how do i shut my mind off?

justadub · 2013-10-16T18:30:32+00:00

I am beyond frustrated. I am now convinced that the overwhelmingly biggest problem with my game is mental. (Big surprise, huh?) I know that I have the skills to play reasonably well. I simply do not allow myself to do so. An example... A couple of nights ago, I was playing a ring game with a couple of buddies, better players than I. I was struggling most of the night, poor execution. I received a call, and needed to leave, to pick up my son. We hadn't finished the game, but I told the guys that we should see if we could wrap it up quickly. When it came my turn, I just stepped up, didn't think, and fired. I did this repeatedly, cleared the table and won the game. Long shots, cut shots, great position play....all sub-consciously. I have had this happen a few times before. I think some folks call it dead-stroke, or what passes for it with someone of my ability. When this is occurring, I can't hear the conversations around me, and not consciously thinking of anything. Everything works, or is so close that it was clearly a small miscalculation. The stroke "feels" right. The other 99% of the time, my mind is working overtime. What's my grip like, where do I want the leave to be, what spin should I use or should I use any....the list goes on. And because I am focusing on the task at hand, I can hear everything going on around me, as well, adding to the mental clutter. I realize that I am supposed to make all those thoughts and decisions before I get down on the shot. I understand that. How do I shut off my brain? It's getting to the point where playing isn't enjoyable anymore, because I know how much better I can play. Not about winning versus losing specifically, I'm ok with that, if I am playing reasonably well and I just get beat by someone who played better. I get so frustrated. Standard disclaimers apply. I realize there are no magic bullets, and that I need to practice to improve. Thanks

Thread starter justadub
Start date Oct 16, 2013

scottycoyote

AzB Silver Member

Silver Member

Oct 31, 2013

i was going to recommend the inner game of tennis too. When i want to shut my mind off, i visualize a tv set that has lost its cable connection, the snow.

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