Winning and Losing - Separating the process from the outcome

[sixpack]

sixpack

Do you do private sessions?

Seriously.

I have done coaching and mindset more than technique. I don’t have time right now though at all. If you are still near Joliet we might be able to meet up and just chat about mindset though and hit some balls around.

 

[sixpack]

Thanks for bumping this great thread. WELL DONE!!

After reading it, I have a question: when down on a shot, and thinking starts, which is the best option?

1 - Think “if I make this shot I win” rather than “if I miss this shot I lose”.

2 - Think “this is how I will make this ball and that is where the CB will end up”. Winning/losing is irrelevant. Only the shot at hand is important.

3 - Don’t think at all. If you are thinking, stand up. Think about #2. Get back down, don’t think, let your subconscious shoot the shot for you.

EDIT: I’m pretty sure I know the best answer.

I know a great player that tells himself “all I have to do is make this easy shot and I win!”

And that works well for him. I tried it and it wasn’t the best for me.

For me it’s probably bouncing between 2 & 3.

I play best when I look at the shot, see the CB path and let my brain do the work. All I think about when on the shot is “make this shot with this English and speed.” But it’s not verbal. Words are not precise enough. I feel the speed in my hand and arm. I visualize the path of the cue ball and the OB going in the pocket based on where I’m hitting the CB.

It’s all internalized when I’m playing my best.

I have taught myself to slow down and think when I need to do I can grind it out if I’m not in the zone. Generally if I can hold it together for a match or two of grinding I can catch a gear again.

 

[hang-the-9]

Bumping this old thread of mine. It recently helped me get back to the winner’s circle after a long break and frustrating comeback. I was practicing well but not playing well in tournaments at all.

Hopefully it will help someone else.

I enjoyed reading it, actually I saved it as a favorite which is super rare that I have anything from AZB saved, but I wanted to have some of the starting and weaker players read this. I play with quite a few people that lose before they ever get to the table, if the player is good, they can't beat them, if the player is bad, they are not as bad as everyone thinks and they are still better than me, if they have a 4 ball run out, the game is done no matter if the shots are tough, if they win it's because the other player gave them the win. They are like Eddie from The Hustler, just looking for a reason to lose. I think this post can help those players.

 

[JolietJames]

I have done coaching and mindset more than technique. I don’t have time right now though at all. If you are still near Joliet we might be able to meet up and just chat about mindset though and hit some balls around.

Thanks but I escaped Hellinois almost ten years ago. Great post/ thread sir.