What are your favourite mental tips & tricks for competitive play?

Oikawa

Oikawa

Well-known member
I'll start by listing a few that I commonly use:

1. On pressure shots, e.g. long pots when you just got back to the table, or you just aren't feeling it for whatever reason, I imagine I'm on the practice table, and the situation on the table is just a part of a repetitive drill, where I'm grinding the same shot over and over.

This helps me get into a better mindset where instead of focusing on winning the rack, I am focused on just doing one more rep (pot the ball in the drill) that I have done hundreds or thousands of times in the past. This way I am more likely to execute as I do in practice, instead of overthinking or being too self-aware of the execution, which can both lead to a miss.

2. When I fail badly on a positional shot and get negative emotions because of it, I imagine that, instead of me missing the previous position, my opponent just missed a shot and I am lucky to be back on the table at all. This shifts the mindset from dwelling on the miss, to being grateful for having a chance, and makes it easier to move on with a positive mindset.

3. Whenever I miss a tough pot, I never blame my alignment or aiming. Even if that happened to be the real reason, I repeat to myself that I just need to focus more on executing my fundamentals cleanly, not skipping any steps even if the shot seems easy, staying still while down, etc.

The reason this helps me is that, if I were to blame my alignment/aiming, this would make me more self-aware about those two parts, which makes my game worse, not better, since they are something that are best done subconsciously. If I am too conscious about the fact that a given shot is 90% to be made in terms of precision of aim/alignment, it's a natural tendency to try to remove those 10% by focusing even more on the alignment/aiming, but by doing so, you are actually decreasing the odds, because you are now hindering your instinctual ability with the conscious effort.
 
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Competence. The so called pressure is just a distraction. If you start experiencing strange physical sensations and indecision, you're in over your competence.
Brute competence (lol) is not the only way but it's the most reliable.
 
Oikawa said:
I'll start by listing a few that I commonly use:

1. On pressure shots, e.g. long pots when you just got back to the table, or you just aren't feeling it for whatever reason, I imagine I'm on the practice table, and the situation on the table is just a part of a repetitive drill, where I'm grinding the same shot over and over.

This helps me get into a better mindset where instead of focusing on winning the rack, I am focused on just doing one more rep (pot the ball in the drill) that I have done hundreds or thousands of times in the past. This way I am more likely to execute as I do in practice, instead of overthinking or being too self-aware of the execution, which can both lead to a miss.

2. When I fail badly on a positional shot and get negative emotions because of it, I imagine that, instead of me missing the previous position, my opponent just missed a shot and I am lucky to be back on the table at all. This shifts the mindset from dwelling on the miss, to being grateful for having a chance, and makes it easier to move on with a positive mindset.

3. Whenever I miss a tough pot, I never blame my alignment or aiming. Even if that happened to be the real reason, I repeat to myself that I just need to focus more on executing my fundamentals cleanly, not skipping any steps even if the shot seems easy, staying still while down, etc.

The reason this helps me is that, if I were to blame my alignment/aiming, this would make me more self-aware about those two parts, which makes my game worse, not better, since they are something that are best done subconsciously. If I am too conscious about the fact that a given shot is 90% to be made in terms of precision of aim/alignment, it's a natural tendency to try to remove those 10% by focusing even more on the alignment/aiming, but by doing so, you are actually decreasing the odds, because you are now hindering your instinctual ability with the conscious effort.
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This is something that I have been working on as well. Check out this book. I think it will be a huge help.

Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards https://a.co/d/ij5yQuS
 
bpeacock said:
This is something that I have been working on as well. Check out this book. I think it will be a huge help.

Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards https://a.co/d/ij5yQuS
Click to expand...
Good recommendation, have seen the name around a few times, but never got around to reading it. Will probably get it at some point. I read The Inner Game of Tennis a few years ago, and it had some nice concepts that apply to pool as well, I imagine this book is somewhat similar.
 
Oikawa said:
I'll start by listing a few that I commonly use:

1. On pressure shots, e.g. long pots when you just got back to the table, or you just aren't feeling it for whatever reason, I imagine I'm on the practice table, and the situation on the table is just a part of a repetitive drill, where I'm grinding the same shot over and over.

This helps me get into a better mindset where instead of focusing on winning the rack, I am focused on just doing one more rep (pot the ball in the drill) that I have done hundreds or thousands of times in the past. This way I am more likely to execute as I do in practice, instead of overthinking or being too self-aware of the execution, which can both lead to a
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I do this as well and it is a huge boost. The only problem is that I don't have that many shots in my practice routine to draw from.
 
I just try to go though my preshot routine as perfectly as possible. Easier said than done, but if I can change my mindset from “I missed the shot” to “I didn’t do my PSR correctly because I was nervous” then I actually get a lot less nervous. It allows me to observe myself from a more detached perspective instead of being so wrapped up in the outcome of each individual shot.
 
BlueRaider said:
I just try to go though my preshot routine as perfectly as possible. Easier said than done, but if I can change my mindset from “I missed the shot” to “I didn’t do my PSR correctly because I was nervous” then I actually get a lot less nervous. It allows me to observe myself from a more detached perspective instead of being so wrapped up in the outcome of each individual shot.
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I have noticed that when my game starts to deteriorate, I have gotten away from my PSR and back in to old habits... So yes then I try to focus on PSR and not try to control the outcome.
 
bpeacock said:
The only problem is that I don't have that many shots in my practice routine to draw from.
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One thing I try to do is add a shot I had trouble with I to my practice. I’ve got a white board with a table drawn on it and at the end of my time at the table I’ll diagram that shot for the next day with the position I want.

If I have a shot that I’m comfortable to make 4/5, I’ll take it out of the current rotation and replace it with the diagrammed shot. Then bring back the shots I’ve reached 4/5 with periodically for a week or so at a time to keep up to snuff; one day cuts to the right the next to the left.

As far as the OP goes, when I feel my elbow quiver I get up and tell myself, ”this is why I practice. I’m prepared,” or “Everyday Allday!” Then remind myself to be smooooth.
 
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VarmintKong said:
One thing I try to do is add a shot I had trouble with I to my practice. I’ve got a white board with a table drawn on it and at the end of my time at the table I’ll diagram that shot for the next day with the position I want.

If I have a shot that I’m comfortable to make 4/5, I’ll take it out of the current rotation and replace it with the diagrammed shot. Then bring back the shots I’ve reached 4/5 with periodically for a week or so at a time to keep up to snuff; one day cuts to the right the next to the left.
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You are very structured in your training. I have been using Ralph Eckert's app CheckBilliard for the past year. It provides structure for my practice.
 
bpeacock said:
You are very structured in your training. I have been using Ralph Eckert's app CheckBilliard for the past year. It provides structure for my practice.
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The Eckert app sounds cool, I’ll have to check it out.

It’s not as structured as it sounds. I wish I was gaining competency and replacing a shot everyday, but it never works that way. I have a backlog of trouble spots. However, it does help when I can notice a common theme with trouble shots, which helps me prioritize when it’s time to add.
 
I always think of my opponent as a victim. The game is this; shoot the balls in before they do. I play aggressive early on in a match and quite often it results in a 3 or 4-0 lead. Maintain control and weigh your choices carefully. If he hands me a point or two, he's the victim. I've had players luck in points on crazy swings and lost before because of it. I always tell them they played well and I show them what it's like to be a gracious loser, with a smile and a handshake.
 
In these positions I take a moment and remind myself that when I am at the table I am the only one that can affect the out come. I the think about the options I have and choose the one I am most comfortable with, A few deep breaths to help relax and take the shot. I may have to repeat this several times until I am back in my comfort zone.
 
Oikawa said:
I'll start by listing a few that I commonly use:

1. On pressure shots, e.g. long pots when you just got back to the table, or you just aren't feeling it for whatever reason, I imagine I'm on the practice table, and the situation on the table is just a part of a repetitive drill, where I'm grinding the same shot over and over.

This helps me get into a better mindset where instead of focusing on winning the rack, I am focused on just doing one more rep (pot the ball in the drill) that I have done hundreds or thousands of times in the past. This way I am more likely to execute as I do in practice, instead of overthinking or being too self-aware of the execution, which can both lead to a miss.

2. When I fail badly on a positional shot and get negative emotions because of it, I imagine that, instead of me missing the previous position, my opponent just missed a shot and I am lucky to be back on the table at all. This shifts the mindset from dwelling on the miss, to being grateful for having a chance, and makes it easier to move on with a positive mindset.

3. Whenever I miss a tough pot, I never blame my alignment or aiming. Even if that happened to be the real reason, I repeat to myself that I just need to focus more on executing my fundamentals cleanly, not skipping any steps even if the shot seems easy, staying still while down, etc.

The reason this helps me is that, if I were to blame my alignment/aiming, this would make me more self-aware about those two parts, which makes my game worse, not better, since they are something that are best done subconsciously. If I am too conscious about the fact that a given shot is 90% to be made in terms of precision of aim/alignment, it's a natural tendency to try to remove those 10% by focusing even more on the alignment/aiming, but by doing so, you are actually decreasing the odds, because you are now hindering your instinctual ability with the conscious effort.
Click to expand...
Always stick to your preshot routine and trust yourself that you know you’ve made these shots thousands of times. If you have indecision or lack of commitment / lack of confidence on a shot, look for the defensive play option which you might feel more comfortable with.
 
I keep a little troubleshooting guide on my phone.
If I'm struggling, I'm not doing something on that list I should be.
At this level, the fundamentals are there. Now it's execution and attitude.
I do my thing when I'm at the table and use breathing techniques in the chair to lower my heart rate for my next turn.
I've done the work. The pressure should be on them.
I also remember what someone once said after a miss: "I've made more balls than I'll ever miss."
That kind of lightens the mood.
I'm getting to do one of my favorite things and should be loving every second of it.
 
One thing that works for me, and I got it from reading posts like this on this site, is to take an extra 4-5 seconds just looking at my shot before stroking. This works especially well for the longer, straight in shots. What I mean specifically, is to go through all of the normal pre-shot routine things that you do. Be clear in your mind the objective of the shot you're going to make, and have that imagery of you making the shot, then get down on the shot and start that final stroking before you pull the trigger, but just stay there for a few extra seconds focusing on your contact point on the object ball.
Once I did this successfully a few times, I started trying to figure out why it made a positive impact for me. In my mind, those few extra seconds allow my inner alignment and targeting senses to put the last finishing touches on my stroke. And having had it work for me previously, also lets me enjoy that comfortable confidence when I do finally stroke through the cue to make the shot.
So writing this, I'm now realizing that what I'm calling a little trick, is really a way to employ a bunch of the key, core fundamentals in a way that feels natural to my play.
 
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