Power of the mind

Neil said:
Which is exactly why you who you are, with no hope of change.;):(

You state that you want to change the "old ways", but you aren't even willing or capable of changing yourself.
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You DO seem to know a lot about me and how well I shoot, Neil!

We all have a level. Accept it.
 
Your initial post rings of the truth Neil. I've seen it in myself in the past. Fortunately, I am starting to see myself and others in a different light.

The most important thing you can do is to expose yourself to these tournaments and players and if you look hard enough at what they are not doing, you will see that they (the top players) are mere mortals and miss just like you and I do. I saw a lot of good play at the u.S. Open 9 Ball Championships this past week and I SAW SOME MEDIOCRE PLAY AS WELL. One match a player will look like a GOD and the next match a BANGER. I put myself in harm's way to condition myself to high level play and the more you do it, the more you realize that "they aren't playing that much better than you".

PLAY MORE TOURNAMENTS. It's good for your game.
 
It's all in your head............

Niel, Go to the libary and check out "The Inner Game of Tennis", by Tim Gallwey.

You have the right attitude to get there !!!!!!!

It is a great book and easy to read, Barney
 
Answer to your questions

I woulld highly recommend that you read "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect" by Dr. Bob Rotella. The fundamentals of sports psychology in this concise anecdotal masterpiece are perfectly applicable to pool. It is a very easy read, but you will refer to it again and again as you start to "get" the concepts. It would help if you know a little bit about the pro golfers in the stories, but it's not really necessary.

What I get from it is that the subconcious ignores negative words like "don't" and behavior follows the resulting affirmative suggestion. For example, if you think before a shot "don't overcut this," all the subconcious hears is "overcut this," and the body reponds very obediently. In order to maximize success, one must DISPLACE fear of failure, anger, doubt, and all other forms of self-defeat with a dominant habit of following a process for each shot that involves re-acting in rythm to the most precise target possible. A player must accept that they can and must choose how to think and make the reactive routine their dominant habit by following it the majority of the time. If you think about mechanics and making adjustments 70% of the time and think about making shots in rythm 30% of the time, your dominant habit will be to "fix" things and that will come out in the heat of competition undermining your true potential. The bottom line is that many people quickly dismiss positive thinking because it is not 100% effective, but the reality is that negative thinking is very close to 100% effective. Negative thoughts can't be "removed," but you can learn to "displace" them with a re-active shooting routine which prevents your analytical mind from getting in the way.
 
Neil said:
The thread on high runs got me to thinking. Why is it that at one time I could run so many racks, but can't do near that number regularly? That question brought to mind a guy I new many years ago. We were in a ring game, and this guy was not only the worse player in it, but he was as drunk as I have ever seen anyone that wasn't passed out. He literally could not sit in a chair, he would actually pour out of it and end up on the floor each time he tried to sit down. We would have to walk him to the table and tell him to shoot. Not kidding or exaggerating at all, he played some of the best pool I have ever seen. The guy just could not miss anything. Masse's, kicks, he made them all. He normally was a low B player at best. Might run a rack if all was sitting pretty good.

The other day I was watching on you tube some guy climbing a wall like a monkey. It was unreal. You watch it, and you want to say that people can't do that!

Why are we sometimes able to do the seemingly impossible? With pool, I believe that many of us have the knowledge and ability to play almost flawless pool. And, for some of us, at least once in a lifetime, things come together just right. We essentially have all out stuff in one sock with no hole in it.

I feel that most of the pros really aren't any better than a lot of the amateurs skill wise. They just make a lot less mistakes than the amateurs. Now, you can call that part of the skill, and it would be hard to counter that argument. But, I think the real difference is in their mental attitude.

How many of the amateurs have become upset at some point, and mentally told their opponent "oh yeah, well watch this sucker" and suddenly their game jumped up several notches and they destroyed their opponent. So, the knowledge and the physical skill are there, but something had been missing.

That something missing I believe to be the mental part of the game. The champs think like winners. The rest of us really don't for the most part. When things start going good, the champs expect that to happen. The rest of us may be a little surprised and happy, and....waiting for the wheels to fall off. We don't EXPECT to maintain that level, so our subconscious sabotages us in some way to get back to our own expectations of ourself. Usually by altering our stroke a little.

Too many times we have been told we can't do this or that, or shouldn't shoot this shot or that one. And, we have fallen for it over time and started to sell ourselves short. We get to where we believe we can't do this or that. We shouldn't be able to run X amounts of racks. So, when we get close to doing it, we commit mental suicide.

We label certain shots. Oh, this is a hard shot. I made the last two of these, so I am do for a miss so I should play safe on it. Where the pro goes, oh, I made two of these, so I have full confidence on making it again. Not mention even labeling shots as hard or easy. They should all just be shots, period. If it goes, it goes. If it doesn't, maybe there is a way to make it go.

We get so ingrained into the mentality that we can't do such and such because we aren't pros that when someone else does break through that barrier, we tend to scoff at them. Instead of scoffing, maybe we all ought to be looking at just what is really holding us back mentally, and work on fixing that. THAT is going to be my goal for the coming year. To start treating the game, start treating each shot, with the respect it deserves, and start respecting myself more and be willing to break through those mental barriers. Will I succeed? I want to say "I sure hope so", but that is a defeatist attitude to start with, so I will say "YES". Let the chips fall where they will.
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Great post Neil.

I have had the same issues. I really love playing pool. To me pool is an individual sport and my performance has nothing to do with who I am playing. Its a personal thing.

I have always wanted to be the best I could be, but one thing that has always bothered me is that if I played so well that no one would play me without a spot of some kind. So I have always only played as strong as the player I was playing and no better.

I don't want to be a Johnny Archer or Nick Varner because you very seldom ever get to play the game. And I want to play the game.

I think Scott Frost said it best when he played Eferen. He said, I don't want a spot from Eferen, I want to beat him even, and he did.

There are three pool games. 1. Shooting pool. 2. Gambling. 3. Gambling and shooting pool.

John
 
Having dinner at the U.S. Open last week, with Jerry Briesath, Brian in VA, and Josh Dickerson, we were discussing this kind of learning and attitude. Brian, who is one of the top sales trainers in the country, shared with us what I think is a brilliant analogy to learning levels (Thanks Brian!!!). The first level is called "unconsciously incompetent" (not knowing what to do, or how to do it). Next is "consciously incompetent" (knowing what to do, but not yet developed the skills required). Third is "consciously competent" (knowing what to do, and having practiced the skills required). Last is "unconsciously competent" (knowing what to do, and able to do it without thinking). The example he used was learning to drive a stick shift. Most of us learned to do this at a young age, and the first time we tried it, it was awful...gears grinding, stalling out, etc (unconscious incompetence). Then we learned "how" to do it, but still were not good at it (conscious incompetence). Next, we got better, through practice, and were able to shift through the gears with no trouble (conscious competence). Later, that habit became ingrained (we can shift through the gears while talking on the phone, listening to the radio and eating a sandwich), and it stays with us forever, even if we no longer drive a stick shift (unconscious competence). The last level is what we all seek for our pool game, regardless of what level of player we are. While it's true that we see people run out with poor fundamentals, and crappy strokes; it's also true that developing a consistent setup and delivery process will eventually lead to one or both of the last two levels of competence for the majority of us...especially those of us without a boatload of natural talent. Great thread Neil!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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Very positive post neil. I'm starting to hate you less. Seriously.

I think breaking barriers is the whole purpose of working on something. Most people I have come across that have succeeded at anything knew before getting down with something what they need to do. They quantify it on paper, post it on their wall, or tattoo it on they're ass cheek. That way at least if things aren't going right they know to try another route. My biggest mistake in life were following people with bad habits.

I would like to thank you for saying something that has pushed me in the right direction. For a few weeks now I have been sitting on my ass at night fooling around on AZB and training during the day. I have become a beast but I still can't beat anyone...whats the point. It was a mental error. You jerks are not going to make my life any better. So instead of carrying on with this simple routine that has exhausted my body to the limits, I have decided to get back to the real world and make some real money for a few month to take care of all the things I need to take care of.


The sparks will have to burn out. See you guys a few months from now.
 
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mental game

Neil,

Most of the time we fail is becuase we get in our own way. We we try too hard we fail. Sometimes when we really don't care we perform at our highest levels.
This is where the mental side of the game comes in. Below is something I wrote and have posted on this forum before but I think it's worth reading and trying to put into good use. These 11 things have helped me with my pool and golf. Just learning how to get out of our own way will change your game.


1) Accepting the outcome: If you take a hard shot and it's missed, it's ok. Don't beat yourself up.
2) Expect the unexpected: If your opponent makes a crazy shot expect it. Don't get caught up in his game and a lucky shot, this way when you get to the table it's not weighting on your mind.
3) Visualization: Visualize the shot going in before hitting it and where is cue ball will end up. Before getting into position to take the shot stand back and visualize both the shot going in but also where you want the cue to end. Be very precise because this will help to perfect your cue ball control. If the cue ball ends up off an inch or two that's ok.
4) Positive thinking and putting the past behind you: Believe you can make any shot or safety. Don't ever take a shot or play a safety if you have doubt in you mind. Once you commit to a shot and if you were to miss it, it's over put it behind you. The last thing you want is to get back up to the table with that weighing on you mind.
5) Play for yourself not others: Don't try to impress others, just play for yourself. Play for the fun of the game and the challenge it represents. In the long run nobody cares. Ask anyone what someone else did last month in a game and then won't be able to tell you. So simply have fun and play for yourself. Also remember it's only a game don't put unneeded pressure on yourself. (this is more for amatuers and new comers who become too caught up in results).
6) Staying in the present: Don't think about when I win this game I will ...... It's important to keep your head in the now (present). Once a ball is pocketed then think only of the next ball to be pocketed. The match is over only when the last ball is pocketed.
7) Free your mind from Distractions: Work to keep other thoughts out of your head. Quiet the voices in your head and keep the whispering doubts or when I beat this guys I will....out. Don't allow you mind to see someone moving or watching etc.. There should be no distractions. If a stick should fall to the fall and make a bang while in the middle of a shot and you make it someone might say good concentration and if you are truly mind is truly free of distraction you might say what noise?
8) Stop trying so Hard: Don't put pressure on your self by saying if I miss this one then....... You won't play better because you try harder. Trying harder usually adds tension to your stroke and tension is the number 1 killer in a good stroke.
9) Patience: This is the best advise. If you want to run the table and you have an almost impossible shot don't try it when it could be just as effective to play safe and wait. You will win more games if you play patiently.
10) The Routine: Develop a sound routine and don't deviate. An example of a routine is after each shot stand up chalk your stick, survey the table, visualize the shot and where the cue ball will end, then commit to the shot and go. This should be done every shot with no exception.
11) Focus: Stay focused if distracted step away, refocus and restart the routine.
 
TheThaiger said:
I agree with you. Pros are confident and make shots consistently because they're better players than us. They were better players than us when they first picked up a cue. They were better players than us when they made their first BnR. They were better players than us when they won their first tournament and they'll be better players than us when they die.

I must say, i find all this "it's only a matter of time before I find the magic formula and join the ranks of the elite" bullshit quite disturbing. Decadent nonsense.
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LOL. I tend to agree with this line of thinking. I try not to get overly philosophical about things, mainly because I don't like trying to spell the word. But lighten up already! The goal here (at least for me) isn't to get as good as SVB. Instead, I would like the player that I am tomorrow to give the player that I was yesterday the 8. If you are not striving to improve your game - that's fine. Enjoy the "level" that you are at. The rest of us are enjoying the challenge of trying to get better.
 
BasementDweller said:
LOL. I tend to agree with this line of thinking. I try not to get overly philosophical about things, mainly because I don't like trying to spell the word. But lighten up already! The goal here (at least for me) isn't to get as good as SVB. Instead, I would like the player that I am tomorrow to give the player that I was yesterday the 8. If you are not striving to improve your game - that's fine. Enjoy the "level" that you are at. The rest of us are enjoying the challenge of trying to get better.
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OK, but I object to the 'all you need do is xyz and you'll be a better player' type BS. At its core, is a need for self-validation. "Here's what I do and I'm brilliant, so you should do it too"! There's always the faint whiff of trying to flog us something in the background, too - coaching, dvds, aiming systems, books, equipment etc.

The other side of the coin: We will always be unhappy with our game if we are continually striving for something we can never hope to achieve (see how easy it is to churn out this cod psychological nonsense?)

I wonder how many pros are where they are today because of the snake oil salesmen?
 
Part of my problem, is that I always at least somewhat hid my true speed. I soon learned that if I played all out, my regular opponents would want and expect more weight, and I would have to play like that all the time. So, I guess I was lazy, and always or usually played below what I was capable of so I wouldn't have to play my best game against their average game. That hurt me in the long run. With no regular action anymore that I don't have to play my best at, it's time to step it up a few notches and see what I am really capable of.
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I think that mentality has been ingrained in players that learned the game mostly through gambling. Old school style players that were taught the ropes by older school players who's true speed was never seen, but was always just good enough to get the win when the cash was on the line.

Never tip your hand, hide your true colors, etc...

Rather than go balls out all the time, true playing ability was masked with the hope that one day a whale would wander through the door and a score large enough to be talked about for many years was the potential gain behind this mentality.

I say these things because I had that exact same mentality once. The male ego is one powerful component.

Good for you for recognizing what you were doing and accepting that it's time for change.

:smile:

Steve H.
 
TheThaiger said:
OK, but I object to the 'all you need do is xyz and you'll be a better player' type BS. At its core, is a need for self-validation. "Here's what I do and I'm brilliant, so you should do it too"! There's always the faint whiff of trying to flog us something in the background, too - coaching, dvds, aiming systems, books, equipment etc.

The other side of the coin: We will always be unhappy with our game if we are continually striving for something we can never hope to achieve (see how easy it is to churn out this cod psychological nonsense?)

I wonder how many pros are where they are today because of the snake oil salesmen?
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That is entirely true.

Fact: Fundamentals are created out of percentages. That said, anyone that whats to improve can only derive one conclusion. The idea that anyone can do anything anyway is the root cause of most failures. I hope we all proceed accordingly...its a sign that great minds think alike. How else will we get the duck out of here before we are eaten?

I'm tellin ya...they comin. See yall human kabobs later.
 
The Ten Pool Commandments.

keith@greatbilliards said:
Neil,

Most of the time we fail is becuase we get in our own way. We we try too hard we fail. Sometimes when we really don't care we perform at our highest levels.
This is where the mental side of the game comes in. Below is something I wrote and have posted on this forum before but I think it's worth reading and trying to put into good use. These 11 things have helped me with my pool and golf. Just learning how to get out of our own way will change your game.


1) Accepting the outcome: If you take a hard shot and it's missed, it's ok. Don't beat yourself up.
2) Expect the unexpected: If your opponent makes a crazy shot expect it. Don't get caught up in his game and a lucky shot, this way when you get to the table it's not weighting on your mind.
3) Visualization: Visualize the shot going in before hitting it and where is cue ball will end up. Before getting into position to take the shot stand back and visualize both the shot going in but also where you want the cue to end. Be very precise because this will help to perfect your cue ball control. If the cue ball ends up off an inch or two that's ok.
4) Positive thinking and putting the past behind you: Believe you can make any shot or safety. Don't ever take a shot or play a safety if you have doubt in you mind. Once you commit to a shot and if you were to miss it, it's over put it behind you. The last thing you want is to get back up to the table with that weighing on you mind.
5) Play for yourself not others: Don't try to impress others, just play for yourself. Play for the fun of the game and the challenge it represents. In the long run nobody cares. Ask anyone what someone else did last month in a game and then won't be able to tell you. So simply have fun and play for yourself. Also remember it's only a game don't put unneeded pressure on yourself. (this is more for amatuers and new comers who become too caught up in results).
6) Staying in the present: Don't think about when I win this game I will ...... It's important to keep your head in the now (present). Once a ball is pocketed then think only of the next ball to be pocketed. The match is over only when the last ball is pocketed.
7) Free your mind from Distractions: Work to keep other thoughts out of your head. Quiet the voices in your head and keep the whispering doubts or when I beat this guys I will....out. Don't allow you mind to see someone moving or watching etc.. There should be no distractions. If a stick should fall to the fall and make a bang while in the middle of a shot and you make it someone might say good concentration and if you are truly mind is truly free of distraction you might say what noise?
8) Stop trying so Hard: Don't put pressure on your self by saying if I miss this one then....... You won't play better because you try harder. Trying harder usually adds tension to your stroke and tension is the number 1 killer in a good stroke.
9) Patience: This is the best advise. If you want to run the table and you have an almost impossible shot don't try it when it could be just as effective to play safe and wait. You will win more games if you play patiently.
10) The Routine: Develop a sound routine and don't deviate. An example of a routine is after each shot stand up chalk your stick, survey the table, visualize the shot and where the cue ball will end, then commit to the shot and go. This should be done every shot with no exception.
11) Focus: Stay focused if distracted step away, refocus and restart the routine.
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Keith,
These are some SAGE pool commandments. Ok, they're 11. We call one extra lagniappe down here in New Orleans. Anyway, if someone is having trouble with their pool game, they should seriously read, comprehend and appreciate your list. It's excellent. :cool:
 
JoeyA said:
Keith,
These are some SAGE pool commandments. Ok, they're 11. We call one extra lagniappe down here in New Orleans. Anyway, if someone is having trouble with their pool game, they should seriously read, comprehend and appreciate your list. It's excellent. :cool:
Click to expand...

Excellent they may be, but how many of those 11 do we remember in the heat of battle?

Serious question.
 
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