Need help with MENTAL GAME!!

K

Ky Boy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
:mad: I need some help from you guys. I think I am on the verge of what seems to me as an enormous break through in my game. I have been working on my break (9-ball) for some time. I always believed I had the run out capability if I could get a solid break everytime.

I have been playing pretty good and last night at the pool room I got into a ring game as soon as I walk in the door. Player A breaks (no ball)-Player b shoots and misses and I run out a pretty hard rack. Break and run out again the next 2 racks. I am feeling really good about my game as both the other players quit.

Then a guy I have known for a long time that used to play much better than me gets on the table for some ball in hand. We trade games back and forth for nearly 2 hours. He finally starts locking me up tight with safeties.:eek: I am not used to playing someone with excellent safety play and look upon the time as a good learning experience. He played great for a couple of hours really not missing a ball. I was sitting in my chair get smoked!!!:o

However, my problem is when he started missing I had been frozen to my chair for so long and hadn't seen a ball I couldn't get out when I had the oppurtunities. I felt as if my brain had my hands and arms bound together. I had no confidence what so ever and really struggled from there on out.:mad:

I will play the guy again anytime for the workout it provided. I really enjoyed the challenge it served. Not that I am great by any means but I usually play 2 balls better against a quality opponent than I do when I am just in the pool room to be there.

So, what are your guys suggestions for working on my mental game and learning to deal with the pressure?:confused:

Gary
 
There are so many aspects to the mental game that it's difficult to even begin on a forum like this. You need to understand how the brain functions, how to control your focus times (when to focus, and when to allow your brain to relax), what triggers different responses within your own mind, etc. In the situation you described, it could be something as simple as an adreneline rush when you got back to the table that disrupted your normal game. Were you happy to get back to the table? Were you getting frustrated while you were in the chair? Did you rush your shots? Did your pre-shot routine change? You have to be able to pin-point the specific cause of the problem before you can work on a solution.
Steve
 
pooltchr said:
There are so many aspects to the mental game that it's difficult to even begin on a forum like this. You need to understand how the brain functions, how to control your focus times (when to focus, and when to allow your brain to relax), what triggers different responses within your own mind, etc. In the situation you described, it could be something as simple as an adreneline rush when you got back to the table that disrupted your normal game. Were you happy to get back to the table? Were you getting frustrated while you were in the chair? Did you rush your shots? Did your pre-shot routine change? You have to be able to pin-point the specific cause of the problem before you can work on a solution.
Steve
Click to expand...


Yeah, i was thrilled to be at the table and while struggling I kept telling myself over and over (like it says to do in Phil capelle's MENTAL GAME) that I love these hard shots. And I do for real. I love the challenge. My preshot routine probably sped up because the negative thoughts kept creeping in. I lost my confidence watching him bust my chops. He didn't run more than 2-3 racks a time on me but kept safing me what felt like into submission. I realize that my safety play isn't/wasn't as tight as his. My mind was racing so fast that I just couldn't calm myself down. I wasn't seeing the proper angles when kicking or anything. This resulted in more than average # of bih for him which I feel ultimately helped his game.

I am quiet sure I rushed my shots trying to outrun the negative thoughts.

Gary

THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE!!
 
It sounds like you lost your focus, allowed your opponent to take you out of your game, disrupted your routines, and were thinking about the wrong things at the wrong time.
Come spend a couple of days in Charlotte. We can work on all of that.
Steve
 
KY BOY said:
:mad: I need some help from you guys. I think I am on the verge of what seems to me as an enormous break through in my game. I have been working on my break (9-ball) for some time. I always believed I had the run out capability if I could get a solid break everytime.

I have been playing pretty good and last night at the pool room I got into a ring game as soon as I walk in the door. Player A breaks (no ball)-Player b shoots and misses and I run out a pretty hard rack. Break and run out again the next 2 racks. I am feeling really good about my game as both the other players quit.

Then a guy I have known for a long time that used to play much better than me gets on the table for some ball in hand. We trade games back and forth for nearly 2 hours. He finally starts locking me up tight with safeties.:eek: I am not used to playing someone with excellent safety play and look upon the time as a good learning experience. He played great for a couple of hours really not missing a ball. I was sitting in my chair get smoked!!!:o

However, my problem is when he started missing I had been frozen to my chair for so long and hadn't seen a ball I couldn't get out when I had the oppurtunities. I felt as if my brain had my hands and arms bound together. I had no confidence what so ever and really struggled from there on out.:mad:

I will play the guy again anytime for the workout it provided. I really enjoyed the challenge it served. Not that I am great by any means but I usually play 2 balls better against a quality opponent than I do when I am just in the pool room to be there.

So, what are your guys suggestions for working on my mental game and learning to deal with the pressure?:confused:

Gary
Click to expand...

Ok, here we go. First, what pressure? Were you gambling? You didn't say anything about pressure either. What you said is he froze you to your chair.
Trust me, it has happened to every player, especially pros. It is called "Getting The Chair" when your opponent keeps you in your seat.

The higher level you play at, the more likely this is to happen, because you are playing better players. This makes me think of my friend Jim Rempe. When he wasn't at the table, he was always sitting upright, on the edge of his chair, as if he was ready to pounce the moment his opponent missed.

He STAYED in the match, watching every shot his opponent took very carefully. That is how he kept himself ready. You could tell he was analyzing every situation in his mind while he watched, to see how difficult it was going to be for his opponent to get out. And his opponents were always aware that Jimmy was watching and ready to take over if they lapsed. In some way, he put pressure on them while sitting in his chair.

Did you get all that, because it was IMPORTANT what I just told you. Interestingly enough, when Jimmy did get a turn, he did not hop up and run to the table. He took his time and gathered himself, so he could make his best effort when he came to the table. It is no accident that Jimmy was a champion. Sometimes I forget and leave him out when I am talking about the great All Around players of my generation, but Jimmy is certainly one of them.

Thats about enough for now KY Boy. Stay in the match, pay attention to what's happening and stay ready! And make sure your opponent knows you haven't given up. Got it?
 
Thanks pooltchr and Jay. Yeah we were gambling but for not alot/game. This particular guy lives a couple of towns over and we don't get to play but only a few times a year. But both of you guys are probably right but noting I lost focus.

Ironically enough that is what I have been working the hardest at for a while. The reason being is that I would solve those hard to run racks and land perfect shape on the 6,7, or 8 for the run and CHOKE.

I am not giving up, though. I think the largest contributing factor to this is the quality of competition I have become accustomed to!!

edit: Jay, I may need to watch some Jim Rempe vids!!!!
 
Jay, you are absolutely right. Rempe was one of my heros when I was younger. Not only was he a great champion player, but a great ambasador for the game. He never lost his cool, and was always a threat to win any match he was playing. Any player would do well to study his game.
Steve
 
Developing steel hard nerves is easy, just become a fireman.
 
Well

the fact is, his safety play took you out of the game. You couldn't handle it, plain and simple, you were not prepared. It is hard to keep your focus if you don't know really what to do for the unexpected.

You have to be prepared, that's why it is so very important to know every single aspect of Pool that the game can present to you.

It is one thing to say to have confidence, it is another to actually have that confidence inside of you. How do you build confidence? It is a stepping stone process. How can someone go out and play great when they haven't undergone the process that makes a great player?

A great Pool player has to undergo an educational process along with practice and execution in order to hone his/her skills, and you have to maintain those skills on a regular basis to be able to perform at a top level.

Pool takes work to become really good, never think that it doesn't.
 
jay helfert said:
The higher level you play at, the more likely this is to happen, because you are playing better players. This makes me think of my friend Jim Rempe. When he wasn't at the table, he was always sitting upright, on the edge of his chair, as if he was ready to pounce the moment his opponent missed.
Click to expand...

This makes me think of Mizerak playing Straight pool, though Steve did tend to bolt out of the chair as soon as he knew the ball wasn't going in the pocket. And you could bet he was watching just as carefully as Rempe, every shot his opponent made. {or missed}
Watch what your opponent does, but don't analyze it while in the chair. It may be better to absorb, but not think about what's happening while you are in the chair. Then, when it's your turn to shoot, just take in what you have in front of you, and deal with it. Too much thinking can wreck your game in a hurry.
 
Thanks guys!! One thing I neglected to mention is that me and this guy have played on and off for 7-8 years. He used to give me the 7. I have alot of respect for his game to say the least.

Another point is this-He is one of the best players around and I have always wanted to be able to beat him. It had been over a year since we had played and I was really excited to see how my game compared with his. Obviously I haven't prepared mentally for that level of competition. Which I understand now is what I need to do.

Gary
 
Gary, {which is my name also:)} you might want to look at JoeW's thread, "Fake it till You Make It"
 
Read the books "Zen Pool" by Max Eberley and "The Pleasure of Small Motions". Like Jay said, stay in the game. Keep playing in your mind. Use the time in your chair like sitting out a hand in poker. Watch you opponent and learn their game. What mistake are they making? How should you play to best give you the advantage? Is there shots he is struggling with?

I regularly play Steve Bourada. He is known as being one of the slowest players in Canada. He is also a very strong player and can sit you down for racks at a time. If you are playing shorter races (5 or 7) you may not get out of your chair at all. During our times I learned to look past the speed he plays and enjoy the time for quiet contemplation and allow myself the time to create the required composure to be ready to get out of my chair and take advantage of any opportunity to play.

Just my 2 cents.
 
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Great Post!

Jay,

Too soon for me to give you rep again but this is a great post! Aside from staying sharp yourself, keeping pressure on the other player makes a huge difference. This is another place where JoeW's walk idea is important. When you are still bouncing around and confident even when you are down it can take a toll on the other player's confidence. There are times when it is of benefit to be passive in your chair but I can easily see that an aggressive attitude in the chair can be important too.

Hu



jay helfert said:
Ok, here we go. First, what pressure? Were you gambling? You didn't say anything about pressure either. What you said is he froze you to your chair.
Trust me, it has happened to every player, especially pros. It is called "Getting The Chair" when your opponent keeps you in your seat.

The higher level you play at, the more likely this is to happen, because you are playing better players. This makes me think of my friend Jim Rempe. When he wasn't at the table, he was always sitting upright, on the edge of his chair, as if he was ready to pounce the moment his opponent missed.

He STAYED in the match, watching every shot his opponent took very carefully. That is how he kept himself ready. You could tell he was analyzing every situation in his mind while he watched, to see how difficult it was going to be for his opponent to get out. And his opponents were always aware that Jimmy was watching and ready to take over if they lapsed. In some way, he put pressure on them while sitting in his chair.

Did you get all that, because it was IMPORTANT what I just told you. Interestingly enough, when Jimmy did get a turn, he did not hop up and run to the table. He took his time and gathered himself, so he could make his best effort when he came to the table. It is no accident that Jimmy was a champion. Sometimes I forget and leave him out when I am talking about the great All Around players of my generation, but Jimmy is certainly one of them.

Thats about enough for now KY Boy. Stay in the match, pay attention to what's happening and stay ready! And make sure your opponent knows you haven't given up. Got it?
Click to expand...
 
One other suggestion: there's nothing like getting back in stroke because you have ball in hand on an open table. If you're feeling a little apprehensive about running out because you've been in the chair, YOU find the opportunity to a great safety (hook) on your opponent & turn it around - you don't have to try to run out all the time. Getting ball in hand a few times will do wonders in getting you back in your rhythm and gain confidence in making balls.

Hope this helps a little, Dave
 
KY BOY said:
Thanks guys!! One thing I neglected to mention is that me and this guy have played on and off for 7-8 years. He used to give me the 7. I have alot of respect for his game to say the least.

Another point is this-He is one of the best players around and I have always wanted to be able to beat him. It had been over a year since we had played and I was really excited to see how my game compared with his. Obviously I haven't prepared mentally for that level of competition. Which I understand now is what I need to do.

Gary
Click to expand...

I can't help you much Gary except to sympathise. Fact is, if this player has always been better, he had the mental edge when you began to play. After all, he's always been two balls better than you. Why should he have thought that this time would be any different? That's hard to overcome even if you HAVE improved 2 balls, which is no mean feat in itself.

If you become well seasoned in matching up, either in tourneys or gambling, I predict that your time will come with this guy. You already know that you need to work on your safety play, and I think tough action will help there. Nine Ball tournaments and matching up with tough opponents will do that for you. There are lots of good books and tapes/dvds out there, but they never seem to help me in the long run. Practical experience is key for me.

Last but not least. I just left a former local champion at breakfast. Naturally, we were talking pool. He was talking about a mutual friend who plays like an A+ player, even better if playing soft action, but completely collapses if you shoot back at him. The monster said that it all boils down to heart, and that you need to never stop grappling even when down. It's hard to develop if you don't have it naturally, but you can get some by playing tough competitors, albeit after quite a bit of humiliation.

I've been there too, don't like it either, and hope I don't come across as pompous, because I'm right there with ya' buddy...Tom
 
Re the mental game. See the thread "Fake it until you make it." There might be something you can use.
 
I read through the posts, and hadn't seen anyone hit on this point. I've had trouble like these all too often, and can honestly say that I had not felt nervous during play. This was brought to my attension the other day during league play.
The problem that I was having , out of antisipation to get to the next shot, was jumping up on my shots. It wasn't terribly noticable; hell, I didn't notice it myself. The captain of the other team told me after my match. I played a couple more games after the match and made a mental effort at staying down during the shot. Sure enough, my game came back.
Take this for what it's worth. I can't claim to know much; but plenty of times it will be these little things that tweak you game just enough to cause fits.
 
I reall yappreciate all the info you guys have contributed. I played this guy even for quite a while. His safety play become just shy of excellent on me. And bby that I mean some safeties he played I had no possible chance of kicking out of. He completely neutralized my offense.

Great shotmaking and killer safeties are the key to playing good 9 ball. I know that. And heart is not an issue for me, IMO. I play hard all the time and don't give up. However, my game totally left me after a certain point. As well as my confidence. I battled back the whole time. And although the point is moot he did get lucky and hook me several times when he missed. And I am not saying he missed the pocket close and played shape and that is what I was left with. I mean missing close with alot of speed, cueball going 1-2 rails and locking up behind the ball or balls.

I guess at this juncture I can say that I am not as seasoned as I may have thought I was. But I do know there will be another day to battle again. And I have learned a valuable lesson from this experience. One in which I will build on.

Gary
 
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