When you focus, do you shoot and play better pool?

[pt109]

I was a decent marathoner...and I think what got me there was the state
of mind you get into when you're driving long distance....
...relaxed awareness.....

The only time you need intense focus is when you pull the trigger.....
...if you try and stay in this state all the time, it's like trying to breathe
in a rarefied atmosphere....you'll end up gasping.

regards
double hemlock

 

[Celtic]

Is there something wrong with wanting to hear how other players think and focus on their game?

No, but I agree with him. Every time I read one of your questions it is worded like a loaded question aimed to get specific canned answers to enforce some opinion. Alot of the reason I tend to avoid answering any of your questions, don't feel like being led around on a leash... unless maybe by a hot redhead... but that is another thread on another forum!

 

[CJ Wiley]

This state of mind is more like a "dream state"

Would you say when you are in stroke or in the zone it becomes automatic to play well? When I am in stroke, I always focus and concentrate on what I am doing.
I like what you say about the game is the teacher.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

I feel like I become absorbed into the Game. I spent a lot of time and effort researching how to systematically get into the zone. I used concepts from Zen (Zen in the Art of Archery and Zen in the Martial ARts), some from Inner Tennis, anapana meditation, Bagua (Shaolin Moving Meditation) and studied hypnosis under Richard Bandler (co founder of NLP), who taught Ericksonian Hypnosis.

The blend of these paid off and I was able to go into the zone quickly and effortlessly. This state of mind is more like a "dream state" and I've played hours at a time without remembering a single shot or game. I once beat a guy 17 Games in a row in the finals of the Texas Firecracker Open and didn't "become aware" until the 17th game (double elimination he had me 9/4 and I was up 10/0 in the next set before he won another game.

This was the deepest I had ever went under in front of a large crowd. After this experience my game went up to it's highest level and stayed there until I went on my sabbatical many years later.

 

[Lock N Load]

No, but I agree with him. Every time I read one of your questions it is worded like a loaded question aimed to get specific canned answers to enforce some opinion. Alot of the reason I tend to avoid answering any of your questions, don't feel like being led around on a leash... unless maybe by a hot redhead... but that is another thread on another forum!

Why do you copy and paste part of what I said? It all goes together. I don't try to lead anyone around either. I am trying to get input for all pool players. To help everyone's pool game. I am sorry you feel that way too! I am sincere with my threads.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

I feel like I become absorbed into the Game. I spent a lot of time and effort researching how to systematically get into the zone. I used concepts from Zen (Zen in the Art of Archery and Zen in the Martial ARts), some from Inner Tennis, anapana meditation, Bagua (Shaolin Moving Meditation) and studied hypnosis under Richard Bandler (co founder of NLP), who taught Ericksonian Hypnosis.

The blend of these paid off and I was able to go into the zone quickly and effortlessly. This state of mind is more like a "dream state" and I've played hours at a time without remembering a single shot or game. I once beat a guy 17 Games in a row in the finals of the Texas Firecracker Open and didn't "become aware" until the 17th game (double elimination he had me 9/4 and I was up 10/0 in the next set before he won another game.

This was the deepest I had ever went under in front of a large crowd. After this experience my game went up to it's highest level and stayed there until I went on my sabbatical many years later.

Good post, Mr. CJ. Thanks.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

first I walked past this whole thread but my recent tournament which I played too bad made me thinking about this and I remembered I saw a thread on focus. Good I returned to find it.

I like what CreeDo said here. Lately I feel exhausted after tournaments, and my head aches, literally. I think that's due to seriously trying that conscious effort. From now on I decided not to force myself. Instead, I will try my subconscious to rule the process. And in this post by ViciousCycle74 we have a nice example of how to achieve it. My 2 cents to this, I discovered that if a catchy song comes to my mind and I murmur it or just a couple of strings from it during play - I play loose and effortless. I think it has something to do with eliminating brain activity like talking to oneself, etc., which is harmful for the game.

Hello Vahmurka,
I thank you for your looking my this thread up and reading it. Happy New Year to you and your family. Thanks again.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Seneca Steve]

Good thread Lock. Sometimes when I am playing below my speed and wondering whats going on I pause and try to determine whats going wrong. For me the answer is always the same, I am going thru the motions but not truly focusing. I am gazing at the shot if you catch my drift. Not really focused but staring at the shot. No precise focus. Once I realize whats happening I can correct it.

 

[JuicyGirl]

Two Thumbs up for focus

Hey Lock!
Great thread, I'd actually been thinking about this also.

When I focus I can shoot awesome. I play position better, and play better safe shots. Focus and playing a little slower on shots does help my game.

Something that I've been trying out with the hubs, is to call out our plan of action. Call out the safety, call out what your next shot is, what path, which pocket, where our leave is and how to get to the next ob. We don't always agree, but sometimes we do, either way it's good.

Because we play 9 ball for the most part I grew to enjoy the the sweet taste of slops, but I can't count on just slops. So, now we shoot 9 ball much like a 10 ball game. It's given both of us a sharp boost to our game in recent weeks.

Too much focusing is exhausting to me. If I'm well rested I can go 3-4 max. After that, I do have to relax shoot some play play and then go back in action, if not I will crash at a rapid pace.

Regards,
Loren

 

[backplaying]

I feel like I become absorbed into the Game. I spent a lot of time and effort researching how to systematically get into the zone. I used concepts from Zen (Zen in the Art of Archery and Zen in the Martial ARts), some from Inner Tennis, anapana meditation, Bagua (Shaolin Moving Meditation) and studied hypnosis under Richard Bandler (co founder of NLP), who taught Ericksonian Hypnosis.

The blend of these paid off and I was able to go into the zone quickly and effortlessly. This state of mind is more like a "dream state" and I've played hours at a time without remembering a single shot or game. I once beat a guy 17 Games in a row in the finals of the Texas Firecracker Open and didn't "become aware" until the 17th game (double elimination he had me 9/4 and I was up 10/0 in the next set before he won another game.

This was the deepest I had ever went under in front of a large crowd. After this experience my game went up to it's highest level and stayed there until I went on my sabbatical many years later.

Its like when you travel a route you drive daily and don't really remember passing any wellknown landmarks on the way. I have heard of truck drivers traveling long distance and not remembering many things on the trip. The last time I got in stroke with someone I only remember the 1 ball they missed and thats it.

 

[CJ Wiley]

The brain waves go down from Beta to Alpha and you go into a "trance".

Its like when you travel a route you drive daily and don't really remember passing any wellknown landmarks on the way. I have heard of truck drivers traveling long distance and not remembering many things on the trip. The last time I got in stroke with someone I only remember the 1 ball they missed and thats it.

Yes, the best example for someone to relate to is driving a car or truck. The brain waves go down from Beta to Alpha and you go into a "trance".

Most people (that drive) can relate to being on "automatic pilot," and this is very similar to pool's "dead stroke".

 

[JoeyA]

Yes, the best example for someone to relate to is driving a car or truck. The brain waves go down from Beta to Alpha and you go into a "trance".

Most people (that drive) can relate to being on "automatic pilot," and this is very similar to pool's "dead stroke".

I've listened to soundtracks of Alpha, Beta, Theta & Gamma waves from time to time, mostly before and in between matches, while meditating.

I've never actually listened to them during a match on an ipod or some other device. Now you and some of the other posters in this thread have got me wondering if listening to the Alpha wave soundtracks would help during a match. Listening via electronic devices is prohibited in a few tournaments but is allowed by many events and I've never seen gamblers or local events whine about the use of electronic devices, caps, ear plugs etc.

 

[Lock N Load]

Good thread Lock. Sometimes when I am playing below my speed and wondering whats going on I pause and try to determine whats going wrong. For me the answer is always the same, I am going thru the motions but not truly focusing. I am gazing at the shot if you catch my drift. Not really focused but staring at the shot. No precise focus. Once I realize whats happening I can correct it.

Hello Seneca Steve,
I thank you for your good words about my thread. Happy New Year to you and your family. May you have many more to come.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Hey Lock!
Great thread, I'd actually been thinking about this also.

When I focus I can shoot awesome. I play position better, and play better safe shots. Focus and playing a little slower on shots does help my game.

Something that I've been trying out with the hubs, is to call out our plan of action. Call out the safety, call out what your next shot is, what path, which pocket, where our leave is and how to get to the next ob. We don't always agree, but sometimes we do, either way it's good.

Because we play 9 ball for the most part I grew to enjoy the the sweet taste of slops, but I can't count on just slops. So, now we shoot 9 ball much like a 10 ball game. It's given both of us a sharp boost to our game in recent weeks.

Too much focusing is exhausting to me. If I'm well rested I can go 3-4 max. After that, I do have to relax shoot some play play and then go back in action, if not I will crash at a rapid pace.

Regards,
Loren

Thank you Juicy Girl,
I appreciate your kind words about this thread. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Montana Mike]

Lock, I'll share something I really believe in regarding practice and pool in general. It is that "you have to be able to do it consciously in practice before you do it unconsciously in competition." When I practice I am always working on something no matter how small it is. Actually I usually am working on something really small that I believe is really important to me. In practice I am always aware of more than I probably should. I assume that when I work on a lot of things consciously during practice that I am reducing the amount of things I have to think about when I am competing.

I don't know if I am getting across what I am trying to say but hopefully it does. I believe that thinking about the game while in competition isn't bad but it is having so much to think about that overloads players and leads to breakdowns in mechanics, decision making, etc. I think that every little thing that I can master during practice and each layout or sitution that I gain competency over frees up my brain to think, or not to think, about those things that will help me accomplish the task at hand during competition..... which is to win.

 

[whitewolf]

Meaning, When you focus on exactly what you are doing in a pool game or practice, do you play and shoot shots better? Play position better, and play better safe shots? Focus and playing a little slower on shots might just make you play pool better!!!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

Of course. This question has such an obvious answer that you should have not even asked it.

 

[Lock N Load]

Lock, I'll share something I really believe in regarding practice and pool in general. It is that "you have to be able to do it consciously in practice before you do it unconsciously in competition." When I practice I am always working on something no matter how small it is. Actually I usually am working on something really small that I believe is really important to me. In practice I am always aware of more than I probably should. I assume that when I work on a lot of things consciously during practice that I am reducing the amount of things I have to think about when I am competing.

I don't know if I am getting across what I am trying to say but hopefully it does. I believe that thinking about the game while in competition isn't bad but it is having so much to think about that overloads players and leads to breakdowns in mechanics, decision making, etc. I think that every little thing that I can master during practice and each layout or sitution that I gain competency over frees up my brain to think, or not to think, about those things that will help me accomplish the task at hand during competition..... which is to win.

Thanks for sharing with us, Mike. I appreciate it very much. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[nine_ball6970]

Of course. This question has such an obvious answer that you should have not even asked it.

Is the answer that obvious? I play my best when I am not thinking about anything. Play purely by instinct. The problems start when I try to make the ball instead of just trusting myself and having confidence. The harder i try the harder it becomes to make the ball. Just play by instinct and let your body do what it knows how to do. I have been working hard on visualization and it is paying off. Make the shot in your mind before you address the cue ball. The ability to focus in my opinion is the ability to weed out all of the useless information and not become distracted by things. I am a rhythm player and my game actually suffers if I slow down. I believe part of the reason is a slower pace leads to my brain picking up more unnecessary information.

 

[PaulieB]

Honestly, I scanned the entire thread for a ChrisBanks reply, as it seemed as if this was a thread along his lines. Do you shoot better when you focus? Nah! Of course you shoot better while on your cell phone!

Seriously though, when I realize I am playing below my standards (which of course vary depending on who I am playing against) and suddenly realize I am too sloppy and risking the bet ... I suddenly adopt a few things which force me to focus. I drop my stance a bit lower, stay down and stay still on my shot... and I focus on waiting for the sound of the object ball dropping into the pocket before I move. I don't slam the object ball in and the biggest thing is that I wait for and ENJOY the slow and patient sound of the object ball just falling and settling into the pocket. I don't even enjoy the path of the object ball as much as I aurally envision and enjoy the wonderful and lazy sound of the object ball slowly falling into the pocket.

 

[Lock N Load]

Honestly, I scanned the entire thread for a ChrisBanks reply, as it seemed as if this was a thread along his lines. Do you shoot better when you focus? Nah! Of course you shoot better while on your cell phone!

Seriously though, when I realize I am playing below my standards (which of course vary depending on who I am playing against) and suddenly realize I am too sloppy and risking the bet ... I suddenly adopt a few things which force me to focus. I drop my stance a bit lower, stay down and stay still on my shot... and I focus on waiting for the sound of the object ball dropping into the pocket before I move. I don't slam the object ball in and the biggest thing is that I wait for and ENJOY the slow and patient sound of the object ball just falling and settling into the pocket. I don't even enjoy the path of the object ball as much as I aurally envision and enjoy the wonderful and lazy sound of the object ball slowly falling into the pocket.

They were playing for 40 bags of sand the other night and player B goes over to the table on the side and talks on his cell phone. Of course he lost the set to player A, who did not use his cell phone. This was going on At Buffalo Billiards, No I am not going to say it!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[CJ Wiley]

less calculations and judgments you have to make the better

They were playing for 40 bags of sand the other night and player B goes over to the table on the side and talks on his cell phone. Of course he lost the set to player A, who did not use his cell phone. This was going on At Buffalo Billiards, No I am not going to say it!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

The key to pool is not "if you focus," but what you focus on. The less things the better, that's why it's important to find a way to free up your mind. The less calculations and judgments you have to make the better. Especially over the course of several hours if you are including choices that shouldn't even be considered it wears on your mind.

There are three things to consider on each shot after you know the situation. These are "the Angle you need to create," "where you need to contact the cue ball," and the speed needed to accomplish the shot.

From my experience it's best to "Blend" all these calculations into ONE THOUGHT PROCESS. This is something I believe my TOI technique does very effectively. In a short match it may not make a difference, however in long grueling matches or tournaments it may make all the difference. 'The Game is the Teacher" www.cjwiley.com