Mental Game

mchnhed said:
Need we say more.


After instruction. Be it by book, video, online, in person.


See above answer.


After being instructed. Be it by .........


Billiards Players? Most likely not.
Modern Athletes, Yes.

I think we muddy the process by making things more complicated than they really are.
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"Muddy the Process"?
I think most would say "Brings Clarity".
For some it makes things too complicated to observe, analyze, correct, practice, train.[/QUOTE]

I still say that you learn by doing. If instruction works for you then take lessons. If reading works for you then read. Sooner or later you have to take it to the table and deal with all sorts of opponents, loud ones, quiet ones, slow ones, fast ones, good players, and bad players. In the end you have to deal with yourself at the table.
 
frankncali said:
What are some suggestions for books, video or audiobooks to help with the mental game.

Really hoping for some videos or audiobooks.. I seem to learn better that way.
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I think you've (and others) have got to realize not everyone is a gambler inside. For example, the golf ranges all over the world are filled with guys that hit it long and straight (on the range) and maybe shoot under par playing with their buddies. But the minute they tee it up for something, they shoot 82. They go on to be something else in life. Others hit it long and straight everywhere and they get better with the pressure. We know their names. If you're not good enough to make a living in pro tournaments, everything else is for fun. Lighten up. Give yourself a break today (go to McDonald's)
 
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philly said:
"Muddy the Process"?
I think most would say "Brings Clarity".
For some it makes things too complicated to observe, analyze, correct, practice, train.
Click to expand...

I still say that you learn by doing. If instruction works for you then take lessons. If reading works for you then read. Sooner or later you have to take it to the table and deal with all sorts of opponents, loud ones, quiet ones, slow ones, fast ones, good players, and bad players. In the end you have to deal with yourself at the table.[/QUOTE]

I have never played pool.
How do I start?
Who goes first.
How do I hold the broom handle?
What's that Dot on the table for?

Someone shows me = Instruction
Play with others = They show me = Instruction
Rules for the game we are playing = Instuction or Reading

If I leave it up to me to figure it out without any guidance.........
I won't go.
That's why Billiards Rooms are closing.
No Support.
 
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Inner game of Tennis is a good one that was already mentioned. I'll save you some time and give you the Cliff Notes on steroids version. Basically, get out of your own way. The road to flow or dead stroke is getting down and going through the motions without any thought. Let your subconscious take over based on experience and practice. Think back when you played your best and you just got up and played with no thinking.

Dr. Chris Stankovich sp? is a sports psychologist that developed a program for pool called the Mind of Steel. It is in audio format and inexpensive with some good advice to the mental game.
 
The Pleasure of Small Motions is the best book on the mental game ever written, HANDS DOWN. Incorporating having fun when you play is right up there as one of the most important factors in a successful inner game. I wish I had a dollar for every pool player who thought that winning was everything and ended up getting burnt out on pool.
 
denwhit said:
I think you've (and others) have got to realize not everyone is a gambler inside.
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I think you mean to say "not everyone is a Competitor inside".

Maybe not. Gamblers, Hustlers, Action, Rubes, Marks.
The US has a real problem with Billiards Sports.
 
mchnhed said:
I think you mean to say "not everyone is a Competitor inside".

Maybe not. Gamblers, Hustlers, Action, Rubes, Marks.
The US has a real problem with Billiards Sports.
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Okay. They are kind of the same. Nicklaus needing a birdie on the last hole to win; gambler/ competitor = same mentality.
 
mchnhed said:
No wonder Billiards in America is so messed up

****Ask Baseball about Pete Rose****
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"gambler/competitor = same mentality"

Please explain the difference.

Announcer: "He needs this putt to fall to place himself alone in second place. The difference in being tied for second with three other players and being alone in second place; $250,000 Ohhhhh, he drills it for the cash".

Was he a competitor or gambler?

I've come to the conclusion most pool gamblers actually have backers. So just who are the gamblers?
 
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denwhit said:
"gambler/competitor = same mentality"

Please explain the difference.
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Noun: gambler (plural gamblers)
One who plays at a game of chance, who gambles.
One who takes risks.

----------------------------------------------------

Noun: competitor (plural competitors)
A person or organization against whom one is competing.
A participant in a competition, especially in athletics.
Synonyms:
(person against whom one is competing): adversary (loosely), opponent (loosely)
(participant in a competition): contestant

I don't think Nicklaus was ever a Gambler.
Pete Rose, Yes.
 
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You are born a competitor or not, gambling is just a vise for inhanced competition!
 
Johnny "V" said:
IGT +1 you only have to read the first part of the book.

Here is a Cliff Notes of the mental game books I have read and what helps me.

Three things you need to do while at the table are:

1] don't beat yourself up with the inner voice while playing. If you start hearing yourself say things like "why did you miss that shot?" Or "you were stupid to play it that way!" then you are focusing on what you are doing wrong. Same goes for cheering yourself on... "Nice shot man" and "Oh you got lucky there" are going to pull you far away from where you want to be which is the zone. Instead sit there quietly, close your eyes and picture sinking 30 degree cuts over and over again in your minds eye.

2] Don't coach yourself when playing. How would you like it if when u are playing your opponent and on every shot he says "ok now draw back to here so you can have shot on the 2 ball... But not too far back because you don't want to tangle yourself with the 6 ball... watch the six... watch the six... DON'T MISS THE SHOT!" Just quietly look at the shots and shoot them. Do not talk to yourself while doing it. Telling yourself what you are going to do sets you up for inner ridicule if it does not happen.

3] never analyze any previous shots while playing. I know I do this at every tournament... I will be racking the balls thinking "if I wouldn't have over cut the 6 it would have been an easy out from there." Let me tell you something... I have NEVER had an opponent come up to me and say "Hey I noticed you seem to be going over that 6 ball miss while racking the balls... you know what? I feel bad for you and I am going to give you that last game." Not once! You gotta let it go. What helps me is to write the shot down so I can practice it later. If I write it down then my brain says "Ok... We can work on that one later" and it helps put it behind me.

Main thing is to shut down the conscious so the sub conscious can take over. I have only had it happen to me a few times. Luckily a couple of times it was during a tournament. It is an awesome experience. Hopefully the above will help.

Sent from my SM-G925T using Tapatalk
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This is actually pretty good , I've see a sports shrink and this is pretty much in line ,,I'll add a couple , first if you have a moment of discus find a quick release that's not really noticeable, twist of your stick a towel what ever , don't watch the table gaze around the room but never stop on anything just glancing, you can't control the table from the chair so don't waist one second thinking about it ,,
Learn a breathing pattern many say take a deep breath that's incorrect 3/4 breath is the ticket deep breaths actualy raise the heart beat ,, also the eyes focus best on the out breath then a slight pause pull the trigger ,, you can incorporate this into your PSR takes practice but you want that pause on your shooting stroke if not stand back up and try again ,, this keeps your mind clear of anything other than the physical task at hand and let's the subconscious control the thinking side

1
 
frankncali said:
What are some suggestions for books, video or audiobooks to help with the mental game.

Really hoping for some videos or audiobooks.. I seem to learn better that way.
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The Little Book of Talent available on Amazon in paper back and cd audio. I listen to the audio disc on my way to work and Pandora on the way home. :)

I have other stuff, I need to find it. Will post later.

John
 
mchnhed said:


Noun: gambler (plural gamblers)
One who plays at a game of chance, who gambles.
One who takes risks.

----------------------------------------------------

Noun: competitor (plural competitors)
A person or organization against whom one is competing.
A participant in a competition, especially in athletics.
Synonyms:
(person against whom one is competing): adversary (loosely), opponent (loosely)
(participant in a competition): contestant

I don't think Nicklaus was ever a Gambler.
Pete Rose, Yes.
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I give in, but maintain it's the same mentality that lets someone play better when the pressure is on. I guess T-ball players are competitors. End of that.
 
denwhit said:
I think you've (and others) have got to realize not everyone is a gambler inside. For example, the golf ranges all over the world are filled with guys that hit it long and straight (on the range) and maybe shoot under par playing with their buddies. But the minute they tee it up for something, they shoot 82. They go on to be something else in life. Others hit it long and straight everywhere and they get better with the pressure. We know their names. If you're not good enough to make a living in pro tournaments, everything else is for fun. Lighten up. Give yourself a break today (go to McDonald's)
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Thanks I think :D
I was not referring to gambling. I am not trying to be a pro at all or close to it. I have had some issues with distractions and not playing to full potential as consistently as I would like.
I do believe the mind stuff can help but like you I also believe in making sure to keep it in perspective.
Just looking for something that might help more than going and seeing Ronald and the Hamburgler
 
Thanks for the suggestions and i will check them all out. I ordered the Inner game of Tennis and will now go breathe to my balls! :thumbup:
 
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