Focus problem....

[Muxy]

My first post on here in a long time.

Heres the situation i was playing in a recreational 8ball event last week, my dad was working and it was my dads girlfriend and I at the pool room, I shoot a 47 out of 50 on BCA scoring. Only missing the possible one 8ball, so just as the second round starts my dad walks in and i dont get nervous, i just find it effects my game while he is there, i shoot a 33 with him watching and only winning 1 game. Ironicly thats when he was outside having a ciggerette,

the point im getting at is why do i shoot better when my father is not there, he doesnt lay any pessure down after a match of any kind. He's always there and i should get used to him watching i dont know it effects my game in a negitive way,

What would some alternate solutions be I know there don't bring him to the pool hall, but he loves to watch me play. I dont know what to do i think its mainly a focus problem on my part and should be concentrating more on the game then my dad watching.?

Any feedback would be welcome.

 

[sjm]

...the point im getting at is why do i shoot better when my father is not there, he doesnt lay any pessure down after a match of any kind. He's always there and i should get used to him watching i dont know it effects my game in a negitive way...

This calls for some guesswork, Muxy, but I wonder if your father's presence makes you try so hard to impress him that you stop focusing on your stroke fundamentals and shot planning. I have a student of whom I'm extremely proud, for this student's progress already exceeds anything I ever thought possible. No, not because I'm a great teacher, but because they worked very hard at it, harder than I expected. This student's tournament record is fantastic, but when playing against me, they get so focused on showing me how well they are playing that they often turn in a subpar performance.

 

[drivermaker]

This calls for some guesswork, Muxy, but I wonder if your father's presence makes you try so hard to impress him that you stop focusing on your stroke fundamentals and shot planning.

I think SJM nailed it...when I was a kid playing baseball, my father came to the games and it had the same effect. I got so pissed I told him not to come.
He was too proud of how I played and wouldn't allow that to happen, so he'd come to a game and just hide behind some bushes or whereever he could so that I couldn't spot him, which I was always trying to do. In retrospect, he wasn't the problem...I was the jack-off. I just wish he was still around now.....

 

[Billy_Bob]

When I have trouble with a shot, I practice nothing but that shot.

Maybe the same will work for you? Have your father show up and watch as many tournaments as possible? Eventually you will play well while he is there and this will cease to be a problem...

Story: My brother played baseball when he was a kid and had "lucky socks" which he never washed. One day my mom found them and washed them. My brother lost the next game and never forgave my mom for causing him to lose the game by washing his lucky socks... Moral of story: Try not washing your socks. It seemed to work for my brother!

 

[drivermaker]

When I have trouble with a shot, I practice nothing but that shot.

Maybe the same will work for you? Have your father show up and watch as many tournaments as possible? Eventually you will play well while he is there and this will cease to be a problem...

Story: My brother played baseball when he was a kid and had "lucky socks" which he never washed. One day my mom found them and washed them. My brother lost the next game and never forgave my mom for causing him to lose the game by washing his lucky socks... Moral of story: Try not washing your socks. It seemed to work for my brother!

I guess your brother never had those socks get brittle from popping too many loads in them.

 

[beerlover]

I think you must apreciate that your father comes to watch your play.
My parents never comes to watch my tournament play. They don't care if I'm winning or loosing. They even say that I better spend more time on my studies and work.
so, I can just dream that my father will come to see some matches of mine.
I don't need any supporters, any help during the match, but I would like to share my victory with my familly.
Just my opinion.

Keep strokin'

 

[Williebetmore]

the point im getting at is why do i shoot better when my father is not there, Any feedback would be welcome.

Muxy,
I will tell you that our performance in all sports is tied to our ego. Any success makes us feel better about ourselves, any failure TENDS to make us feel less worthwhile. To truly succeed in pressure situations, we must become "process oriented" - relying totally on our technique, forgetting everything except delivering the best possible stroke mechanics for the shot at hand, We must strive to totally ignore any thoughts of failure OR success - just deliver the very best stroke possible. By learning to rely on the mechanics, all the pressure can just disappear - every shot then becomes the same, whether you are just practicing or playing in the finals with your dad watching.

I think you will find that all players face similar problems. If I were you, I would try to have my father watch as often as possible, and it will help give you experience at this type of situation - its an opportunity to help you move to the next level.

I can relate that when I first started playing, I would get nervous at tournaments. By using the technique of relying on technique, focusing on the stroke process, and ignoring all thoughts of outcome - I was able (after 2 or 3 more tournaments) to basically eliminate almost all nervousness. I can now play in tournaments, and basically always play my best. Of interest, though, I STILL get nervous when playing with my instructor or one of the local touring pro's - but I'm working on it.

 

[Muxy]

Thanks For The Reply's

This calls for some guesswork, Muxy, but I wonder if your father's presence makes you try so hard to impress him that you stop focusing on your stroke fundamentals and shot planning. I have a student of whom I'm extremely proud, for this student's progress already exceeds anything I ever thought possible. No, not because I'm a great teacher, but because they worked very hard at it, harder than I expected. This student's tournament record is fantastic, but when playing against me, they get so focused on showing me how well they are playing that they often turn in a subpar performance.

I think that may be the problem, I do try my best to impress him because i want to make him proud... I need to forget he's there it never bothered me when i played AAA Hockey as a goalie, but pool is more mental and i can see where that plays a big part.

I think SJM nailed it...when I was a kid playing baseball, my father came to the games and it had the same effect. I got so pissed I told him not to come.
He was too proud of how I played and wouldn't allow that to happen, so he'd come to a game and just hide behind some bushes or whereever he could so that I couldn't spot him, which I was always trying to do. In retrospect, he wasn't the problem...I was the jack-off. I just wish he was still around now.....

It's not that i do not want my father not to come its i just thought i play better when he isnt there. For example i could hear him talking to a guy about how i was practicing the friday before on a hill-hill match i couldnt concentrate you know the feeling when you here you name mentioned you say what? It took me for a loop.

When I have trouble with a shot, I practice nothing but that shot.

Maybe the same will work for you? Have your father show up and watch as many tournaments as possible? Eventually you will play well while he is there and this will cease to be a problem...

Story: My brother played baseball when he was a kid and had "lucky socks" which he never washed. One day my mom found them and washed them. My brother lost the next game and never forgave my mom for causing him to lose the game by washing his lucky socks... Moral of story: Try not washing your socks. It seemed to work for my brother!

He does come to many tounrments, i have a lucky charm its fifty cent peice my grampy gave me

I think you must apreciate that your father comes to watch your play.
My parents never comes to watch my tournament play. They don't care if I'm winning or loosing. They even say that I better spend more time on my studies and work.
so, I can just dream that my father will come to see some matches of mine.
I don't need any supporters, any help during the match, but I would like to share my victory with my familly.
Just my opinion.

Keep strokin'

I never said i dont appreciate(sp?) my father coming to watch my matches i like him there i just want to know how i can focus better when he is there and actually forget he is there not actually wish he isn't there.

Muxy,
I will tell you that our performance in all sports is tied to our ego. Any success makes us feel better about ourselves, any failure TENDS to make us feel less worthwhile. To truly succeed in pressure situations, we must become "process oriented" - relying totally on our technique, forgetting everything except delivering the best possible stroke mechanics for the shot at hand, We must strive to totally ignore any thoughts of failure OR success - just deliver the very best stroke possible. By learning to rely on the mechanics, all the pressure can just disappear - every shot then becomes the same, whether you are just practicing or playing in the finals with your dad watching.

I think you will find that all players face similar problems. If I were you, I would try to have my father watch as often as possible, and it will help give you experience at this type of situation - its an opportunity to help you move to the next level.

I can relate that when I first started playing, I would get nervous at tournaments. By using the technique of relying on technique, focusing on the stroke process, and ignoring all thoughts of outcome - I was able (after 2 or 3 more tournaments) to basically eliminate almost all nervousness. I can now play in tournaments, and basically always play my best. Of interest, though, I STILL get nervous when playing with my instructor or one of the local touring pro's - but I'm working on it.

Well i play in Lot's of tourney's when i mean lots i mean 3 a week for a 16 year old thats pretty good managing that thing they call school... Lol, its pure expierence the more tourney's i play the more expericence i will gain.

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I went to a tourney today and didnt do so well my father wasnt there i didnt play up to my caliber i thought i should be able to which isnt all that great but its ok, I hear people saying wow you are 16 and playing pool i wish i was 16 when i started maybe i could of went somewhere, i think i am depending on my skills to increase over a short period of time, everyone pays there dues and gets there skill eventually, I just need more practice more tournement play and well more cash LoL, anyways guys what a bunch of wonderful post's and my post is a quote fest anyways thanks alot.

-Trevor

 

[chefjeff]

I think that may be the problem, I do try my best to impress him because i want to make him proud... I need to forget he's there it never bothered me when i played AAA Hockey as a goalie, but pool is more mental and i can see where that plays a big part.



I never said i dont appreciate(sp?) my father coming to watch my matches i like him there i just want to know how i can focus better when he is there and actually forget he is there not actually wish he isn't there.



Well i play in Lot's of tourney's when i mean lots i mean 3 a week for a 16 year old thats pretty good managing that thing they call school... Lol, its pure expierence the more tourney's i play the more expericence i will gain.

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-Trevor

I'd say it is impossible to forget he is there, especially if you hear him. Trying to forget is impossible.

Therefore, I'd consciously acknowledge that he's there and then figure out a way to use that knowledge to play better. The others here have given you great advice on that.

Jeff Livingston

 

[woody_968]

One more thought...

I agree with what everyone has posted, lots of good info

One more thing I will throw out is making sure you continue to play to make the ball instead of playing not to miss. Sometimes when people are watching someone play the player will go into the playing not to miss or playing not to lose mode, and that is no good. You have to play to make the ball and play to win.

Its a small and fine line between the two thought processes, but it can make a big difference.

 

[Phylbert57]

I sort of had the same problem when my dad would watch me play. Then I started calling him by his first name. I could relax a little more for some reason, like he was (sort of) just another person. I introduced him to some folks as Ed - not as my father. He talked to them and it was somehow different in my mind. Whatever works huh?

Phyl

 

[greenkill]

I think the problem is that you're focusing on his presence, and not the game. Try tuning everything out besides you, the table and the lay of the balls. When the games over, then you can let everything back in.

What it comes down to is, subconsciously you father is affecting your play. Because you're thinking about performing for him, instead of concentrating on winning.

You can try to purge him from your thoughts while playing, or just have him there every time you play, practice so that you are so used to him being there that he becomes part of your game =X

 

[Walt in VA]

I think the problem is that you're focusing on his presence, and not the game. Try tuning everything out besides you, the table and the lay of the balls. When the games over, then you can let everything back in.

Great advice, IMO. When I first started playing league, I was so concerned about letting my team down, and what my teammates would think of my shot selection and execution, that my game went down the tubes due to the pressure I was putting on myself.

When I realized this, I told myself I would NOT let my teammates watching affect my play - and of course, it did, since you can't successfully tell yourself NOT to think of anything. (DON'T think of a pink elephant?)

Finally, I was able to just concentrate on the table, the pattern, and the shot to the point that everything else was blocked out. It took a lot of practice to develop my focus and get to this point, but now I really don't know or care what my teammates are doing.

I'd agree - have your father there, but practice developiing "table eyes," focusing on the table and shutting out your opponent, spectators, or outside thoughts. With practice, it becomes "just you and the balls" until the match is over.

Walt in VA