The Mental Game

[Crazi-G]

I've something to ask you all out there about something which I haven't seen covered very much in terms of informational material (be it literature/video); and it's about the mental side of the game for snooker.

It seems to be covered in afew books and the sort for 9-ball, but it seems to be near non-existant for snooker (unless I'm just not looking hard enough =P)

My question is rather about your own experience(s). Be it mid-frame or halfway through a race; How do you deal with the mental aspect of the game? Does it effect you much? How do you cope or pull through when you're in a rut? Any techniques/tips you'd like to share?

I ask this as I sometimes tend to get myself stuck in a downward spiral after a frame or two of poor cueing and shot planning. Once I start talking to myself or the balls/table, I know I'm done for. haha

[Terry Davidson]

crazi:

Try Nic Barrow's website 'thesnookergym.com' as some of his coaching material is on the mental side of the game.

All I can recommend it 'the power of positive thinking' where you never say to yourself something like 'I can't miss this shot' because then you have set yourself up with a negative thought. You have to thing 'I will pot this ball' which is a positive thought.

The other aspect is confidence in your technique and that is only gained through practice. With confidence in the technique negative thoughts do not come as easily.

On the other hand, you could try Steve Davis technique which is to take deep, yoga-like cleansing breaths and then biting your tongue while down on the shot, which has the effect of 'parking your brain' and letting your unconcious mind take over. It's a technique from a sports psychologist.

Terry

[The Doctor]

All aspects of the game come from instruction from your brain.
When you are playing well, all is good, because you are thinking about what outcome you want and the body delivers.
The problem comes from when you start to think about what you don't want to happen and you start thinking "what am i doing wrong".
These are instructions that send pictures to your brain, and when you picture what you don't want, it is very difficult not to do it believe it or not.
The best method to play any sport is to trust in your method and think positively.
Your brain works in 2 hemispheres. Left and Right or if you prefer conscious and subconscious.
When its all good, the conscious mind gives the body(subconscious) the instruction, then hands over to the subconscious to play the shot. It's just the same as when when you decide to put shoes on(conscious) and then put them on(subconscious).
When you play poor, the conscious does not hand over and intrudes into the playing part of the shot(like telling yourself not to miss).
Once you understand these things it is easier to improve this aspect of your game.
I hope this helps.