Staying Focused

metal5d

metal5d

Pool Player
Silver Member
I just started playing in a straight pool league. I have not played a lot of straight pool before. I am finding it difficult to maintain my stroke down the stretch. The first 50-75 points I play well and I am usually within a couple points of my opponents score. After that I feel I can't get in stroke unless I have an easy shot or two to loosen up. If I get down by 15 points or more it seems to be even worse. I was within 7 points of my opponent when we got to 50 points but from there to 100 I only scored 7 more points. I never got an easy shot in those last racks but there were at least two shots I should have made.

I am not sure if it's from physical or mental fatigue. Anyone have any suggestions of how to stay in stroke?
 
I myself have yet to discover how to stay focused in any billiard game. I could take some advice in this are too.
 
Heres something that I always try and do to help a little with focus. If my opponent is at the table, watch the shots and run an imaginary commentary in your head as if it were on tv. Think to yourself "Joe Schmo is at the table hes looking at the 5 in the side with top left to come down for the 6 in the bottom corner" Do it with every shot. It keeps your eyes on the table and the game, and also keeps you thinking about how you would play position. If the opponent shoots the shot differently than you thought, critique it in your mind and think about why it was better or worse.
Bottom line is to just think about the game that is going on, while keeping negative thoughts like dwelling on when are you going to get back to the table, is he going to run out, if I get back to the table I cant screw up now..... out of your mind. Focus on the balls going into the pockets, even if it is your opponent making them. You will go back to the table thinking clearly and rationally about pocketing balls and getting position.
Chuck
 
I do pay very close attention to the table and what my opponent is shooting. I do get negative thoughts in my head if I miss a shot I think I should have made or if I start getting down on points. Hopefully playing more Straight Pool will help. Anyone else have any suggestions? Do you alter your gameplan if you get down on points?
 
I am now working on maximum focus ONLY on individual shots (all shots). My attention is on the game when I'm in the chair, but I no longer worry about anything and will let my mind wander if it so chooses. This changes when I'm at the table, where I concentrate on two things. First is playing the game to win ... shot selection etc. Then comes the focus on the execution of a specific shot (my guess is that this is the 'focus' the thread originator was refering to). The execution phase is where I try to become a robot and simply go through the routine of potting the ball and getting my position. I think this approach is helping my game.

Attention - to the game ... but can also visit at the same time, and watch other games too !

Concentrate - on my plan to win the game and what shot I should play next, cannot visit or watch other games, but can scratch my head, chaulk my cue, whistle to myself.

Focus - on the shot, starting as I bend down over the shot ... this is where there is no visiting/talking/watching/wandering - nothing but this specific shot to be executed

Someone here pointed out that to maintain what I defined above as 'Focus' for long periods of time is darned near impossible. But 10 second bursts of pure focus are not that difficult. The 'Concentrate' phase is not as wearing, and this can easily be done for an entire frame. The 'Attention' is quite relaxing as I enjoy playing / watching / thinking about pool, as do we all around here.

Good luck.

Dave
 
Focus ...

A) Don't drink or drug.
B) Get some sleep the night before.
C) Actually think about what you are doing.
D) Pretend you lose your left nut if you lose.
 
Snapshot9 said:
A) Don't drink or drug.
B) Get some sleep the night before.
C) Actually think about what you are doing.
D) Pretend you lose your left nut if you lose.
Click to expand...

OUCH on point "D" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
rythmn

maintain the rythmn of your stroke...same tempo...same confidence....don't bare down extra because the shot or shape is more difficult.....or worse yet rel

aaa





aaxxx becuz its a bunn@#** shi......p I should never miss that..... Approach each shot the same...same ritual .....no more...no less...the same......this execution will improve your ability to concentrate even when fatigued
 
I Like to Talk to Myself

I find that when I am shooting well, I'm talking to myself during my preshot routine....I don't tell myself what to do......IE "shoot the 3", but rather tell myself about the stroke.....IE "Nice and smooth" or "pocket speed" or confidence statements like "you got this" I also will curse at my opponent while I'm at the table, of course talking to myself so he/she would never know what I was saying....things like "F you, you MF'r who do you think you're F'ing with" or before I execute a safety I might mutter "Deal with this you lousy F" I might think you're the nicest guy in the world or the biggest ass, but I'll mutter just the same.....It all has the effect of keeping me in the game, of keeping me focused on the fact that just because we are friends off the table, that we are mortal enemies on the felt. One of us has to lose and it's going to be you.....

Keep in mind that I Never talk sh!t at the table, I don't banter or shark or any of that I don't talk about how good I think I am or that I think your game sucks..... none of that. When I talk sh!t I lose so I just talk to myself......my own personal pep rally if you will, and it works for me.

McCue Banger McCue
 
billyjungle said:
maintain the rythmn of your stroke...same tempo...same confidence....don't bare down extra because the shot or shape is more difficult.....or worse yet rel

aaa





aaxxx becuz its a bunn@#** shi......p I should never miss that..... Approach each shot the same...same ritual .....no more...no less...the same......this execution will improve your ability to concentrate even when fatigued
Click to expand...

It sounds to me like your puttting more 'upon' yourself as the situation becomes more in favor of your opponent. What you have actually done is 'change' your game. If your playing ok and for some reason you tell yourself your going to try allot harder, and bear down and take your time, what's actually happened is your no longer the player that you were when you started, your beating yourself with this thought process. HOpe this helps.
 
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