Best Psychology Books for Pool Players

[Calgaryplayer]

Which is your favorite? and Why? (Can pick more than one book.)

 

[obr]

i'm in the process of reading "Pleasures of Small Motions" right now...haven't finished it yet, but so far, it's pretty interesting

 

[evanandpeaches]

Check out the inner game of tennis.

 

[junkbond]

THIS might be a good one.

 

[Johnnyt]

Other. I depended from what I learned in the streets over the years. Johnnyt

 

[Baxter]

I think that if you've read all those books on the mental game of pool, that your problems may be self-created inside your own head. Either that or you'll struggle with the mental aspect of pool for your entire "career".

Don't try so hard and let yourself get out of your own way. That's the best mental game advice I have for new students I'm teaching golf, get out of your own way. Don't think about it so much, just let yourself do it.

 

[JarnoV]

The Inner Game of Tennis.

(Like someone already said.)

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

these should be includrd on your list...

"Pleasures of Small Motions" & "The Inner Game of Tennis" are two books that are widely considered as being great pool psychology books.

Best,
Brian kc

 

[Ratta]

For me there s only one *bible*- and this was and still is *pressures of small motions*

lg
Ingo

 

[ShootingRazbone]

I think that if you've read all those books on the mental game of pool, that your problems may be self-created inside your own head. Either that or you'll struggle with the mental aspect of pool for your entire "career".

Don't try so hard and let yourself get out of your own way. That's the best mental game advice I have for new students I'm teaching golf, get out of your own way. Don't think about it so much, just let yourself do it.

Thats like saying "Dont think about pink elephants"

 

[Hierovision]

+1 for the inner game of tennis. I haven't read any of the books on the list, but this one was amazing.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

For me there s only one *bible*- and this was and still is *pressures of small motions*

lg
Ingo

Some people swear by this book, but I don't think it's for everybody. I found it a bit too esoteric and ethereal for my liking. Too each his own.

 

[MOJOE]

Check out the inner game of tennis.

I'd agree.. Probably the best on the mental game IMHO..

 

[uwate]

Check out "Talent is overrated"

 

[Calgaryplayer]

I think that if you've read all those books on the mental game of pool, that your problems may be self-created inside your own head. Either that or you'll struggle with the mental aspect of pool for your entire "career".

Don't try so hard and let yourself get out of your own way. That's the best mental game advice I have for new students I'm teaching golf, get out of your own way. Don't think about it so much, just let yourself do it.

If someone has read all of these books, he/she certainly can be a psychologist first! :wink:

 

[pooltchr]

No doubt that "Pleasure of Small Motions" has done more for my personal game than any of the other "mind" books. But there is a nugget or two of gold to be found in most every book. You just need to know how to find them.

Steve

 

[ShootingArts]

always took the mental game from where I found it

For me the best mental book was "Shooting From Within" by J Michael Plaxco. It was the right book at the right time. It has nothing to do with pool but I have added to my mental game with information from distance runners, olympic champions, body builders, super salesman's books, an almost endless variety of sources. I think that it all boils down to three things, preparation, confidence, and living in the moment.

The master of the mental game of pool is Efren Reyes. Somehow I don't think we will ever see an in-depth "how to" on the mental game from him though. However we do have many hours of video to see how he addresses tough issues in a game and how he moves past mistakes.

Hu

 

[Baxter]

Thats like saying "Dont think about pink elephants"

I'm just saying that I've always played my best pool/golf when I'm not thinking about anything. My mind is blank, or thinking about nothing but the target. When you let all these little thoughts creep into your mind, whatever they might be, is when you start missing shots. May be more prevalent in golf though. "Keep your left arm straight, low and slow, don't hit it left, do I have the right club, etc etc". I don't believe in swing thoughts, I believe that thoughts get in the way of your swing. I think it relates to pool a lot too, or at least in my experience.

 

[LAlouie]

Not to be dismissive of any "pool writer", but I would rather focus on books with a broad "Zen" scope that you can apply to pool. It's important to see how everything done well in this world is related.

 

[TimmyB80]

I'm surprised this one hasn't been mentioned:
Zen Pool: Awaken the Master Within by Max Eberle
Have I read it? No. But have I wanted to? Yes. Half-point.