I want to become a robot

P

predator

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been watching recent European pool championships in person. The thing that impressed me as much as the game itself was demeanor around the table of many professionals, Ralf Souquet in particular.

How does one become so calm? Of course he has emotions too, could be boiling inside, but he does not show it.

When I play in a tournament and make a big mistake, I let it ruin my whole game sometimes. I become visually distracted and start panicking. When in chair I think about how bad I'm playing instead of focusing on task at hand. I want to be calm, I don't want to talk negatively to myself, but as of yet can't help it.

I would be twice the player I am if I had only a small portion of Ralf's mental game. That I'm sure of.

But the question is...how does one become as tough as Ralf?
 
predator said:
I've been watching recent European pool championships in person. The thing that impressed me as much as the game itself was demeanor around the table of many professionals, Ralf Souquet in particular.

How does one become so calm? Of course he has emotions too, could be boiling inside, but he does not show it.

When I play in a tournament and make a big mistake, I let it ruin my whole game sometimes. I become visually distracted and start panicking. When in chair I think about how bad I'm playing instead of focusing on task at hand. I want to be calm, I don't want to talk negatively to myself, but as of yet can't help it.

I would be twice the player I am if I had only a small portion of Ralf's mental game. That I'm sure of.

But the question is...how does one become as tough as Ralf?
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first I suggest to go get yourself a copy of "the inner game of tennis" very helpful on the subject at hand.

best wishes,
Grey GHost
 
Perhaps and this is just my opinion. Those players who play at a world class level have a well defined set of pre-shot routines that never vary (this ensures consistancy) and they have a champion's reslove (confidence in their ability no matter the situation).

If a player can develop both of those to a high degree, I believe success will follow.
 
The smaller your ego is the more presence you will have in the game, hence less emotions to identify with. "appear more robotic"

When you say these things to yourself, or a variation, your ego is probably too big and your emotions will rule over your focus and logic.

1. How could this guy beat me, Im way better.
2. I must be an idiot to miss that shot
3. This is an easy shot, I can't miss. (then you do)
4. that guy only beat me because he is lucky
5. I can't win on this table.
6. My favorite and one of the worst lines IMO to get an a habit of saying
"You must be kidding me"
This is usually said after you do something really careless or you don't have the ability to judge the exact path of the cue ball, therefore you feel what just happened could only happen to you and you resist what just happen, or refuse to take responsibility for your choices. Ego, ego, ego...
7. that guy plays too cocky I don't like playing him...(this means your ego
senses his ego is larger then yours and feels threatened)


I can go on and on......
 
Beginning to get a *constant* pre-shot-routine will increase your game amazingly!
One of the best examples is to watch Ralf Souquet- his pre-shot-routine is amazing. He burned it in like just a few other pro s- He worked so hard to be always *inside* the shot-clock time- really amazing.
 
As Joe Rogan once said, "..... I dunno, but it involves a lot of marijuana."

p.s. not implying anything with Ralf, I just thought that was the quote of the year.
 
jon daminato, you hit the nail on the head. I'm guilty of some of those mental thoughts. I think your qoute is going to help my mental game. Thanks
 
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