your attitude at the table
- Thread starter Slh
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It took me a long time to learn the real meaning of 'Accept'.
Learn to 'Accept' what you do and what you are given on the pool table. Get to work, emotions will only hurt your performance.
Learn to 'Accept' what you do and what you are given on the pool table. Get to work, emotions will only hurt your performance.
I'm one of those that lets my emotions get the best of me at times...and it's something I'm constantly trying to improve on. Controlling emotion is key to being a good player....The more the frustration builds, the worse I shoot...
After missing an easy shot, or screwing up on position...try taking a deep breath and reflect on what happened and why you missed...and focus on getting back to the table to capitalize on your opponents mistake...
After missing an easy shot, or screwing up on position...try taking a deep breath and reflect on what happened and why you missed...and focus on getting back to the table to capitalize on your opponents mistake...
Tap, tap, tap! I love what Tom has said here. I've heard from many top players and instructors, that one of first things high level players learn, is to ACCEPT shape, regardless of what it is. I believe that's true. I've always taught students to learn to pocket the ball first...you'll almost always have some kind of 'shape'. Maybe not what you wanted or expected, but at least something to shoot at.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
yes but Warren Kiamco shows emotions when he plays a bad shot and i think he can play pretty good. I think sometime let your emotion go helps you to loosen up the pressure.
If I miss, I throw my cue across the room and like a javelin try and hit someone in the eye with it. If I win the game, I do the 'Werewolf of London' act. :grin: That, of course, depends on how many Jagers I had......
I'm still struggling with this, though I've gotten better these last few months.
I'm much more in control, and less vocal about my frustration, but I have a long way to go with it. It is a challenge, and one that I will meet, at some point. I may not improve as much as I want in my actual game, but this is one area that I can control, darnit!
I'm much more in control, and less vocal about my frustration, but I have a long way to go with it. It is a challenge, and one that I will meet, at some point. I may not improve as much as I want in my actual game, but this is one area that I can control, darnit!
A agree, Warren is a hot head when he misses, BUT, (isn't there always a BUT) Warren also refocuses that emotion into intense focus for the next shot. When you can learn to do this, you then can afford to let the steam go.
Most players cannot perform like Warren. The majority of players that can perform as good or better, have much more control of their emotions.
Most players cannot perform like Warren. The majority of players that can perform as good or better, have much more control of their emotions.
When I play in a match, the only thought in my head is WIN. I try to play every shot in the way that will benefit me most, if I play a bad shot I show no reaction and don't get mad.
Depends on who I'm playing. Quite a few friendly people where I play, lots of chit-chat, frienly banter.. If I'm playing one of them it's usually something like "oops" or "well, I screwed that up didn't I." There are a few people I dislike or otherwise REALLY want to beat. When I screw up against those people or am generally having a bad night I sometimes get angry with myself. I don't hide it from my team, but I try not to let it show in the match or say anything negative to my opponent. Finish with a handshake and a nice-shooting.
If anybody remembers watching Andre Agassi when he was playing tennis early in his career, he would get upset and it would affect his game for awhile. Later in his career when he won a lot more, he would instantly forget about a miss or a good shot from his opponent, and just move on to the next point. He has his emotions totally under control. That made all of the difference in the world for him. (Sorry about the tennis reference but it really stood out for me and I learned from it!!):smile:
Playing golf before playing pool, it was okay to vent a little on a bad shot because your opponents weren't right in your face. Staying cool while playing pool is a work in progress for me always. I notice I slip a bit more when tired. Showing any frustration in pool in any circumstance I think just emboldens your opponent.
When I have seen him play, I always thought Jeremy Jones had the ideal competitive temperament around the table. Good focus when at the table and a loose but polite indifference to his opponent when leaving it. Just an all around cool customer.
When I have seen him play, I always thought Jeremy Jones had the ideal competitive temperament around the table. Good focus when at the table and a loose but polite indifference to his opponent when leaving it. Just an all around cool customer.
Remaining neutral...
One breakthrough in my game in the past few years is remaining neutral in my head throughout the game/match. The key is making no judgement, good or bad about what just occured in that situation, just straight neutral observation. This keeps you on the next task at hand. Let's say you just made a great shot, remain ambivalent about what just occured or you will start to think about why it was a great shot and you will continue to "think". Same goes true for a bad shot, remain neutral in your head and just observe what just happened-- log it in the back of your mind and push it aside and move on to the next task, otherwise you will continue to "think" and in this game and most sports you do not want to think just do and feel. This was a key part of the book "The Inner Game of Tennis" and is a must-read for pool players working on the mental game.
One breakthrough in my game in the past few years is remaining neutral in my head throughout the game/match. The key is making no judgement, good or bad about what just occured in that situation, just straight neutral observation. This keeps you on the next task at hand. Let's say you just made a great shot, remain ambivalent about what just occured or you will start to think about why it was a great shot and you will continue to "think". Same goes true for a bad shot, remain neutral in your head and just observe what just happened-- log it in the back of your mind and push it aside and move on to the next task, otherwise you will continue to "think" and in this game and most sports you do not want to think just do and feel. This was a key part of the book "The Inner Game of Tennis" and is a must-read for pool players working on the mental game.
Learning how to lose is vitally important. When you finally accept the fact that no matter how much you play and practice your always gonna miss some balls and blow position. Your gonna lose now and then! Now with work you will certainly become more consistent and in the end win more but you will never be perfect. All you can do is your best every shot and if you dont relax and enjoy the ride your just making it that much harder for your best game to come out This was probably the most liberating thing I ever learned as a player and has made me better with out a doubt. I used to get so angry now I just smile and reevaluate my position. Even my wife has noticed how much more I enjoy playing the game...she used to question why I even played because of how frustrated I would get!
