Improving your game

[JoeW]

I was a photographer for many years. I have also been a psychologist for many years and the terms focus and concentration are often confused because they are similar terms.

Focus means to bring some thing into sharp relief relative to the background. We focus on the person in the picture and let the background go fuzzy.

Concentration is narrowing one's attention to some part of the field of perception. That is you concentrate to determine if that girl across the street has a bra on. You separate her from the field and use your power of concentration to see details. Concentration is not always physiological. You might tune out the music and the noise to stop and think seriously if you have had enough to drink.

Both terms have to do with narrowing the field. One is visual, one is mental. It is small wonder that we often use the two terms interchangeably. But like many things in life, I know what you meant from the context in which you used the term – that is good enough for me.

BTW these distinctions imply that one can concentrate "harder." We can be more intense in our attempt to figure something out. That is we eliminate more and more of the surrounding field so the object of out concentration stands out in stronger relief. There is of course some limit here but most humans don't reach it. Most any Zen master would probably agree.

Focus on the other hand is limited. Either it is in or out of focus.

 

[The Renfro]

obclassicut...You first have to define the difference between "disciplinced practice" and "practicing playing". Most posters here mistake practicing playing for real practice...which it is not (playing the ghost is not practice...it is practicing playing). For disciplined practice to have the greatest benefit, you have to apply several principles...1) know what you wish to practice, what you can achieve by practicing it, and have a way to measure your results (you can't fix what you can't measure); 2) practice your process, paying specific attention to doing the same thing, the same way, on every shot (make sure the last thing you do is get the tip close to the CB, and stop...before starting your final backswing); 3) practice things that are not too easy, not too hard, and don't take too long (shooting the same shot 200+ times wastes time and effort...you can get more and better feedback, with disciplined practice of maybe 10-20 reps). Lastly, you should always finish up a disciplined practice session with some free play...meaning playing the ghost, an opponent, or just throwing balls out and trying to run them off. So, I would vote for #3, as well! Good luck with your routine. It should only be an hour or two. Of course, you can practice playing 24 hours a day, if you want...but it may or may not result in significant improvement overall.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Couldn't have been said better on most counts... The only place I disagree is likely the one I am wrong on for most people... Hitting a shot 200 times gives you a more accurate % than 10-20 times... It also forces you to focus when you don't want to.. making 9-10 for 90% is wayyyyy easier than making a shot 180-200...

Most players can't and won't shoot the 200 but if you are cut from the cloth that can and will... do it... no better way to ingrain a PSR than having to force yourself through an hour and a half of the same shot.....

here is where Scott may be correct with 10-20... IF you cannot keep your focus high doing something like this you may develop and reinforce some bad habits... so Caveat Emptor....

Chris

 

[EagleMan]

I don't think you can automatically concentrate harder on something, to be able to concentrate harder you have to improve your game which doesnt happen before you take a single shot. the better you are the better your concentration. focus on the other hand can be improved from one shot to the next.
"concentration is not the same thing as focus" Bob Fancher Ph. D.

"Though the concept originates in ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese traditions, when it comes to experimental psychology, mindfulness is less about spirituality and more about concentration: the ability to quiet your mind, focus your attention on the present, and dismiss any distractions that come your way."

Maria Konnikova...noted author concentrating AND simultaneously focusing on psychological issues. Published in such journals as Scientific American, The Atlantic and many others.


She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where she studied psychology, creative writing, and government, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Psychology at Columbia University.

So, we have dueling authorities. Fencher is a wonderful writer but the bulk of his education was in philosophy not psychology (Vanderbilt). I don't know where he acquired his PHD. His website only mentions "training" at Blanton Peale Institute.

With all due respect, I prefer Webster, Harvard and Columbia. (-:

And I dispute your remark in bold above. I don't think that there is any definition of either focus or concentration which suggests that you cannot do more of either/both without knowing the game better. In fact, I think that focus/concentration are primary reasons WHY we learn the game better.

(-:

EagleMan

 

[EagleMan]

I was a photographer for many years. I have also been a psychologist for many years and the terms focus and concentration are often confused because they are similar terms.

Focus means to bring some thing into sharp relief relative to the background. We focus on the person in the picture and let the background go fuzzy.

Concentration is narrowing one's attention to some part of the field of perception. That is you concentrate to determine if that girl across the street has a bra on. You separate her from the field and use your power of concentration to see details. Concentration is not always physiological. You might tune out the music and the noise to stop and think seriously if you have had enough to drink.

Both terms have to do with narrowing the field. One is visual, one is mental. It is small wonder that we often use the two terms interchangeably. But like many things in life, I know what you meant from the context in which you used the term – that is good enough for me.

BTW these distinctions imply that one can concentrate "harder." We can be more intense in our attempt to figure something out. That is we eliminate more and more of the surrounding field so the object of out concentration stands out in stronger relief. There is of course some limit here but most humans don't reach it. Most any Zen master would probably agree.

Focus on the other hand is limited. Either it is in or out of focus.

Focus in photography is, by definition, a different matter than "mental focus."

But even in photography as you certainly know...focus is often intentionally soft (often on the faces of aging persons) but such images are not...by the general public, considered to be "out of focus." So, focus is a RANGE even in photography.

Again from Webster..

"In Focus...having or giving the PROPER sharpness of outline."

It doesn't say the EXACT sharpness...just the "proper" sharpness with "proper" being absolutely a relative term.

AND re: the transitive verb sense which we are discussing:

"To CONCENTRATE attention or effort" (emphasis added)"

"Examples....She has an amazing ability to focus for hours at a time."

So, respectfully, anyone who doesn't accept that "focus" and "concentration" aren't essentially synonymous is simply choosing to coin definitions of those words at odds with the most learned lexicographers in the world.

Which is FINE with me. There is no LAW requiring us to adopt anyone else's definitions.

(-:

EagleMan

 

[obclassicut]

"Though the concept originates in ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese traditions, when it comes to experimental psychology, mindfulness is less about spirituality and more about concentration: the ability to quiet your mind, focus your attention on the present, and dismiss any distractions that come your way."

Maria Konnikova...noted author concentrating AND simultaneously focusing on psychological issues. Published in such journals as Scientific American, The Atlantic and many others.


She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where she studied psychology, creative writing, and government, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Psychology at Columbia University.

So, we have dueling authorities. Fencher is a wonderful writer but the bulk of his education was in philosophy not psychology (Vanderbilt). I don't know where he acquired his PHD. His website only mentions "training" at Blanton Peale Institute.

With all due respect, I prefer Webster, Harvard and Columbia. (-:

And I dispute your remark in bold above. I don't think that there is any definition of either focus or concentration which suggests that you cannot do more of either/both without knowing the game better. In fact, I think that focus/concentration are primary reasons WHY we learn the game better.

(-:

EagleMan

About the bold: i guess what i was saying is the the level of proficiency in a players pool ability correlates strongly with a players ability to concentrate when playing.( you can concentrate better on bowling than pool if you are a bowler and not a pool player, you would not be able to tell a virgin pool player to concentrate harder to make a shot and expect extreme results) So the easiest way to improve concentration is to develop a skill set that is very adapt sub-consciously which can be acquired through practice. The point of the whole spiel is that focus is the main factor when easy shots are missed, not concentration. its a subtle difference but a difference none the less.

 

[naji]

I was a photographer for many years. I have also been a psychologist for many years and the terms focus and concentration are often confused because they are similar terms.

Focus means to bring some thing into sharp relief relative to the background. We focus on the person in the picture and let the background go fuzzy.

Concentration is narrowing one's attention to some part of the field of perception. That is you concentrate to determine if that girl across the street has a bra on. You separate her from the field and use your power of concentration to see details. Concentration is not always physiological. You might tune out the music and the noise to stop and think seriously if you have had enough to drink.

Both terms have to do with narrowing the field. One is visual, one is mental. It is small wonder that we often use the two terms interchangeably. But like many things in life, I know what you meant from the context in which you used the term – that is good enough for me.

BTW these distinctions imply that one can concentrate "harder." We can be more intense in our attempt to figure something out. That is we eliminate more and more of the surrounding field so the object of out concentration stands out in stronger relief. There is of course some limit here but most humans don't reach it. Most any Zen master would probably agree.

Focus on the other hand is limited. Either it is in or out of focus.

Thanks much, i agree vision focus is most important, as well as focus on how we stroke and follow through. I kept track of both of these over the years and how well i perform and at what condition my body and state of mind; surprisingly, no mater what the state of my mind was, my game did not improve until i learned (all advance knowledge) how i execute the 4000 shots possibilities on the table at practice and money matches; after i became good shot maker and consistent, only then i was able to narrow down and focus on finding little things that effect my state of mind, and how well i play; as well as how my opponent's state of mind. I will post one of these days.

 

[obclassicut]

Thanks much, i agree vision focus is most important, as well as focus on how we stroke and follow through. I kept track of both of these over the years and how well i perform and at what condition my body and state of mind; surprisingly, no mater what the state of my mind was, my game did not improve until i learned (all advance knowledge) how i execute the 4000 shots possibilities on the table at practice and money matches; after i became good shot maker and consistent, only then i was able to narrow down and focus on finding little things that effect my state of mind, and how well i play; as well as how my opponent's state of mind. I will post one of these days.

i dont quite understand what you mean by 4,000 shot possibilities. It seems to me there are many more shot possibilities than that. trying to learn each shot individually seems far-fetched. could you explain in better context what you mean by executing all 4,000 different shot possibilities?

 

[naji]

i dont quite understand what you mean by 4,000 shot possibilities. It seems to me there are many more shot possibilities than that. trying to learn each shot individually seems far-fetched. could you explain in better context what you mean by executing all 4,000 different shot possibilities?

Sure there are millions of possibilities, the 4000 shots covers all possibilities that allows you to learn how to pocket any shot possibility on the table, the 4000 shots number take into account select angles 10 to 20 degrees a part (not 1 degree a part), and distances between CB,OB and pockets 1/2 diamonds a part intervals (not 1") each shot, and many many other factors. The process is systematic and you probably know most of it, once you learn a particular set up of shot, that takes care of at least 10% of shots. After short time, you will learn it and apply it with ease like all pros do, like learning how to type without looking at key board it takes some time to master.

 

[obclassicut]

Sure there are millions of possibilities, the 4000 shots covers all possibilities that allows you to learn how to pocket any shot possibility on the table, the 4000 shots number take into account select angles 10 to 20 degrees a part (not 1 degree a part), and distances between CB,OB and pockets 1/2 diamonds a part intervals (not 1") each shot, and many many other factors. The process is systematic and you probably know most of it, once you learn a particular set up of shot, that takes care of at least 10% of shots. After short time, you will learn it and apply it with ease like all pros do, like learning how to type without looking at key board it takes some time to master.

do you suggest trying to pick up these shots individually or develop them in your arsenal through playing competitively and practicing the game as a whole? just curious

 

[naji]

do you suggest trying to pick up these shots individually or develop them in your arsenal through playing competitively and practicing the game as a whole? just curious

1. Have to learn them individually as groups of similar shots, after a while short distance shots become easy, you should concentrate on longer distances shots

2. All 4000 shots should be in your arsenal just as the type writer letters location in the brain, recall quick

3. You can practice groups of shots you mastered, in pool room under pressure competitively; even if you loose few $$


Actually what ever you do in practice have to be practiced under pressure in small money game (like live ammunition training) , if you fail in cretin shots type, go back to drawing board. Never play with anyone for fun, it weakens your game

In no time your consistency will sore, and in your way to pro status

 

[obclassicut]

1. Have to learn them individually as groups of similar shots, after a while short distance shots become easy, you should concentrate on longer distances shots

2. All 4000 shots should be in your arsenal just as the type writer letters location in the brain, recall quick

3. You can practice groups of shots you mastered, in pool room under pressure competitively; even if you loose few $$


Actually what ever you do in practice have to be practiced under pressure in small money game (like live ammunition training) , if you fail in cretin shots type, go back to drawing board. Never play with anyone for fun, it weakens your game

In no time your consistency will sore, and in your way to pro status

This is not good, all my friends play pool and i play down to there level. this has been going on for years. they wont play if they never win!! haha. i just take harder position shots and try not to let my focus waiver. u think that would sabotage my game?

 

[naji]

This is not good, all my friends play pool and i play down to there level. this has been going on for years. they wont play if they never win!! haha. i just take harder position shots and try not to let my focus waiver. u think that would sabotage my game?

The more you play the better you get, but it is like everything in life, requires live experience under real work pressure; say you study engineering and you graduate, sure you know a lot of engineering, but no one will hire you because you lack work experience, that experience comes from working in the field and applying what you know under pressure, you get sloppy work and what you engineer might not be sound and could fall. Pool is no different, to be good, you have to have real experience under pressure, where you body mind, and chemistry changes to adapt so you are ready to face tough opponent, where what shot you take could mean the game, and $$. Playing for fun will improve your game, but will not give you that edge.
Best of luck.

 

[oldschool2791]

I find that practicing different types of cue ball control wagon wheel type drills 1/3. Banking/Breaking/carom drills 1/3. then ghost work 1/3. Probably not the best way but keeping it fun is REALLY important.

 

[naji]

I find that practicing different types of cue ball control wagon wheel type drills 1/3. Banking/Breaking/carom drills 1/3. then ghost work 1/3. Probably not the best way but keeping it fun is REALLY important.

If you mastered the 4000 possibilities of shots, you can move on and practice 9, or 10 ball, banks, carom what ever; other wise your most important skill (potting) will suffer and that is no fun. Most importantly not only pocket the balls, but know exactly where the CB hit the OB so you know for sure the path of the CB after the shot so your positioning is not compromised much.

 

[Black-Balled]

I dunno...the first sign that a # is pure BS is if it is one that ends in 0000.

 

[Black-Balled]

I dunno...the first sign that a # is pure BS is if it is one that ends in 0000.

Well, smartie? Does 4000 'end in 0000'?

Huh? SAy something now!:embarrassed2::sorry:

 

[naji]

I dunno...the first sign that a # is pure BS is if it is one that ends in 0000.

On a serious note, It is 3840 different shots possibilities on the table, not including banks, jumps, weird swerve shots. Those shots are grouped into classes of similar shots of which almost half are at bottom half of table (easy to medium hard shots), the other half at the upper table half (medium to hard, to very hard).
When you learn the system for each class of shots in no time you will have no fear of any shot on the table any way you want to hit it.



But to answer your question, there are millions of possibilities of shots, but once you give each type of shots a classification then you are down 3840 possibilities. For example say a straight shot, no matter how far from pocket or how far CB from OB , this is one class of shots of which could be hit so many different ways.

 

[obclassicut]

The more you play the better you get, but it is like everything in life, requires live experience under real work pressure; say you study engineering and you graduate, sure you know a lot of engineering, but no one will hire you because you lack work experience, that experience comes from working in the field and applying what you know under pressure, you get sloppy work and what you engineer might not be sound and could fall. Pool is no different, to be good, you have to have real experience under pressure, where you body mind, and chemistry changes to adapt so you are ready to face tough opponent, where what shot you take could mean the game, and $$. Playing for fun will improve your game, but will not give you that edge.
Best of luck.

Very good perspective, its exactly what i need to. i either collapse under pressure( lose from little mistakes) or i play like god. so i need to figure out how to do the latter more often. so i need to..... drum roll............ play in front of crowds for cash more often.( easier said than done up here cause everyone play darts and bowls.. cough cough terrible games, so repetitive.

 

[naji]

Very good perspective, its exactly what i need to. i either collapse under pressure( lose from little mistakes) or i play like god. so i need to figure out how to do the latter more often. so i need to..... drum roll............ play in front of crowds for cash more often.( easier said than done up here cause everyone play darts and bowls.. cough cough terrible games, so repetitive.

Remember the objective, train and practice all shots variations, when you think you mastered it go and gamble enough to create that pressure, each person have different level of $$ that consider pressure gambling. Shoot shots you want to test during the match, say with inside or outside english..etc Try to keep track of how you do, back to drawing board if you miss certain shots. One shot gave me hard time under pressure is the 100% long straight shot, but finally got it.

Again, each cloth or table plays different you have to practice on them all kind of shots before gamble, especially tight pockets tables.

Best of luck.