Here's a cool article from Samm Diep on cell phones, right here at AZB.
Shut it off!
I was recently approached by a local player, Kenny, who shared a story with me of how the last time we played each other in the straight pool league he answered a phone call just before our match began and was completely distracted during the entire match. “You should write an article about shutting your phone off if you’re about to play a match,” he said. I’d never even thought about that.
Unless it’s an all day event, when I’m on my way to a match I’m typically walking from my hotel room to the tournament room. I like to keep my head down, maybe even have my headphones on. This is not the time to be the social butterfly. In fact, world champion Ralf Souquet is one of the nicest, friendliest guys in the game. He will stop to answer any question and let you talk to him for hours, EXCEPT when he’s on his way to a match. He just politely responds, “I’ll talk to you after my match.”
If you think about it, shutting off your phone is the same concept. If you wouldn’t want to stop to chit chat with someone, why would you answer a call to have a conversation? You probably wouldn’t (and definitely shouldn’t) do it in the midst of a match, not doing it before your match will only help reinforce your focus.
Your concentration for a tournament should begin prior to your match, not at the sound of the first break. Proper preparation for a match is not only about having a nutritious meal or making sure your shaft is clean; it also includes caring for your mental state. How well can you play when you show up to a match straight from having an argument with your spouse or finding out you just lost your job? Don’t even let it happen. Shut off your phone.
I’ll even take this one step further. I’m a true believer in practicing the way we want to perform and taking our practice as seriously as our matches. This would mean that if we’re going to shut our phones off on our way to a tournament, we should do the same if we’re on our way to practice too, right?
Also, I know many players that like to practice on their lunch hour or only have a very limited amount of time to hit balls when they do. Well, here’s a little tip: Set the alarm on your phone or watch for the time that you need to pack up. The last time I tried to practice in a hurry and had to keep an eye on the clock, it was just as distracting as answering a bad phone call.
So, the next time you grab your cues and head out the door to a tournament or to practice, remember to shut your phone off. If you’re expecting an important phone call, then you probably shouldn’t be entering a tournament anyway. Enjoy your pool time! That’s what it’s all about.
Shut it off!
I was recently approached by a local player, Kenny, who shared a story with me of how the last time we played each other in the straight pool league he answered a phone call just before our match began and was completely distracted during the entire match. “You should write an article about shutting your phone off if you’re about to play a match,” he said. I’d never even thought about that.
Unless it’s an all day event, when I’m on my way to a match I’m typically walking from my hotel room to the tournament room. I like to keep my head down, maybe even have my headphones on. This is not the time to be the social butterfly. In fact, world champion Ralf Souquet is one of the nicest, friendliest guys in the game. He will stop to answer any question and let you talk to him for hours, EXCEPT when he’s on his way to a match. He just politely responds, “I’ll talk to you after my match.”
If you think about it, shutting off your phone is the same concept. If you wouldn’t want to stop to chit chat with someone, why would you answer a call to have a conversation? You probably wouldn’t (and definitely shouldn’t) do it in the midst of a match, not doing it before your match will only help reinforce your focus.
Your concentration for a tournament should begin prior to your match, not at the sound of the first break. Proper preparation for a match is not only about having a nutritious meal or making sure your shaft is clean; it also includes caring for your mental state. How well can you play when you show up to a match straight from having an argument with your spouse or finding out you just lost your job? Don’t even let it happen. Shut off your phone.
I’ll even take this one step further. I’m a true believer in practicing the way we want to perform and taking our practice as seriously as our matches. This would mean that if we’re going to shut our phones off on our way to a tournament, we should do the same if we’re on our way to practice too, right?
Also, I know many players that like to practice on their lunch hour or only have a very limited amount of time to hit balls when they do. Well, here’s a little tip: Set the alarm on your phone or watch for the time that you need to pack up. The last time I tried to practice in a hurry and had to keep an eye on the clock, it was just as distracting as answering a bad phone call.
So, the next time you grab your cues and head out the door to a tournament or to practice, remember to shut your phone off. If you’re expecting an important phone call, then you probably shouldn’t be entering a tournament anyway. Enjoy your pool time! That’s what it’s all about.
I came to play:thumbup: