mental exercise
- Thread starter 3andstop
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Working on a dissertation will sharpen your mind and make you wish you were playing pool.
I think it's just trying to stay with positive thoughts does wonders...Jimmy Reids tape no time for negativity addresses the subject pretty good...I saw today on the college 3 point shootout & they asked one of the guys what he thinks about right before his turn & he said oceans..I guess the bigger the opening in his mind the better.
The Aviator
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I've been wondering about this as well for some time now, and in fact, I was planning on starting a thread on this very subject. Jasmin Ouschan and I believe at least one other pro player has talked about mental fitness training, which makes me think that there are exercises that can be done that just focus on the mental game. Hopefully someone who really knows can chime in.
You might try playing Go on line. If you get competitive and try to improve your rating past 10k on rated games, you will definitely improve your skills at concentrating. I must warn you that the game is just about as addicting as pool. It is known by other names as well, Igo, Weiqi, and Baduk.
I also recomend reading something on sports psychology in general.
I also recomend reading something on sports psychology in general.
the cross word in the local paper I know it sounds hokey but I find that if I try to do them regularly it helps my pool game that and those sudoku puzzles
There is a lot of material from sports on the mental side. Just google it. Some of it may help but there is only one thing that will absolutely, positively help. I know it's a dirty word to many players and it's always something they mean to do.... it's called PRACTICE. Sorry for yelling so loud.
The saying is true. You can only play what you practice.
Set up a practice time. Organize your practice. Know what you are going to practice and what you want the end result to be.
For example, you play one pocket and are missing the spot shot. Start in the kitchen BIH
1st goal: making it 10 times in a row at whatever a comfortable speed is for you. Center ball cue ball
2nd goal: making it 10 times in a row using tops with comfortable speed
3rd goal: making it 10 times in a row using bottom english with comfortable speed
4th goal: making it 10 times in a row, left spin, right spin
5th goal: making it 10 times in a row and try to hit it so slow the cue ball doesn't hit the end rail
etc. etc. etc.
Don't try to do it all in one practice. Work as hard as you can for as long as you can.
When you find that you aren't working, force yourself to work for 10 more tries and call it a day for that practice session. Beyond that, all you are practicing is how NOT to concentrate and focus.
As you practice, you will notice that your sessions will get longer. Your focus and concentration will continue to get extended. Push for a two hour session in full concentration. Take a 1/2 break and continue.
I know it sounds dreadful, but if you are serious and really do want it. It works. Just hitting balls without a plan does not work.
Many players can't figure out what to practice. It's real easy. Practice the shot(s) that you lost on/missed/couldn't figure out. Figure out what you should have done. Figure out your highest % of completion whether that's making the shot or playing the safety. Chart the shots, chart your progress and keep track of your practice time. It helps with the confidence and shows you how you are improving
There are tons of good drills all over the internet. I promise if you complete those that are available. You will be a good player.
Plan the practice. Do the practice. Everything else will take care of itself.
I can't tell you the number of students I get that somehow think they can become a great player just by playing games. Won't happen. Practice is the key for confidence, control, concentration and focus.
Good luck. Hope it helps.
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Here's a self-hypnosis technique we were taught when I shot small bore precision rifle at West Point...
Stage ONE: Lay flat on your back and close your eyes...breath deeply, exhaling slowly several times (about 10). Tense every muscle in your body, then concentrate on relaxing them starting at your toes and moving slowly all the way to the top of your head and from your shoulders down to your fingertips. If you nod off, you're doing it right. Do this daily for about a week. Do this right before going to the pool room...when you get there, rack up whatever drill you do and do some deep breaths and slow exhales. The balls should literally pop in your vision and your concentration should be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind caffeine and nicotine negate a lot of this effect.
Stage TWO: Now that you've done this, you can skip the full body staged relaxation and just substitute tensing your bridge hand fist and arm, relaxing from the shoulder to the fingertips, concentrating on each muscle as it untenses. It should repeat the effect, and you can do it between innings from your chair if you feel tense or a loss of concentration. It really works.
Stage ONE: Lay flat on your back and close your eyes...breath deeply, exhaling slowly several times (about 10). Tense every muscle in your body, then concentrate on relaxing them starting at your toes and moving slowly all the way to the top of your head and from your shoulders down to your fingertips. If you nod off, you're doing it right. Do this daily for about a week. Do this right before going to the pool room...when you get there, rack up whatever drill you do and do some deep breaths and slow exhales. The balls should literally pop in your vision and your concentration should be greatly enhanced. Keep in mind caffeine and nicotine negate a lot of this effect.
Stage TWO: Now that you've done this, you can skip the full body staged relaxation and just substitute tensing your bridge hand fist and arm, relaxing from the shoulder to the fingertips, concentrating on each muscle as it untenses. It should repeat the effect, and you can do it between innings from your chair if you feel tense or a loss of concentration. It really works.
I like to imagine the sound of a perfect pool shot. All the sounds from the stroke running through my bridge to the tip hitting the c/b, to the c/b hitting the o/b and then my favorite sound: the ball plunking into the pocket, just like a "real" pool shot does.
Sound can work better for some than visualizing. It can at least help add another dimension of control to your shot, imho.
Ker-Plunk! Ahhhhhhh.......
Jeff Livingston
Sound can work better for some than visualizing. It can at least help add another dimension of control to your shot, imho.
Ker-Plunk! Ahhhhhhh.......
Jeff Livingston
Self-hypnosis and mindful meditation techniques can be quite helpful for building your mental game. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
I feel like watching top pros play on video keeps my pool brain sharp, and is as close as I can come to practicing when I can't be on a table. For me, I'm not just passively watching, but I'm trying to figure out the run out and solve the problems on the table just like I would if I were playing. In addition you get the benefit of learning new shots, tracks around the table, and safeties, and if the commentary is good, that's event better. I have a large video collection, and it's one of the better investments that I have made in pool.
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Realizing that there is no difference in making a good pot of coffee and doing a run out say in 8 ball is a good way to start.
In another thread, someone asked about ways to help get into the "zone". One way to be in the "zone" is to learn to expand the "zone" such that you are always in it.
I wash the dishes with the same care and attention to detail as I do running balls in the table. I try to have this level of attention in all things I do so that when at the table it is no different than washing the dishes.
In another thread, someone asked about ways to help get into the "zone". One way to be in the "zone" is to learn to expand the "zone" such that you are always in it.
I wash the dishes with the same care and attention to detail as I do running balls in the table. I try to have this level of attention in all things I do so that when at the table it is no different than washing the dishes.