In the Zone

[Jeff]

I can remember 5 times that really stand out in my mind of being "in the zone".

Twice at darts and three times in pool league.

For the life of me, I can't think of one thing in common that put me there. One time I was 3 sheets to the wind in a bar, stepped up to play 501 with some friends and went 9 darts out twice in a row. It felt so easy.

The three times in pool were like magic, just boom boom boom. Couldn't miss. But none of them were the same as far as time, number of drinks, etc.

How do I get back there? Do you think the true pros can put themselves there when they want? Is it just endless practice, concentration, both?

 

[mrmagoo42]

Worth a million dollars

If you can find the answer. Black Widow's Guide to Killer Pool touched on some good ideas for using memory as a way to "get there".

 

[ctyhntr]

Last night I tried to get into the zone playing league, but ended up here instead. Lost 7-2 and was done in 45 minutes.

 

[bdorman]

I'm not a good enough player to have ever experienced the "zone" but I suspect it has less to do with amount of alcohol, time of day...and more to do with the "frame of mind" you brought to the game.

Were you having a good day or a bad one? Did you like your opponent or not? Did you have other "zone-like" experiences that day?

When I was in sales there were days that I just wanted to call every one of my customers because it seemed like I could do no wrong. I said all the right things and made progress on every call. The only thing I could tie it to was that my morning run that day had been particularly exhilarating...but of course, that might have been another part of being in the zone rather than a cause.

 

[Donkey Bruce]

I can remember 5 times that really stand out in my mind of being "in the zone".

Twice at darts and three times in pool league.

For the life of me, I can't think of one thing in common that put me there. One time I was 3 sheets to the wind in a bar, stepped up to play 501 with some friends and went 9 darts out twice in a row. It felt so easy.

The three times in pool were like magic, just boom boom boom. Couldn't miss. But none of them were the same as far as time, number of drinks, etc.

How do I get back there? Do you think the true pros can put themselves there when they want? Is it just endless practice, concentration, both?

Are you saying you did consecutive nine dart finishes? Do you have witnesses?

Sent from my LG-P500 using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff]

Are you saying you did consecutive nine dart finishes? Do you have witnesses?

Yep

I think I'm better at darts than pool most of the time.

I have done minimum outs at 301 and 501 before but they always feel like a little luck is involved. This was different, it was like I knew where it was going.

 

[ShootingArts]

I can tell you how to do it

I genuinely can tell you how I have reached the zone many times and often I only had literally a split second to do it. The thing is, knowing how and executing can be two totally different things.

My thoughts seem to run on many different levels, at least two plus the subconscious and unconscious, maybe more. Anyway, first step is to focus on what you want to do to the exclusion of all other thoughts even those little vagrant whispers slipping in that remind you what you are trying to do to reach the zone. Even the thoughts of what you are trying to do aren't actually in words any more. You aren't saying to yourself the words of what is needed to get down make the shot and get shape for the next one to get shape for the next one, on and on, you are just thinking about doing it, visualizing it or something close if not actual visualization, performing the task over and over in your mind. Now the tough part, a bit of a leap of faith at first. Turn loose of focus and just act. Your unconscious mind already knows what you want to do so in the words of the old ad, "just do it". It really is just that simple and just that hard.

Some activities are easier to find the zone in than others. It is possible in pool but not as easy as some activities where you are doing the same thing over and over for long periods with only slight variations. I did once stay in the zone playing pool for many hours but I never had to rack during that time.

Hu