Do you give all your shots the same Attention!

[Lock N Load]

Thanks Hu.

We have all had the occasional "attack of the stupids" where we miss easy shots. Watching video of a major event years ago I saw Efren and Bustamonte miss almost identical absolute duck shots on the money ball in separate matches.

Nobody has suggested shooting carelessly or without adequate attention to the shot. However somebody that puts the same attention into every shot either isn't paying enough attention to the tough ones or will often get outran in a long session when they tire by someone who is working more efficiently. It isn't efficient to devote the same energy to a tap in as a very tough shot.

Hu

I appreciate your good shooting, input always. Thanks again.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[donuteric]

The more I think about this, the more I disagree with my previous statement. I misunderstood what attention really means in regard to the question being asked. The time it takes to think about how to play might vary, but the time to actually execute should roughly remain the same.

There are shots that are just plain simple, pocket the ball and with natural angle you should see the next one easily. Those are the shots that I simply look at it from the top view in less a few seconds, approach, and execute. There are shots which require a bit more thinking, especially those that you either have to run through narrow window or shots that require you to create your own angle. Those shots would take more time to analyze and to 'read' the table layout. Regardless of the situation, once a decision is made, the execution part should roughly be the same. I've seen many players, especially beginners, take too long for their warmup strokes, and go on missing the shot by a measurable amount, probably due to the level of focus gradually decreases when one takes too long during their warmup strokes.

With that said, I believe playing pool doesn't easily exhaust your mind, even in long session. I prefer to win tournaments from the winner's side bracket, but I've known a few that prefer to play as many games as possible to keep them from being 'cold'. Ultimately, if you're facing tough situations shot after shot, maybe there is something else that needs to be fixed first before questioning how much attention you need to put on for certain shots.

 

[dave_k]

No, and you shouldn't give all of your shots the same attention.

I'm sure some will say that you should. I'm saying you should give all shots your attention, but you don't want to spend too much mental energy on the simple things. Save that energy for the tougher, important shots.

The overall level of attention, or concentration if you will, is what is really important. Be consistent and shoot every shot with a level of importance, but not every shot with a live or die philosophy. Trying too hard can sometimes throw your game off.

spot on.

i tend to shoot far better when im not thinking of the shots at hand, just works better letting your body take over...stroke is less flawed

 

[measureman]

I bear down on the hard ones and make most of them and take the easy ones for granted and tend to miss the ball or easy position.

 

[Snapshot9]

Comment

What I do with 'easy' shots is issue myself a 'caution flag' with them. When I was younger, I would sometimes take them for granted, and sometimes this cost me in not getting the shape I wanted, or even missing some of those easy shots.

When I am down on them, and especially a 9 ball shot that is easy, I make sure I am cueing the shot properly, hitting the object ball at the right angle, and watching out not to scratch.

 

[skeptic]

Just a little more focus on the easy shots will fix the problem.

Exactly. Towards the end of a table run, especially when I get to an easy shot/position, my attention drifts toward the next shot or two - thinking about the run, thinking how I need to shoot the next shot for position.... I KNOW I do it, but it's always after I miss that I realize what I just did.

This Monday I was shooting ok - not at the top of my game, but not bad per se. It was playoff week - we won the first round, lost the second which meant mathematically we couldn't go up or down. Since we were playing a team that we are all friends with I told them the season is over, doesn't matter, I'm just going to mess around. No thought to anything but the ball I was shooting at, no worrying about the leave (maybe a little thought), no thinking a ball or two ahead, just concentrate on making the ball and deal with the leave - table run (typically I get maybe 1 table run in 15-20 games). I'm not sure what to think of it, I'm sure goes hand in hand with the other thread about stress, but I'm going to try to learn from it.

 

[Lock N Load]

Skeptic, thanks for your input.

Exactly. Towards the end of a table run, especially when I get to an easy shot/position, my attention drifts toward the next shot or two - thinking about the run, thinking how I need to shoot the next shot for position.... I KNOW I do it, but it's always after I miss that I realize what I just did.

This Monday I was shooting ok - not at the top of my game, but not bad per se. It was playoff week - we won the first round, lost the second which meant mathematically we couldn't go up or down. Since we were playing a team that we are all friends with I told them the season is over, doesn't matter, I'm just going to mess around. No thought to anything but the ball I was shooting at, no worrying about the leave (maybe a little thought), no thinking a ball or two ahead, just concentrate on making the ball and deal with the leave - table run (typically I get maybe 1 table run in 15-20 games). I'm not sure what to think of it, I'm sure goes hand in hand with the other thread about stress, but I'm going to try to learn from it.

It is a real pleasure to get your input. Thanks again.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Skeptic.....

Exactly. Towards the end of a table run, especially when I get to an easy shot/position, my attention drifts toward the next shot or two - thinking about the run, thinking how I need to shoot the next shot for position.... I KNOW I do it, but it's always after I miss that I realize what I just did.

This Monday I was shooting ok - not at the top of my game, but not bad per se. It was playoff week - we won the first round, lost the second which meant mathematically we couldn't go up or down. Since we were playing a team that we are all friends with I told them the season is over, doesn't matter, I'm just going to mess around. No thought to anything but the ball I was shooting at, no worrying about the leave (maybe a little thought), no thinking a ball or two ahead, just concentrate on making the ball and deal with the leave - table run (typically I get maybe 1 table run in 15-20 games). I'm not sure what to think of it, I'm sure goes hand in hand with the other thread about stress, but I'm going to try to learn from it.

Don't let your game down because you are shooting with friends. Keep the pace regardless! Let me know how you make out.
Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[genomachino]

There is something to be said about that...........

When you have an easy shot do you shoot it like a hard shot? Or with the same attention you give a hard shot?
Regards,
Lock N Load.

Like I said. There is something to be said about that.

Good Post.................Good advice......Excellent advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LOCKUP]

I find myself not trying as hard on safeties

I do not approach safeties sometime with the same urgency as a do with straight in shots.