Eyes were opened tonight.
- Thread starter RoryHunt
- Start date
When I think of the mental game, I'm not talking about knowledge. I'm more talking about attitude, confidence, honest self evaluation, etc.
We have all had those shots where we had the knowledge and skill to execute it, but had a mental breakdown that caused us to miss. Choking is an aspect of the mental game.
Knowledge is critical at every level of the game, but I don't personally consider it a part of the mental game.
Maybe that's where the confusion sets in.
Steve
Actually, that's not true. Just ask Michael De La Maza. It's one of the things he suggests you practice ad nauseum in his controversial book Rapid Chess Improvement.
Choking happens at all levels though seldom at the top. At the 10 Ball Tournament in Vegas last week, Roberto Gomez was on his way to eliminating Mika on the no loss side; Roberto watched his cue ball run farther down table for shape on the case 10 that resulted in a 3/4 table length, 15 degree cut into the corner pocket - everyone thought it was over.
The normally jovial Roberto changed to a serious look over the shot, he who usually only strokes 2 times, took an extra stroke for whatever reason and missed...choke.
Thanks
Boy is this the truth. But you've gotta play up under tournament pressure
to see where you stand. And most important you have to LOVE THE GAME
and then you can be called a PLAYER at any level.
We are all dogshit to someone until we learn , improve, beat them and turn them into dogshit to you. This is an obsession that won't kill you but you will die with it. Oh yeah, you got guts, kid.
Did you not see when he missed ball-in-hand?
But yeah, happens to all of us. Even RoGo. (that nickname's not gonna take)
Steve - I gotcha. Think we're on the same page as to the difference between the knowledge of the sport vs. the psychology of playing well. At the risk of annoying you I think Fred's point still stands. Those million balls still need to be hit no matter how positive your attitude and how good you are at fading the losses and bad rolls.
The 5 years I been playing I would get my butt handed to me as well. All you need to do is don't worry what your opponents handicap is just play your game, stay focused, and fear noone. For the longest time I was nervous, just let that emotion slip away and have your game face on. At least you'll know after the matches is you gave it your all. NEVER let a loss let you down. ALWAYS use it as a motivational tool to practice more and then you will be able to deafeat the higher handicapped players.
I had a similar experience a few weeks ago. I've been playing for about 8 months and I was really getting good. I was incorporating English well and really getting decent at cb control. I was even getting a little cocky being that I could beat most bangers that came into the bar. Then I saw one of the best amatuers in our area play a match. I was humbled! It made me realize just how far I have to go. But, like everyone else here has said the only way to get better is to first admit that you have alot to learn and second learn from those better players.
Did you not see when he missed ball-in-hand?
But yeah, happens to all of us. Even RoGo. (that nickname's not gonna take)
Steve - I gotcha. Think we're on the same page as to the difference between the knowledge of the sport vs. the psychology of playing well. At the risk of annoying you I think Fred's point still stands. Those million balls still need to be hit no matter how positive your attitude and how good you are at fading the losses and bad rolls.
Not annoying at all, and as I said (or attempted to say) the point of disagreement what his statement that suggested the mental game wasn't important until you reached a higher skill level at execution. I feel that having the right mental outlook is important to every player, not just the good ones.
I have an SL3 on my team who recently finished reading Pleasures of Small Motions, and I can assure you, it was not wasted on her!
Steve
dont forget the final 5 in 8 ball grandmasters were neve,tyler eddy,svb and melling,stan t,pretty good cast
Yeah maybe when they were around 8 y/o or younger. :thud: