I know you are suppose to practice like you play, and play like you practice, it sounds so simple, but I don' think it is. If I just throw the balls out on the table, it is so easy to run them out, yet if they come out the same way in a game, they seem harder to run out. Have any of you had the same problem and overcome it some how? Do any of you use a Mantra during practice and play to make it seem the same, or do you feel a mantra takes you out of rhythm?
Do Mantras Really Work
- Thread starter irock
- Start date
Well that "mantra" isnt exactly meant to be taken literal.
Like in practice, you come up on a 9ball combo that you would want to take in a match, you still shoot it in practice and move on to the next rack. You have a difficult shot, play the safe in practice, then play the kick to get out of it.
It doesnt mean you are going to play like you will in a no pressure scenario, it means when you are in that pressure scenario you will have the knowledge of the correct shot, whether you execute it, that's a different story.
Like in practice, you come up on a 9ball combo that you would want to take in a match, you still shoot it in practice and move on to the next rack. You have a difficult shot, play the safe in practice, then play the kick to get out of it.
It doesnt mean you are going to play like you will in a no pressure scenario, it means when you are in that pressure scenario you will have the knowledge of the correct shot, whether you execute it, that's a different story.
That's what the Mantra is for...... it helps to clear your mind. It isn't something you use during the the stroke, it's part of your PSR.
To each his own. I don't feel that mantras are for all activities surely not in pool, i'm busy trying to talk to myself less and not be repeating anything in my head outside of "hmm, little bit of inside on this one, boy i'm gonna have to stroke this one good".
I feel that you are never relaxed and will never experience free stroking if you just don't know what to do, again i mention the car, you don't talk to yourself while in a turn you just turn, there is no "force" to guide you through this one.
I feel that you are never relaxed and will never experience free stroking if you just don't know what to do, again i mention the car, you don't talk to yourself while in a turn you just turn, there is no "force" to guide you through this one.
Impossible!
Can't clear your mind! So you give it a mundane routine to perform.
That routine could be a Mantra.
randyg
In School we use a very solid method that changes from player to player.
Songs might be good but questions are better.
randyg
Umm, umm, umm....yeah.
I'm sure some will mention their own but you best bet is to google Mantra and then apply what you think fits then it would make the most sense in my opinion.
Mantra Schmantra....
No sure really what you call a Mantra but....
I do everything the same. I walk up on shots in a similar fashion, I have the same aiming technique, I get down on the balls the same, I prestroke and pause the same before I stroke.
From your post It seemed to me you were having trouble with the cue ball and not the shot making. My first response would be to put a pause in your stroke, unless you relax those muscles in your arm just before you stroke you might never get a good feel for how far the cue ball is going to travel and you need to work on speeds 1 through 5.
1=from the spot to the other end of the table and each additional speed is one half table length farther...so 5 would be back to the head rail where 1 was.
Most of your shots are 1 through 5. Work on that and if your aim is good you will start controlling the cue ball. and running balls in order wont be near as hard.
Do everything the same, control speed, run balls in order. Easy.
No sure really what you call a Mantra but....
I do everything the same. I walk up on shots in a similar fashion, I have the same aiming technique, I get down on the balls the same, I prestroke and pause the same before I stroke.
From your post It seemed to me you were having trouble with the cue ball and not the shot making. My first response would be to put a pause in your stroke, unless you relax those muscles in your arm just before you stroke you might never get a good feel for how far the cue ball is going to travel and you need to work on speeds 1 through 5.
1=from the spot to the other end of the table and each additional speed is one half table length farther...so 5 would be back to the head rail where 1 was.
Most of your shots are 1 through 5. Work on that and if your aim is good you will start controlling the cue ball. and running balls in order wont be near as hard.
Do everything the same, control speed, run balls in order. Easy.
Sometimes I talk myself through a rack and it really helps, but I play my best when my mind is blank. Emptying my mind can be difficult so I'd rather talk myself through a rack in order to better learn the game. This is 9 ball I'm talking. I'm not a good 9 ball player but I have a fair amount of one pocket knowledge and play it a lot. Its easy to justify talking yourself through a game of one pocket, especially considering how many factors you have to take in consideration for each shot. Honestly I think some of the more methodical (not slow) players do this in rotation as well.
You are correct. A mantra is hypnosis. All you are doing is telling the conscious mind, and the critical faculty, to go play over there while I do this.
Nurses will do the same thing giving shots to a child.
They can basically tell them to look over there and imagine yourself swinging on a swing going higher and higher, keep imagining and as you do you will not even notice what I am doing over here.
Don't let the conscious and subconscious minds fight is the key
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