I spoke to a good friend on Sunday who was on the one-loss side, but still in (I placed 9th, and the brought 5-6th places back on Sunday).
I asked her, "How do you feel today?"
She replied quickly with one word. "Determined."
I said, "Good for you!"
"Thanks. I really want to do well today and I so I am determined."
So, throughout the day and before or during her matches when I would see her, I would walk by her and say "Determined" to her and she would smile back.
I have had "pool mantra's" before, also. Usually mine are more about my pre shot routine, not an emotion or feeling, tho.
Like:
- Stay down
- Take advantage of their mistakes
- Breathe
- Have fun
I like her attitude for sure!
And she won the tourney, BTW!
Do you have pool mantra's too? OR a word your focus on during a tournament to help you? You are welcome to share in the comment section below.
When I'm in a tough match that I'm struggling with I first tell myself to "visualize the whole shot and pick a spot for each shot".
ReplyDeleteIf I'm getting ready to play a tough match that I need to win, either for the team, or on my own, I always remind myself that I don't need to be the hero and force an ESPN-highlight-type of run out. Instead, I tell myself to simply play smart, don't force a bad position and above all else, execute completely. Then without thinking it, I hear Danny Diliberto's voice: "When the shot and the position is though, look to play safe."
It has worked a lot more than it hasn't for me. :)
Capelle's book "A Mind for Pool" has several great mantra's. "10-Minute Toughness" by Jason Selk is written for 'sports' in general but is great as well. The simpler the better IMVHO. Having an image or routine helps me as well as the mantra. A really tough shot I have used "good fundamentals" or "grace, accelerate and complete conviction". I wrote a song in a Weird Al way to a Paul Simon song, "50 Ways to Lose your Lover".
ReplyDeleteI usually only sing the chorus.
"The problem is all inside your head", he said to her
The answer is easy if you do more than just aim
I'd like to help you in your struggle to get better
There must be fifty ways to improve your pool game
He said it's really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued
But I'll repeat myself, at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to improve your pool game
Fifty ways to improve your pool game
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
He said it grieves me so to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again
I said I appreciate that and would you please explain
About the fifty ways
He said why don't we both practice it tonight
And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light
And then he kissed me and I realized he probably was right
There must be fifty ways to get better
Fifty ways to get better
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
Capelle's book "A Mind for Pool" has several great mantra's. "10-Minute Toughness" by Jason Selk is written for 'sports' in general but is great as well. The simpler the better IMVHO. Having an image or routine helps me as well as the mantra. A really tough shot I have used "good fundamentals" or "grace, accelerate and complete conviction". I wrote a song in a Weird Al way to a Paul Simon song, "50 Ways to Lose your Lover".
ReplyDeleteI usually only sing the chorus.
"The problem is all inside your head", he said to her
The answer is easy if you do more than just aim
I'd like to help you in your struggle to get better
There must be fifty ways to improve your pool game
He said it's really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued
But I'll repeat myself, at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to improve your pool game
Fifty ways to improve your pool game
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
He said it grieves me so to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again
I said I appreciate that and would you please explain
About the fifty ways
He said why don't we both practice it tonight
And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light
And then he kissed me and I realized he probably was right
There must be fifty ways to get better
Fifty ways to get better
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
You gotta play smart, Art
Don't give up ball in hand, Stan
You don't cry over a miss, Sis
Just let it go free
You gotta play loose, Goose
You don't over juice Bruce
Don't miscue, Lou
And be in a good mood
Thank you guys for the comments! Love your points!
ReplyDelete