Relaxing During a Match

You say you play well & then at a certain point you tighten up & the wheels fall off. That when others watch you play you feel they're judging you & your game suffers, Hmmm, this is commonly known as 10 cent head syndrome. I don't care if you have million dollar talent, if you have a 10 cent head, you're going to get drilled. This game is full of guys that run racks in practice but as little as $50 a rack their game implodes. Fear not, the answers in your head.

Things you can do to change it. Start with meditation & positive visualization. Meditation will teach you to control your breathing, this will let you keep heart rate, adrenaline & cortisol levels flatlined both at the table & in the chair, it's crucial, breathe. Positive visualization is also crucial. It's been proven to keep minute muscle memory honed & even to develop it. Essentially helping you get better away from table & it's the key to the kingdom at the table.

Most importantly it's about perception. What is the difference between the guy who caves under "pressure"& the guy with ice water running through his veins under the same "pressure"situation? Perception is the difference,pressure & fear of failure only exist in 1 place, your mind. You create it or you choose not to create it, it is a choice.There is NO DIFFERENCE between the rack you run without thought in practice & the same rack in a hill hill game for the session. It's your perception of it, your conscious mind gets involved & places importance to something which plants the seed for "pressure"and performance anxiety. You can choose to not place this importance on it. The shots are no different, just your perception of them. Control your mind & you will free it. Free your mind & your ass & game will follow. I love this subject, there are threads on the mental game & heart vs skill you might want to look up and read. The answer is there or PM me.
 
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You're right about "the perception," Colonel.

Understanding perception is the key to controlling fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions.

One of the factors that "separate the men from the boys" is the ability to put one's self in vulnerable situations.....and have the courage to get through it and grow simultaneously. This isn't "natural," it a skill that must be practiced and learned.

Playing pool (or many other things) in front of other people takes courage....only because of the supposed exposure to the unknown.

You're right about "the perception," Colonel.....the question is how do we replace the fear of losing with the courage it takes to win?



Colonel said:
You say you play well & then at a certain point you tighten up & the wheels fall off. That when others watch you play you feel they're judging you & your game suffers, Hmmm, this is commonly known as 10 cent head syndrome. I don't care if you have million dollar talent, if you have a 10 cent head, you're going to get drilled. This game is full of guys that run racks in practice but as little as $50 a rack their game implodes. Fear not, the answers in your head.

Things you can do to change it. Start with meditation & positive visualization. Meditation will teach you to control your breathing, this will let you keep heart rate, adrenaline & cortisol levels flatlined both at the table & in the chair, it's crucial, breathe. Positive visualization is also crucial. It's been proven to keep minute muscle memory honed & even to develop it. Essentially helping you get better away from table & it's the key to the kingdom at the table.

Most importantly it's about perception. What is the difference between the guy who caves under "pressure"& the guy with ice water running through his veins under the same "pressure"situation? Perception is the difference,pressure & fear of failure only exist in 1 place, your mind. You create it or you choose not to create it, it is a choice.There is NO DIFFERENCE between the rack you run without thought in practice & the same rack in a hill hill game for the session. It's your perception of it, your conscious mind gets involved & places importance to something which plants the seed for "pressure"and performance anxiety. You can choose to not place this importance on it. The shots are no different, just your perception of them. Control your mind & you will free it. Free your mind & your ass & game will follow. I love this subject, there are threads on the mental game & heart vs skill you might want to look up and read. The answer is there or PM me.
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CJ Wiley said:
Understanding perception is the key to controlling fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions.

One of the factors that "separate the men from the boys" is the ability to put one's self in vulnerable situations.....and have the courage to get through it and grow simultaneously. This isn't "natural," it a skill that must be practiced and learned.

Playing pool (or many other things) in front of other people takes courage....only because of the supposed exposure to the unknown.

You're right about "the perception," Colonel.....the question is how do we replace the fear of losing with the courage it takes to win?
Click to expand...

Being that I'm a big believer in physicalism - or the connection between the mind and body... I know for a fact you can change your physiology to affect your mind.

So, you can assume a confident posture and feel confident because your mind can't tell the difference - the problem is the dissonance you feel when your body is doing one thing and your mind another.

I can sit confidently in my chair while my thoughts still linger - so I think that meditating (which I've been doing) coupled with changing your physiology, etc. will do wonders to eliminate that fear.

-Richard
 
I will also suggest to include the spirit, IT will synergize you

There is certainly a connection between mind and body.....I will suggest including the spirit, IT will synergize with a magnatude few can imagine. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Mind-Body-Spirit-Wellness12.jpg




Zphix said:
Being that I'm a big believer in physicalism - or the connection between the mind and body... I know for a fact you can change your physiology to affect your mind.

So, you can assume a confident posture and feel confident because your mind can't tell the difference - the problem is the dissonance you feel when your body is doing one thing and your mind another.

I can sit confidently in my chair while my thoughts still linger - so I think that meditating (which I've been doing) coupled with changing your physiology, etc. will do wonders to eliminate that fear.

-Richard
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5NoFE69.png


Let's not forget the Triad System either ;)

This system offers a more immediate effect to change your mental state from one to another (i.e. from depressed to confident, nervous to calm <-- which is what I'm working on).

Though - the mind,body,spirit cycle guarantees a positive state so you generally don't have to change your state that much.

-Richard
 
it can't hurt your ability to learn in general

That won't do much for your pool game (in comparison)....although it can't hurt your ability to learn in general. 'The Game is the Teacher'


 
a "must read" for those pursuing a higher mental level in pocket billiards

This is one of the first books on the "mental game" I read since tennis was my #1 game for many years. Timothy also references my all time favorite 'Zen in the Art of Archery' - a "must read" for those pursuing a higher mental level in pocket billiards. 'The Games are my Teacher'




ChicagoJoe said:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Inner-Gam...03037442&sr=8-1&keywords=inner+game+of+tennis

A quick read, and helped my game out a lot.
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