Enhancing the "Mental Game" of Pool - What's the Best Way?

[one stroke]

I will also point out the sub conscience does not filter out negative thoughts it retains them also. ,, so if your conscience mind is thinking negative thoughts so is your sub conscience. ,, that's why it's important to think positive thoughts and not let negative thoughts in




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[CJ Wiley]

Through the years I've not not endorsed "mental game" products - until now

That's funny, dude, I mean, like totally ....... "tripindicular". :groucho:

I wish sometimes that I could smoke that stuff, but I can't....it makes me "dumb and lazy".....however, there is an awesome product that I was just told about by a doctor friend of mine in Dallas.....it's legal Hemp and now with the vapor technology it's available today.

Through the years I've never endorsed any products to play pool on that has helped my "mental game" - there have been a few that produced positive results like Ginkgo, St. John's Wart, PQQ, Cordyceps, however nothing, in my opinion compares to legal HEMP (No THC in this stuff, the active ingredient is CBD).

Check out this link and see for yourself : You'll be glad you did, it's a real advantage.

LEGAL HEMP - IMPROVEYOURMENTALGAME

https://kannaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Kannakick-top_banner2.png click picture for more info

hemp vape???? I smoke a fat bowl of weed, who needs some chemical shit. maryjiuana is everywhere, where were you brought up??? slim shady.....

 

[CJ Wiley]

There's nothing wrong with this, it's just an interesting fact.

This may be true, however, pool is an exception in this particular area.

How many pool players in the BCA Hall of Fame came from affluent families or grew up with a "silver spoon" (of silver pool cue in this case) I believe on the average you'll find that the income of this group is "middle class" at best....and maybe even the low end of that scale. There's nothing wrong with this, it's just an interesting fact.

I'm not saying you have to be "middle class" or under to be mentally tough, however, it does encourage toughness in general when you don't have things easy.....this could also come from other things besides just financial examples.

please direct me to any scientific study supporting your conclusion. my experience is the direct opposit (and i think the science supports my position). chilidren of affluent families have, on the whole better nutrition, better education, and greater opportunity.

Bert

 

[Banks]

Whatever, I'll agree to disagree.

Depends on their motivation to do something. Same thing with this topic, no ninja skills required.

 

[miscrewed89]

Visualization empowers the sub mind. Once the sub mind knows the shot it can never miss it, never. Unless you allow that conscious mind to sneak in there and create doubt.

Well I'm certain that I must sound crazy about now, but it's too late to stop.

Now CJ knows this about me, he has helped me to understand what I'm actually doing, and that has allowed me to improve on it. I will try to describe it to you all how I use my conscious mind to line the shot up and help me down, then I turn it off and let the sub mind determine the speed of hit and make the shot.

I need that rational mind to warn me of the dangers of ending up on the wrong side of the next object ball. I need the conscious mind to tell me what type of English I need to apply, and after that I'm through with it until before I get down on the next shot.

Once down on the shot you will be lucky to be able to see the whole shot, most of the time it's simple impossible, like when your shooting at the foot rail and need to send whitey resting 2 inches off the head rail.

We do not have eyes in the back of our heads. But our Sub Mind does.

Once over the shot I stop seeing with my physical eyes and start visualizing the shot in my mind. Through my sub mind, or my imagination if you prefer.

After visualizing the shot completely through, and that means until the cue ball stops rolling, I shoot it. The speed of the hit is 100% based off a mental image in my mind of the shot.

That's it in a nut shell ... we are all different, but we all have two minds. Once down, your visualization process, which is shutting out the conscious mind, is the determining information that the sub mind needs to make the shot every time, and it does.

The real trick is getting the conscious mind the hell out of the way when you do not really need it, and making sure the sub mind has all the info it needs to take care of business.

What a great thread!!! This^^^ post opened my eyes and described almost perfectly what I do when I'm playing good pool. When I'm not playing so well, I'm skipping some steps, overlooking details, and simply taking for granted certain aspects of the shot. I didn't even realize all this until reading the post quoted above!

Again, thanks for starting this thread, CJ. Though I don't always comprehend everything you say, it is always good food for thought!

 

[CJ Wiley]

He recently sold a company for over 30 million as a direct result

This is "easier said than done," and what it requires is training and practice.

I seriously doubt if anyone is just born with the ability to maximize their mental capacity, focus and concentration. It's vital to practice some form of meditation (there are many types) to effectively coordinate the conscious and unconscious mind.

One of my friends seemed to be the exception to this rule and a few weeks ago he devulged to me what his "secret" to mental success was and it surprised me. He recently sold a company for over 30 million as a direct result of this technique and it took him almost 30 years to share it with me.....it's an NLP technique that involves anchoring and "match, pace and lead" protocol.

It's impossible to achieve any high level with out a high level of concience thinking
subconcience thinking is a break off of muscle memory
Like remembering how to tie your shoes you don't think u just do

The key is being able to keep your concience mind on the task at hand
Like a computer if you have to many open programs its slows down too many more and it locks up
The key us not letting you mind stay in the thinking side outside of the task
A sports shrink told me the best way to do this is not look at anything or listen to anything longer than a split second
or think any negative thoughts when this happens your brain stays on the thinking side to long
We hear the term often in football short term memory
What this is actualy is the ability to keep the mind concertraiting on the task at hand not allowing bad thoughts to take over concience thinking

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[Mr. Bond]

Through the years I've never endorsed any products to play pool on that has helped my "mental game" - there have been a few that produced positive results like Ginkgo, St. John's Wart, PQQ, Cordyceps, however nothing, in my opinion compares to legal HEMP (No THC in this stuff, the active ingredient is CBD).

Ginkgo is a great suppliment.
Interestingly enough its one of the few deciduous conifers and was actually believed to have been extinct for many many years.

CBD has much promise as well ..
http://www.google.ca/patents/US6630507

 

[Buckzapper]

That pinpoint focus as you look up at the object ball on your final backstroke, can be fleeting if you have a buck-toothed 300 pound woman at the bar in a mini-skirt giving you the "hey there hustler" look. The long pointed nose and bright red lipstick, frame a face than can haunt a house, all the while the multiple piercings and tattoos tell you, you're in for an event much like an 8 seconds bull ride. You can be thrown clear and stomped at any time, especially for eyeing Junior's woman.

 

[bdorman]

You can increase your mental focus with a simple pool routine: Go to the toughtest pool room in town, bet the biggest, meanest guy there $100 with only $5 in your pocket. You'll focus.

 

[Spimp13]

The secret is to drink just enough beer to take the edge off, but not too much for fundamental errors to start popping up more frequently.

Ok on a more serious note the mental side of my game comes and goes. When it is there, it is strong. When it is not there, it is embarrassing (to me at least). I can shoot really well when the confidence/no fear attitude is there but at the same time I can also easily lose to someone I shouldn't because I am too nervous. Nerves are a good thing, but damn wish they wouldn't show up as often as they do!

 

[CJ Wiley]

In doing this we create what's called "the synergistic effect"

We each have our "100%" to work with, and some people would be led to believe this represents our highest possible potential......this is actually a self limiting belief.

There are several ways to break through and surpass this "100%" and I mentioned one of them as controlling how and when we use our sense's available potential. In doing this we create what's called "the synergistic effect" which gives us the ability to rise above what we formally considered our "full potential".

"Things will come to those who wait, but only those things left over by those who hustle." - Abraham Lincoln

As always, thank you for your thoughts CJ. All of your posts like this give me something to think about.

Regards,

voiceofreason

 

[Black-Balled]

I believe that aside from the physical 'can do' aspect of playing top-level pool, the main ingredient is comfort in a given situation.

If you don't play in front of others, you won't play well if you are plopped in front of an audience.

If you never play with perfect tables and balls, you aren't going to do well at the us open.

If you never played for money, you aren't going to jump up and out-gamble a player of your same speed.

The mental game will never outrun the man at home.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Ginkgo has been part of my regiment for many years

I agree, Ginkgo has been part of my regiment for many years and I can tell the difference if I run out for a few days.

CBD is the best I've found so far and when it's inhaled it goes quickly into the bloodstream.....the vapor with hemp is not like using regular products, it wastes it.

The key is to inhale slowly and hold it in as long as you can so very little vapor returns and it's completely absorbed into the body.......the effects are almost immediate.

]Ginkgo is a great suppliment.[/B]
Interestingly enough its one of the few deciduous conifers and was actually believed to have been extinct for many many years.

CBD has much promise as well ..
http://www.google.ca/patents/US6630507

 

[Bella Don't Cry]

Is it the diet or is it drugs, alcohol and a lazy life style that holds the American players back? Is it a unwillingness to put in the work and compete?

Well that's a possible reason.
I don't know too many USA pool players and the ones I do are clean.
However, lifestyle is definitely a key factor! :thumbup:

 

[boyraks]

I believe that aside from the physical 'can do' aspect of playing top-level pool, the main ingredient is comfort in a given situation.

If you don't play in front of others, you won't play well if you are plopped in front of an audience.

If you never play with perfect tables and balls, you aren't going to do well at the us open.

If you never played for money, you aren't going to jump up and out-gamble a player of your same speed.

The mental game will never outrun the man at home.

There has never been near perfect tables in the Philippines does it mean they cannot win the US open?

 

[CJ Wiley]

One thing I've found that's ideal for playing pool and it's perfectly legal

Players today are very "clean" in respects to drugs and alcohol. When I was growing up in the 80s this was not the case at all. Players routinely played while drinking, or using various forms of drugs. While some players may use alcohol and "other" things recreationally, I haven't seen it as a problem in many, many years.

One thing I've found that's ideal for playing pool and it's perfectly legal and doesn't require a prescription ....it's also inexpensive and very, very effective for stress and "mental enhancement" - Check out this link to see more Enance Your Pool Game Now

Well that's a possible reason.
I don't know too many USA pool players and the ones I do are clean.
However, lifestyle is definitely a key factor! :thumbup:

 

[CJ Wiley]

the important thing is always be testing yourself.

I agree, no one every gets much better in their "comfort zone"....it's often best to do something different, for example I play a lot with weights on both wrists playing carom type games.....the important thing is always be testing yourself.

There are many aspects to mental game that combine to make you a much better player. Mental game is not simply one thing and you can see that in this thread. I see people saying "mental game is this and you must do this"... then the next guy "no mental game is this and you must do this."



Imo my opinion mental game is a combination of:


Motivation and determination- setting goals and having the drive to persist after them. (both rich and poor can be highly motivated and persist through the tough times)

Perspective- the way you see things and what you say to yourself, your inner thoughts (you have to believe in yourself)

Energy- Being able to maintain YOUR ideal performance state, in control of your energy balancing high-low and positive-negative (being able to deal with the physical and psychological stresses)

Focus- Staying in the hear and now, eliminating distractions, and holding this concentration for periods of time are elements of focus (The distractions can also include your own mental instructions as you play)

Miscellaneous aspects- dealing with the fear of failure, knowing how to overcome mistakes, developing courage to step out of your comfort zone (these are all parts of the mental game also)



You can develop each and every aspect to become stronger mentally which in turn makes you stronger physically... but of course you need a physical game in the first place.





So you can see... the BEST WAY to develop "mental game" is dependent on each individual. Does that person need help controlling their emotions? Does that person need help dealing with distractions? Does that person need to develop more confidence, more courage, and on and on?

 

[(((Satori)))]

I agree, no one every gets much better in their "comfort zone"....it's often best to do something different, for example I play a lot with weights on both wrists playing carom type games.....the important thing is always be testing yourself.

Oh yes, the comfort zone. That place where there is no stress, no risk, and no REWARD.

Is comfort bad? No, we all need to spend some time in our comfort zone. But, if we live there then comfort no longer stays comfort, it becomes bordom. That easy 9-5 job that pays the bills becomes something you loathe. There is no growth, no gains, no reward. And that is when you really feel the stress.


So we all need to step out of our comfort zone. We need to experience situations that cause stress and involve risk. I think someone should start small at first. Body building is a great way to introduce this concept of adding stress in order to see gains. Parkour is another great activity that demonstrates how attempting activities that involve manageable risks until you conquer it can be self-rewarding. Most people dont understand the philosophy behind parkour, they think it is just kids doing crazy and dangerous stunts but it is about overcoming obstacles that involve some risk http://youtu.be/NFYxxuVXj40. But the idea is to start small though. Dont pick an obstacle to conquer that a professional parkour athlete has built up to. Slowly progress your risks and realize that not everyone has the same tolerance for risk. Pick a manageable risks and stress you can handle and stick with it until you conquer it. Do not over stretch yourself but DO GET INTO THE HABIT OF TAKING RISKS. Start to step out of your comfort zone with parkour or bodybuilding and you will get experience for later in life when you are deciding if you should quit your job and start a business.

Once you get into the habit of stepping outside of your comfort zone on your own you will also be better prepared to deal with life when the not so comfortable times are forced upon you. You will know that time is on your side and with hard work and perseverance things will become easy again.

I know I don't need to tell you this, I'm just adding more thoughts on the subject.

Good thread CJ.

 

[(((Satori)))]

Belief

The secret to taking risks is belief through proper preparation. In fact that's pretty much the secret to success.

It starts with the belief that every failure brings you one step closer to success and success is attainable. You have to be able to see it. This means letting go of "what if I cant" and adopting "what if I can". Once you see it it's time to put in the work. You bust your ass preparing. This is when you are going beyond your comfort zone a little bit at a time day after day. This is where you are stretching your limits. Its where you are conquering your biggest fears. With each failure you learn and with each success obtained in practice your confidence grows, then you press harder and harder until the point where you begin to wonder "what are my limits or do I have any? And if so what can I do to go beyond them". And by the time the competition comes or the moment when you fully test yourself, ideally, you are full of belief true belief in your ability to conquer the task at hand. Your limits are well beyond that needed to succeed. There is no risk in your mind now because you have built yourself up. You are like the bird setting out on the weak branch, you don't give a f@ck if the branch breaks because you know you can fly. You now have no fear. Michael Jordan said it best "limits, like fears, are often an illusion." And by progressing through training you have broken your percieved limits and conquered fear.

Those steps are fundamental in an mma training camp, performing a kick ass parkour stunt, or any other endeavor you want to succeed in that involves some risk.

 

[Poo1h0Lic]

Zen Golf is a good book for mental game.