Help on a Possible Mental Aspect of the Game.

[mikeadyla]

Hi, I am not posting for myself, but rather, my boyfriend.

He is a great player (has made a 147 in competitive play) in that he regularly makes centuries in competitive play. However, he does have a problem in battling inconsistencies. Sometimes he breaks one century in a frame, and struggles for form in the next. At his worst, he can't pot a single ball and he has no idea why. (This of course doesn't happen often, but an insight will still be very much appreciated)

Since I watch him play every single game and every single ball, I also realize that there is a specific kind of tournament in which he plays extremely well in; the handicap tournaments. He is a -25 player, but he has yet to drop even a match in handicap tournaments after 3 seasons. And he wins an average of 85-90% of his frames, which is ridiculously high.

It is even more puzzling then, that he suffers inconsistencies in normal competitions. He is obviously skilled enough to reach the sf/f of a non-handicap tournament, but in many cases, by the end of such tournaments, he has played so many frames compared to everybody else that he is drained mentally. Also, it is very difficult for him to stay positive during an important game if he is playing badly; I know his game is aggressive, so he doesn't like the idea of playing safe if he is struggling with form.

I've tested this theory, and give myself an 60 handicap in 1 frame (so he has to give me 85 points), and no handicap the next (so we play from 0-0). The result is as I suspected. He scores massively (and consistently) knowing that I have a 60 points advantage against him, but from 0-0 he plays sometimes well, sometimes bad.

This is obviously a mental issue. And this year since he recently bent his cue, I've replaced his 10-year-old cue with a MW legend, which he is playing very well with, but haven't tested in competitive play. I'll be glad if someone can offer their suggestions and insight into this puzzling mental issue.

[nrage]

There are a couple of people who post here who work in/with/or have experience with the sports psychology side of things, whereas I'm just a avid player and wannabe coach. However my mother is a psychologist and I was brought up evaluating my own mental processes in relation to sport among other things (everything really) so I can offer some opinions/thoughts, but be aware that is all they are. I think in your boyfriends case the best thing to do is to see a sports psychologist about this, they will be able to help him discover for himself what is going on in his mind when he performs badly.

From what you describe it appears to be an issue initially with motivation, because there is less challenge he perhaps does not give each shot the required care and attention. Then, when he misses an 'easy' shot - because of this - he may not realise that it was because of the lack of care and attention (or does realise it, but lets this 'failure' "get him down") and instead thinks there must be some technical problem, or that he's having a bad day or bad spell. This negative thinking, in turn, causes him to doubt his ability, or judgement, causing either a change in technique i.e. aiming, or thinking (confidence) or similar, which in turn causes him to miss more shots, and this is then a cycle of doubt, misses and bad form/performance.

The start of a new frame, or game, can often break a cycle like this because the mind naturally 'resets' a little at natural break points like these.

The above is an opinion based on the information given, a trained psychologist would need to have a session with your boyfriend to determine if something like the above is the case, or if there is some other pattern of thought/thinking/emotion/reaction/result. Depending on what is triggering this, there are various techniques to overcome it but underlying all of them is understanding the thought process itself. If you can identify what you're thinking, and how it affects your actions, you can choose to react differently. A different reaction will in turn feed back and change the thinking itself. Done often enough it forms a pattern which he will find easier and easier to naturally fall into.

That's how I understand these things anyway.. it's not an exact science because we're all so complex and unique, but it might give you some ideas.. at the very least it should, I hope, prompt him to see a sports psychologist.

[mikeadyla]

Hi.

First of all, thank you for taking the time to reply. I studied psychology myself (though I am not a professional nor am I a sports psychologist), so I tend to see snooker much more on the psychology aspects of it rather than its technical issues.

I did note that a year ago, I began seeing him play, and realize that although he was making centuries, he very rarely clears up the table. After a while, I begin persistently pointing out that he keeps missing an easy green, for example; I guess it eventually got into his head as one day he managed to broke the spell and started clearing up, and from then on and to now, he does it more often than not.

This example made me realize that it wasn't coincidental that he just happens to miss the green, but psychological. Delving deeper into his mind as I start watching him more and more, I notice other psychological issues, such as the handicap tournaments and him forcing balls in whenever he is not playing well.

Other than that, he is very disciplined on the table, and never shows disrespect to his opponent, which is why I have no doubt that aside from these few issues, his mental aspects are very strong on its own. This is why I am keen to see through these issues further with him, as I am confident there is something which can be done about it.

As of now, I am making him more aware of the mental side of the game, letting him read more and more on his own, and supporting him. I do realize that he will benefit from professional help, but for now, as we both do not have the finances nor is he playing snooker as a professional, as a psychology major, I thought I could be of some help to him. Further, he feels more comfortable telling me everything he feels when he is down in a shot or in the match itself, while he might not have the same comfort level with a stranger professional.

I am definitely interested in your idea that there is a pattern of thought which contributes to this negativity. Could you possibly allude more on what kind of techniques which could help him react differently should we recognize such pattern of thought?

[tomw]

This is an interesting post for me, since I have got something alike:
In league games, I always play very well against the top players, and mostly win my frames. But when I have to play against lesser players, I tend to play poorly, and I often lose a frame...

So I look forward to the answers as well :-)

[nrage]

I don't feel qualified to help with specific techniques, sorry. My mother always gave me ideas/techniques to use, for specific cases during my own life, and I have forgotten most of them, plus I wasn't playing snooker then so I don't really have anything specific.

I've noticed that most people when they're not playing well, will tend to start to force balls and generally hit everything harder. Even the pro's do this to a limited degree and I think if we stop and think we'll realise it's a terrible idea. I think it comes from us unconsciously thinking that if the ball is going faster it's less likely to miss but on a snooker table that's just not true for speeds over the unique speed at which a ball will drift on the cloth, and that's not very fast. A ball traveling slower is more likely to be accepted into a pocket. Add to that, that we tend to be less accurate with our cueing at higher speeds/power and you get more misses when forcing things, not less.

Recognising that you're trying to force things is step #1. Step #2 is probably relaxing, because often forcing things builds tension and tension is a killer of snooker technique. Step #3 is likely clearing your head and 'resetting'. And hopefully at that stage you can start to play your own game again. It's not likely to work "instantly" and realising that is also key otherwise you don't break the cycle, you just fall back into it.

A general life principal/thought I often use to "re-frame" things when I find I'm getting stressed is to think to myself "what's the worst that can happen". The answer WRT to snooker is "I will loose the frame/match" and realising that that, isn't the end of the world, and in fact ss not even important on any level except my own personal satisfaction/pride/achievement. Basically once you can put the worst possible consequence of "failure" into context, it will no longer seem as bad, and the resulting pressure will lessen. I find we often unconsciously elevate the importance of things, and consequently raise the pressure and make "failure" far more frightening that it actually is.

I think the best pros use something like this, they seem to play without any fear. Like Hendry in his prime and Judd now. It's easy to have no fear if the worst possible outcome simply isn't scary any more.

[hotpot]

Have you or your boyfriend read the book pleasures in small motions , excellent read and covers many psycholgical aspect and issues of the game . The bottom line is whatever the occassion , whatever is at stake to never stop enjoying the game and letting status get in the way .

[mikeadyla]

Thanks guys,

You guys have shed so much light already and I look forward to even more replies from everyone else.

I'm going to let him have a read of your answers so he can better feel it "mentally", for lack of a better word. I think people have a higher likelihood of accepting things through reading rather than having people (namely, me) point it to their face, especially if my snooker itself is woeful at best

Hotpot, coincidentally enough (or not, as perhaps I read around this forum too much ) I do have that book, although I read it more often than he does. I will definitely get him to do a second reading of it.

I do realize that the nature of the game itself means that a good player can play on a worst level at the best of time, but having noted certain consistencies about how and when these "worst moments" happen, I believe there are some ways to manage it and minimize them altogether, and everyone's help in discovering and correcting these "consistent bad moments" is very much appreciated.

[Sidd]

What I can contribute is that this may happen to almost any player although not that consistently. Actually this may perhaps be something related to the fact that your guy needs a CHALLENGE. In games where he believes there is immense challenge for him like 60 handi etc it makes him collect himself and play seriously in order to win so that brings out the best in him. In games where he isnt really challenged he takes on so easily and comfortably that his mental focus is not as good as it should be and hence he trains his brain to relax cuz he can win anytime and therefore he looses, so to speak, interest and therefore become sloopy and takes the easy pots for granted and starts missing. We all know when one starts missing simple shots its very difficult to get the focus back.

What he can do is (and trust me dear it works, as it has worked for me) to strictly follow the Hendry quotation that appears under my signatures here in every game and every frame and you both will notice immese improvement in this problem. No opponent no frame no game no match can be taken for granted cuz this is the kind of game that has the tendency to put you down before you can even know it... Hope that helps, as it helped me...!!!

Cheers.

[ace man]

OP's boyfriend he wins too much. 85-90% frame wins is is just ridiculous. If I were in his shoes, time and money permitting, I'd go for one of those famous snooker academies for at least a month of coaching and playing the best players there as much as possible.

[mikeadyla]

Thanks. It is indeed about challenge, as you guys have correctly predicted, and worrying too much about "status" in a snooker game.

Ace man, unfortunately the 85%-90% frame win is only applicable to handicap tournaments (which is way too bizarre since it should be more difficult for him considering his -25!). My suspicion is that in handicap tournaments he is on high alert and could not afford to worry too much about playing badly, because playing badly is not an option when you're behind right from the start.

With respect to training in the UK, he has in fact done it when he was younger, for a month or so (that was what he could afford, and even then, barely). In the beginning he was forced to pick up balls after balls, but from what I heard, he eventually started winning even from these good players, and at one point won one of the house tournament (this is what I think I recall, but I will have to confirm). Sometimes he says that he wishes that there are players who can force him to pick up balls after balls like in those days.

I think it is clear then that he is an egalitarian sort of player, as opposed to a dominant one. He doesn't like to lose, and usually only plays his best when he thinks he is at risk of losing. He doesn't necessary have a winning instinct, perhaps a player like Ryan Day comes to mind when I think of him. Loads of talent but difficult to get to the very top.

We have noted all the answers, and right now, we have begun to incorporate the mental aspects of the game a lot more in practice and in tournaments. Playing with always a killer instinct in mind, and not letting anything give him a sense of security, etc etc. It takes time, and it is difficult to break the usual thought patterns, but with time, surely it will come to bear fruit.

[hotpot]

Pheraps a good idea will be to take a mp3 along with the song , Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre and play it before each match . The words in that song are so inspirational and just give you a total buzz when you hear it every time . I love playing it especially when i,m feeling a bit low or start doubting myself .

[mikeadyla]

Thanks hotpot! He has a league game (non-handicap, although I'm perhaps stating the obvious) in a couple of hours and is usually pressured to deliver 3 points for his team. Am downloading and will see what happens if we play it on the way to the game.

[hotpot]

Please let us know how he got on , wish him all the best from me .

[damienlch]

...I've replaced his 10-year-old cue with a MW legend...

I've got nothing useful to contribute but I think your support would mean a lot to your boyfriend... Oh, I also think you're being the best girlfriend and errrmm, do you have a sister like you?

All the best in your endeavour... :snooker:

[davisskeggsm]

i think your boyfriends case is more a mind of matter issue if he just tells himself before every frame he will win i do strongly feel the consistancey of his century brakes will come even more frequent than you stress at the moment