Book for the mental game?

hivoltg said:
What am I missing here? I see people recommend this tennis book to pool players alot. Somebody please fill me in. How does a tennis book help your pool game?
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It's about the mental game and that can be related to pool. However, I did not like this book one bit and I think it actually hurt my game after I read it.

To the OP - my favorite mental book is: Mental Toughness Training for Sports. Tells you how to get in the zone and other nuggets. :)
 
jason said:
Remember that a book is just a guide, similar to an aiming system. When all said and done, you must develop a touch and feel for the table.

The mental game is similar. You must learn to block out what is not important and focus on what is. You must learn to play the game as a whole. Not one shot or one game or one set, but a lot of small steps that eventually make the whole picture.

Consistency, composure, confidence, determination, trust, belief are just a few of the qualities that must be developed. Books are a great start, but be willing to listen to your inner self. This will come with time.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.
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I'm with Jason on this one. In my situation it's all about confidence. If I am confident, watch out! I try to remember back to times when I played great and know that I have it in me to do it. I try to put myself back in that moment. Likewise, when I'm playing great I try to remember what it feels like at the time so I can draw on it later.
 
I've read Pleasures of Small Motions many times. Great book.

I didn't really get through the Zen Archery book, but that was mainly because there's a whole group of us and I have a personal problem with sharing too easily. I really did like it, though, and am looking forward to seeing it again.

Another example- I just lent away the Inner Game of Tennis book- I read the first half of it before I was asked to lend it. I did like it, but I can also see why Trigger didn't: it's not for everyone, all the time, the way that Pleasures is.

I think we're all searching for and getting similar answers from each of these books, it's just the authors are presenting that same Truth in different ways, from different perspectives. Try each if you can, and whatever given moment or stage you are in, hopefully one of these voices will be one that you're ready to hear right then. ("ready to hear" is from the Zen Archery book)

Someone else talked about the lack of ebooks. I found a way around that- I have the internet on my phone, and I read Joe Waldron's articles there.

A friend of mine can get emails but can't really browse the internet from her phone, so I copied and pasted my favorite Joe Waldron articles and emailed them to her. It's nice to always have something to read on your phone when you're waiting in line, etc.

(I used to read David Sapolis' articles but I haven't been seen any for awhile, now)
 
I appreciate everyones answers. The AZ community is great. Im 29 years old and I have been playing for 13 years on and off. I know i can stroke it with most of them, but I find myself in a state of mental confusion anytime its on the line. I read The Mental Edge and it help me to bring joy back into competition instead of saying I can't wait to leave. I have decided that I'm going to read The Inner Game of Tennis next. Thanks again.
 
hivoltg said:
What am I missing here? I see people recommend this tennis book to pool players alot. Somebody please fill me in. How does a tennis book help your pool game?
Click to expand...

Do not confuse Tennis and Pool as completely different in the mental aspect just because physically they are. You can cover the Mental Game in two ways in a book.

The first way is to explain exactly how the brain works in classroom like lecture. (The pleasure of small motions.)

The second as explained by an average Joe using simple to understand analogies. (The Inner game of Tennis.)

Both books form a good one two punch in understanding it all better.
 
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