One Step to Advance To A Higher Level

Neil said:
Some may say I was a jerk for doing that, some may say I was smart. But the point is- he LET me affect his game.
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I've been saying something similar to myself the last couple of weeks after something doesn't go my way. I just take a deep breath and remember that I'm the only one who can affect my game.

The other day, a guy I play pretty even with snapped 2 nines in a race to 4 in the same match. The worst part was he did the second one when the match was hill-hill.

A month ago, I might have let something like that really screw up the rest of my matches, almost like I was waiting for the other shoe to fall and finish me off. I was a bit ticked that the universe had decided to give him 2games on the wire, but I didn't take a "waiting for the universe to finish the screw job" attitude into the rest of my matches.

Good post man, thanks for getting this to the front of my mind for my league tonight.
 
Great read. I am having problems mentally putting opponents away, or just giving to many games away in the tournaments because of this self-doubt thing. I will keep this is mind for future use.
 
excellent!

Neil,

This is an excellent post but I do have one little quibble, your mind isn't your opponent, self doubt can be. I first recognized the value of the mental game thirty-five years ago. A strong mental game has always been a major component of any success I have had.

With my physical game in place, I never doubt my mental game. I plan to lay my best on the table and let the other person chase that. I do know that my best isn't perfection so I tolerate my flaws without being rattled by them. The mental game is most players weak point, it is the weakest part of even some champions game. One chink of doubt and the competition can make it a chasm.

Hu



Neil said:
Many times players get stuck at a certain level of play. As you progress, and reach an upper level of play, you need to master the mental aspects of yourself to attain a higher level. Let me give you an example-

A number of years ago, I was at our local yearly 14.1 tournament. We would get some players from out of town, and to win it, you did have to play well. No 100-ball runners, but a number of us could put a 50 on you . I was there already when last years champion came in. He had that look in his eyes- you know the one, I am the champ, all you guys have to beat me this year, and I'm ready to win it again! He was just oozing confidence. He had prepared his physical game for this tournament, and was determined to win it again.

So, I just walked up to him, said hi, and then told him I sure hoped I got to play him first. He looked at me in utter amazement (and probably some disgust) and asked me why. I then told him "Well, we all play pretty much even. What do you think your chances are of winning it twice in a row? I figure you have the least chance of any of us to win it again this year."

The guy went two and out. He could barely even get into the 2nd rack! He had taken care of the physical part of the game, but not any of the mental part. Which after a certain level, can be 80% of the game. My friend had let someone else get into his head and utterly destroy his game.

Some may say I was a jerk for doing that, some may say I was smart. But the point is- he LET me affect his game. He listened to what I said, and it made sense to him. So then he started thinking like he had no chance to win. Every fiber of his being was set on winning it again. Nothing else. And when that was gone, he had nothing left.

The purpose of practice is to fortify your abilities, AND to fortify your mind. Every game you play, you have two opponents- the table, and your mind. The two have to work together to achieve your ultimate game. If you spend your time worrying about who you are playing, or about winning only, you won't advance. You have to learn to play the layout your practice taught you to by what you are capable of, and you have to allow your mind the freedom to have the confidence in your abilities. You have to learn not to doubt yourself.

Now, I'm not saying you should take low percentage shots. That comes back to your abilities. I'm saying you have to believe in yourself to the point that when given a chance to perform, you will be able to. That is one of the defining attributes of a champion. That is what will enable you to exceed your peers play. What will enable you to be able to come back and win when you are way down. What will move you up to the next level.

So, EVERYTIME you come to the table, BELIEVE in your abilities. Then you can play your best. Any little bit of doubt will cause errors. Don't give that advantage to your opponent.
Click to expand...
 
Neil said:
A number of years ago, I was at our local yearly 14.1 tournament. We would get some players from out of town, and to win it, you did have to play well. No 100-ball runners, but a number of us could put a 50 on you . I was there already when last years champion came in. He had that look in his eyes- you know the one, I am the champ, all you guys have to beat me this year, and I'm ready to win it again! He was just oozing confidence. He had prepared his physical game for this tournament, and was determined to win it again.

So, I just walked up to him, said hi, and then told him I sure hoped I got to play him first. He looked at me in utter amazement (and probably some disgust) and asked me why. I then told him "Well, we all play pretty much even. What do you think your chances are of winning it twice in a row? I figure you have the least chance of any of us to win it again this year."

The guy went two and out. He could barely even get into the 2nd rack! He had taken care of the physical part of the game, but not any of the mental part.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the guy could use a basic course in critical thinking.
 
mental attitude on winning.

In all games of competition, i think there are born winners. People that want to be in that shining moment to pull the victory to their team or self, depending on the sport. They have the desire and heart to chase and earn the victory. Some people learn along the way to learn to win. They start to see a victory and stumble into a win or two and then they taste it and desire it. It makes them hungry to feel the satisfaction of the victory. then theres the people that no matter what just cant grasp it. They get close time and time again. Then bam their mind snaps and doesnt let them win. They make excuses for themselves of why they let it slip away. The i could have, should haves. It all comes down to our practice methods, our fundamentals and wants and desires to be in the heat of the moment. We turn on the focus and bring it home.

Prime example. there was a guy back home. He would pull out his cigarette box. He would use it to illustrate every loosing shot that haunted him in league or a tourney. I asked him one day if he remembered the great shot he made to beat a better player. He scratched his head and couldnt remember, Hes a born looser. Lives in the negative side of the game.

So i think its something we have to be born with, something you learn along the way, or something you will never get.

Just my opinion, it all breaks down to the heart you have and desire you bring to the competition.

Cheers
PAt
 
though I have studied the mind game and "mental sharks" for years, I won't use them on people.....unless they start it :D karma is a beyotch!!!

you never said where you finished in the tourney?.....;)



on subject, after rounding my game with all the knowledge of shot making, nothing has been more important then concentrating on how I feel, what kind of mood I'm in, what have I eaten, enough sleep....etc. All much bigger contributors to my great play then knowing how to hit the cue ball on any given shot...
 
I can't say I like what you did. Tone and attitude go a long way in relationships, however superficial. The competition should be conducted with pool cues, not psyches.
 
fan-tum said:
I can't say I like what you did. Tone and attitude go a long way in relationships, however superficial. The competition should be conducted with pool cues, not psyches.
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I don't think he even liked what he did, but I'm glad he shared it. He makes a good point about being positive about one's game. I've often fallen into the trap of tightening up when playing a good player in 14.1 so as not to leave him anything he could run with. But it never works thinking about what might happen if I miss this shot. Negativity becomes the routine. Habits are constantly being created, whether good ones or bad ones. We can either diligently cultivate the good ones or succumb to the bad ones.

Jeff
 
i have a similar method i use on opponents to get in their head, but i follow mine up by hitting them in the knee with a roofing hammer. Of the 80% of the time it works, it works 100%
 
You mean you "Kerrigan" them? Damn Scott!

scottycoyote said:
i have a similar method i use on opponents to get in their head, but i follow mine up by hitting them in the knee with a roofing hammer. Of the 80% of the time it works, it works 100%
Click to expand...
 
scottycoyote said:
i have a similar method i use on opponents to get in their head, but i follow mine up by hitting them in the knee with a roofing hammer. Of the 80% of the time it works, it works 100%
Click to expand...

If you use the sharp side, I bet it'll work 100% of the time, every time.
roofing hatchet.gif
 
Pool

Neil said:
Many times players get stuck at a certain level of play. As you progress, and reach an upper level of play, you need to master the mental aspects of yourself to attain a higher level. Let me give you an example-

A number of years ago, I was at our local yearly 14.1 tournament. We would get some players from out of town, and to win it, you did have to play well. No 100-ball runners, but a number of us could put a 50 on you . I was there already when last years champion came in. He had that look in his eyes- you know the one, I am the champ, all you guys have to beat me this year, and I'm ready to win it again! He was just oozing confidence. He had prepared his physical game for this tournament, and was determined to win it again.

So, I just walked up to him, said hi, and then told him I sure hoped I got to play him first. He looked at me in utter amazement (and probably some disgust) and asked me why. I then told him "Well, we all play pretty much even. What do you think your chances are of winning it twice in a row? I figure you have the least chance of any of us to win it again this year."

The guy went two and out. He could barely even get into the 2nd rack! He had taken care of the physical part of the game, but not any of the mental part. Which after a certain level, can be 80% of the game. My friend had let someone else get into his head and utterly destroy his game.

Some may say I was a jerk for doing that, some may say I was smart. But the point is- he LET me affect his game. He listened to what I said, and it made sense to him. So then he started thinking like he had no chance to win. Every fiber of his being was set on winning it again. Nothing else. And when that was gone, he had nothing left.

The purpose of practice is to fortify your abilities, AND to fortify your mind. Every game you play, you have two opponents- the table, and your mind. The two have to work together to achieve your ultimate game. If you spend your time worrying about who you are playing, or about winning only, you won't advance. You have to learn to play the layout your practice taught you to by what you are capable of, and you have to allow your mind the freedom to have the confidence in your abilities. You have to learn not to doubt yourself.

Now, I'm not saying you should take low percentage shots. That comes back to your abilities. I'm saying you have to believe in yourself to the point that when given a chance to perform, you will be able to. That is one of the defining attributes of a champion. That is what will enable you to exceed your peers play. What will enable you to be able to come back and win when you are way down. What will move you up to the next level.

So, EVERYTIME you come to the table, BELIEVE in your abilities. Then you can play your best. Any little bit of doubt will cause errors. Don't give that advantage to your opponent.
Click to expand...
TRY THE EFREN REYES AIMING SYSTEM. VERY EASY TO DO. 484 623 4144
 
Neil said:
Many times players get stuck at a certain level of play. As you progress, and reach an upper level of play, you need to master the mental aspects of yourself to attain a higher level. Let me give you an example-

A number of years ago, I was at our local yearly 14.1 tournament. We would get some players from out of town, and to win it, you did have to play well. No 100-ball runners, but a number of us could put a 50 on you . I was there already when last years champion came in. He had that look in his eyes- you know the one, I am the champ, all you guys have to beat me this year, and I'm ready to win it again! He was just oozing confidence. He had prepared his physical game for this tournament, and was determined to win it again.

So, I just walked up to him, said hi, and then told him I sure hoped I got to play him first. He looked at me in utter amazement (and probably some disgust) and asked me why. I then told him "Well, we all play pretty much even. What do you think your chances are of winning it twice in a row? I figure you have the least chance of any of us to win it again this year."

The guy went two and out. He could barely even get into the 2nd rack! He had taken care of the physical part of the game, but not any of the mental part. Which after a certain level, can be 80% of the game. My friend had let someone else get into his head and utterly destroy his game.

Some may say I was a jerk for doing that, some may say I was smart. But the point is- he LET me affect his game. He listened to what I said, and it made sense to him. So then he started thinking like he had no chance to win. Every fiber of his being was set on winning it again. Nothing else. And when that was gone, he had nothing left.

The purpose of practice is to fortify your abilities, AND to fortify your mind. Every game you play, you have two opponents- the table, and your mind. The two have to work together to achieve your ultimate game. If you spend your time worrying about who you are playing, or about winning only, you won't advance. You have to learn to play the layout your practice taught you to by what you are capable of, and you have to allow your mind the freedom to have the confidence in your abilities. You have to learn not to doubt yourself.

Now, I'm not saying you should take low percentage shots. That comes back to your abilities. I'm saying you have to believe in yourself to the point that when given a chance to perform, you will be able to. That is one of the defining attributes of a champion. That is what will enable you to exceed your peers play. What will enable you to be able to come back and win when you are way down. What will move you up to the next level.

So, EVERYTIME you come to the table, BELIEVE in your abilities. Then you can play your best. Any little bit of doubt will cause errors. Don't give that advantage to your opponent.
Click to expand...

I hate to rain on the parade, but I think he was in your head more than you were in his. If you could "see it in his eyes" that he thought he was better, that was just your brain telling you he was better. Your comment to him was simply a result to your own mental state.

If anybody said something like that to me I would assume that he considered himself to be inferior to me. It is revealing that you remember exactly what that guy did in the tournament but you don't remember what you did.
 
Neil thanks for trying to be positive. too much negative on here. Anyway being around someone positive is a huge benefit, I had the pleasure of playing with CHIP KLEIN for the better part of a year & with his positive attitude my mental game has improved 1,000% I'm beating the 9ball ghost to death. If anyone gets a chance to talk with chip don't pass it up.
 
jasonlaus said:
Neil thanks for trying to be positive. too much negative on here. Anyway being around someone positive is a huge benefit, I had the pleasure of playing with CHIP KLEIN for the better part of a year & with his positive attitude my mental game has improved 1,000% I'm beating the 9ball ghost to death. If anyone gets a chance to talk with chip don't pass it up.
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Chip IS very nice and always positive. He has a lot of patience when helping people with their game and doesn't get easily frusterated either. He's extremly knowledgable and plays great too:) . Definently a good person to have around the pool room:).
 
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