The pool team in your head

[JoeW]

My thinking, is somewhat fuzzy as it is still in the conceptual phase. It goes something like this.

The other "players" are other things that we do, such as read books, watch DVDs, develop stratagies, develop practice routines etc. These need to be organized somewhat along the lines that Kenneth Baum does in The Mental Edge, except that there is a need for a specific developmental program for pool players that considers the various areas and then allows the player to set their own goals and objectives.

In essence I am looking for a way to integrate the works of Baum, Capelle, Fancher, Gallwey, Loer, Martin, and others into a text for the pool player.

This "program" would help people organize their thinking, training, and competitive strategies. Perhaps this is all that is needed, ala Baum. However, I think that something more specific with specific references to prior studies that show why and how they work is more along the lines I envision.

In my thinking a specific set of pre - post testing for different things that a player could try to improve their game is a requirement. For instance specific directions for the individual's assessment of Self 1 and Self 2 could be useful in the development of an overall program.

Like I said it is kinda fuzzy right now but I think that this is the general idea.

BTW, I have already agreed in a prior post that characters may be too gimmicky. Currently I am thinking more along the lines of "roles" that one assumes in life such as husband, father, employee, sportsman, etc. We assume slightly different perspectives when we wear different hats. Perhaps it is this type of thinking that is needed in the development of an overall program for self improvement at the pool table?

In essence I am looking for a way to integrate seveal of the better authors into one text for the serious pool player's development

 

[Flettir]

Not a sport but a business

Hello Joe,
I like the concept of your idea. But instead of a football team I think it would work better as a manufacturing business.
To begin with there is the owner, he wants to accomplish a broad goal. In my case it is to play the best pool I can.
Next we have the manager, he has to look at the overall picture and come up with a winning strategy. In my case I look at the table and try to form a pattern to the balls.
Next we have the research team, they look for new ideas to incorporate into the business. In my case I read books about pool and study DVDs.
Then comes the development team which include the designers and engineers. In my case I read about a new concept or come across a concept I neglected earlier and decide that it needs looking into.
Then comes the testing team that takes the new design and tries to make it work. In my case, after reading, I noticed that my arm is forward from vertical at address. New design is to move my arm back to vertical at address.
The testing team can make changes to the design to make it work. In the case of my arm moving back it affected the way my hand felt on the cue so I have tucked the last 2 fingers in and only use the first 2 fingers to hold the cue.
The testing team continues to test it until they have all the kinks worked out. In my case after about 3 weeks of holding the cue farther back with only 2 fingers it is starting to feel natural now.
Last comes the production section of the business. The testers turn it over to production and it gets made. In this case I am now forgetting to think about my hand or fingers and just do it that way because it feels right.

Even before the testers turn the finished product over to production the development team is already working on a new concept. In my case changing the pattern of my focus during the preshot routine. This also helps to put the hand and fingers out of mind and onto autopilot.

Somewhere in here comes the production boss who has learned all the previous products. In my case, when I look at my shoots I know how the ball will travel if I use a certain type of stroke, whether it be stun, draw, or follow. Even though I instinctively know what will happen, I still use the knowledge I have already gained to determine my shoots and patterns.

And so the process continues, at least until I am too old to continue to learn.

BTW, when you get that book near to completion, I would to read it.

 

[Snorks]

I think pool is the most "overthought" game in the world.

My wife agrees with you... rep for that thought..

 

[DaveK]

Currently I am thinking more along the lines of "roles" that one assumes in life such as husband, father, employee, sportsman, etc. We assume slightly different perspectives when we wear different hats. Perhaps it is this type of thinking that is needed in the development of an overall program for self improvement at the pool table?

In essence I am looking for a way to integrate seveal of the better authors into one text for the serious pool player's development

OK, I see where you may be going with this. I have noticed that the tone of my self-conversations do take on different roles, and for sure it's that negative whining voice that would be nice to shut-up, while allowing some more constructive comments come through would be great. For me it is all about awareness, and awareness of the content of these discussions may be enough.

Dave