Thought patterns ...

[ShootingArts]

Well, the current technology has self driving taxi in Vegas.
The cars are smarter now and provides an opportunity to rest but not sleep. The rumble strip helps keep the driver at least awake.

I became a fan of rumble strips about three AM one morning. I was coming down hwy 71 before the interstate was completed.

71 ended when it T'ed into HWY 190. A big moderately tight curve to get on 190 east. They had installed experimental at the time rumble strips to get driver's attention before sailing into the long deep barrow pit dug to provide dirt for the roads.

Twenty or thirty miles of straight road before HWY 71 ended. A lot of drivers either dozed off or had road hypnosis. Either way, a lot of people were visiting the pond before rumble strips! It was deep enough vehicles just disappeared. Maybe a few forgotten in there but nobody was diving in to see!

I was pushing a cabover GMC, fully loaded with alfalfa. Well a little over fully loaded since the front bales were14'-2" tall. The underpass I was going through had a height warning sign, fourteen flat!

I don't know if I was sound asleep with my eyes open or just road hypnosis but either way I was fixing to take that turn at about eighty when the warning sign said thirty-five. The rumble strips woke me up in time to see the fourteen feet height limit flashing over my head! The 35MPH sign was right behind, then the speed warning!

My load wasn't getting shorter and as was common on those old trucks in flat country I wasn't running any brakes on the steering axle. The only median in those old highways was a half round asphalt berm about ten inches tall. No way I was staying in my lane so I deliberately straddled that bit of asphalt!

As I flashed under the overpass I noticed the speedometer reading 55 and it was about five miles an hour slow at that speed!

Somehow I made the curve with my bottom completely off the seat fighting the steering wheel.

 

[dquarasr]

I don't know if I was sound asleep with my eyes open or just road hypnosis but either way I was fixing to take that turn at about eighty when the warning sign said thirty-five.

That’s about my calculation for advisory/regulatory signs on entrance or exit ramps: I can usually do 2x+10.

But NOT in a semi!

And NEVER if the sign says <= 20MPH, especially true if it’s 15MPH. Fifteen usually means, um, 15!

 

[straightline]

That’s about my calculation for advisory/regulatory signs on entrance or exit ramps: I can usually do 2x+10.

But NOT in a semi!

And NEVER if the sign says <= 20MPH, especially true if it’s 15MPH. Fifteen usually means, um, 15!

My method is AMAP, drive only during minimal traffic times and then stay off the tires, brakes, Gs, IOW the best high speed line you can manage. Use you signal lights and stay within the local speed overage.

 

[ShootingArts]

That’s about my calculation for advisory/regulatory signs on entrance or exit ramps: I can usually do 2x+10.

But NOT in a semi!

And NEVER if the sign says <= 20MPH, especially true if it’s 15MPH. Fifteen usually means, um, 15!

Sometimes when I was young and silly I tried to double every warning sign on curves. Once when I had just had my '66 Corvette aligned front and rear a friend asked for a ride to see what it was like. I did my usual of doubling all the curves, then a quick run up to 130 or so on a straight.

Back through the curves from the other direction. After a raised section like a small levee for railroad tracks there was a wet spot I couldn't see. Got sideways at about 100. I didn't lift just drove through it.

A few miles later I was back at my friend's home. Got out, went on the front porch where two more friends were waiting and we talked for maybe five minutes.

Somebody realized T wasn't there. "Where is T?" We walked over to the vette. He was still sitting there with both hands locked on the handle over the glove box. "I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again ..." Over and over.

He was literally in deep shock! Took him minutes longer to turn loose of the handle and get out of the car. I will admit that doubling some of the signs marked 45-55 might have been a bit much, other than that it was a pretty routine run.

Hu

 

[ShootingArts]

Acting in a milisecond is always unconsciously

Interesting article about the brain that may apply to this thread. I knew different sections of the brain were responsible for different things but this carries that concept a whole lot further.

This article claims the front and rear brains started out as two different organs, maybe not even in the same area of the body.

That tracks with what I saw helping someone clean an alligator. The alligator was still fighting minutes after the head was removed. One stab just in front of the hind legs and it went limp! Incidentally, alligator sauce piquant made by a Cajun lady that knows how is a dish straight from heaven!

Hu

Human brain is actually two separate organs, scientists find

The Stanford University breakthrough stands to open new doors for research into fatal neurodegenerative diseases

www.the-independent.com

 

[dquarasr]

Sometimes when I was young and silly I tried to double every warning sign on curves. Once when I had just had my '66 Corvette aligned front and rear a friend asked for a ride to see what it was like. I did my usual of doubling all the curves, then a quick run up to 130 or so on a straight.

Back through the curves from the other direction. After a raised section like a small levee for railroad tracks there was a wet spot I couldn't see. Got sideways at about 100. I didn't lift just drove through it.

A few miles later I was back at my friend's home. Got out, went on the front porch where two more friends were waiting and we talked for maybe five minutes.

Somebody realized T wasn't there. "Where is T?" We walked over to the vette. He was still sitting there with both hands locked on the handle over the glove box. "I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again. I am never riding with that son of a bitch again ..." Over and over.

He was literally in deep shock! Took him minutes longer to turn loose of the handle and get out of the car. I will admit that doubling some of the signs marked 45-55 might have been a bit much, other than that it was a pretty routine run.

Hu

I don’t perpetuate such antics much any longer and definitely not where the posted sign reads above 40 MPH. I got my fixes doing track days and even that I retired from after I achieved personal bests at all the tracks I frequented. Going any faster would have required really taking chances and in my 60s I decided I really like keeping all my bones inside my skin.

These days I might do a blast on my favorite roads but only if the road is deserted. And in Mexico.

My car emits a really high pitched squeal from the right side. It happens on both left and right turns when I send it. So if I am planning a “spirited” drive I leave her home.

 

[gregcantrall]

Interesting article about the brain that may apply to this thread. I knew different sections of the brain were responsible for different things but this carries that concept a whole lot further.

This article claims the front and rear brains started out as two different organs, maybe not even in the same area of the body.

That tracks with what I saw helping someone clean an alligator. The alligator was still fighting minutes after the head was removed. One stab just in front of the hind legs and it went limp! Incidentally, alligator sauce piquant made by a Cajun lady that knows how is a dish straight from heaven!

Hu

Human brain is actually two separate organs, scientists find

The Stanford University breakthrough stands to open new doors for research into fatal neurodegenerative diseases

www.the-independent.com

That's interesting, I was expecting left and right hemisphere rather than front and rear. My previous study led me to the right and left hand relying on different sides of the brain. With the right hand control going to the math logical side and the left hand control coming from the creative side.. the right hand being measured and the left hand. By feel.. Kinda like Grandma cooked with a pinch and a dash rather than a cup or teaspoon measured .

 

[Mensabum]

The secrets to the world aren't secret anymore! The circle track racers were the worst, followed by pistol shooters. I would be talking to a racer in private. "I have learned a great secret, I will tell you but you have to promise not to tell!" They tell me the secret. "Dude, that was published in the national magazine last year!"

The thing is, all of the secrets are different ways to get you close. If you can't make the adjustments for the particular playing session you are in all of the secrets don't mean diddly!

There was a beautiful two rail "Z" style bank to get you into the side pocket when it was blocked. It wasn't too hard on the old ten footers fifty-sixty years ago. I watched two very good players, fair to say world class shooters, alternate a half-dozen or so shots at a time on a modern clean shallow cloth table. After dozens of tries neither shooter ever pocketed a ball. That was one of the early shots I learned and I could drop it consistently on the old equipment including a crap cue off of the wall!

I tried the shot a handful of times on a modern table. The pocketing percentage is so low it is foolish to try the shot. On the other hand it is a great one to get your opponent to waste time on!(grin) I shoot it once in a blue moon when circumstances are perfect including some balls positioned to make the pocket play big.

Which reminds me of a saying I used to use to annoy opponents. I think it might have been Cisero Murphy that said dead balls were harder to see than to make after seeing them. When making one of these shots where the shot was harder to see than to make I would repeat Paul Newman's(Butch Cassidy's) words from the big movie of the day, "I have vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals!"

Actually relevant to the mental game, another trick is to carefully study the rack a minute or three when it is opponent racks. Spend enough time studying the rack and the opponent will always ask what is the problem. "No problem, just looking for something to exploit." That word "exploit" has a nasty ring to it and some of the best known slug rackers around get very careful racking for me after that!

While on the subject of the mental game, how to make your opponent go mental that is: When I catch somebody cheating and there is no ref or other recourse I have found it blows minds to act like I am cheating. Block the view of the shot from my opponent, then jerk my head around to look at them as if checking if they saw something.

I can often draw a scream of "FOUL" "Really, what did I do?" Now they will start guessing since they haven't seen something that didn't happen. If it had happened they couldn't have possibly seen through my body to call the foul. With a referee that might draw an unsportsmanlike call. Without one, the call goes to the shooter!

Ultimately pool is a gentleman's and ladies game. If it is call your own fouls you can simply ignore them as some do. Many events have the opponent calling fouls but also state that the opponent has to stay in the chair while a player is shooting. Ever see an official referee sit in a chair for the entire match?

I am never the one to start cheating but when the other person starts the cheating game I can bring things to levels the other player never dreamed of. "Cue ball fouls only" doesn't really mean that. However when somebody tries to abuse that rule I rake the table next game just leaving the cue ball and money ball on the table and them lined up for a tap in. "Cue ball fouls only!" If the other person wants to play we quickly arrive at working rules after a little yelling and crying.

Hu

It helps if you're 6'4" - 240!!
Not much argument from the peanut gallery.

 

[Mensabum]

Well! I haven't read all 7 pages and have cruise through most of 5. My assumption is that a story should fit.
So "one time at bandcamp" Well last night at APA leagues, I was proverbial Hit by a truck playing a 9 ball match. It having a balls count score just doesn't fit My 9 ball history.
My opponent crushed me on ball count. We were even on the 9 balls count.
I subsequently got the opportunity to prove my point in my statement of, "9 ball is the young man's game and 8 ball the old man's game."
The jui jitsu like choke 'em out er uh got the tap out results of ball in hand with hanging 8 ball type occurred more than once Pluss an 8 ball Break, it's been some time since I broke in the 8 ball. The BCAPL making it less than a win took all the fun out of the 8 ball break. I musta had 5 breaks (I don't count stuff when in battle.) And was hittin em good.
The is the on topic part.
THE FEAR FACTOR. was generated in the 9 ball match that had me firing in a couple of long range "lucky shots".
Musta been 5-1 maybe 5-0.shrug.
I rest my case your Honor is a statement I have made many times before THE JUDGE.
The 69 or 70 GTO Judge with competition clutch was available for 900 on a local lot. Right when I was shopping for a Family car. Musta been '71.

1970 Dodge Challenger w 340 and all the custom body goodies challengers were known for. My big brother had one, a 383 highway monster w standard 4 speed Hurst pistol grip. He took me for rides as a kid and let me sip on his Schlitz malt liquor!!
So naturally, I had to have a Challenger when I turned 16.
Paid $1600. Nice, low miles.
Several years ago I saw one similar to mine at a restoration company near here for $84,000!!!
The AAR Hemi 'Cuda was $112,000 or $125,000, can't recall exactly. Sticker shock wiped the memory.

 

[Jaden]

This topic has made me think about some other causes that I have never considered, we have been talking about the conscious brain wanting to make the decisions, what about times it relies on the subconscious part of the brain like when driving a car at 70 mph in heavy traffic? You don't think about, braking, steering to change lanes, how much pressure to put on the accelerator, and many other things, through your learned experience your conscious brain allows the subconscious brain to do all those things without interference, your conscious brain is concentrating on and predicting what moves to make up ahead and expects the subconscious brain to do what it knows how to do, so why doesn't it happen when you play pool? You don't have to make all those snap decisions, the conscious brain believes it can control this because it's slower and risk of losing your life is non existent, it's right in one case, loss of life is probably not going to happen, but it's not slower, that is where the problem lies, it's actually way faster, you can the exact figures from Dr. Dave but the tip of the cue stays on the cueball for about 1/100,000 of 1 second, your whole shot relies on you having your cue in the PERFECT spot when you make contact with your tip AND it has to be on the near perfect line for you to pocket the object ball, and that will depend on how far the object ball is from the pocket and how far you are off from hitting the target on the cueball, rattling the object ball means you were close, I don't believe you can trick the conscious brain into believing there is danger in not stroking the ball correctly, maybe if you allowed some to punch you in the face hard every time you missed, probably not what I would try, the best thing is to learn to allow your subconscious brain to take over when stroking the cueball, is there one way that works for everyone? Nope, I wish there was a magic bullet, too many brains wired too many ways, but at least you can work on it and find what works for you, I am studying how the brain learns things, will add more when I can, I thank everyone who contributes to this thread, I'm learning too, I want to be the best pool player I can be.

Have you watched the average driver? They drive like ass. Same with the average pool player. Sure if you've developed perfect aim, perfect stroke etc and haven't ever had bad fundamentals that your subconsious mind will fall back on, (especially when under pressure) that's all well and good.

It's impossible to force the zone. The best method is to develop that stroke and that aim and the mindfulness in practice and then try to let it flow in play. What you practice is what you'll play.

 

[ShootingArts]

That's interesting, I was expecting left and right hemisphere rather than front and rear. My previous study led me to the right and left hand relying on different sides of the brain. With the right hand control going to the math logical side and the left hand control coming from the creative side.. the right hand being measured and the left hand. By feel.. Kinda like Grandma cooked with a pinch and a dash rather than a cup or teaspoon measured .

Been a long time since I have even looked at the areas of the brain and I'm not sold on these new ideas yet. I find it interesting and put it here as food for thought more than fact.

Schlitz malt liquor

That stuff is dope! My older brother came home on leave from the army and came by the station about noon. "Do you get a lunch hour?" "I own half this business, I reckon I can take a lunch hour if I want to."

Fifteen minutes on the road each way and we bought a case or two of Schlitz malt. Put it in the freezer then had to drink it before it froze. Got back to the service station in just under an hour after finishing the beer. I was staring at the bricks on the wall. Dad told people I must be on dope, he had seen me drink and there was no way I got drunk that fast!(grin) A lot of impossible things happened with Rusty doing a little agitating. Out of sight IQ, well into the genius range but for the most part he just didn't give a crap!

It's impossible to force the zone.

That is the common belief. I have read it many times. It is wrong. For a few years I entered the zone every time I drove around in circles. I have told the story many times of using the starting buzzer to enter the zone shooting pistols. Set a record that world class shooters had been chasing for years. The longest I have been in the zone was hours one night shooting pool. I held a table 12-14 hours or a bit longer and subjectively it felt like less than three when in the zone.

The more often you enter the zone the easier it gets to do. Forcing the zone might not be the right word but you can certainly go into it at will. I think most would consider going into the zone at will as the same thing as forcing it.

My favorite authority on the zone said the step to going into the zone was narrow focus. Then the third level is the zone, no focus. I was going into the zone multiple times a week and I found it quite possible to skip over the narrow focus stage and just jump to the wide open stage and let far more information than normal flow in then sort what was useful.

I have been in the zone over a hundred times. Many of the people talking about it were and are clueless. I bought a book once, Finding Your Zone, Finding the Zone, something like that. The guy had a PhD, was a phycologist or similar, and a serious competitor. Seemed well qualified. I read the whole book only to learn he didn't know what the zone was! I watched a movie, The Baron and the Kid, about pool. The Baron, Johnny Cash, explained what the zone was. Not surprising, he was clueless.

There is nothing narrow or focused about the zone other than your ability to sort what is needed from all of the information coming in. Being in the zone the information from your senses is like water from a fire hose compared to a water fountain.

I started finding the zone almost twenty years before I read about it and had a name to attach to the condition.

I read recently that high level surgeons like heart and brain surgeons enter the zone every time they do surgery. If true, it would be interesting to know how they trigger it. Just picking up a scalpel may do it, I don't know.

The zone, an altered state, is real. As long as people don't even agree about what it is we aren't going to get far trying to discuss it. It may be possible to find the zone through martial arts or meditation, it would really disappoint me if just taking a drug could do it but it may be possible.

Hu

 

[HawaiianEye]

The zone is when imagination becomes reality.

Your mind is in sync with your capabilities.

You see the shot in your mind and then execute it on the table.

When you have doubt, you can't figure it out.

There is no doubt in the zone.

 

[gregcantrall]

The zone is when imagination becomes reality.

David Rhoades spoke of The Big Eye being imagination.
BE HERE NOW Is an entry to The Zone for me. One of a few.

 

[ShootingArts]

I don't believe the zone is purely imagination becoming reality. The night I stayed in the zone for many hours I was just in the present and the imagination was pretty much dormant. We were playing bar rules, eight on the break was a loss, so was scratching on the eight ball or making it early. I won over a hundred and sixty games in a row, closer to two hundred but my only count was how many fives I started with and how many I had the next morning. I bought beer for four of us all night and still finished the night over eight hundred ahead at five a game with no losses.

I was out of work and needing money but I killed the golden goose that night. I went back a month later and played three games before everyone pulled their challenges. Went back about six weeks after that and everyone pulled their quarters when I put mine down.

I was in the present like solving problems driving as they came up. I was starting out on a several week road trip according to the plan. The road trip lasted less than sixteen hours. This place was east of me and I had sixty dollars in my pocket. Enough for half a tank of gas and the 454 under the hood wouldn't get ten miles to the gallon on a good day. The plan was a gulf coast run but I never made it to the gulf coast.

As mentioned, I was finding the zone every time racing circle track. That was with constantly shifting patterns of traffic, often no way to visualize anything even a second in advance. A lot of things I just did. The unconscious was running the show.

A friend had just spent over a month putting a new body on his race car and he had to pay to have it painted. We were still clustered up after the start when his driver lost the car coming out of turn two. His car was sideways, nose down on the track. I flipped my car nose up alongside him. We were close enough to reach out and slap the driver without window nets. We slid like that a couple hundred feet before Chuck finally drifted down on the track. When he did I hit the throttle and flipped my car back straight without ever losing a position.

Not only did I not touch Jimmy's(the owner's) car, I blocked anyone else from doing it! Definitely some magic in the air but no time for imagination or visualization. Near impossible things happen in every sport. Visualization and execution fits with pool where you have more than a moment in time. Many other sports where your execution has to occur in a precise split second in time, not sooner or later, are much harder to explain.

Funny thing, I have done my share of magic but I am far from athletic, was noted for being clumsy when I was a child. My magic doesn't come from the body so it has to come from what is feeding the body.

Hu

 

[Mensabum]

Been a long time since I have even looked at the areas of the brain and I'm not sold on these new ideas yet. I find it interesting and put it here as food for thought more than fact.




That stuff is dope! My older brother came home on leave from the army and came by the station about noon. "Do you get a lunch hour?" "I own half this business, I reckon I can take a lunch hour if I want to."

Fifteen minutes on the road each way and we bought a case or two of Schlitz malt. Put it in the freezer then had to drink it before it froze. Got back to the service station in just under an hour after finishing the beer. I was staring at the bricks on the wall. Dad told people I must be on dope, he had seen me drink and there was no way I got drunk that fast!(grin) A lot of impossible things happened with Rusty doing a little agitating. Out of sight IQ, well into the genius range but for the most part he just didn't give a crap!




That is the common belief. I have read it many times. It is wrong. For a few years I entered the zone every time I drove around in circles. I have told the story many times of using the starting buzzer to enter the zone shooting pistols. Set a record that world class shooters had been chasing for years. The longest I have been in the zone was hours one night shooting pool. I held a table 12-14 hours or a bit longer and subjectively it felt like less than three when in the zone.

The more often you enter the zone the easier it gets to do. Forcing the zone might not be the right word but you can certainly go into it at will. I think most would consider going into the zone at will as the same thing as forcing it.

My favorite authority on the zone said the step to going into the zone was narrow focus. Then the third level is the zone, no focus. I was going into the zone multiple times a week and I found it quite possible to skip over the narrow focus stage and just jump to the wide open stage and let far more information than normal flow in then sort what was useful.

I have been in the zone over a hundred times. Many of the people talking about it were and are clueless. I bought a book once, Finding Your Zone, Finding the Zone, something like that. The guy had a PhD, was a phycologist or similar, and a serious competitor. Seemed well qualified. I read the whole book only to learn he didn't know what the zone was! I watched a movie, The Baron and the Kid, about pool. The Baron, Johnny Cash, explained what the zone was. Not surprising, he was clueless.

There is nothing narrow or focused about the zone other than your ability to sort what is needed from all of the information coming in. Being in the zone the information from your senses is like water from a fire hose compared to a water fountain.

I started finding the zone almost twenty years before I read about it and had a name to attach to the condition.

I read recently that high level surgeons like heart and brain surgeons enter the zone every time they do surgery. If true, it would be interesting to know how they trigger it. Just picking up a scalpel may do it, I don't know.

The zone, an altered state, is real. As long as people don't even agree about what it is we aren't going to get far trying to discuss it. It may be possible to find the zone through martial arts or meditation, it would really disappoint me if just taking a drug could do it but it may be possible.

Hu

I agree. Being able to enter flow states on demand is what separates the elite, imo.
There is a definite learning curve to achieving this, but if you put in the work it becomes attainable.
Perceptions and alteration thereof is a good starting point. Breathing technique and having the same focal point is a must for newbies.

 

[Mensabum]

Been a long time since I have even looked at the areas of the brain and I'm not sold on these new ideas yet. I find it interesting and put it here as food for thought more than fact.




That stuff is dope! My older brother came home on leave from the army and came by the station about noon. "Do you get a lunch hour?" "I own half this business, I reckon I can take a lunch hour if I want to."

Fifteen minutes on the road each way and we bought a case or two of Schlitz malt. Put it in the freezer then had to drink it before it froze. Got back to the service station in just under an hour after finishing the beer. I was staring at the bricks on the wall. Dad told people I must be on dope, he had seen me drink and there was no way I got drunk that fast!(grin) A lot of impossible things happened with Rusty doing a little agitating. Out of sight IQ, well into the genius range but for the most part he just didn't give a crap!




That is the common belief. I have read it many times. It is wrong. For a few years I entered the zone every time I drove around in circles. I have told the story many times of using the starting buzzer to enter the zone shooting pistols. Set a record that world class shooters had been chasing for years. The longest I have been in the zone was hours one night shooting pool. I held a table 12-14 hours or a bit longer and subjectively it felt like less than three when in the zone.

The more often you enter the zone the easier it gets to do. Forcing the zone might not be the right word but you can certainly go into it at will. I think most would consider going into the zone at will as the same thing as forcing it.

My favorite authority on the zone said the step to going into the zone was narrow focus. Then the third level is the zone, no focus. I was going into the zone multiple times a week and I found it quite possible to skip over the narrow focus stage and just jump to the wide open stage and let far more information than normal flow in then sort what was useful.

I have been in the zone over a hundred times. Many of the people talking about it were and are clueless. I bought a book once, Finding Your Zone, Finding the Zone, something like that. The guy had a PhD, was a phycologist or similar, and a serious competitor. Seemed well qualified. I read the whole book only to learn he didn't know what the zone was! I watched a movie, The Baron and the Kid, about pool. The Baron, Johnny Cash, explained what the zone was. Not surprising, he was clueless.

There is nothing narrow or focused about the zone other than your ability to sort what is needed from all of the information coming in. Being in the zone the information from your senses is like water from a fire hose compared to a water fountain.

I started finding the zone almost twenty years before I read about it and had a name to attach to the condition.

I read recently that high level surgeons like heart and brain surgeons enter the zone every time they do surgery. If true, it would be interesting to know how they trigger it. Just picking up a scalpel may do it, I don't know.

The zone, an altered state, is real. As long as people don't even agree about what it is we aren't going to get far trying to discuss it. It may be possible to find the zone through martial arts or meditation, it would really disappoint me if just taking a drug could do it but it may be possible.

Hu

Schlitz malt liquor was a common passenger in every vehicle we had back then.
I thot it tasted pretty good!!
Higher alcohol content than most beer at the time and it tasted like champagne compared to the 905 beer my step dad kept in the garage.

 

[gregcantrall]

"The Taste of blood excites me." Is a favorite quote. He was a professional basketball player in Europe. His rookie year he established a reputation, by getting thrown out of games. His nickname became El Loco Americano.
Avoiding the taste of blood was a prime motivator for me the first time I ever won a game for money playing pool.
Playing for money when I was empty pockets at closing time in the H bar B lounge in Oakdale CA. (The Cowboy Capital of the World). The thought of the taste of blood motivated me to execution of a break and run. The Fear Factor was my emergency entrance to The Zone. Definitely Not my favorite entry but it's available. The 6 pack of Michelobe won in the game was the best beer I have ever tasted..
When in the zone every available brain cell is dedicated to the immediate task at hand. In one tournament I won with an extreme cut on the 8 ball. At the handshake my opponent exclaimed, "you shot that 8 Left Handed. I was so focused that I hadn't even considered "which hand". I looked down at the cue in my left hand and replied, "I guess I did." (Well the right hand was table hooked on the long cut shot )
Establish a reputation was my basketball playing friends motivation. Establishing a reputation on the pool table is a powerful lever point that can get extra shots when the opponent bumps up against their fear factor.

 

[gregcantrall]

383 highway monster

I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by the drag race team of Socks and Martin in the early 70s.
There choice of stock engine was the 383. The smallest displacement of the big block mopar available. As it had a short stroke and was quick.
When the add on goodies and treatments were employed the 426 hemi dominated.

 

[gregcantrall]

Okay one last old fart ruminating. In '71 I was car shopping for a family car as my new wife was expecting and just learning to drive. The Redding CA dealership had a 69 GTO Judge with low miles and a 4 speed with competition clutch. FOR $900!!!!!! Oh what lust I felt but "my wife needed an automatic" is what I had to say to the salesman. His reply was, "Well this just came in, so let's take it for a spin." He then tossed Me the key.!!!! Oh it was a fun ride on the white knuckle side for him.
My choice for "family car" that year was the 69 Camaro SS350 with automatic transmission. High compression that pumped out 300hp.
I think it cost around 3 grand.

 

[gregcantrall]

learning curve to achieving this,

Just like learning to Dance. There are visits to the pool table that favor different tempo. Sometimes a waltz, sometimes a Cha Cha.
Playing the cue like a musical instrument by various finger pressures. Ring finger as trigger finger works best for me.