Ive had a coach for going on three years now who has started me off right. hes taught me fundamentals very well unlike most people who kid of learn pool backwards. i have good fundamentals, shotmaking, and can play shape decently. i feel like at my level of fundamentals i should start playing runout pool. in the past year ive had 1 8b b&r and one 10b b&r. My coach always says i dont want it bad enough, which has kinda pissed me off because its always felt like i want play jam up more than like anything in life lol. last night i feel like i found a new level of focus and i played perfectly for two games. didnt get out of line at all. which if im completely honest, im not sure that has ever happened hah. it only lasted for like two games but i feel like with time i should be able to find that all the time. i never realized how much effort and concentration it took. so my question to you guys is what do you do to maintain that high level of focus?
Next Level of Focus
- Thread starter pacman
- Start date
Having a high level of focus and being able to run out racks are two different things entirely.
The primary thing to focus on is perfect positioning and being able to consistently break out problem balls with perfect positioning.
This is not as much of an issue on a 9foot table but even then....
The problem with pool is you never know what the next level is until your there. Once you get there you look back and realize how bad you used to be.
We are all world beaters in our own heads.
The primary thing to focus on is perfect positioning and being able to consistently break out problem balls with perfect positioning.
This is not as much of an issue on a 9foot table but even then....
The problem with pool is you never know what the next level is until your there. Once you get there you look back and realize how bad you used to be.
We are all world beaters in our own heads.
the hard part, quit trying to focus
To maintain a high level of execution the trick is to focus intently before starting the run at the table, then relax and let the entire inning at the table be one continuous action. After a certain point the more you focus on focusing at the table instead of playing pool the worse the result will be.
With time you may be able to completely abandon the intense focus before starting a run and just drop into relaxed play. Intense focus burns a ton of energy to no real effect except to allow you to turn loose afterwards. All that is needed is a relaxed survey of the situation then turn loose and execute. Trying to overcomplicate things can tie a person in knots.
Hu
To maintain a high level of execution the trick is to focus intently before starting the run at the table, then relax and let the entire inning at the table be one continuous action. After a certain point the more you focus on focusing at the table instead of playing pool the worse the result will be.
With time you may be able to completely abandon the intense focus before starting a run and just drop into relaxed play. Intense focus burns a ton of energy to no real effect except to allow you to turn loose afterwards. All that is needed is a relaxed survey of the situation then turn loose and execute. Trying to overcomplicate things can tie a person in knots.
Hu
Holy ******* ! This is one of those serendipitous moments where I stumble into a thread to read a response to someone else that is so perfectly appropriate for me at this exact time, I almost have to question the idea of fate.
Lately, I've been struggling with focus, forcing myself to try and focus on the match, focus at the table, each shot, triple-check every part of my stance, alignment and thought pattern; only to muck it up like an SL3.
Thank you for saying what I needed to hear!
I actually had this happen to me on Tuesday. I was intensely focused on my match only to screw up each rack. I played a guy I should have destroyed only to lose because I made bad decision after bad decision.
I am usually never that intentionally focused so it certainly didn't help my situation. I actually felt like it took me out of my groove.
I am usually never that intentionally focused so it certainly didn't help my situation. I actually felt like it took me out of my groove.
Never ever play for fun, gambling is the best way to maintain your focus, gamble responsibly, if you loose, consider the $$ gone for a good lesson.
For me............... seeing it with your eyes, and your minds' eye is when I play my best. If you have your fundamentals down visioning is the key. No words, just picture what you want to do, then do it. Upon the result, no judgement, just observe what happened and move on. Your inner mind is your most powerful asset. If you've done the hard homework, then let it
take over. Visualize every shot before you take it, and one of your last (if not THE last) thoughts should be to see the exact spot you want to land the CB. JMHO.
Also, for me.... in 8 ball I plan backwards from the 8, and rotation I go forward.....but stay out of the inner conversations....it's just pictures, and connect the dots.
td
Wise words sir. Thank you. Now if I can only put that into practice...
Tried giving you some rep but I can't from this tablet.
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I would liken this to what golfers call the zone,,,,,things just work, effortlessly, and effectively, where you just see and do without much thought, yet at the same time thinking everything through almost completely. I think the better you get, the more frequently you can slip into that zone, and learn to stay in it for longer periods of time.
I find in the moment you do a thing, that thing becomes your life. Let go of past moments, don't think of future moments, and live in the now. Every moment matters, because we never know which moment will be our last. A pool match is a series of moments added up together to create an outcome. Own every moment, breath, movement, action, reaction and treat that pool table as your personal property, that you will not share with your opponent. Watch the Hustler video below, he owns that table, and won't let go of it for nothing. It is his moment or moments and he has no intention or desire to share it with "Fats".
Have a perspective, a pool cue isn't just a stick, it is a weapon of mass destruction. Treat it as such, a powerful tool designed to keep your opponent in his chair. Most people want to win, desire to win, but fail to have plan on how to win. When I play someone, I do not want to win or be victorious. I simply have one plan and that is to KICK my opponent's ENTIRE ASS. I never want my opponent to be able say, "I almost won" or
"I would have won if..." I want my opponent to leave the match thinking he wasn't in it. By setting a higher standard and goal for myself, I find my focus tends to align with my intention and purpose. If I fall short of my goal or objective, I usually still have favorable results. I have one name for all of my opponents, and it is "Underdog". Treat them like the name you gave them.
Here is a scene from The Hustler of what living in the Moment looks like....
http://youtu.be/xElGvHnb3fM
Also, Tony Robbins explains it right here in this video.
http://youtu.be/2UcQ2pT9NKw
Have a perspective, a pool cue isn't just a stick, it is a weapon of mass destruction. Treat it as such, a powerful tool designed to keep your opponent in his chair. Most people want to win, desire to win, but fail to have plan on how to win. When I play someone, I do not want to win or be victorious. I simply have one plan and that is to KICK my opponent's ENTIRE ASS. I never want my opponent to be able say, "I almost won" or
"I would have won if..." I want my opponent to leave the match thinking he wasn't in it. By setting a higher standard and goal for myself, I find my focus tends to align with my intention and purpose. If I fall short of my goal or objective, I usually still have favorable results. I have one name for all of my opponents, and it is "Underdog". Treat them like the name you gave them.
Here is a scene from The Hustler of what living in the Moment looks like....
http://youtu.be/xElGvHnb3fM
Also, Tony Robbins explains it right here in this video.
http://youtu.be/2UcQ2pT9NKw
I would focus hard on hard as well as key shots relax at easy shots. for tight pockets i'd hard focus on most shots especially with ob near rail