How the ftuck did I miss that shot." You know then that they gotcha.

This post is all about getting AZB members opinions about giving the same amount of attention to all of their shots. Somewhere in this thread it might help some player to focus better on his/her shots. All views and opinions are welcome. that is why I thank all of you all for your input! Thanks again.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[ShootingArts]

adequate attention is the key

I like good input, such as you just gave. I appreciate you taking your time to give this good input too. read up a little where I told a story about not paying attention to an easy shot and lost! There are different levels of attention too!
A pool shot is not going to cost you your life or someone's life like driving a car without paying attention can! If I drive slow or fast I pay close attention all the time. thanks again Hu.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

We have all had the occasional "attack of the stupids" where we miss easy shots. Watching video of a major event years ago I saw Efren and Bustamonte miss almost identical absolute duck shots on the money ball in separate matches.

Nobody has suggested shooting carelessly or without adequate attention to the shot. However somebody that puts the same attention into every shot either isn't paying enough attention to the tough ones or will often get outran in a long session when they tire by someone who is working more efficiently. It isn't efficient to devote the same energy to a tap in as a very tough shot.

Hu

 

[Johnnyt]

We all know you have to pay more attenion to the hard shots, but sadly almost all of us are guilty of taking the one-foot shots for granted every once in awhile. When I gambled I paid more attention to every shot. That's one of the reasons these guy's can run 100's of balls. They pay attention to everything every shot. They they don't shoot until they feel they know exactly what part of the pocket the OB is going in at, what path the CB is going and where it will stop, and think at least 3 ball ahead. Johnnyt

 

[Lock N Load]

Thanks for your input, JohnnyT.

We all know you have to pay more attenion to the hard shots, but sadly almost all of us are guilty of taking the one-foot shots for granted every once in awhile. When I gambled I paid more attention to every shot. That's one of the reasons these guy's can run 100's of balls. They pay attention to everything every shot. They they don't shoot until they feel they know exactly what part of the pocket the OB is going in at, what path the CB is going and where it will stop, and think at least 3 ball ahead. Johnnyt

Very good input. I appreciate it too.
Regards,
Lock N load.

 

[randyg]

I use the same three pre-shot routines for every shot. That takes away the "easy & hard" mental game.

Remember, with CTE, two of the routines are a must.

randyg

 

[3andstop]

Remembering to give every shot the attention it needs is only half the battle. If you don't possess the touch or stroke or ability to envision a more difficult shot then the Curly syndrome kicks in ......

"I'm trying to think, but nothing happens!" :thumbup:

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

Quack quack

No, and you shouldn't give all of your shots the same attention.

I'm sure some will say that you should. I'm saying you should give all shots your attention, but you don't want to spend too much mental energy on the simple things. Save that energy for the tougher, important shots.

The overall level of attention, or concentration if you will, is what is really important. Be consistent and shoot every shot with a level of importance, but not every shot with a live or die philosophy. Trying too hard can sometimes throw your game off.

I think all players have at one time taken a duck for granted. I also equate this to the easy 3 ball runout which also can bite you if you don't buck up and finish out. Wake up when things get easy! A trick I sometimes use is to fantasize that the ducks are $5 ducks. I don't miss $5 ducks!

 

[9_Ball_King]

Mentally Draining....

We all tend to "take shots off" and we really shouldn't. But it is also true that it is just not practical "to give every shot the same attention". So what is one to do?? In my opinion the secret is to find the "necessary" attention level each shot requires and then to use that amount and ONLY that amount for each shot. Obviously this is easier said than done and if we were able to do this consistently we would play more like Rodney Morris than Rodney King.

I remember a couple of years ago I was talking to an older fella / good player and we were discussing one of the better players around Pittsburgh Rob Krull. And this fella said to me "You know the thing with Rob is that HE NEVER TAKES A SHOT OFF!". The more I thought about this the more I realized the older fella was right and it also explained why Rob is such a great player. And it's not that he NEVER TAKES A SHOT OFF but more that he takes less shots off....he keeps it to a minimum.

For myself I sometimes take shots off which manifests itself in little insidious ways such as playing "general position" rather than "specific postion" or worrying more about the next position placement of the cue ball (at the expense of pocketing the ball at hand) than doing both-->pocketing the ball even thought it's SO easy AND position. I know the reason I do this most likely is that subconsciously I'm lazy and let's face it.....it is SO mentally taxing to play pool at a high level. My mind convinces me that I'm good enough to "take shots off" when really nobody is good enough to "take shots off". I just try to keep this wretched habit to a minimum and I'm sure I'll struggle with it till the day I die.

I know I'm better off because I realize this now the trick is to minimize it and keep this "poison" out of my game.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Lock N Load]

Thanks for your input, 9...

We all tend to "take shots off" and we really shouldn't. But it is also true that it is just not practical "to give every shot the same attention". So what is one to do?? In my opinion the secret is to find the "necessary" attention level each shot requires and then to use that amount and ONLY that amount for each shot. Obviously this is easier said than done and if we were able to do this consistently we would play more like Rodney Morris than Rodney King.

I remember a couple of years ago I was talking to an older fella / good player and we were discussing one of the better players around Pittsburgh Rob Krull. And this fella said to me "You know the thing with Rob is that HE NEVER TAKES A SHOT OFF!". The more I thought about this the more I realized the older fella was right and it also explained why Rob is such a great player. And it's not that he NEVER TAKES A SHOT OFF but more that he takes less shots off....he keeps it to a minimum.

For myself I sometimes take shots off which manifests itself in little insidious ways such as playing "general position" rather than "specific postion" or worrying more about the next position placement of the cue ball (at the expense of pocketing the ball at hand) than doing both-->pocketing the ball even thought it's SO easy AND position. I know the reason I do this most likely is that subconsciously I'm lazy and let's face it.....it is SO mentally taxing to play pool at a high level. My mind convinces me that I'm good enough to "take shots off" when really nobody is good enough to "take shots off". I just try to keep this wretched habit to a minimum and I'm sure I'll struggle with it till the day I die.

I know I'm better off because I realize this now the trick is to minimize it and keep this "poison" out of my game.

Just my 2 cents.

You said way more than 2 cents worth! I like what you said. I thank you for your time to write a response to my post.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

thank you 3andstop.

Remembering to give every shot the attention it needs is only half the battle. If you don't possess the touch or stroke or ability to envision a more difficult shot then the Curly syndrome kicks in ......

"I'm trying to think, but nothing happens!" :thumbup:

I appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[JoeyA]

When you have an easy shot do you shoot it like a hard shot? Or with the same attention you give a hard shot?
Regards,
Lock N Load.

Many years ago I witnessed James Walden playing 9 ball. He would take virtually the same amount of time on every single shot. Once he even played shape on the 9 ball and the cue ball was 2 feet away from the object ball and the 9 ball was in the middle of the jaws of the side pocket.

James, aligned himself the same way as he had on any other shot, took the same amount of time and made the 9 ball shot with a healthy amount of respect. I think it was the first time that I started to realize that all shots are the same and you should not alter your pre-shot routine. This may not be true for every player but I like the idea of treating every shot the same. I'm not sure if you actually save any measurable energy from not paying close attention to an easy shot but I think when you alter your pre-shot routine, you're messing with the wrong thing.

My $.02,

JoeyA

 

[donuteric]

I simply don't know what kind of attention is needed for each shot, so I simply give them equal attention. This includes shooting the 9 ball and visualize where I want the CB to end up even though it doesn't matter.

 

[Lock N Load]

Hey JoeyA, thanks for your input!

Many years ago I witnessed James Walden playing 9 ball. He would take virtually the same amount of time on every single shot. Once he even played shape on the 9 ball and the cue ball was 2 feet away from the object ball and the 9 ball was in the middle of the jaws of the side pocket.

James, aligned himself the same way as he had on any other shot, took the same amount of time and made the 9 ball shot with a healthy amount of respect. I think it was the first time that I started to realize that all shots are the same and you should not alter your pre-shot routine. This may not be true for every player but I like the idea of treating every shot the same. I'm not sure if you actually save any measurable energy from not paying close attention to an easy shot but I think when you alter your pre-shot routine, you're messing with the wrong thing.

My $.02,

JoeyA

That will be $.02 cents please! Please pay with Paypal! Thank you. Very good input. Well worth your $.02 cents, what! Put it on your account? What account? Thanks again, JoeyA.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Thank you for your input. Donut!

I simply don't know what kind of attention is needed for each shot, so I simply give them equal attention. This includes shooting the 9 ball and visualize where I want the CB to end up even though it doesn't matter.

Good input at that! Welcome to the AZB family. Thanks again.
Regards,
Lock N Load.