Breathing and shooting pool.

[Double-Dave]

I never shot rifles competitively, but handguns, yes! And quite alot better then I shoot pool I might add.

The technique I used there was raise handgun when inhaling, moving up past the target, exhale 2/3 - 3/4 of the way whilst lowering your handgun, then hold your breath when you get close to the target, aim carefully and slowly but surely pull the trigger all the time holding your breath, trying to time the shot inbetween two heartbeats. I kinda do the same for pool, e.g. when I'm on my final delivery stroke I hold my breath, but not a lot of it (lungs filled 1/4 - 1/3). I'm not bothered with the heartbeats in pool.

gr. Dave

 

[CrownCityCorey]

I have pondered this on and off for awhile....


Does anyone here have a breathing routine while shooting a shot?

When you fire a rifle, you exhale, then pull the trigger.

When wieght lifting, you exhale as you lift.

I await responses.

Sharpshooters/Snipers actually pull the trigger in between heartbeats.

 

[metal5d]

When shooting through good sights / scopes using proper form and technique you can actually see the target move when your heart beats. I don't think its very critical in pool to use a breathing technique but you should be relaxed. It's actually probably more important to make sure you aren't holding your breath so you stay as calm as possible.

The military uses the BRASS technique for shooting:
Breathing - slow breaths, exhale 1/2 way and hold
Relax - there should be no tension in your body
Aim - put your sight on the target
Sight - take up a good sight picture (align your crosshair exactly where you want it to be within the target)
Squeeze - don't snap at the trigger, squeeze it with the pad on the tip of your finger

 

[lewdo26]

Sharpshooters/Snipers actually pull the trigger in between heartbeats.

How the hell do you know when you're in between heartbeats??? lol... I think Bob Henning prescribes holding your breath when shooting and then exhaling. I'll get there yet!

 

[cuetechasaurus]

As long as you are not rapidly inhaling and exhaling while you are down on the shot, it doesn't matter at all. Unless you are a nervous wreck, your breaths will be small and insignificant. If your cue rides along your chest and is in contact with it, then breathing while down on your shot is an important factor. For most players, the cue doesn't ride along their chest.
The important part of breathing while playing pool, IMO, is breathing while you are watching your opponent shoot, and taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling BEFORE you get down on the shot. Taking deep and relaxed breaths gets oxygen into your muscles and brain, which helps you think more clearly and execute better. You have to fix your breathing before you get down on the shot.

Thinking about your breathing while you are down on the shot can only screw you up, from my experience.

 

[chuchu1604]

In my opinion, I often hold my breathe or breath out a little when hitting the cue ball.

 

[Double-Dave]

How the hell do you know when you're in between heartbeats???

That's the easy part. You see your heartbeat in your sights. bupbup sights go up, bupbup sights go up, bupbup sights go up, and so on. If you shoot and don't see your heartbeat yet, don't worry you're probably not dead, just not a very good shot!

 

[Double-Dave]

Sharpshooters/Snipers actually pull the trigger in between heartbeats.

Exactly! And without breathing in or out.

 

[MFB]

. I bet the poster of this thread had someone ask him that as a shark move and he took it seriously.

No, actually, I was looking for something to give me more of a 'rhythm' when playing.

And possibly something to focus on to get me back in gear when I am out of whack.