Thinking of missing while aiming and shooting
- Thread starter fish2
- Start date
Two things: have to assume the ball is pocketed before you get down and two: play shape on imaginary balls. sounds stupid but the reason you're doggin it because you switch to outcome oriented thinking on those last balls. Playing shape on imag. balls lets you play entire game the same way.
Imagine the object balls are in their underwear.
But seriously, you're giving thinking of missing too much weight and making it too important. Everyone thinks of missing. When it happens to me, I learned over time to view it as a fleeting normal thought that doesn't have any importance. My response to it is, "Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, I might miss this shot. Now back to the business of making it, because today is not the day I will miss it."
So don't take yourself or those fleeting thoughts of missing so seriously and they won't control you.
But seriously, you're giving thinking of missing too much weight and making it too important. Everyone thinks of missing. When it happens to me, I learned over time to view it as a fleeting normal thought that doesn't have any importance. My response to it is, "Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, I might miss this shot. Now back to the business of making it, because today is not the day I will miss it."
So don't take yourself or those fleeting thoughts of missing so seriously and they won't control you.
Nick Varner once said that what you are thinking is usually what happens. And as he said, you better be thinking of something good happening.
r/DCP
r/DCP
Until you learn to think of pocketing the ball only, avoid attempting "two-way" shots where you try to pocket a ball while also leaving your opponent in a difficult position if you miss. Instead, fully commit to either making a safety or concentrating entirely on pocketing the ball and continuing your turn. With practice, you'll develop the focus needed to pocket the ball while applying speed and spin that makes it challenging for your opponent.
For instance, if I’m attempting to pocket a winning 9-ball near a pocket, I might apply a hit with enough speed to send the cue ball to the far side of the table if I miss. My main focus is on pocketing the 9-ball, rather than ensuring an extremely precise roll for the cue ball. I know that placing the cue ball up the table will be enough to slow my opponent down.
WobblyStroke
Well-known member
A young Corey Deuel said something similar in an interview. When asked about his amazing form as world #1 he said it came down to an absence on bad thoughts, bc what you think usually happens at this level so you just can't get down till they're long gone.
As for how to learn to do this. It can be annoying for your opponent, but refusing to shoot till you feel comfortable with the shot is a good way to go about it. Also what Garczar said works very well as it makes the key ball and game ball just another shot where you are going through the same process as all other shots. I know that for me, trying to visualize precise shape makes me a better potter and if I just don't care about the CB and try to make a ball, it doesn't go nearly as well.
Pressure does funny things to us and the last couple balls def bring those things out. But good news, this is common and everyone goes through it. It even has a name: 'key ball syndrome'. Reps, desensitization to the situation, and a more disciplined thought process and psr will get you through it too. That, or you will quit cuz u either get through key ball syndrome or give up the game.
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This makes sense !!! I make the ball when I play the last ball and ensure that the opponent does not have an easy shot when I miss, same as playing shape on an imaginary ball. Takes my mind off missing the ball....
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That makes sense. Anything that helps put your mind in the right place is beneficial.
I once was without my playing cue and took a cheap one-piece house cue off the room's wall. The CB was touching the short rail, and the OB was close to a far corner pocket nine feet away. I studied the shot, looking for all possible alternatives for position or safety play, but found none. So, I committed fully to the shot, jacked up the cue to about 75 degrees, and drew the cue ball back to the rail where it originally started, on an old, slow table.
When you spend too much time consciously worrying about avoiding a scratch, your creative and visual brain may become fixated on the cue ball scratching, which can actually increase the chances of it happening. Instead, focus on viewing the pockets as helpers that minimize variables, concentrating on where the cue ball should not go. Therefore, I either fully commit to pocketing a ball or to playing a safety shot.
There are times when you might intentionally cut a ball to one side of the pocket, just in case you miss, in order to leave the object ball in a difficult position for the incoming player. However, even in those situations, you must fully commit to the intended target of the object ball and keep any thoughts of missing out of your mind.