Proper breath control at the table.

BeiberLvr

BeiberLvr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Not exactly sure if this is the right place to post, but...


We all know there's a list of things that need to be mastered in order to be great at this game. Things like alignment/aim, stance, stroke, ball pocketing, safety play, etc.

How important do you guys think breath control is while playing? I know for me, I'm starting to realize that it's really important, but it might not be that way for everyone.

Recently I started to do the following:

1. Get aligned to the shot.
2. Take a deep breath, somewhere around 3-4 seconds.
3. Exhale very slowly as I'm getting down on the shot.
4. Then as I'm taking my warm up strokes, and during the actual stroke itself, I'm taking short breaths around 1-2 seconds for both inhales and exhales.

I've found that it really puts me in a nice relaxed state. I never got shaky nervous when playing, but I did have a habit of sometimes letting the pressure get to me. This has really helped with that.

Anyone else have any experience with this?
 
Good point.
Breathing is a big point in every sport- and also in billiards. But this is hard to explain because not everything works for everyone. But you definitley have to *learn to breath* right, so that your body also stays still like a statue. (especially during the delivery ^^)
This also shows, that you have to be sporty enough to play pool on a really high level and over a longer time.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Not exactly sure if this is the right place to post, but...


We all know there's a list of things that need to be mastered in order to be great at this game. Things like alignment/aim, stance, stroke, ball pocketing, safety play, etc.

How important do you guys think breath control is while playing? I know for me, I'm starting to realize that it's really important, but it might not be that way for everyone.

Recently I started to do the following:

1. Get aligned to the shot.
2. Take a deep breath, somewhere around 3-4 seconds.
3. Exhale very slowly as I'm getting down on the shot.
4. Then as I'm taking my warm up strokes, and during the actual stroke itself, I'm taking short breaths around 1-2 seconds for both inhales and exhales.

I've found that it really puts me in a nice relaxed state. I never got shaky nervous when playing, but I did have a habit of sometimes letting the pressure get to me. This has really helped with that.

Anyone else have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

Good question.

Being a photogapher and target shooter, I do believe I know the definitive answer ... and there is a lot more crossover of skills in those three activities than most thing.

Unless a physical malady prevents it ... DO NOT BREATHE during the actual stroke of the shot.

Here's an experiment ... extend a forefinger and point it at an object several feet away, catch a breath, and hold your finger's aim as steady as you can for a couple seconds viewing it with your dominant eye.

Next, do the same thing while breathing and see how much your finger bounces around.
 
LWW said:
Good question.

Being a photogapher and target shooter, I do believe I know the definitive answer ... and there is a lot more crossover of skills in those three activities than most thing.

Unless a physical malady prevents it ... DO NOT BREATHE during the actual stroke of the shot.

Here's an experiment ... extend a forefinger and point it at an object several feet away, catch a breath, and hold your finger's aim as steady as you can for a couple seconds viewing it with your dominant eye.

Next, do the same thing while breathing and see how much your finger bounces around.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's actually a part I left out. When I'm taking my short breaths while down on the shot, it's after one of the inhales that I actually stroke the ball.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Not exactly sure if this is the right place to post, but...


We all know there's a list of things that need to be mastered in order to be great at this game. Things like alignment/aim, stance, stroke, ball pocketing, safety play, etc.

How important do you guys think breath control is while playing? I know for me, I'm starting to realize that it's really important, but it might not be that way for everyone.

Recently I started to do the following:

1. Get aligned to the shot.
2. Take a deep breath, somewhere around 3-4 seconds.
3. Exhale very slowly as I'm getting down on the shot.
4. Then as I'm taking my warm up strokes, and during the actual stroke itself, I'm taking short breaths around 1-2 seconds for both inhales and exhales.

I've found that it really puts me in a nice relaxed state. I never got shaky nervous when playing, but I did have a habit of sometimes letting the pressure get to me. This has really helped with that.

Anyone else have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

The only time I control my breath when I'm down on the shot is on the final stroke, where I try not to do anything that may cause me to move, including breathing.

I don't use a regimented breathing process in my pre-shot routine because I find it distracting, however, I make sure that I take long, deep breaths when I'm sitting in the chair; and if I'm feeling nervous, then also when moving around the table.
 
Breathing

BeiberLvr said:
Not exactly sure if this is the right place to post, but...


We all know there's a list of things that need to be mastered in order to be great at this game. Things like alignment/aim, stance, stroke, ball pocketing, safety play, etc.

How important do you guys think breath control is while playing? I know for me, I'm starting to realize that it's really important, but it might not be that way for everyone.

Recently I started to do the following:

1. Get aligned to the shot.
2. Take a deep breath, somewhere around 3-4 seconds.
3. Exhale very slowly as I'm getting down on the shot.
4. Then as I'm taking my warm up strokes, and during the actual stroke itself, I'm taking short breaths around 1-2 seconds for both inhales and exhales.

I've found that it really puts me in a nice relaxed state. I never got shaky nervous when playing, but I did have a habit of sometimes letting the pressure get to me. This has really helped with that.

Anyone else have any experience with this?
Click to expand...

The tough thing for me is holding my breath for two hours because of cigarette smoke....

Seriously, pick up a good book on yoga or tai chai or take a class. You'll learn all about breathing.

We're supposed to relax stomach muscles when we inhale, and contract them when we exhale. But as we get older (fatter and lazier) we begin to do the opposite. This is actually a factor in developing a pot belly, and a variety of health problems.

Here's another little trick....knowing that when you tense up it tends to start with your clavet muscles (between neck and shoulder), by shrugging your shoulders while doing your deep relaxation breaths, you can reduce that tension. If you can, watch Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder. One of the league's best free throw shooters, he shrugs his shoulders and exhales before shooting. Other NBA players are starting to use the same technique.
 
You dont hold your breath with the final shot stroke. You exhale and relax .....then fire.

Same with firing a weapon.

John
 
I really need to remember this thread when I get to the pool room next time....

I've been through different endeavors in the past (music, martial arts, archery, etc) where breathing techniques are taught. I need to incorporate this into my PSR, and my game in general.

So much to remember. I am very envious of you folks who have a table at home. If something strikes you, you can go try it immediately. Me, I have to remember what to remember the next time I get a chance to play.

Thanks for the thread.
 
FranCrimi said:
Right. I have to remember that. Sometimes I forget to exhale.
Click to expand...

LMAO !

Fran! Shoot me an email before you write something like that ! Loggin in with my first coffee, opening such a posting while trying to get my first coffee.............that can almost cost me a new keyboard, rofl.

lg
Ingo
 
justadub said:
I really need to remember this thread when I get to the pool room next time....

I've been through different endeavors in the past (music, martial arts, archery, etc) where breathing techniques are taught. I need to incorporate this into my PSR, and my game in general.

So much to remember. I am very envious of you folks who have a table at home. If something strikes you, you can go try it immediately. Me, I have to remember what to remember the next time I get a chance to play.

Thanks for the thread.
Click to expand...

Thats why its a good idea to carry a small note pad in your cue case.

Review your notes at the pool hall then start practicing.

John
 
Ratta said:
LMAO !

Fran! Shoot me an email before you write something like that ! Loggin in with my first coffee, opening such a posting while trying to get my first coffee.............that can almost cost me a new keyboard, rofl.

lg
Ingo
Click to expand...

LOL! Ingo!

But seriously, I'd often take a deep breath and hold it while I took the stroke. I had heard that it's better if you let the air out of your lungs first.
 
One Pocket John said:
You dont hold your breath with the final shot stroke. You exhale and relax .....then fire.

Same with firing a weapon.

John
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Anything involving aim ... billiards, photography, target shooting ... demands that the least amount of vibration be introduced into the system in order to obtain the best results.

Even batting instructors preach breath control as they see the pitcher wind up.
 
On the lighter side, this is a great question to ask just before your opponent shoots the case 9-ball. "Do you exhale or inhale before your final stroke?"

Then, watch them have a stroke!
 
FranCrimi said:
LOL! Ingo!

But seriously, I'd often take a deep breath and hold it while I took the stroke. I had heard that it's better if you let the air out of your lungs first.
Click to expand...

Absolutley right!
And the advice someone wrote about Tai Chi or Yoga is a LOT worth! Qui Gong or Tai Chi learns you things, that will not just help you in pool-billiards-also in life.

"TaoSports" if that tells you something :-) "Thinking body- Dancing mind" is one fantastic book (not just about breathing- but imo a must read). And in your case Fran- i m 100% sure that you would love it!

merry x-mas to everybody,

Lg
Ingo
 
BilliardsAbout said:
On the lighter side, this is a great question to ask just before your opponent shoots the case 9-ball. "Do you exhale or inhale before your final stroke?"

Then, watch them have a stroke!
Click to expand...

I prefer dropping a stack of hubcaps behind them just as they shoot so I can make sure they both inhale and exhale.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top