Subconscious desires

L

lastdimetaker

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
First post in forever so bare with me. I have always broken down my reasons for missing in to 2 categories a flaw in my delivery system or in my alignment and still believe this. But lately I have been digging deeper into my misses and I found 2 mental flaws that contribute to the reasons I miss when I miss.
1. I try to create angles where there is no angle ( cheating the pocket) beyond my ability I am always feeling straight in.
I recognize it and I know I need to get better angles to get position. It's just my number one reason when I miss. I do practice the stun shot. I'm not looking for advice I'm looking for help understanding why I continue to try to go beyond what can be done.
2. I believe that when I miss shots I am actually not missing at all I am just shooting the ball where I need too, to get position.
I know everyone has that experience of getting perfect position but missing the ball, that's what I'm talking about. Yes I am fully aware that making the ball is my #1 priority. All I'm saying is when position needs more attention subconsciously I think I shoot the ball where I need to shoot it to get position creating flaws in stroke or even alignment. The desire to get position is heavier than my desire to make ball. I believe it comes down to my limits of what I can do and can't do, recognize them, and ultimately accepting the truth.
How do I accept that I can't do something when deep down I feel like I can do anything lol.
I'm going to stop and leave my thoughts beyond what I've already said to myself or you guys will tear me apart. I truly hope someone can relate to my struggle and actually offer some true insight to my subconscious desires of perfect position overriding my desire my #1 priority of making the ball go where I want it to go, whether a pocket, a rail target, or even just a spot on the table if I'm playing a safe.
Thanks
Be gentle lol
 
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lastdimetaker said:
First post in forever so bare with me. I have always broken down my reasons for missing in to 2 categories a flaw in my delivery system or in my alignment and still believe this. But lately I have been digging deeper into my misses and I found 2 mental flaws that contribute to the reasons I miss when I miss.
1. I try to create angles where there is no angle ( cheating the pocket) beyond my ability I am always feeling straight in.
I recognize it and I know I need to get better angles to get position. It's just my number one reason when I miss. I do practice the stun shot. I'm not looking for advice I'm looking for help understanding why I continue to try to go beyond what can be done.
2. I believe that when I miss shots I am actually not missing at all I am just shooting the ball where I need too, to get position.
I know everyone has that experience of getting perfect position but missing the ball, that's what I'm talking about. Yes I am fully aware that making the ball is my #1 priority. All I'm saying is when position needs more attention subconsciously I think I shoot the ball where I need to shoot it to get position creating flaws in stroke or even alignment. The desire to get position is heavier than my desire to make ball. I believe it comes down to my limits of what I can do and can't do, recognize them, and ultimately accepting the truth.
How do I accept that I can't do something when deep down I feel like I can do anything lol.
I'm going to stop and leave my thoughts beyond what I've already said to myself or you guys will tear me apart. I truly hope someone can relate to my struggle and actually offer some true insight to my subconscious desires of perfect position overriding my desire my #1 priority of making the ball go where I want it to go, whether a pocket, a rail target, or even just a spot on the table if I'm playing a safe.
Thanks
Be gentle lol
Click to expand...
I need to say I miss stupid shots and it's easy most of the time to say I did this or didn't do that. My above post reflects on times I feel I shot it good and missed, those times where after I shoot I'm totally surprised I missed
 
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Plan how you’re going to shoot the shot (speed, spin etc) while you’re still standing. Then when you get down just concentrate on making the ball the way you already decided.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I have some thoughts on planning for position. In the past I've dismissed these as teething problems in me getting more diligent about position.

When aiming the OB, I do so in detail with a bit of visualization (sports psychology, irrelevant here), which in my routine leads straight to getting down to shoot - I think after final aiming, you have to get down to shoot, it would be dumb to have a gap doing something else.

When planning position carefully, you need to know the OB's path pretty precisely. Which introduces a second (light) round of aiming the OB before final planning of your position.

Then, for me, position is working out a balance between the action I put on the CB and the path I expect the CB to take - finding a good combination of the two. Then you hold onto that planned CB action, and focus on OB path.

(In the past, I would only look at the pocket the OB was going towards before planning position, which wasn't an exact line and so meant I wasn't working out exact CB position.)

I think because this is a pretty rigid, it forces you to prioritize making the OB. But maybe that's to the detriment of CB position. Maybe. I'm just knocking ideas around.
 
I think what you are describing is what is interesting about pool. You don't have to always accept things as they are. You can create what you want to happen. In other words, such as cheating the pocket or stunning the cueball, making it come off the object ball at unnatural angles, varying speed to effect the movement of the cueball and object ball and so on.

Of course this can possibly make you miss a shot. It is often a risk and reward decision. It is tough though to play higher level pool always cinching balls. It sounds like you want to play better and push the envelope a little.

The one thing you need to do is, before shooting such a shot like you describe, take the time to walk around the table and see what the next shot will actually look like before you shoot. Get a picture of where you really need to be. It may not need to be as precise and you are thinking. Playing position always has margins of error where you are good even though not perfect.

Don't try to be perfect, pool is a pretty forgiving game and allows for small errors. Everybody wants to be shooting a hanger on the nine for the cash but not saying, "Look at what good position I got on the 9, if I had just made the 8.

You don't always need to be perfect, recognize the margins for error, They "ARE" there on every shot..
They are invisable lines on the table showing where you can land and be OK. Sometimes that area can be huge and you can visualize it in your mind. It is very reliving and relaxing knowing you don't have to be perfect.
 
Pin said:
I have some thoughts on planning for position. In the past I've dismissed these as teething problems in me getting more diligent about position.

When aiming the OB, I do so in detail with a bit of visualization (sports psychology, irrelevant here), which in my routine leads straight to getting down to shoot - I think after final aiming, you have to get down to shoot, it would be dumb to have a gap doing something else.

When planning position carefully, you need to know the OB's path pretty precisely. Which introduces a second (light) round of aiming the OB before final planning of your position.

Then, for me, position is working out a balance between the action I put on the CB and the path I expect the CB to take - finding a good combination of the two. Then you hold onto that planned CB action, and focus on OB path.

(In the past, I would only look at the pocket the OB was going towards before planning position, which wasn't an exact line and so meant I wasn't working out exact CB position.)

I think because this is a pretty rigid, it forces you to prioritize making the OB. But maybe that's to the detriment of CB position. Maybe. I'm just knocking ideas around.
Click to expand...
I am with you. I just think once I get down my subconscious sabotages my shot sometimes and I give position more weight. I think practice is in this situation the key. Simple practice more with it in mind. Thks
 
AF pool guy said:
Plan how you’re going to shoot the shot (speed, spin etc) while you’re still standing. Then when you get down just concentrate on making the ball the way you already decided.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
This sounds like the solution, If you are saying that, for example, you are setting up for the OB to go in the middle of the pocket BUT then while you are down you then re-think the shot and try to cheat the pocket. You then are out of line for what you now intend to do. Think about what you want to do, tip position on CB, speed, before you get down into your shot. If you find you then want to change that, like cheating the pocket, stand up and reset for that, otherwise you will just be trying to steer the cue. Before you get down into the shot you should know what you want to do, if you have doubts stand up and reset.
 
middleofnowhere said:
I think what you are describing is what is interesting about pool. You don't have to always accept things as they are. You can create what you want to happen. In other words, such as cheating the pocket or stunning the cueball, making it come off the object ball at unnatural angles, varying speed to effect the movement of the cueball and object ball and so on.

Of course this can possibly make you miss a shot. It is often a risk and reward decision. It is tough though to play higher level pool always cinching balls. It sounds like you want to play better and push the envelope a little.

The one thing you need to do is, before shooting such a shot like you describe, take the time to walk around the table and see what the next shot will actually look like before you shoot. Get a picture of where you really need to be. It may not need to be as precise and you are thinking. Playing position always has margins of error where you are good even though not perfect.

Don't try to be perfect, pool is a pretty forgiving game and allows for small errors. Everybody wants to be shooting a hanger on the nine for the cash but not saying, "Look at what good position I got on the 9, if I had just made the 8.

You don't always need to be perfect, recognize the margins for error, They "ARE" there on every shot..
They are invisable lines on the table showing where you can land and be OK. Sometimes that area can be huge and you can visualize it in your mind. It is very reliving and relaxing knowing you don't have to be perfect.
Click to expand...
What he said.

There's a margin of error in all the consequences of a pool shot.

The better the player, the smaller the error rate.
 
what a wonderful post. i feel you.

i remembered a few paperbacks i read long ago by a psychologist named arnold mindell.

i think you’d like his perspective on dreams and the body as it applies to your situation.

here is a clipping from wikipedia -yes i am an annual contributor

best, mj

In 1995 Mindell extended the dreambody concept to a theory and practice of working with people in coma and near death states;[5][14] this work inspired a UK theatre production by Improbable theatre.[35][36] In his 1988 book, City Shadows: Psychological Interventions in Psychiatry, Mindell presented his approach to psychiatric disorders, drug addiction and mental retardation. The book provides verbatim case studies describing interventions focused on the meaning of the patient's unusual communication, including non-verbal signals.[37]

Mindell's 1990 book, Working on Yourself Alone: Inner Dreambody Work, presents a meditation practice that focuses attention on subtle body experiences and amplifies them to reveal unexpected information and meaning for the meditator.[38] It provides a model for creative spiritual practice involving inner reflection and personal development.[39] In the 2002 work, Dreaming while Awake: Techniques for 24-hour Lucid Dreaming, Mindell built on ideas of lucid dreaming, indigenous traditions and Zen Buddhism to create an awareness practice for daily life: paying attention to thoughts and perceptions that are normally dismissed, which he calls ‘flirts’ from the ‘Dreaming.’[40]
 
Think one of the reason some do great at practice, but fail in tournament play is they are distracted.

Those who are successful, can tune out small distractions.

Mentally they are strongest.
 
lastdimetaker said:
First post in forever so bare with me. I have always broken down my reasons for missing in to 2 categories a flaw in my delivery system or in my alignment and still believe this. But lately I have been digging deeper into my misses and I found 2 mental flaws that contribute to the reasons I miss when I miss.
1. I try to create angles where there is no angle ( cheating the pocket) beyond my ability I am always feeling straight in.
I recognize it and I know I need to get better angles to get position. It's just my number one reason when I miss. I do practice the stun shot. I'm not looking for advice I'm looking for help understanding why I continue to try to go beyond what can be done.
2. I believe that when I miss shots I am actually not missing at all I am just shooting the ball where I need too, to get position.
I know everyone has that experience of getting perfect position but missing the ball, that's what I'm talking about. Yes I am fully aware that making the ball is my #1 priority. All I'm saying is when position needs more attention subconsciously I think I shoot the ball where I need to shoot it to get position creating flaws in stroke or even alignment. The desire to get position is heavier than my desire to make ball. I believe it comes down to my limits of what I can do and can't do, recognize them, and ultimately accepting the truth.
How do I accept that I can't do something when deep down I feel like I can do anything lol.
I'm going to stop and leave my thoughts beyond what I've already said to myself or you guys will tear me apart. I truly hope someone can relate to my struggle and actually offer some true insight to my subconscious desires of perfect position overriding my desire my #1 priority of making the ball go where I want it to go, whether a pocket, a rail target, or even just a spot on the table if I'm playing a safe.
Thanks
Be gentle lol
Click to expand...
Sometimes we can do what we imagine.
That's partially the beauty of the game.
Robert Browning might have said it best:
"Ah, but a man's reach should always exceed his grasp...."
 
I think everyone has missed some balls trying to be to perfect with the cue ball. My advice would be to accept what you have and take the best position possible from the shot you have. If your still at the table your still in control.
 
lastdimetaker said:
First post in forever so bare with me. I have always broken down my reasons for missing in to 2 categories a flaw in my delivery system or in my alignment and still believe this. But lately I have been digging deeper into my misses and I found 2 mental flaws that contribute to the reasons I miss when I miss.
1. I try to create angles where there is no angle ( cheating the pocket) beyond my ability I am always feeling straight in.
I recognize it and I know I need to get better angles to get position. It's just my number one reason when I miss. I do practice the stun shot. I'm not looking for advice I'm looking for help understanding why I continue to try to go beyond what can be done.
2. I believe that when I miss shots I am actually not missing at all I am just shooting the ball where I need too, to get position.
I know everyone has that experience of getting perfect position but missing the ball, that's what I'm talking about. Yes I am fully aware that making the ball is my #1 priority. All I'm saying is when position needs more attention subconsciously I think I shoot the ball where I need to shoot it to get position creating flaws in stroke or even alignment. The desire to get position is heavier than my desire to make ball. I believe it comes down to my limits of what I can do and can't do, recognize them, and ultimately accepting the truth.
How do I accept that I can't do something when deep down I feel like I can do anything lol.
I'm going to stop and leave my thoughts beyond what I've already said to myself or you guys will tear me apart. I truly hope someone can relate to my struggle and actually offer some true insight to my subconscious desires of perfect position overriding my desire my #1 priority of making the ball go where I want it to go, whether a pocket, a rail target, or even just a spot on the table if I'm playing a safe.
Thanks
Be gentle lol
Click to expand...
I feel like I could have made this exact post. My advice, find someone who is fearless at 2 and 3 rail position and see if they will teach you. It's helped some for me, but I still revert to "playing scared" all the time. That and practice more. Look on youtube for some drills on practicing 2 and 3 rail positional routes. It's even hard to see the routes when you're so tuned into less CB movement type shape.
 
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I still think the mental part of game is as important as mechanic.

I will not not quit attitude is a big deal, kill or be killed is the mentality of man great players, last the ability to put yourself in a bubble, you & table. Turning off or toning out everything else going on in room or your vicinity is paramount.
 
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