a question for serious...or shall i say higher level players

focus concetration and nerves

lorider said:
i decided to use the phrase higher level players because i am pretty serious about my game and i am just a league player that fluctuates between a 5 and a 6.

my question is ...to what do you attribute the most for reaching the level you are at ? speaking of b and a level players.

is it knowledge...proper fundamentals...your ability to concentrate or focus...able to be consistent all the time.. or is it some other factor ? maybe a combination of several things ?

the reason i am asking is twofold.
1. maybe i can pick up some advice on how to reach the next level
2. i am puzzled by my level of play from one night to the next and maybe some of you know the answer
3. do you know of any you tube videos on the proper use of english ?
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well try to practice alone and play for money only(tournaments also)as often as you can
when you practice and before you get down on the shot decide what to do,then your eyes locked up at the exact spot of the ob and then you get down and just do it
poolis simple dont put too much thinking at your practice
and finally at the money game feel free as an actor you play a roll and your roll is not to lose to get the money
thats all
 
Zphix said:
My thinking is along these lines.

Having played with semi pro caliber players, and a few smaller time pros, I'd venture to say that concentration/focus is most important.

Almost all serious players with dedication reach a point where they all have the same "knowledge" and you can acquire most of that knowledge by the time you're a mid level B player.

However, focus and concentration is what really allows you to use all of that knowledge. Focus and concentration is what allows everything to fall into place. I know that when I'm feeling exhausted or lazy at the table my start to get screwy, but when I'm focused everything aligns.

Focus and concentration are the mental fundamentals which allow the physical fundamentals to align.

I can't offer any advice on learning to become focused - for me, it's just a matter of consciously flipping the switch. And some days I have to be pressured to flip it. My last APA match I couldn't focus until I needed 5 games and my opponent needed 1.
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I couldn't have said it better. after a certain level of playing ability, our minds know what to do to make a shot and make shape on the next ball, but it is the focus needed to accomplish it......I can go in and play a mid level player and just knock 'em around without too much concentration, then other times, especially if I find myself down by 3, I just tell the poor old brain to frigging focus and all gets better, it is the focus gentlemen. :thumbup:
 
There's a million variables. Invariably most greats have natural ability, started very young and had a period of time, generally several years where they played 6-8 or more hours a day where they lived & breathed pool exclusively. I had a protege once that bucked those odds, he started in his 20's, his obsession caused his young marriage to crumble. After his divorce he retained his job but after work he was at the hall everyday & put in 5 hours a day M-Thurs. After getting off work in Friday he'd play all night. Sleep til noon on Sat then play 12 hours, same on Sunday. After 3 years of this he became an A+ level player & then plateaued. He'd gone as far as his ability would take him.

Clearly table time is paramount, some practice, but to really improve you need competition, stiff competition against players several balls better than you until they aren't better than you.

Additionally mental toughness and ability to really focus and maintain unwavering concentration I feel is the difference between A level players & truly elite pro level players. Meditation and creative visualization techniques can help you develop your concentration and positive visualization actually helps hone and maintain muscle memory away from the table.

Mental toughness is more difficult though, guts, heart, whatever you want to call it is something I believe you either possess or you don't. Very rarely can it be developed. I've seen a small few that didn't naturally have it that ran the gauntlet of taking hard losses from better players & actually responded by getting tougher, most fold and have damaged psyches after getting crushed again and again.
 
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lorider said:
i decided to use the phrase higher level players because i am pretty serious about my game and i am just a league player that fluctuates between a 5 and a 6.

my question is ...to what do you attribute the most for reaching the level you are at ? speaking of b and a level players.

is it knowledge...proper fundamentals...your ability to concentrate or focus...able to be consistent all the time.. or is it some other factor ? maybe a combination of several things ?

the reason i am asking is twofold.
1. maybe i can pick up some advice on how to reach the next level
2. i am puzzled by my level of play from one night to the next and maybe some of you know the answer
3. do you know of any you tube videos on the proper use of english ?
Click to expand...
Assuming you have done much of what is mentioned in other responses such as practice, doing drills and so on. At a point you have to graduate to a higher level of play and players.

You have to get away from where you are and move on from grammar school to high school and on to collage in terms of your environment and competition. Playing on your weekly pool league or by yourself in your basement is not going to make you a top player.

Once you are out among much better players the change is almost automatic. Good play is all around you, you begin to really improving almost by osmosis. You won't even know it is happening. Pretty much every top player will tell you the same thing.
 
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His Boy Elroy said:
I'll have to agree with most of what you recommend. I think he should marry a pool instructor though. There'll be no need for a divorce.
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You could be right.
When I say play, play, play, and then play some more, I mean just that. What is the one common theme among pro level players? It is that they started young.
I'll give you an example. Danny Harriman, who comes from my neck of the woods, started playing pool in one of our local pool rooms when he was 8 years old. He is now 43. That means he's been playing pool for 35 years.
In addition, how much of that time was spent reading pool books, watching DVDs, or taking lessons? By comparison, very little.
You've got to pay your due with the cue (pretty cool, huh? I just made that up). :smile:
 
Maintenance

Skills and mental strength go hand in hand.
As you hone your craft the key is Maintenance
It doesn’t matter if its knowledge, fundamentals, stroke, break, spin, kicking, banks, math and so on and so on.

It does not matter; the key is to maintain each level.

I look at each level of improvement at 1/2 ball jumps, not from C player to A+.
Work on all aspects of the game, when something clicks is when you jump up 1/2 ball.
Maintenance of each jump is important; you must master each level and not fall back.
Yesterday I played world class; today I can't make 2 in a row , low or no maintenance.

Live on the table, play as much as you can, practice, funsies, gamble cheap, tourneys. Play a little above and a little below your level, that allows you to keep your arm in motion. If I could I would put myself in the position where I am around players of my skill and better as much as possible, preferabbly better skilled players. If you play champs the only motion your arm gets is the racking motion, watch them on you tube. The old saying, a body in motion stays in motion; an ass sitting in the chair grows hair.

It doesn't hurt to get in there with a champ on occasion; I wouldn’t make a habit of it unless I was maintaining a higher level, possibly A+ or better.

Lebron James on the winning shot. I am supposed to make that shot. I practiced that shot since I was a boy and we still practice it every day. Maintenance

Always have a maintenance program, consistency and goals are easier to reach.

Learn to play pool with the cue ball,master it, everything else is second place. Learn to recognize insurance position and pockets and when to use it, that's major.

Sincerely: SS
 
Never just bang balls around. Don't take any shot for granted. Concentrate on each shot like your life depended on it. Focus on making each shot with sound fundamentals. Don't let your mind get sloppy. Learn to be hard on yourself - be prepared to leave the comfort zone to find your mistakes and dealing with them. Take every shot as an opportunity to learn something. No excuses, learn to evaluate yourself objectively. Get a coach you will listen to. Learn to filter out crappy pieces of advice you read on different internet forums.
 
I don't want to just beat my opponent, I want to drive him (her?) right into the ground. I want his confidence level to sink to the lowest level possible. I want his self esteem to be less than zero at the end of the match. In other words, I absolutely hate to loose.
If I loose a match, I make it my personal goal to play that person again and not settle for anything less than a win.
Shoot safe.
John
 
Coming to terms with yourself Grasshopper

To date, I have found no single better contribution to bettering my skill set in all games of pocket billiards than solo practice. I can play anyone I like, but if my fundamentals are not rock solid, Im piddling into the wind. Save yourself the trouble of backsliding skill-wise and just grind out a few hours a week of solid solo practice.

Play some solo straight pool or one pocket. Be bold and be ABSOLUTELY DEAD-NUTS PERFECT in form and accuracy. Everything must be perfect. All things must be fluid. THen have a beer and grind out a few mor hours. A few year later you can start to smile.... but only a little. Im 3 years into my comeback after a 23 year hiatus... it was ill-advised to think tht these skills were not perishable.

These days I play 8-ball (run one side and then the other and then sink the 8-ball) and straight pool for my practice. Straight pool helps me with shot-making like nothing else Ive ever encountered and 8ball helps me to manoever in a crowd with the rock.

Regards,

Lesh
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Develop sound fundamentals, then play, play, play, play, play, get a divorce, play, play, play, play, play, start drinking heavy, play, play, play, play, play, and if you find the time, play some more.
I think you get the picture. :smile:
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Bingo! In other words, ruin your life for being good at a game.
 
oops

Tramp Steamer said:
You could be right.
When I say play, play, play, and then play some more, I mean just that. What is the one common theme among pro level players? It is that they started young.
I'll give you an example. Danny Harriman, who comes from my neck of the woods, started playing pool in one of our local pool rooms when he was 8 years old. He is now 43. That means he's been playing pool for 35 years.
In addition, how much of that time was spent reading pool books, watching DVDs, or taking lessons? By comparison, very little.
You've got to pay your due with the cue (pretty cool, huh? I just made that up). :smile:
Click to expand...

The most difficult hurdle in pocket billiards is finding your own style - once you've found that then it's working through the distractions. I actually started when I was 5 in a pool room that has been closed now for over 35 years, plus I am only 42. Not trying to be Mr. correction but I have been playing for 37 yrs Tramp Steamer.
 
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Danny Harriman said:
The most difficult hurdle in pocket billiards is finding your own style - once you've found that then it's working through the distractions. I actually started when I was 5 in a pool room that has been closed now for over 35 years, plus I am only 42. Not trying to be Mr. correction but I have been playing for 37 yrs Tramp Steamer.
Click to expand...

Hey, I was close.
While you're here, let me ask you how you feel about practice, drills, etc., from a pro level. :smile:
 
lorider said:
i decided to use the phrase higher level players because i am pretty serious about my game and i am just a league player that fluctuates between a 5 and a 6.

my question is ...to what do you attribute the most for reaching the level you are at ? speaking of b and a level players.

is it knowledge...proper fundamentals...your ability to concentrate or focus...able to be consistent all the time.. or is it some other factor ? maybe a combination of several things ?

the reason i am asking is twofold.
1. maybe i can pick up some advice on how to reach the next level
2. i am puzzled by my level of play from one night to the next and maybe some of you know the answer
3. do you know of any you tube videos on the proper use of english ?
Click to expand...

Answering #1: The short answer could be read the right books and work hard. Learn to be able to do everything with the cueball. If a shot you see another make in the room or on TV perplexes you, figure out how to do it. Your main goal should be to get as many tools in the toolbag as possible.

#2: Strong players have a much better understanding of the "Why" to this. Beginning to intermediate players can recognize it happening, but have trouble accurately answering why. As do most of your league teammates if you ask them about your play. Continue to learn about the game and do things in the most consistent manner from one shot to the next. That will help you with the "Why", and hopefully reduce the inconsistency.

#3: Lots of good books out there...anything from Byrne or Capelle, and others. Videos I'm not sure about, but other posters will surely know.

Keep learning and working hard - Good luck
 
I imagine most players mainly play 8 and 9 ball. Give straight pool, one pocket, banks etc a try. I have heard better players say each game strengthens a part of their game.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I'm about at the same point you're at, C+ trying to break through to B... although my game has jumped leaps and bounds over the last few months, so I have no idea exactly where my game is at right now. When you're practicing or warming up, if you're free-stroking, you are in the wrong. What helped me tremendously was finding practice methods (drill, ghost, etc) that most closely simulated being in a match or even put more pressure on myself ie nerves, arm tightening up, etc.
I lost so many matches due to nerves, I became determined to incorporate it into my practice routine, so that when I went into a tournament or league match, they were actually easier because I was basically in an environment that I spent many hours of practice in and it was basically second nature. I also found a place that would let me use pool balls on their golf/snooker table... straightened out my mechanics real quick, plus helped me with shotmaking and focus.
Here's one of the drills I use that's made matches a lot easier. It's a modified version of the ghost, plus it helps work on your break at the same time: rack 9/10 ball. Break. remove all balls except 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (10). Take Ball in hand and try to run the remaining balls. Basically now you're playing the 5/6 ball ghost. do races to 7. If you lose badly, remove the next lowest numbered ball (5), so now you're playing the 4/5 ball ghost. Keep removing balls until you're able to win a race to 7. Once you've won 2 races in a row, add a ball. This will also help with the "last ball" nerves.
 
Time at the table. Experience. Seasoning. Getting your ass kicked over and over by better players until you're forced to improve, sink or swim kinda thing. Of course you need a solid grasp of the fundamentals, but you also don't need to be a robot player. You can't expect to get to the next level without putting in the time.
 
duckie said:
To be willing to allow for how ever long it takes to improve. Improving is not linear. There will be ups and downs. Time helps to smooth out those ups and downs.

Then there is one question to answer.....a question that must be asked at some point in your growth......Why do I still miss? This is not the same as asking why did I miss.
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I could not agree more. If you miss and don't know why, then there is your problem. Once you know why you are missing shots then you can make the corrections so that you make them next time. For me the thing that helped me was playing people that played way better than me. Watching what they did and asking questions coupled with the fact that I was tired of losing helped me. The other thing that really helped was playing one pocket and straight pool more. They teach you to stop playing area shape and start playing real shape. Good luck
 
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