For those of you who have read the inner game of tennis

Cdryden

Cdryden

Pool Addict
Silver Member
Last night I put some of the theories of the book to the test during my league match.

Here was my issue; My conscious mind was apparently getting in the way causing a variety of issues, so I decided to take the books advice and give it something to do.

I decided to hum a song while I was shooting to give my conscious mind something to occupy itself with while I was shooting. I chose a repetitive song that didn't require me to try and think of the lyrics, it was row row row your boat. I know, it sounds stupid but I was amazed by the effect it had. I was able to apply conscious thought to plan my run out but when it cam time to start shooting I was able to turn it off and allow my unconscious mind to take over. I won 6-0 with 3 table runs, and it all seemed very easy. I didn't get upset at myself when I missed, my emotions were very even keeled and best of all I was able to just have fun again playing pool. It no longer felt difficult.

Is anyone else doing the things suggested in this book? What are your techniques? Does it help you?
 
Cdryden said:
Last night I put some of the theories of the book to the test during my league match.

Here was my issue; My conscious mind was apparently getting in the way causing a variety of issues, so I decided to take the books advice and give it something to do.

I decided to hum a song while I was shooting to give my conscious mind something to occupy itself with while I was shooting. I chose a repetitive song that didn't require me to try and think of the lyrics, it was row row row your boat. I know, it sounds stupid but I was amazed by the effect it had. I was able to apply conscious thought to plan my run out but when it cam time to start shooting I was able to turn it off and allow my unconscious mind to take over. I won 6-0 with 3 table runs, and it all seemed very easy. I didn't get upset at myself when I missed, my emotions were very even keeled and best of all I was able to just have fun again playing pool. It no longer felt difficult.

Is anyone else doing the things suggested in this book? What are your techniques? Does it help you?
Click to expand...

I think it was Pablo Picasso who said..."it took me 4 years to learn to paint like Raphael, and a lifetime to learn to paint like a child".

J
 
I can't even remember the old fellas name but I took several golf related lessons from this guy back in the 90's. He had worked with several Pro Golfers and was doing something similar to what was described by the OP. He was a Doctor in Psychology and doing work in Sports Psychology. I believe Al Geiberger, the first PGA Pro to shoot a 59, was one player he had worked with.

You stood behind the ball and basically went through your pre shot routine. Once you set up, you started reciting a mantra. His suggestion was "Mary had a little lamb, I wish I had one too" He was recommending you swing before you recited this 3 complete times. The basic concept was that your mind cannot truly multi task therefore, by reciting this mantra, your brain cannot be having any swing thoughts and your subconscious would truly take over.

You might try actually singing the words to the song in lieu of simply humming but it sounds like you were clearly doing something along the same lines.
 
nobcitypool said:
I can't even remember the old fellas name but I took several golf related lessons from this guy back in the 90's. He had worked with several Pro Golfers and was doing something similar to what was described by the OP. He was a Doctor in Psychology and doing work in Sports Psychology. I believe Al Geiberger, the first PGA Pro to shoot a 59, was one player he had worked with.

You stood behind the ball and basically went through your pre shot routine. Once you set up, you started reciting a mantra. His suggestion was "Mary had a little lamb, I wish I had one too" He was recommending you swing before you recited this 3 complete times. The basic concept was that your mind cannot truly multi task therefore, by reciting this mantra, your brain cannot be having any swing thoughts and your subconscious would truly take over.

You might try actually singing the words to the song in lieu of simply humming but it sounds like you were clearly doing something along the same lines.
Click to expand...

To tell you the truth I was singing it in my head but that sounded funny when I typed it so I just said humming! I'm glad to see positive responses, I figured everyone would think I was crazy!
 
jimmyg said:
I think it was Pablo Picasso who said..."it took me 4 years to learn to paint like Raphael, and a lifetime to learn to paint like a child".

J
Click to expand...

That really is a great comment and right to the point. One of the hardest things to do as adults is to learn to simplify things as a child would.
 
I had the same kind of idea a few months ago, even though I never read the book. The story goes like this. True story...

I thought it would be a good idea to give my brain something to do while playing straight pool. I decided to have it commentate on my game as I was shooting the balls in, saying things like "Well all he has to do here is roll down a few inches and then stop on the 7 ball and he's perfect."
or maybe " When you see a guy play that shot with inside you know he is really hitting it good"
anyway after a couple racks I had to give it up. All I heard were things like
"He's gotten a little funny here" or...
"He's not going to like this"
stupid little voice.

I do like the idea though, If it works, stay with it as long as you can.
steven
 
nobcitypool said:
I can't even remember the old fellas name but I took several golf related lessons from this guy back in the 90's. He had worked with several Pro Golfers and was doing something similar to what was described by the OP. He was a Doctor in Psychology and doing work in Sports Psychology. I believe Al Geiberger, the first PGA Pro to shoot a 59, was one player he had worked with.

You stood behind the ball and basically went through your pre shot routine. Once you set up, you started reciting a mantra. His suggestion was "Mary had a little lamb, I wish I had one too" He was recommending you swing before you recited this 3 complete times. The basic concept was that your mind cannot truly multi task therefore, by reciting this mantra, your brain cannot be having any swing thoughts and your subconscious would truly take over.

You might try actually singing the words to the song in lieu of simply humming but it sounds like you were clearly doing something along the same lines.
Click to expand...

I do a mantra in sports also - be it pool, golf, bowling or whatever. After the preshot routine is over I pick a two meaning mantra. In most shots in pool it's "smooth, through". In golf it's usually "left side through". To me, it's all about going "through".
 
driven said:
I had the same kind of idea a few months ago, even though I never read the book. The story goes like this. True story...

I thought it would be a good idea to give my brain something to do while playing straight pool. I decided to have it commentate on my game as I was shooting the balls in, saying things like "Well all he has to do here is roll down a few inches and then stop on the 7 ball and he's perfect."
or maybe " When you see a guy play that shot with inside you know he is really hitting it good"
anyway after a couple racks I had to give it up. All I heard were things like
"He's gotten a little funny here" or...
"He's not going to like this"
stupid little voice.

I do like the idea though, If it works, stay with it as long as you can.
steven
Click to expand...

Interesting idea, but from what I have gathered from the book this type of inner commentary allows the conscious mind to take control which is not the desired effect. That said I have done something very similar to this myself, it's good to know I'm not the only one!
 
May I borrow your Mantra

KoolKat9Lives said:
I do a mantra in sports also - be it pool, golf, bowling or whatever. After the preshot routine is over I pick a two meaning mantra. In most shots in pool it's "smooth, through". In golf it's usually "left side through". To me, it's all about going "through".
Click to expand...

I really like the "smooth, through". I will start using it tomorrow with your permission! I will let you know how it works out!

Frank
 
nobcitypool said:
I can't even remember the old fellas name but I took several golf related lessons from this guy back in the 90's. He had worked with several Pro Golfers and was doing something similar to what was described by the OP. He was a Doctor in Psychology and doing work in Sports Psychology. I believe Al Geiberger, the first PGA Pro to shoot a 59, was one player he had worked with.

You stood behind the ball and basically went through your pre shot routine. Once you set up, you started reciting a mantra. His suggestion was "Mary had a little lamb, I wish I had one too" He was recommending you swing before you recited this 3 complete times. The basic concept was that your mind cannot truly multi task therefore, by reciting this mantra, your brain cannot be having any swing thoughts and your subconscious would truly take over.

You might try actually singing the words to the song in lieu of simply humming but it sounds like you were clearly doing something along the same lines.
Click to expand...

Bob Rotella perhaps?

KMRUNOUT
 
Cdryden said:
Interesting idea, but from what I have gathered from the book this type of inner commentary allows the conscious mind to take control which is not the desired effect. That said I have done something very similar to this myself, it's good to know I'm not the only one!
Click to expand...

I have to agree now. The idea was to keep the grey matter busy so I could
"just play" and I thought what better way than to have it commentate, at least it would be still thinking about the game.
I do remember reading somewhere, now that I think about it, that words themselves always involve conscious thought.
I don't know, everyday is different sometimes.
steven
 
Cdryden said:
Last night I put some of the theories of the book to the test during my league match.

Here was my issue; My conscious mind was apparently getting in the way causing a variety of issues, so I decided to take the books advice and give it something to do.

I decided to hum a song while I was shooting to give my conscious mind something to occupy itself with while I was shooting. I chose a repetitive song that didn't require me to try and think of the lyrics, it was row row row your boat. I know, it sounds stupid but I was amazed by the effect it had. I was able to apply conscious thought to plan my run out but when it cam time to start shooting I was able to turn it off and allow my unconscious mind to take over. I won 6-0 with 3 table runs, and it all seemed very easy. I didn't get upset at myself when I missed, my emotions were very even keeled and best of all I was able to just have fun again playing pool. It no longer felt difficult.

Is anyone else doing the things suggested in this book? What are your techniques? Does it help you?
Click to expand...

Where is the LIKE button?

JoeyA
 
driven said:
I had the same kind of idea a few months ago, even though I never read the book. The story goes like this. True story...

I thought it would be a good idea to give my brain something to do while playing straight pool. I decided to have it commentate on my game as I was shooting the balls in, saying things like "Well all he has to do here is roll down a few inches and then stop on the 7 ball and he's perfect."
or maybe " When you see a guy play that shot with inside you know he is really hitting it good"
anyway after a couple racks I had to give it up. All I heard were things like
"He's gotten a little funny here" or...
"He's not going to like this"
stupid little voice.

I do like the idea though, If it works, stay with it as long as you can.
steven
Click to expand...

I've done this, trying to use Grady's voice. I've done it a few times but haven't thought of it recently. Seemed to work pretty well but I was practicing alone and not playing anyone. Some thing else I've done is to use the suggestion of George Fels to concentrate on the cue ball after the object ball is away.
 
Last edited:
Cdryden said:
That really is a great comment and right to the point. One of the hardest things to do as adults is to learn to simplify things as a child would.
Click to expand...

Simplify is a good word, but he may have been thinking more in terms of "free", "pure" or "uncluttered".

J
 
"what if I practice day and night to be the best, how long will it take?"

A young boy wanted to be the best pool player in the world....he researched and found a Master Instructor to learn from and called on him.

The Master agreed to meet, and the boy said "Master, I want to be the Best Pool Player in the whole world, how long will it take me?" The Master said 10 years, the boy, troubled, said "what if I practice more than any of your students, how long will it take?"

The Master said 20 years, even more disturbed the boy ask "what if I practice day and night to be the best, how long will it take?" The Master said "30 years," the disappointed boy said "how come when I say I will practice and work harder, you say it will take longer?"

The Master took a sip of his tea and said "the reason is simple young man, with one eye on your destination you only have one eye to achieve your
goal - to be the best we must focus both eyes {our full attention} on "how," and the outcome will happen when the time is "now."
 
what a great thread

I have heard a lot of this book, will start reading it asap, and use suggestions above even faster than ASAP
 
Cdryden said:
Last night I put some of the theories of the book to the test during my league match.

Here was my issue; My conscious mind was apparently getting in the way causing a variety of issues, so I decided to take the books advice and give it something to do.

I decided to hum a song while I was shooting to give my conscious mind something to occupy itself with while I was shooting. I chose a repetitive song that didn't require me to try and think of the lyrics, it was row row row your boat. I know, it sounds stupid but I was amazed by the effect it had. I was able to apply conscious thought to plan my run out but when it cam time to start shooting I was able to turn it off and allow my unconscious mind to take over. I won 6-0 with 3 table runs, and it all seemed very easy. I didn't get upset at myself when I missed, my emotions were very even keeled and best of all I was able to just have fun again playing pool. It no longer felt difficult.

Is anyone else doing the things suggested in this book? What are your techniques? Does it help you?
Click to expand...

I don't consider the book to have "theories", I consider they are correct facts about how the human mind works.

I would say, with no disrespect intended, that you have missed the point of the book. I must say though that I have not read it cover to cover in awhile although it sits not 4 feet from me on my bookshelf.

I think the main point of the book was that there are two "selves" and they must trust each other for success.

Putting your mind in "park" was also an important thing to do and "humming a song" is not "park", it's just pretending that you are in control when you aren't. Kind of like "whistling past the graveyard".

This may not matter if you are a fun player but if you gamble at all it could mean a lot. A "false" sense of confidence may work for a while but when the heat is on it will fail you.

"The Inner Game Of Tennis" is not a "trick" book to help people through a tough spot every now & then. You must understand it and trust fully in it's revealed truths or you are just kidding yourself, as many do.

Like I said, no disrespect intended but you did ask.

ONB
 
In the book it talks about occupying the conscious mind but focusing on the seems of the ball.. i have trying different things to accomplish that same thing. once i saw the angle, i got down and focused on one of the red dots of the measle ball... This worked for about 2 days (like every other new thing) and i shot lights out, then all of sudden it didnt have the same effect. I then started to concentrate on seeing the ferrule clearly before i shot... SAME thing--- it worked well for a few days but my mind got used to it... almost every new technique works for a short period of time but it would wear off... really weird..


Other than singing or humming, what can we as pool players do to quiet that conscious mind and keep it occupied...????
 
its like when you are a kid shooting baskets in your driveway by yourself and you pretend you are Micheal Jordan playing in the NBA final game and commentate each time you get the ball back...lol
 
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