Maintaining Focus

[nathar]

Just wondering what some of you do to achieve and maintain focus. What different types of things do you use to work on this in practice or even when you are not playing?

Has anyone tried things like meditation or any other routines when away from the table to "practice" your mental game?

When I achieve good focus on the pool table I can play with just about anyone, but when I lose it I can be beat by just about everyone. I seem to maintain my focus better when shooting in singles tournaments rather than team play in the leagues, even though in some cases there were just as many people around.

[spartan]

I have this crazy habit I got into. Right before I get down on my shot I tell to myself (not aloud but in my head) Concentrate, Acheive, Execute. I know it sounds stupid but it helps keep me focused and not take a shot for granted. I cant tell you how many times I have seen guys where its hill-hill and the 9 balls an easy shot and he just one strokes it. Not giving it the respect it deserves. I try to do everything to avoid that.

[nathar]

In a stress and rescue class I took one time, one of the techniques they taught us was that any time something unexpected came up was to go through a certain thought process. Stop, get control, think, act. That's kind of the same thing just with less emphasis on urgency. I might have to give that a shot.

[spartan]

It helps me. Also if anything at all is in your head when your shooting (usually the 9 ball for me lol) Get up walk around the tablem chalk your stick and regroup then get back down. That has helped me alot.

[DEATHTRON]

I chalk my cue, take a look at the table, make sure theres nothing Im missing, and go back about my business.

Zach

[dags_lax]

Evaluate the table. All decisions, cue ball hit, speed, spin, desired leave, etc, should be made before approaching the shot. From this point on the only thing that should be in your mind when you get to the table is hitting the contact point with the speed and spin already decided upon. In order to do that you need to develop a routine to your shooting. The way you approach the table. The way you get into your stance, how you place your bridge hand on the table, your warm up strokes. Even your breathing. Everything should be the same every time. Shot after Shot. After you make the shot step back from the table, reevaluate, and start your routine all over. At any point in your routine if something doesn't feel right or you get distracted step back, reevaluate if necessary, and repeat the routine. The only time you should vary your routine is shots like long stretches, jumps and masses where you are physically unable to stick to your routine. Whether the shot is easy or hard. If the shot is hill/hill for the match or the first shot of the match. It doesn't matter. Stick to your routine on every shot!

Because you need to think about every step at first, it may be awkward developing a routine. But the more you follow your routine the more it becomes delegated to the subconscious and freeing the mind to the task at hand.

[rolldarocks]

I find when I concentrate too much the game goes way down. I can't allow my mind to drift into the analytic aspects of everything thats about to happen. I play better when I get the feeling of whats going to happen. We have all hit enough balls to let loose a bit and just let the ball do the work.
I guess its like watching Allison Fisher play, she thinks about every shot and analysis everything. When you watch someone like Earl Strickland play, he looks at the table and instinctively executes. It's like the fat man dancing around the table; there is a flow.

[spartan]

I find when I concentrate too much the game goes way down. I can't allow my mind to drift into the analytic aspects of everything thats about to happen. I play better when I get the feeling of whats going to happen. We have all hit enough balls to let loose a bit and just let the ball do the work.
I guess its like watching Allison Fisher play, she thinks about every shot and analysis everything. When you watch someone like Earl Strickland play, he looks at the table and instinctively executes. It's like the fat man dancing around the table; there is a flow.

What you are doing is known as "freestroking". Its where you play very fast and dont take alot of time. While this may be effective if you are dominating a match and are at the table alot, if your opponent sticks you in your chair for a few racks and you get up to shoot, you just cant get back into that rhythm. It is inconsistent. I have seen matches of Keith McCready where is cant miss and hes running around the table one stroking everything and I have also seen where he cant get into a rhythm and cant play to his full potential. While it works for him most of the time he is one of few that is actually works for consistently time after time. IMO it would be best to slow your game down a little bit. Your game might go down for a couple of days but after that your play will be more consistent. JMO.

[mechmat]

I've got one word for playing super-intensely ---- boring! It's just not fun. And this is a game, not a life or death situation, so trying to focus in and being agonizingly diligent on every shot is not the way for me. I've been training myself to play my best in a relaxed, almost lazy manner, and that's how I most enjoy the game and play my best. Every once in awhile when I face a difficult shot that I will take some time over it, but there are very few shots I can't analize and make a decision about in less that 10 seconds, and most of the time I can do it in 5 or less.

I feel like once you teach yourself that the game is just plain fun and there's no reason to question your game or be worried about losing, conciously focusing is no longer an issue. It just comes to you. Just play and have fun, and all will be good.