Any suggestions on keeping focused?

BrokeStroke

BrokeStroke

I need the wild 2.
Silver Member
Lately, I have been losing focus while playing. I matched up with someone recently and jumped on them right away. About halfway through, I found my mind wandering. I'm thinking about things that need to be done at home, or some conversation I had with people at work, etc.

After I realized my focus was gone, I tried, but could not get it back. This happens often and I'm wondering if there are any 'tricks' i could use to keep my focus and concentration. I've tried gambling 'out of my comfort zone' in order to try to force myself to bear down, that maybe helped me focus a game or 2 longer.

I dont have any problems or distractions at home. So its not my sub-conscious that's doing it.
I tried taking time off from the game in order try to reset the ol' brain.

Any suggestions?
 
thats my biggest problem, my game would jump 3 notches or more maybe 5 if I could stay focused. When the chemistry in my head line up just right and I am focused-I get out like a champion(thats not a exaggeration) When i'm in stroke, right now i'm way out of stroke so no matter what I cant get out. But 1-3 times a year I get in that zone and i'm unbeatable. I control the table and who ever i'm playing gets white washed. period.


If I knew how to capture that zone, i wouldnt be able to beat Shane or Rodney. But Bartrum would have his hands full if he spotted me a ball(no disrespect to Chris he is a great player and friend), id still need a ball from him like the 8 or 9 playing 10 ball and have a chance to win if i'm in the zone, normally I cant beat him with the 5 ball because of the noise in my brain among other things I cant define. I have seen myself play at that level where I could play Chris getting the 8 ball and be able to win, but its so rare that it dont define my speed. Like I said about 2 times a year it happens. It lasts for about 4 hours then my back goes bad and it breaks me out of that zone. My normal speed is way below Chris and its all a matter of concentration, my head is going everywhere and i make mistakes and miss as a result. I have the stroke, fundamentals, knowledge, years of experience, i have no natural talent but time has cured that.


Betting real high sometime's put me there. But I have lost more $$$ trying to bet myself into the zone than I have won. [But that does work sometimes, I was playing $1000/game 8 ball in March I played 7 or 8 sessions with some guy, the sessions were all different meaning what zone i was in, but i was close to the zone 2 times-one day I was real close if not in it and he pulled up(he saw it & knew he was gonna lose 10 in a row), i was giving up huge weight.] I ended up loser after 7 or 8 sessions, some long some short. one session I won, the next I lost. We were even $, he kept getting better everyday, he used to play long ago, I couldnt out run the weight. One session I lost 5 racks real fast went to bed and was ZZZ in 10 minutes(I didnt realize i was sleepy). Then we had a few sessions we broke even. the last session I couldnt fade the spot and he won 4 games ahead. Then asked for the 4 ball playing 9 ball, for $100 game. I'm stuck 40 barrels and giving up the 4? played one rack big argument with the agreed refree I threw the $200 back at him and walked out. In total racks in the 8 ball game I was down about 4 or 5, but we had raised the bet so I lost $9,000 total. Made it back since. I learned a lot from that action. It was fun too, damn it was fun,.

I look at the $$$ lost trying to bet myself into the zone as experience trying to solve the mystery of my brain. I hope to solve this problem before age takes anymore out of my game than it already has(very little). Sometimes I have bet high and it didnt help at all. There is some relationship in my brain between playing good and betting high. It shouldnt be like that, I should play good all the time. Also I play better from behind-i'm not a front runner. I wasnt when I was a C player, hell I wasnt when I was a banger. When I'm behind Something triggers better concentration and therefore better play-especially if the bet is high.

Like in that 8 ball game, I knew if I didnt run out every game I'd lose $2000, were betting $1000/game so i'm collecting or paying $1,000 therefore a $2,000 swing-I know I have to run out or i blow the $$-I run out. So to protect my $$$ my focus naturally forced me to play better, and I did. I ran out countless racks for that reason, hard rack not just cosmos. When I'm ahead no matter how hard I try I get sloppy,Thats a recipe to losing if there ever was one. (except in a scotch doubles game with a pro-then I play the same ahead or behind). this is a problem clear as day.


I am being 100% honest here and knocking action for myself saying this, but thats ok. Finding the solution is more important than the action is at this point in my life. I read all the books, etc. Still cant find it. When Im in that place I remember everything so I can try and trigger it again-dont happen.

I'd pay big $$ for something new I havent heard, that shows me results-i'm not paying up front. Its a 100% mental issue.


playing scotch with a champion partner brings the best out in me as well, only one time it didnt, Shannon was my partner and my back went out real bad. I was so pissed off I couldnt stand it. It was my back only not my brain. Shane is a great partner, so is Max Eberly. Somehow being partnered up with them changes my thought process and I play much better. I dont know why that happens either. Playing champions also brings out a better Fatboy than playing a A+ player or a weaker player. Bartrum butchered me one time, i was way out of stroke and didnt realize it but was sick, I got the flu so bad after I was trapped in my hotel room for 5 days. I was suprised I played so bad against him, he played perfect, first 8 games i never saw the edge of a ball i was kicking every shot. I have played like that on people and won 10 in a row with out leaving them a edge(unless its a dry break). So my point is Its in me to play good, how I manage my concentration determines how good I play when i'm in stroke. Today i'm not in stroke so its not a issue, My mental game is the road block keeping me down, way down!!, except in one pocket I have lots to learn there. I'm referring to 8,9,10 ball in this post.

thats my story,

Fatboy
 
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I have no suggestions. I will certainly be watching this thread to see what folks have for suggestions, as I'm in a bad spot lately myself.

Good luck sorting it out. For all of us.
 
Very interested in this topic. I find the opposite tru for me as far as playing champions. Im a classic front runner. If you are struggling or am clearly better than you, I take off and shoot way above my head. If I know I am a dog in the match I just can never get going. Its really frutrating for me cause I can never get matched up correctly because I never know which game will appear today. Really think it is about focus and confidense. I wish I could just show up and play one speed no matter which speed that is. Hope some good insight comes from this thread.
 
dsb8541 said:
Very interested in this topic. I find the opposite tru for me as far as playing champions. Im a classic front runner. If you are struggling or am clearly better than you, I take off and shoot way above my head. If I know I am a dog in the match I just can never get going. Its really frutrating for me cause I can never get matched up correctly because I never know which game will appear today. Really think it is about focus and confidense. I wish I could just show up and play one speed no matter which speed that is. Hope some good insight comes from this thread.
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That is kinda the way it is supposed to be...you are better than those that are worse than you...and vice-versa.
 
Fat boy posted:
I'd pay big $$ for something new I havent heard, that shows me results-i'm not paying up front. Its a 100% mental issue.

And that is the problem, no trust, and with that attitude, nobody would take you on. There is never any guarantee you will get it, in any lesson, most do, some don't. The only guarantee is you get the knowledge, what you do with it, is then up to you.

I could refer you to some who does specalize in this, and teaches the Zone, but I wont, because they charge $200 an hour, and you pay in advance. You want it given to you, then you might pay off. Dream on.

I have been through these courses, and they work like magic, if you go in with a empty mind, and follow the teachings blindly. It's all about your attitude. The know it all guy, fails, the obedient one, has success. :thumbup:
 
dsb8541 said:
Very interested in this topic. I find the opposite tru for me as far as playing champions. Im a classic front runner. If you are struggling or am clearly better than you, I take off and shoot way above my head. If I know I am a dog in the match I just can never get going. Its really frutrating for me cause I can never get matched up correctly because I never know which game will appear today. Really think it is about focus and confidense. I wish I could just show up and play one speed no matter which speed that is. Hope some good insight comes from this thread.
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i'm the dead oppsite, unless the champion never leaves me a shot like Chris did last time we played he missed one ball in 90 minutes, in the last rack. He played perfect pool on me, JA did one time too, we played for a hour, I won 1 game a dry break and I made a tough 1-9 combo(it was the only shot to play), the rest of the time I was racking or kicking. Those 2 sessions are the only 2 times I have had my opponent play perfect pool, like .985 accustate level, Chris in the first 45 minutes played 1.000 on me, I never saw the edge of a ball, I had to kick every shot after the first game. When this happens your not playing pool-they are. So I cant rate myself if I'm not playing.

But I do play better against better players, most of the time. Sometimes I dont. I played Corey Harper one time and couldnt make a ball, but I was sick with something. It was embarrassing i didnt make 3 balls in a row, i couldnt have beat a C- player-I had been playing good, took a week off went on Vacation in Rio came back and couldnt play right for 2 months. I dont know what the hell happened, I had sores and infections on my skin all over my body etc. no I didnt "Catch" anything-I went with Kelly and was just a tourist.
 
Curly Howard said:
Fat boy posted:.... You want it given to you, then you might pay off. Dream on.

I have been through these courses, and they work like magic, ... :thumbup:
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And you of course have successes to document your claim...or is just another shot at the portlyone two?
 
Curly Howard said:
Fat boy posted:
I'd pay big $$ for something new I havent heard, that shows me results-i'm not paying up front. Its a 100% mental issue.

And that is the problem, no trust, and with that attitude, nobody would take you on. There is never any guarantee you will get it, in any lesson, most do, some don't. The only guarantee is you get the knowledge, what you do with it, is then up to you.

I could refer you to some who does specalize in this, and teaches the Zone, but I wont, because they charge $200 an hour, and you pay in advance. You want it given to you, then you might pay off. Dream on.

I have been through these courses, and they work like magic, if you go in with a empty mind, and follow the teachings blindly. It's all about your attitude. The know it all guy, fails, the obedient one, has success. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

i'm not dreaming on, $200/hr is nothing for a shrink, and for that I'd front the $$$. I dont think you know the story here, and thats cool welcome to AZB. Glad to meet you and getting to know you.

I have a old account name on AZ its Fatboy with 10,000 posts, I been around along time and there are the haters, but for the most part I'm well received here and in pool. And I have a positive attitude and am nice to everyone, real nice to the people who hate me. I dont have he energy to argue or dislike anyone. I put all my effort into liking all people and if they still hate me its on them not me, i'm still nice. But never confuse niceness with softness, i'm brutal if necessary. But thats rare.

5 years ago I couldnt write a paragraph, I been practicing my writing and i'm getting better at it, I have lots to learn, I'm not special, I pllay by the same rules we all do in life. Wasnt born rich-nothing special, I cant catch a base ball if someone tosses it to me, i am not gifted in any way. I accept what life throws at me. I am what I made myself to be. And there is still a long ways to go. You mis understood my post. And thats cool, perhaps my writing was poor, i'm working on that still. I can talk but conveying my thoughts on a keyboard has been tough for me to learn.

best

eric


PS: If you really have a plan i'll look at it my email is EP90210@hotmail.com I'm open to any new plan to fix my concentration.

PPS: I trust people until they give me a reason not to, but I aint a sucker either. I get people EVERYDAY(last week 6 offers, 3 weeks ago I got 10 different people wanting me to loan them $$$ or invest in their biz) putting the bite on me for $$$ or a business proposition. I always decline, I don't loan $$ or invest in other peoples biz. In the past 5 years since I been back in the pool scene I have loaned $$ 4 or 5 times and got repaid all but once-he is on the installment plan and were good. Ask yourself this, if you got that many people coming at you all the time would you be able to accommodate them?
 
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Well I think everyone can try this , it works :

1. don't speak . shut your mouth off :d . Your opponent says somethings ? pretending that you don't hear it ( unless it concerns the game like he asks if he can take the magic rack off .etc. ) . Some1 comes to talk to you , make signs that you are in the match and you don't want to talk.

2. Narrow your vision on The Table. It's very important , usually you got distraction when regarding somewhere elses. DON'T, you see ONLY the Table.

3. Try to have a Breathing-routine . Take the deep breath when you are at your chair , and pay attention to your breath when you play ( do search in forum there is some articles about it ) . Pay attention on your breath so you wont think about others things .

4. At your chair, talk to yourselves , encourage yourselves ( it works when you play a BIG BOSS lol ) .

5. Keep your TIMING ON , preshot routine , the stroke , don't rush , don't take more time than usual . Under pressure many players play too fast or too slow than their normal speed , it will cause your stroke go wrong. Just do what you do everyday. Easy to say, Hard to apply but you have to force yourselves to do it.

I think it's enough for today :) . Good luck .
 
This may sound strange to some people, but my answer to maximum focus is one word: Joy.

We are the most focused when we are enjoying what we are doing. I mean really enjoying playing ---- living in the moment.

Let yourself simply enjoy the act of playing pool. It's not about your opponent or a competition. It's about you, the balls and the table, and what you challenge yourself to do in the present moment.

Have fun.
 
Fatboy2 said:
i'm not dreaming on, $200/hr is nothing for a shrink, and for that I'd front the $$$. I dont think you know the story here, and thats cool welcome to AZB. Glad to meet you and getting to know you.

I have a old account name on AZ its Fatboy with 10,000 posts, I been around along time and there are the haters, but for the most part I'm well received here and in pool. And I have a positive attitude and am nice to everyone, real nice to the people who hate me. I dont have he energy to argue or dislike anyone. I put all my effort into liking all people and if they still hate me its on them not me, i'm still nice. But never confuse niceness with softness, i'm brutal if necessary. But thats rare.

5 years ago I couldnt write a paragraph, I been practicing my writing and i'm getting better at it, I have lots to learn, I'm not special, I pllay by the same rules we all do in life. Wasnt born rich-nothing special, I cant catch a base ball if someone tosses it to me, i am not gifted in any way. I accept what life throws at me. I am what I made myself to be. And there is still a long ways to go. You mis understood my post. And thats cool, perhaps my writing was poor, i'm working on that still. I can talk but conveying my thoughts on a keyboard has been tough for me to learn.

best

eric


PS: If you really have a plan i'll look at it my email is EP90210@hotmail.com I'm open to any new plan to fix my concentration.
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I am aware of who you are. Money is not the issue with you. You can buy and sell me out of pocket change. It was not your ability to pop for $200 an hour that was in question, it was your attitude that was in question. If your head gets really screwed up, you dont go to a shrink and say, fix me, and when I am no longer crazy, then I might pay you. That was what I was trying to get across. These kind of people, are like your doctor, your lawyer, your Cpa, they dont go to work, without securing payment, up front. For some it works, for others, it might not work. For me, it worked, because I wanted it badly. I know you are a very sincere guy, and I respect you, and you seek help, but you have to approach it without an attitude or rules and restrictions. You seek it out, humbly.

Ernie Els was winning, then comes Tiger, and Tiger got into his head so bad, Ernie became a non winner for a long time. He went to one of these guys, spend a couple grand over a couple of days, got totally reprogramed and not only came back to win, that next week, but won 6 weeks in a row, and made 6 million dollars off of a 2 grand investment. Once the basics and the game is understood, then 90% of it, becomes the 6" between your ears. Bobby Jones said that, in 1920.
 
FranCrimi said:
This may sound strange to some people, but my answer to maximum focus is one word: Joy.

We are the most focused when we are enjoying what we are doing. I mean really enjoying playing ---- living in the moment.

Let yourself simply enjoy the act of playing pool. It's not about your opponent or a competition. It's about you, the balls and the table, and what you challenge yourself to do in the present moment.

Have fun.
Click to expand...


That is beautiful, wonderful, yes if you dont love you, nobody else will, ask Earl about that one. I call it, getting in a state of grace, total clarity, total calm, total relaxation. You are then, one with the shot. Yes, you understand, and many top pros like you do, but they will only tell it to the lid of their coffin. Why give something that valuable away, for nothing.
 
The 'joy' aspect of it is no problem. I love playing the game. I love watching the game.

And I love being the dog in the match. Puts a little bit of 'good pressure' on me and picks me up a bit.

My focus just goes away and I cant get it back. Its not that I'm giving up or that I feel like the match is on lock and I can coast, I can be up 9-0 in a race to 10 with the case ball hanging and I'm still playing the next shot is the most important. I can be down 9-0 with my opponent shooting at a hanger and until that ball falls, the match is still up for grabs. So its not that part of my mental game.

Curly,
Paying a shrink to help me is not worth the time or money. The way I feel about my mother has nothing to do with the fact my focus goes away. Plus, the fact that you are complaining about someone 'giving information away' is pretty funny. The fact that people in this forum embrace the ideas of passing on some knowledge or lending a helping hand to others must sicken you. The time of 'old pros and their secrets that will be taken to the grave' is over, and has been for years.
 
BrokeStroke said:
The 'joy' aspect of it is no problem. I love playing the game. I love watching the game.

And I love being the dog in the match. Puts a little bit of 'good pressure' on me and picks me up a bit.

My focus just goes away and I cant get it back. Its not that I'm giving up or that I feel like the match is on lock and I can coast, I can be up 9-0 in a race to 10 with the case ball hanging and I'm still playing the next shot is the most important. I can be down 9-0 with my opponent shooting at a hanger and until that ball falls, the match is still up for grabs. So its not that part of my mental game.

Curly,
Paying a shrink to help me is not worth the time or money. The way I feel about my mother has nothing to do with the fact my focus goes away. Plus, the fact that you are complaining about someone 'giving information away' is pretty funny. The fact that people in this forum embrace the ideas of passing on some knowledge or lending a helping hand to others must sicken you. The time of 'old pros and their secrets that will be taken to the grave' is over, and has been for years.
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We all love pool. That's not what I mean. I guarantee that when you are losing focus you are no longer having fun playing pool. So how do you hang on to that fun feeling? What's suddenly taking it away?

If losing focus is repetitive, it could be a habit that you trigger automatically. You can do one of two things to break a habit: 1) Figure out what caused it in the first place and try to deal with the issue. For example: Are you an adrenaline junkie? Do you get bored once the initial excitement wears off? --- or 2) Use a technique like neurolinguistic programming where you don't address the cause, but rather when you feel yourself start to lose focus, try to trigger yourself back into staying in the game.
 
I know what you meant by the 'joy' factor. Im on board with you there. I do always have fun playing the game. I can have fun and enjoy the game and I have never got to the point where playing wasnt enjoyable for me. I highly doubt that is what does it, but I will pay attention to see if there is a change in my attitude while playing.

Im not an adrenaline junkie. I dont 'come down' off the feeling while playing or anything to that effect.

I dont lose it gradually, I sort of just 'snap out of it'. The feeling is still there. But the focus isnt.

I do appreciate your and everyone elses suggestions though. I'm not looking for a quick fix or a magic solution. I'm just trying to pick some ideas that work for some people and see if they would help me.

It might not seem like it, but to come up with ideas on your own for this subject is pretty hard.
 
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