The Floor is Open... But, Banger need not apply

[7forlife]

Patience and calm helped me. I knew I was good enough for a decent run at 9 ball run to 7 or whatever. Harnessing one's emotions is difficult. I'd get down and it would make matters worse affecting my usually loose personality. It would eat at me for hours after. 1st of all it's important to realize there are lots of players better than ourselves. And even at times we lose to a lesser player. The important message is to concentrate on each match, breathe easily and relax. Do not hold the cue when not shooting, do not waste thinking about what the opponent is doing, save mental strength for when you arrive at the table, sit, let arms hang limp, no negative thoughts. Isolate game problems and work on them with targeted practices. When irritated after a match trick the mind. Think of something nice in your life. There's always another game.

Thank you for your feed back and for keeping on track with the topic, not sure what the last two were about.

I think for me this extends past pool so it could be harder to "fix" than normal or expected. The first thing that i am going to try and do is to continuously view myself as my everyday competition speed and not my practice speed. The hope is to reduce expectations on myself with a false sense of ability, this should make me accept my errors more and thus reducing the whole "I'm a failure" emotional thing.

 

[PoolBoy1]

Thank you for your feed back and for keeping on track with the topic, not sure what the last two were about.

I think for me this extends past pool so it could be harder to "fix" than normal or expected. The first thing that i am going to try and do is to continuously view myself as my everyday competition speed and not my practice speed. The hope is to reduce expectations on myself with a false sense of ability, this should make me accept my errors more and thus reducing the whole "I'm a failure" emotional thing.

One cannot be a failure by competing! Competition is the strongest form of practice available to us. Compete more practice less. (assuming one has the fundamentals at least) The Great China Wall only retarded people.

 

[BasementDweller]

Honestly -- I used to feel like this a lot but that was before I took a long, hard look in the mirror and realized I had my game overrated.

If you consistently fail to meet your own expectations than your expectations are too high.

There's this horrible paradox that I discovered and it's that those that are most honest with themselves about their game have the greatest chance to improve but we don't always play our best because we know what our limitations are and this allows doubt to creep in. Then on the other hand, you have those that live in a fantasy world -- where they think they are actually better than they are. These types don't really improve all that much but they tend to compete a little better because they don't struggle with the self doubt as much. They think they are supposed to win every match. They do tend to get very frustrated but at the same time they manage to rise to the occasion more often than the other type of player.

I have to no data to back this up -- it's just something I've noticed the past few years.

Confidence can go a long ways but it can also get in the way when it comes to improving.

 

[Albatross Cues]

Aloha 7

This is a good topic for a thread, and something most of us as pool players can relate to.

Working on the mental side of the game really starts away from the table. All the practice sessions and table time will not be very productive for the mental development. Not saying it can't happen at the table, just better accomplished away from he table.

If you are someone who likes to read then might I suggest "The Chimp Paradox" by Dr. Steve Peters. He is the Dr that worked with Ronnie O'Sullivan from what I have read and the book really breaks down the mental side for success. Teaching different models for mind management. It is a great book for understanding ones own self and thinking patterns. Working on these areas outside of my game, has really brought more to my game.

You might also try contacting "Toastmasters" in your local area and give them a try. They teach confidence and communication through public speaking. I know you may be thinking "what the hell does this have to do with pool ?"..... Well the confidence that is gained from public speaking directly relates to the confidence one has in their pool game. It is not for everyone, but taking a good look at ones mental development off the table teaches them the skills then need on the table.

Give it a try, your game will love you for it.

Aloha

 

[Jaden]

I would actually say....

One cannot be a failure by competing! Competition is the strongest form of practice available to us. Compete more practice less. (assuming one has the fundamentals at least) The Great China Wall only retarded people.

Compete as much as possible and practice MORE@@@!!!!

Competition is what gives you experience under strain. Practice is what gives you the skill to execute. The more experience you get competing, the easier it is to deal with the stress and strain of competition. The more you practice, the more the right methods get ingrained into muscle memory and help you to execute all the time.

Jaden