How to focus and be blind to surroundings

A

asbani

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Can one of you guys help my mental game outside of the table. I have this issue that no matter what I do , I can't get rid of, things that are happening around me, and notice them and they either put me out of rythm or actually make me miss while I'm down on a shot, I can literally miss a very simple shot if for example a guy walks right infront of me while I'm trying to shoot, my eyes would follow him and I get distracted.

There are a lot of examples that would distract me and all of them are outside of the table, if a guy passes infront of my eyes where I aim, or if someone very close to me speaks loudly while I shoot, those are the main two but there are others , and most are outside of the table.

I tried so many things and none worked so far, I tried standing up and reset, I was already down on the shot I stood up waited for him to leave or finish his conversation, but I don't like this solution. If it's a little though shot I'll miss too because it would put me out of momentum and rythm, And sometimes I hate standing up and resetting that I just choose to shoot anyway.

I also tried practicing on a loud pool hall and place to get used to it, but it didn't work too.

Anyone have other solution to just focus on the table and my eyes wouldn't move when I see people moving or hearing people talking near me


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As far as other people distracting me, that isn't an issue with me. Someone could drive a Mack truck up and bump the table next to me and it probably wouldn't distract me.

Other people watching me; not a problem at all. Someone dropping their cue; I wouldn't notice it. Someone talking while I am making a shot; no issue!

However, just let someone start playing that horrible, moronic, stupid, no talent, noise that is called Rap Music...and I am done!

Every time I hear that pitiful noise, I end up saying to others around me; "How is it possible for an adult to play that stuff? There has got to be a junior high school person in this pool room right now because an adult simply wouldn't play that pitiful noise. It surely cannot be classified as music."

In fact, a person who plays that kind of noise, wouldn't be out of character if they went into the bathroom and drew pictures on the walls of peepees and weewees as they giggled. That is how childish that moronic noise really is.

So...in summary; we all have our issues!

...and, I got to go on a little rant!
 
That noise gets to me too... briefly... & then I tune it out & treat it for what it is...

background noise.

asbani, I PMd you something but it may not help.
 
I happen to have a lot of experience having to do things in very distracting environments. If things start to distract me, I think about something else. Maybe I'll hum quietly to myself...maybe I'll think of something cute my kids do, or what I'm going to cook for the family this week. Anything mundane, really. By the time you're down on your shot, all of the thinking should be done...you have your aim point, your speed, your spin. The only thing left is take the shot, and your body knows how to do that already so let it. Think about something else and let that distract you in a controlled way.

Anyhow, that's just what's always worked for me, at work and at play. May not work for you, or anyone else for that matter, but it's worth a try I guess.
 
There really is no "teaching" this. Amongst any players of equal ability it generally comes down to who can focus better as to who will prevail given equal opportunities & rolls.

You should try meditation, focusing on your breathing, again the key here is focus.

Perhaps also see a professional & see if perhaps you have ADD or ADHD.

Once you've reached even the highest echelons of this sport it's hyper focus that is required at all times to excel to your complete potential on every single shot & the next 5 or 6 that will follow it. Mosconi said while he loved pool he hated it at the same time due to the extreme exertion to have to focus completely & constantly. Good luck
 
I'm not great about tuning out distractions. For me, it rarely is the distraction itself. It is the disrespect that the distraction implies. I really don't like conflict, and just find it so offputting when someone forgets that when they are at a tournament, the tournament is the feature, not them.

One or two things help me, but I will say up front I am not good at this. I'm very good at resisting the urge to pull the trigger when I am being distracted. If anyone has watched me play any serious tournaments, I'll get up off the shot as long as it takes. When I play, I want my opponents best game. I want them to do what ever they need to do for *themselves* to play well, as long as thins doesn't interfere with my ability to do the same.

So, some items that have helped me include:
-- take slow, determined deep breaths. In doing so, try to put as much focus as possible on the feeling in your body of taking that breath. The way the air feels entering your mouth and nose, the feeling of your chest expanding, etc. I also imagine that pressure, distraction, and any outside thing is going away when I exhale. Just really let go of your chest and let the air whoosh out on its own. It seems to help.
--If I think any thoughts, I imagine the sound of waves on the beach. I imagine that the waves are too loud to hear any thoughts or words in my head. I imagine the waves are washing away the thoughts, making my mind clear and blank, like a perfectly clean beach right at the water line where the water recedes after each wave...clear, clean, flat, just the water subsiding away and nothing else. It is oddly very effective, but I always forget to do it.
--PRACTICE shooting in distracting environments. When you are just practicing, go to the pool hall or bar that is the most irritating. Pick the table near the biggest group of bangers. Maybe play cheap sets with a distracting person, or near distracting people. I always see those videos of the guys gambling in the Phillipines, with total chaos going on around the table. I wish I had learned to play in that environment. To be fair, I did initially come to enjoy pool in a super busy bar, with people running all over the place, bumping into you, spilling beer on you, etc. Back then it didn't bother me in the least. Now, unfortunately, I've learned about respect and etiquette in pool, so now it bothers me...but only in a "real" tournament setting. If I'm playing in a bar or non-players pool room, I know that going in and don't expect any special environment. When I'm playing a real tourney, I expect respect. Of course this is true in all of life, and is a whole different conversation lol.

I'd be curious to know if any of that helps.

KMRUNOUT
 
Colonel said:
There really is no "teaching" this. Amongst any players of equal ability it generally comes down to who can focus better as to who will prevail given equal opportunities & rolls.

You should try meditation, focusing on your breathing, again the key here is focus.

Perhaps also see a professional & see if perhaps you have ADD or ADHD.

Once you've reached even the highest echelons of this sport it's hyper focus that is required at all times to excel to your complete potential on every single shot & the next 5 or 6 that will follow it. Mosconi said while he loved pool he hated it at the same time due to the extreme exertion to have to focus completely & constantly. Good luck
Click to expand...

This is very well said. I understand completely what Mosconi meant. I didn't know that about him. Thanks for posting!

KMRUNOUT
 
TwinkleToes said:
As far as other people distracting me, that isn't an issue with me. Someone could drive a Mack truck up and bump the table next to me and it probably wouldn't distract me.

Other people watching me; not a problem at all. Someone dropping their cue; I wouldn't notice it. Someone talking while I am making a shot; no issue!

However, just let someone start playing that horrible, moronic, stupid, no talent, noise that is called Rap Music...and I am done!

Every time I hear that pitiful noise, I end up saying to others around me; "How is it possible for an adult to play that stuff? There has got to be a junior high school person in this pool room right now because an adult simply wouldn't play that pitiful noise. It surely cannot be classified as music."

In fact, a person who plays that kind of noise, wouldn't be out of character if they went into the bathroom and drew pictures on the walls of peepees and weewees as they giggled. That is how childish that moronic noise really is.

So...in summary; we all have our issues!

...and, I got to go on a little rant!
Click to expand...

Rap is fine - country(can't call it music) makes me wanna hit myself in the mouth with a hammer. Earbuds are the answer - you can listen to whatever you want.
Jason
 
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Just concentrate on the balls - OB and Cue ball. If you do that and really really zero in on them, everything else will fade away. You should be tired after concentrating like that for an hr or two.
Jason
 
Here are some ways that I've seen successful .... maybe others can figure out more.

1. Be as dumb as a stump. An IQ of below 90 is helpful.

2. Be as rich as hell with not a worry in the world.

3. numbers 1 and 2 are greatly enhanced if you're single with no kids.

4. Sprinkle in some drugs, and you have a killer combination. :rolleyes:
 
jasonlaus said:
Just concentrate on the balls - OB and Cue ball. If you do that and really really zero in on them, everything else will fade away. You should be tired after concentrating like that for an hr or two.
Jason
Click to expand...
That and follow a detailed pre-shot routine and aimming ritiual.
KMRUNOUT said:
This is very well said. I understand completely what Mosconi meant. I didn't know that about him. Thanks for posting!

KMRUNOUT
Click to expand...


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Colonel said:
There really is no "teaching" this. Amongst any players of equal ability it generally comes down to who can focus better as to who will prevail given equal opportunities & rolls.

You should try meditation, focusing on your breathing, again the key here is focus.

Perhaps also see a professional & see if perhaps you have ADD or ADHD.

Once you've reached even the highest echelons of this sport it's hyper focus that is required at all times to excel to your complete potential on every single shot & the next 5 or 6 that will follow it. Mosconi said while he loved pool he hated it at the same time due to the extreme exertion to have to focus completely & constantly. Good luck
Click to expand...




WOW! Have you got this wrong.

We teach this every day in Pool School. Focus is one of our strongest assets.

randyg
 
I've sent the OP a PM.

But, to me... It's fairly simple...

if one HATES losing...

One FOCUSES to no end.

The 1st. can breed the 2nd.

Try hitting a fast ball while looking at a jet taking off in the distance.

A wild pitch can get your attention...

& keep it.

Priorities.

If you're playing pool, play pool.

If you looking for a date, unscrew your cue & go to Ladies Night.
 
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I use a specific methodology for distractions - I soak 'em in. I walk into the bar, I take in everything, look at the cute girls, the ugly guys, check the TVs, basically case everything going on.

Next, any time I do get distracted, I accept the distraction - watch the music video or hockey game for a few seconds, whatever, and then do a reset back into the game. Trying to play thru the distraction is a lot harder then accepting the distraction for a few seconds and then getting back to the game - besides I'm out to have fun, who wants to be in a boring environment?? :)

I think allowing my concentration to take 'breaks' helps me from being distracted easily or at critical moments, but I'm still susceptible...

Oh, and I don't HATE losing - I don't play my opponent anyway, I'm playing the table...
 
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Turn your perception inwards. There's a concept called "Presence" and when you harness it you can become either hyper aware of what's going on, or channel things out.

So, if you're at the table and can't stop noticing things then reflect inward:

Acknowledge what you're thinking, feeling, bodily sensations, etc. and this effectively allows you to control your focus. From there, you're free to do what you want with it.
 
3andstop said:
Here are some ways that I've seen successful .... maybe others can figure out more.

1. Be as dumb as a stump. An IQ of below 90 is helpful.

2. Be as rich as hell with not a worry in the world.

3. numbers 1 and 2 are greatly enhanced if you're single with no kids.

4. Sprinkle in some drugs, and you have a killer combination. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I think # 1 is a major benefit.

KMRUNOUT
 
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