A weak mind

donuteric

donuteric

always a newbie
Silver Member
This has been bothering me for a while by now; I'd tried reading countless of books and had countless of philosophical discussions with random people. Yet nothing has worked.

I miss pocketing the most important ball after a tough run. Sometimes I just choke on an easy 9, and sometimes after an entire rack of flawless positional plays, I under- or over-cook the very last shot, leaving myself to only play distance safe. I don't know how, and more importantly, why this happens to me more often than not. I know I have the tendency to choke on positional play, so I learn a decent game of safeties to compensate for an error I yet know how to fix. Regardless, it's still frustrating to see hard work go unrewarded.

For instance, last night at a local 9-ball tournament. First match, I gave away two not-so-difficult 9's and got out of position only for the 9. I ended up losing the first match 4-3. Another match, same race, and I was down 1-3. Ran two racks to bring it to hill-hill, continued running, and missed that easy 9 to the side. :( Both matches I believe I played against weak players.

Sometimes I wonder, does playing in APA ruin my game to miss the 9 and still get away with points.

Any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!

Also, thanks for reading.
 
There are several possibilities that would cause this to happen, and most of them, as you might suspect are mental.
Do you break your routine on the money ball? Do you just jump in on it, and not complete your position thought process? That is part of your routine on every other ball. Shouldn't it be part of your routine on the most important ball?

Are you thinking about the outcome of the game or match, rather than the outcome of the shot?

Does your anticipation build when you get that close to the end? If you get a rush of adreneline it can physically impact your muscles, and tighten up your stroke.

Are you worried about what those watching will think about you if you miss?

Do you subconsciously plant a negative thought in your brain before shooting? (If you are thinking "I hope I don't miss", what is the last word your brain remembers????????)

Work on identifying what is going on. You have to identify the specific cause of the problem before you can attempt to fix it.

Steve
 
Steve, thank you for responding.

I have the same pre-shot routine for every shot and I pay the same attention, roughly, to every one of them, at least I believe so. I believe the top view gives clearer picture to my intentions of the shot. Once I've decided how I want to hit the OB and with what speed I need to execute the shot, my warmup strokes are always the same. Two wiggling strokes, short pause, one more stroke with more steady arm, longer pause, eyes on the OB, execute.

My anticipating does get built up once I'm approaching the money ball. I've learnt to take one or two deep breaths before I lean down on the table. I've also learnt to back myself away from the table if I'm not comfortable (muscles tensing up, rear view clearly contradicts top view, etc).

I don't particularly pay attention to anything or anyone around me when I'm shooting. When I'm about to shoot, my focus is only on making the ball and trust my judgement (from the top view) as to where and how I need to hit the CB. When I'm down on the table, the only thing that I'm consciously aware of, is to pocket the OB.

Do you subconsciously plant a negative thought in your brain before shooting? (If you are thinking "I hope I don't miss", what is the last word your brain remembers????????)

Maybe and quite likely so. I don't really have the saying "I hope I don't miss" in my brain, but I agree that my subconscious mind is aware of my typical choking habit. So I'd agree that certainly has something to do with consistently choking on money ball.

Edit: Not sure the last word in my brain, but the first word after I miss is "Here we go again".

Once again, thanks for responding.
 
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Choking is more common than you may think. You are not alone. Choking begins when fear sets in. If there is no fear there is no choking. However, if a person exhibits choking behavior for a long period of time, it can become a habit where you are actually physically doing something to sabotage key shots.

I remember years ago, I had developed a habit of shutting my eyes when shooting the 9-Ball. No kidding. I had no idea I was doing that until someone asked me why I did that. I was totally dumbfounded.

Remember that crazy golf movie "Happy Gilmore" where when he started to freak out on the golf course, he would go to his 'happy place?' Well, it works. When I'm shooting important shots, I pretend I'm in my home pool room, practicing. It takes some mental practice to put yourself somewhere in your mind, but it works. You need to distract yourself from your fear. After awhile, you won't need to do it, but it's good to know it's always there for you when you need it.
 
donuteric...Another thought here, in line with what Steve posted. See if perhaps you're down on the game ball too long before you actually shoot. We only have about 10-12 seconds after we put our bridge hand down on the table, before those subconscious thoughts start creeping in. It doesn't even particularly matter what the thought is...it might even be "hey, I need a little right english on this shot". All are distractions. Make your shooting decisions standing up (angle, speed and spin), and make sure you're getting the shot off within that 10-12 second window. Hope this helps.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

donuteric said:
Do you subconsciously plant a negative thought in your brain before shooting? (If you are thinking "I hope I don't miss", what is the last word your brain remembers????????)

Maybe and quite likely so. I don't really have the saying "I hope I don't miss" in my brain, but I agree that my subconscious mind is aware of my typical choking habit. So I'd agree that certainly has something to do with consistently choking on money ball.

Edit: Not sure the last word in my brain, but the first word after I miss is "Here we go again".

Once again, thanks for responding.
Click to expand...
 
I agree completely with the gentleman above. Everyone, and I mean everyone has shanked a shot that under normal circumstances is usually second nature. Whether it be the player feeling pressure or just a momentary lapse of concentration, it happens to everyone. The players who you see that seem to be rock solid have been in the position where the pressure is on many times and they have learned from failures and implemented correct procedures into their game. This confidence is built through experience and only shooting as fast on the table as your mind does.

I would recommend training yourself to understand that whether it be a friendly, league, money or an important tourament game, every ball you shoot is just practice. You are more often than not... playing against yourself. Therefore, if your confidence is shaking, slow down and completely study the shot so you know exactly what you want to do.

Other tips-
If someone was firing a gun at you what would you do?
STAY DOWN! Admire the shot you're taking and should you miss, you know exactly what you did wrong.

If you see a shot that would normally be second nature and seems difficult step up from the table close your eyes and reposition your stance. When you come back down it may help by giving you a different point of view.
 
I suffer from similar results, and something that was mentioned in a thread here at some point over the last year has helped me a bit. (In addition to everything mentioned previously in this thread, natch.)

When shooting the last ball, do you still play shape or leave? I never did, other than to be concerned with a possible scratch. But after it was mentioned here, I started actually working out where the cueball should end up after shooting the shot, just like we do with every other shot we take.

Helped me, quite a bit.

Now I only choke half as much! :p (Not scientifically calculated, mind you. Seemingly fewer chokes. Really.)
 
justa...it sounds a bit crazy until you think about it. We have a process we go through on every shot, and one part of the process is to plan where we want the cue ball to end up. It makes no sense to change our routine on the most important ball of the game!

Good post!

Steve
 
Funny you said that. Many years ago I used to give the same advice to other players when shooting the 8 ball. I don't remember whether the thought of leaving CB in an intended area the many times I missed an easy money ball in the past. Last night though, I was so caught up at focusing on pocketing the 9 ball after broke and ran 2 racks from behind (damn, it was almost 3 to win), my only thought was to make the 9. I'll for sure to keep that in mind from now on.

Thank you all for responding. I can't thank you all enough!

- Eric

justadub said:
I suffer from similar results, and something that was mentioned in a thread here at some point over the last year has helped me a bit. (In addition to everything mentioned previously in this thread, natch.)

When shooting the last ball, do you still play shape or leave? I never did, other than to be concerned with a possible scratch. But after it was mentioned here, I started actually working out where the cueball should end up after shooting the shot, just like we do with every other shot we take.

Helped me, quite a bit.

Now I only choke half as much! :p (Not scientifically calculated, mind you. Seemingly fewer chokes. Really.)
Click to expand...
 
donuteric said:
Steve, thank you for responding.

I have the same pre-shot routine for every shot

and I pay the same attention, roughly, to every one of them, at least I believe so. I believe the top view gives clearer picture to my intentions of the shot. Once I've decided how I want to hit the OB and with what speed I need to execute the shot, my warmup strokes are always the same. Two wiggling strokes, short pause, one more stroke with more steady arm, longer pause, eyes on the OB, execute.

My anticipating does get built up once I'm approaching the money ball. I've learnt to take one or two deep breaths before I lean down on the table. I've also learnt to back myself away from the table if I'm not comfortable (muscles tensing up, rear view clearly contradicts top view, etc).

I don't particularly pay attention to anything or anyone around me when I'm shooting. When I'm about to shoot, my focus is only on making the ball and trust my judgement (from the top view) as to where and how I need to hit the CB. When I'm down on the table, the only thing that I'm consciously aware of, is to pocket the OB.

Do you subconsciously plant a negative thought in your brain before shooting? (If you are thinking "I hope I don't miss", what is the last word your brain remembers????????)

Maybe and quite likely so. I don't really have the saying "I hope I don't miss" in my brain, but I agree that my subconscious mind is aware of my typical choking habit. So I'd agree that certainly has something to do with consistently choking on money ball.

Edit: Not sure the last word in my brain, but the first word after I miss is "Here we go again".

Once again, thanks for responding.
Click to expand...



Hard to say with out being there BUT, Your first sentence is a small problem.

There are three pre-shot routines for every shot.

PM me and I will try to help.

randyg@poolschool.com
randyg
 
Choking

I know everyones done it and everyone will do it again.

Sometimes people get on the 8 (or 9 depending on the game) and start thinking "all i have to do is make this" and they change their process from all other shots - changing their routine. They should play it as any other shot would be.

Do not add any additional pressure to yourself. It is a regular shot, it is not more difficult then the pevious 8 shots you just made.


Another thing I've been working on is based off of one of my philosophies in life - basically "don't worry about things that are beyond your control, if you can change (do something) then do it, if you can't do anything then don't worry about it". The way I apply this in pool is simple: what do you have control over?????? the cue ball? the object ball? no and no, you have control over yourself and essentially the cue stick. So you focus on picking the correct shot, planning position, how you have to cue the ball, take time in setting up, practice your shot until it feels perfect and then execute the stroke the best you can.... If you make the shot or if you miss the shot, you have no control over that so why would you worry about a miss or losing a game. If you can detach yourself from the result, you free your mind to focus on the actual task at hand - Fundamentals and controlling yourself!

And the more I do this the more I find myself "Free wheeling" or "going by feel". I'm playing a little faster and looser. This has it's drawbacks but it also has it's advantages. I have made more runouts lately and seem to be shooting better than ever most games. The drawback is selling out more games here and there.
 
Some really great responses here, but here is the basics...as I see it.

Everyone chokes, or has choked. Everyone coming up will miss key balls.

Instead of addressing small mental fixes, or physical fixes, treat the whole shebang with one thought, that you can practice all day, not just when you are shooting pool.

You must accept that you are a player. You still doubt it.

Accept that you are good, and able to get into these spots where you miss. You miss because you are not sure you should be there, not sure that what you are feeling is normal, and letting it affect you.

The question is...do you want to take the next step, and commit to the fact that you will try and control the fear, even though it seems daunting and you could easily fail?

It is a very key turning point in a player. And once you are good physically (skills), you will have no choice but to address the mental state...might as well work on it at the same time as you fine tune your shot making.

To be a professional, one must become a professional. Become a professional. It is reflected in your whole day, every day.

See you in the finals!
 
I am no instructor, but I've done a few things to help myself to not choke when the money ball comes up.

When I practice 9 ball on my home table, I swap the 4 ball for the 9 ball. Sounds dumb, but if you get into the practice of hitting the 4 ball in last, when you are faced with the 9 ball it isn't so daunting ... it is just another ball.

As was mentioned, always play position on the last shot. If you solely concentrate on making the last shot you can over concentrate sorta, heh. If you play position, even on the 9 ball, it will reinforce that this is just another shot just like all the others before it. If you hit the previous shots concentrating as much on position as making the ball in the pocket, but suddenly you look at the last shot and all you worry about is making the ball in the pocket, it changes your routine, as much as you may think it won't.

Lastly, I love the book "Pleasures of Small Motions", as much as others have knocked it. If you look at each shot as a beautiful work of physics, so to speak, and don't worry about making the shot as much as you enjoy the aspect of the balls rolling into the pocket, etc .... well, for me personally, it's helped me a ton.
 
Choking

One thing I've been doing that seems to have helped some players at the Georgia Billiard Academy. This is so simple and makes perfect sense. Depending on what drill they are doing I use the 8-ball and 9-ball very often. In essense they shoot the 8 or 9 more times in a 1.5 hour practice session then they probably hit in months of normal play.

3 ball position play drills I try to always have the 8 and 9 as 2 of the balls.

Another drill we do is taking all the balls off the table and placing one ball at a time on the table. The goal is to make that one ball. Then place another ball and keep repeating it. It is amazing how many shots someone can make in a row when you really simplify the table by getting rid of everything (all the other balls). This drill I will keep playing the 8 and 9 out more often then other balls.


Another thing I've caught myself doing is: I break and run 6 or 7 balls and then I start to think about "I'm going to get another break and run". Can you guess what I do.... I miss a shot. I stopped the rhythm and took my focus off the shot at hand. Other games it might not be a break and run, but rather a finishing run to win a match and if you think about the win you willl miss. I have found myself running counless racks where my opponent comes to shake my and and says "nice break and run" to my surprise because I wasn't even aware of the score or that it was a break and run. When you are shooting good, stay in the moment and keep complete focus on the task at hand (one shot at a time).
 
When I play, I always need to have a glass of something nearby. Just something to sip (generally water because it's free). After tough shots and for important shots I'll always go get a sip of water, step away from the table and collect myself. Then I'll effectively start a new run, I approach the table as though I'm beginning again. The point is to play the shot for what it is, just an angle you've made a million times before. If you can train yourself to see it in this way and forget about the previous balls in the run, it may help. My thought process is, when we start with an easy shot we can always run x amount of balls. But yet, runs frequently breakdown due to a botched easy shot in the middle of a run. It's generally because players tighten up as they approach a run out or perhaps second guess themselves.

Also, fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. The better your mechanics, the tougher it is to choke. Not saying you'll become chokeproof, just it won't be on easy balls nearly as often.
 
Well choosen words- good posting Cameron!

No matter (like in your case) if it s a sip from your water-glass, or to just make a voodoo-dance or even just speak to yourself sentence/word which some call it a mantra-- it s just a part, which resets your brain and is one of the most important parts of a PSR.

lg from overseas,
Ingo
 
Cameron Smith said:
When I play, I always need to have a glass of something nearby. Just something to sip (generally water because it's free). After tough shots and for important shots I'll always go get a sip of water, step away from the table and collect myself. Then I'll effectively start a new run, I approach the table as though I'm beginning again. The point is to play the shot for what it is, just an angle you've made a million times before. If you can train yourself to see it in this way and forget about the previous balls in the run, it may help. My thought process is, when we start with an easy shot we can always run x amount of balls. But yet, runs frequently breakdown due to a botched easy shot in the middle of a run. It's generally because players tighten up as they approach a run out or perhaps second guess themselves.

Also, fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. The better your mechanics, the tougher it is to choke. Not saying you'll become chokeproof, just it won't be on easy balls nearly as often.
Click to expand...

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, but I'm really wondering which shots you face that aren't important.

Steve
 
steve,

on this point i totally agree with you-- i also prefer to *give the advice* to give every single shot the same attention- every shot is as important as the other. but some guys seem to have here other thoughts.
wondering often about this :)

if someone is suddenly getting afraid under pressure-then it s a totally other situation- and if someone is able to handle it, with a mantra, or to be able to *reboot his brain*( however that may be), it s worth to do it.
 
pooltchr said:
I agree with a lot of what you are saying, but I'm really wondering which shots you face that aren't important.

Steve
Click to expand...

Well, the a proper preshot routine will ensure that you give the appropriate attention to every shot. However it is fair to say there are some shots which require a little extra focus, and they aren't necessarily difficult shots. Of course the obvious ones would be key shots in the rack which would put you in a position to finish the game. They aren't always hard, but a players nerves may cause them to hit the shot poorly.

But not every shot that gets your heart rate up is a key shot. How many times have amateur 14.1 players missed the 50th ball in their run? Unless it is the game ball, what is the difference between missing the 51st ball rather than the 50th? Mathemetically 1 ball, which isn't a big deal. But to the player, that one ball is everything. So there is certainly a distinction to be made between some shots and others.

Yes, every ball is important, but it is fair to say some are slightly more so.
 
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Cameron...This is why a good shooting PSR will always include an established eye pattern. That's one of the things that allows the subconscious brain to recognize "nerves", and other choke syndromes, and either allows the shooter to remain "in the moment" of the shot, until ready...or allows them to pull up, or 'bail out' before committing an error. I agree with a lot of your posts on this subject.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Cameron Smith said:
Well, the a proper preshot routine will ensure that you give the appropriate attention to every shot. However it is fair to say there are some shots which require a little extra focus, and they aren't necessarily difficult shots. Of course the obvious ones would be key shots in the rack which would put you in a position to finish the game. They aren't always hard, but a players nerves may cause them to hit the shot poorly.But not every shot that gets your heart rate up is a key shot. How many times have amateur 14.1 players missed the 50th ball in their run? Unless it is the game ball, what is the difference between missing the 51st ball rather than the 50th? Mathemetically 1 ball, which isn't a big deal. But to the player, that one ball is everything. So there is certainly a distinction to be made between some shots and others.

Yes, every ball is important, but it is fair to say some are slightly more so.
Click to expand...
 
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