Breathing Technique

Welcome to the forum, Sky.
That's a really good question for your very first one. Reminds me of my first question. "How do get snot out of corduroy?"
I really don't think there is a truly definitive answer here, but in my opinion breathing is highly overrated. I know, I know, you've got to breathe in order for the life processes to continue, but c'mon. It just ain't that big of a deal.
As a matter of fact it can be hazardous to your health. I remember one time I was sitting in a very small room, talking on the telephone, when this guy rushes in, farts real big, then slams the door shut and locks it. I thought I was gonna die.
But anyway... what was the question? :)

Hey Tramp.

How do you get snot out?

I normally use a finger or a tissue. Never considered corduroy.
 
Does anybody use a breathing method when stroking the cue? Do you inhale when drawing the cue back and exhale on the forward stroke? Or do you hold your breath for the duration of the stroke?

Sky
Songtan Pool League, South Korea

Method??? your way too analytical, just pause your in/out breathing :grin-square:during execution.
 
Breathing is the next best thing in playing good pool. Earl's going to be so focused on his breathing technique that he wears a respirator and carries an oxygen tank on his back so he doesn't have to do it manually.
 
Snipers use breathing techniques when shooting, check out this site:

http://www.ghilliesuitsonline.com/brteforsn.html

Ya, a excellent older snooker player told me about how you use breathing techniques when you shoot.

If anything though, you just want to ensure you aren't taking shallow breaths around the table. It's common to do this when your in a pressure situation. You need to make sure your getting enough oxygen to the brain, furthermore it just relaxes you.
 
The sniper breathing technique for shooting a one shot kill is perfect for that skill. Shooting pool requires more a fluid series of movements. Breathing during the flow of from one shot to the next would be a different rhythm .
Also what you do ( breathing ) while sitting in the electric chair waiting to shoot is equally important.
If you were to try to breathe this way during every shot in a game you would be worn out by the end of the first match.
 
Proper breathing technique with 4-point contact

The sniper breathing technique for shooting a one shot kill is perfect for that skill. Shooting pool requires more a fluid series of movements. Breathing during the flow of from one shot to the next would be a different rhythm .
Also what you do ( breathing ) while sitting in the electric chair waiting to shoot is equally important.
If you were to try to breathe this way during every shot in a game you would be worn out by the end of the first match.

Falcon Eddie:

Actually, this breathing technique (the sniper breathing technique) is also used in competitive rifle shooting, where it's not a "one shot" kill. (Rather, a series of shots -- every shot -- where you're going for the tightest grouping on the target. In match play, it's not uncommon to go through just as many [if not more] shots as you would in a standard short-rack rotation game.) This breathing technique is also used in snooker, when, as a previous poster mentioned, the 4-point contact (bridge, chin, chest, grip-hand) necessitates that your chest be still when pulling the trigger on the shot.

While the expansion and contraction of the chest may be no big deal if you normally play high up over the cue (e.g. Minnesota Fats style), it is a big deal if you normally play down low over the cue, especially with chest contact.

Just FYI,
-Sean
 
Falcon Eddie:

Actually, this breathing technique (the sniper breathing technique) is also used in competitive rifle shooting, where it's not a "one shot" kill. (Rather, a series of shots -- every shot -- where you're going for the tightest grouping on the target. In match play, it's not uncommon to go through just as many [if not more] shots as you would in a standard short-rack rotation game.) This breathing technique is also used in snooker, when, as a previous poster mentioned, the 4-point contact (bridge, chin, chest, grip-hand) necessitates that your chest be still when pulling the trigger on the shot.

While the expansion and contraction of the chest may be no big deal if you normally play high up over the cue (e.g. Minnesota Fats style), it is a big deal if you normally play down low over the cue, especially with chest contact.

Just FYI,
-Sean

Point well taken, I was really trying to empathize the different breathing for different skills. Those series of shots you describe in grouping are done rather quickly I think. The point of snooker players breathing would not be the same.
However during a must make shot..say the winning 9 ball , cue ball on the rail straight in 9 in the middle of the table type shot. I could see myself using a sniper style breathing method. Just not , for trying to be in the flow or zone of my natural ryhtym.
 
I used to shoot pistols and rifles competitively and there is a little difference in breathing between the two. Sniper/rifle work is all about lack of movement, the shooting jackets have you tied up so tight you can hardly breath anyway. Shooting with a handgun in combat shooting is about moving and shooting, and more like shooting pool, maybe shooting three shots at one target, then you may have to run a distance and you are going to be breathing hard but you do have to try to slow it down when taking shots.

When I play pool I breath lightly during the practice strokes and then hold my breath during exhale on the follow through, I really don't have to think about it anymore. But now as I get older it means I automatically gulp air after the shot and it leads to belching and farting, hehehe.

I also have noticed that when I am playing for cash or in a tournament and taking my time, I breath different than when I am playing fast and loose for fun.
 
Just because the word aim is used in pool does not mean pool and shooting have anythin in common. Pool is more like a marital art than anything.

The breathing used in pool should be just like you do every day. You don't use any special breathing in washing the dishes, same applies in pool.

Read "The Book of the Five Rings" and you will understand.
 
Yes, I use breathing techniques when playing pool. I do this just prior to and during any match. I slowly inhale as much as I can possibly through my nose, I hold that breath for the same amount of time it takes to inhale, then exhale through my mouth at the same rate. Do it 5 or 6 times succesively. This method slows your pulse/heart rate and reoxygenates your blood. It will help you to remain calmer when you get back to the table if your lucky enough to. It's a very well known technique for athletes in many sports. I raced bicycles when I was younger and learned about how important breathing techniques are in sports.

Good overview. Yes, deep breathing is a key factor in relaxing the muscles and maintaining focus.
 
yesterday i've seen this thread, and today while playing it suddenly hits me (This thread) and I started thinking about it, then while I'm shooting I was paying attention of my breathing, and guess what happens, I started missing every shot while thinking about it lol. it was funny, then i stopped thinking about and just started playing and I was playing much better... :P
 
Personally, I like the breathing technique of when I inhale, and then exhale.
I try to do this 24/7. If you don't, things can get all grey and fuzzy, then you fall down.

But when I am down on a tough shot, I relax by breathing. I do my pre shot routine. I inhale and then a slow steady and gentle exhale. I try and time this with my back stroke so when I'm ready to pull the trigger, I have already exhaled and
am relaxed from doing that. I don't do it all the time, mostly when I am on a more difficult shot and I need the extra focus.
 
Does anybody use a breathing method when stroking the cue? Do you inhale when drawing the cue back and exhale on the forward stroke? Or do you hold your breath for the duration of the stroke?

Sky
Songtan Pool League, South Korea

Have you tried breathing when your Chalking your Cue ? :thumbup:
That way you don't have to worry about holding your breath for as long as you are at the table :p :D
 
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Just because the word aim is used in pool does not mean pool and shooting have anythin in common. Pool is more like a marital art than anything.

The breathing used in pool should be just like you do every day. You don't use any special breathing in washing the dishes, same applies in pool.

Read "The Book of the Five Rings" and you will understand.

Great book. Gi gong ( breath work ) is moving meditation while deep abdominal breathing. Great for many things...my pool game for one.
 
Ignore the people who disregard this notion. Create a rhythm where you inhale on the back swing and exhale on the foreswing and followthrough. Holding your breath creates muscle tension. In martial arts, tennis etc. You exhale on the execution of the stroke. Regulated breathing in the interim keeps your heart rate down and allows you to remain calm and focused. Bye.
 
If you're a beginner or an intermediate this idea is relatively unimportant; but the more you advance, the more important these nuances and subtleties become an important part of your mechanics and ability to remain consistent under pressure..
 
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