Focus & Mental...hate those words

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I know I'm a perfect example of those words. I don't know about others that can get high runs (100+, 90's, 80's) and get stopped most of the time missing a very makeable ball. When I focus on a long run I start getting a headache and start to tighten up. I'm getting better at the focus, but at 73 I better get it down quickly. A game that looks so simple and yet after 60 years I still haven't tamed it. Johnnyt
 
Happens to me all the time. I lean down to shoot and I suddenly feel like I don't know what I'm supposed to do. After making several difficult shots I regularly fail at simple ones. I don't know why. Feels like my skill all of a sudden comes and goes away.
 
JoeyA said:
You have to quit gambling with those landscapers.

JoeyA
Click to expand...

In the last month I had the patio rescreened (3 guys), A tree taken out (2 guys), and the hot tub removed (2 guys), and didn't even try to hustle any of them. aren't you proud of me Joey? I usually start out telling them I put myself through nursing school playing pool. But to be honest my back was out and I had the Gout flare up, or else.........:smile: Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
In the last month I had the patio rescreened (3 guys), A tree taken out (2 guys), and the hot tub removed (2 guys), and didn't even try to hustle any of them. aren't you proud of me Joey? I usually start out telling them I put myself through nursing school playing pool. But to be honest my back was out and I had the Gout flare up, or else.........:smile: Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Nothing like coming clean Johnnyt. The truth will set you free!

JoeyA
 
Push&Pool said:
Happens to me all the time. I lean down to shoot and I suddenly feel like I don't know what I'm supposed to do. After making several difficult shots I regularly fail at simple ones. I don't know why. Feels like my skill all of a sudden comes and goes away.
Click to expand...

I like to think the reason is because you took the shoot for granted. Just don't let it get in your head.;)
 
I have to agree. That's what kills me in straight pool. Sooner or later I one stroke a ball and it rattles in the hole.. and it's a shot that I'd miss 1 in a 100 if I was playing 8 ball or 9 ball lol
 
thinking about this issue just yesterday when practicing some 14.1, lately I find that I can focus on making balls for an hour or so and then lose it for a time and then the focusing comes back. even in matches, i can run a rack one minute and not be able to make a simple shot the next minute. so it is an up and down hill ride on making balls. most frustrating! gezz, it is the pits being old! (i can still beat most of the young guys though :D)
 
CBW said:
I like to think the reason is because you took the shoot for granted. Just don't let it get in your head.;)
Click to expand...

That's the problem. I didn't! I took all those shots seriously, took some time to prepare myself and aim carefully, and I still missed. On those shots I actually feel like I'm about to miss no matter what I do, and that's what happens. Is it the nerves, lack of confidence, inability to remain focused? I don't know.
 
I used to like straight pool because I didn't have much expectations of myself.
It was a happy thing if I ran 15 balls. Not hard to stay awake for 15 balls.
But 50? My mind starts wandering. So I'm back to short rack games.
9 ball went from my least favorite game, to my favorite.
 
Push&Pool said:
That's the problem. I didn't! I took all those shots seriously, took some time to prepare myself and aim carefully, and I still missed. On those shots I actually feel like I'm about to miss no matter what I do, and that's what happens. Is it the nerves, lack of confidence, inability to remain focused? I don't know.
Click to expand...

That's a big no, no in the mental part of the game. If you have even a 10% negative while down on the shot...you probably have a 50% chance of missing. It messes with your brains shot memory. The brain is thinking, "what the hell more does he want, I put him in the right place?". Then the brain starts changing the aim point waiting for you to give it the, "OK that's good". Don't get me wrong, I do the same thing sometimes. Johnnyt
 
CreeDo said:
I used to like straight pool because I didn't have much expectations of myself.
It was a happy thing if I ran 15 balls. Not hard to stay awake for 15 balls.
But 50? My mind starts wandering. So I'm back to short rack games.
9 ball went from my least favorite game, to my favorite.
Click to expand...

The times that I got in the 80' and 90's, and a few 100+'s over the years it wasn't any fun. It stresses me out after the 5th rack. I can remember the few 100+ runs. I quit playing after each one, I was so wiped out. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
The times that I got in the 80' and 90's, and a few 100+'s over the years it wasn't any fun. It stresses me out after the 5th rack. I can remember the few 100+ runs. I quit playing after each one, I was so wiped out. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

that's pretty strong by the way, was that your home barbox?
What's your high run? You still get pretty excited to break 100?
 
Push&Pool said:
That's the problem. I didn't! I took all those shots seriously, took some time to prepare myself and aim carefully, and I still missed. On those shots I actually feel like I'm about to miss no matter what I do, and that's what happens. Is it the nerves, lack of confidence, inability to remain focused? I don't know.
Click to expand...

I think it might be boredom.

Not sure, though. Had this happen in the state tourney a few weeks ago. I had just played a Master player and beat him in 9-ball. I played tough, focused pool against him.

Then the next match, I couldn't pot a ball if it would save my life. The guy I just beat was watching and he said, "What happened to the Jeff I was just playing?" I just shrugged..I didn't know.

Maybe it's just simple aging?

Jeff Livingston
 
CreeDo said:
that's pretty strong by the way, was that your home barbox?
What's your high run? You still get pretty excited to break 100?
Click to expand...

One of the 100+ on a 9' GC2 and the rest on my Valley's with the Ridgeback rails with 4 1/4" corner pockets. The GC had 5" pockets I believe. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
That's a big no, no in the mental part of the game. If you have even a 10% negative while down on the shot...you probably have a 50% chance of missing. It messes with your brains shot memory. The brain is thinking, "what the hell more does he want, I put him in the right place?". Then the brain starts changing the aim point waiting for you to give it the, "OK that's good". Don't get me wrong, I do the same thing sometimes. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

I know I should always be thinking positive and stay focused but I honestly don't have any idea how to fight it.

chefjeff said:
I think it might be boredom.

Not sure, though. Had this happen in the state tourney a few weeks ago. I had just played a Master player and beat him in 9-ball. I played tough, focused pool against him.

Then the next match, I couldn't pot a ball if it would save my life. The guy I just beat was watching and he said, "What happened to the Jeff I was just playing?" I just shrugged..I didn't know.

Maybe it's just simple aging?

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

That's exactly what happens to me.
 
chefjeff;4692810[B said:
]I think it might be boredom.[/B]

Not sure, though. Had this happen in the state tourney a few weeks ago. I had just played a Master player and beat him in 9-ball. I played tough, focused pool against him.

Then the next match, I couldn't pot a ball if it would save my life. The guy I just beat was watching and he said, "What happened to the Jeff I was just playing?" I just shrugged..I didn't know.

Maybe it's just simple aging?

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

I think you are on to something here........when I play those that are at a lower level of play I tend to not care about the match so much......boredom I presume
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top