Psychology book.

[Strickimicki]

Can anybody recommend a good book on Snooker psychology?

I had some hours with a really good coach, and after certain corrections I was potting really well.

The thing is I seem to have mental problems choosing my shot and going for the one shot 100%. I seem to be always in two minds, is the shot I chose the correct one? Am I hitting the right part of the white?

This problem is having a real bad effect on my game.

Does anybody have any recommendations? Technically I am a sound player but the head problem is getting me down.

Book, therapy I'm open to offers.


Thanks,

Brian

[CoachGavin]

I have found that general books on sports psychology are usually quite good. I found that Neuro Linguistic Programming for Dummies was good for me despite not being a sports book. It has a lot of stuff on positive thinking and going through in your head what is going to happen.

In general i would say it sounds like you need to relax more and take the game less seriously. I have found while coaching that people like you usually find it easier if they speed up so that they dont have the chance to think over the shot too much. I do this by giving them a shot clock in their practice. After a few shots they usually start to just play instead of over analysing everything. Once the shot is chosen just get on with it. Remember dont be afraid to miss or make mistakes and i think this is part of the reason why players worry so much and then over analyse everything. I hope this helps a little and perhaps try the NLP book.

[jimbo]

I seriously recommend "The Inner Game of Golf", and (don't laugh)... "The Pleasures of Small Motions". Both really good reads. OK the first one is about golf, but so much of what the author writes can be attributed to snooker. The second is about cue sports in general.

[The Doctor]

Yes the inner game book is very good also there is one called "Mind Over Golf" by an author called Alan Fine, i think.
You might find some relaxation techniques helpful too.

[Strickimicki]

Thanks, for all your suggestions.

What would you think of hypnosis?

Would that work? Has anybody ever tried it? I don't want to be making monkey noises every time I pot the black

It would really have to be a genuine Pyscho-doctor or something like that.

[Cyril]

Geet Sethi's book is very good apparently. Forget what it's called now but you can get it through Snooker Scene.

[jimbo]

I've tried a couple of hypnosis mp3s in the past, but they don't seem to have been made by someone who understands snooker that well. One was by Paul McKenna. This was actually pretty good until half way through he hypnotizes you to keep your eyes on the cue ball as you hit it... d'oh! Another I tried was ok too and actually improved my concentration a bit, but the guy talked in a geordie accent and reminded me of the comedian Bob Mortimer. Check out some hypnosis audio download sites on the web. There's loads of general sports psychology mp3s out there, and many of the sites offer your money back if you're not satisfied after 1 month or so.

Regarding books, here's links to the 2 I mentioned in my previous post. Well worth a read imho. They've done my game more good than any hypnosis mp3 could ever do...

Inner Game of Golf

Pleasures of Small Motions

HTH

[Wity]

Psychologist, hypnotists, faith healers, priests vicars and clergymen, voodoo and red indian witch doctors, herbalists. palm readers, astrologists, and any others that fit the bill can all be summed up in one word.

Quacks.


In two minds you say? Then have a couple of pints and get on with it.

[Strickimicki]

Now then Witty,

I'm not into drinking these days! My big drinking days are over (thank god).

If I drink I'm not in two minds, I'm out of the one I have.

I really try to take the game seriously, thats probably the reason for my problems. When I was in my youth I could knock in nearly anything, but back in those days I was in to birds (not the feathered sort) and beer. Now I have a straight forward life and take snooker really seriously.

I'm never gonna be a big star(I realise that) but I would like to be able to get near my best game more often than I do. I would sell my soul for a 147

[trevs1]

Personally, (and it's only my view on this) it seems many people recall 'the old days' when they are referring to the time they felt they played at their best.

For me, I believe it's a view with maybe some distortions to it.

It appears many players I've encountered over the years, and, especially those seeking to improve their standard by cue choices, tend to look into the past with rose tinted spectacles. Now I'm not saying for one moment that the level or consistency all these people played with back in the day, is 'not' what they think it was. BUT, for some, I'd definitely say that's quite likely to be the case.

For anyone going through these issues today, thinking back to the past, when you feel things were so much better can only lead to you seeking something, which in a way, you'll never achieve.....You cannot go back in time.

Even if you were able to go back to those days, you may well be surprised by how little the standard of your play has changed, but, the perception of it has. In my opinion (which might count for little I guess) it's this perception which causes so many problems for people who play individual sports.

Confidence itself is a form of perception, of ones own ability, experience and determination, and as I'm sure we all know, is enomously variable from person to person. It is not just dependant on the 'actual' foundation that confidence is built on, but also due to the nature and character of the person in question.

So ultimately, I'd say not to look back and measure yourself against a ghost from the past, where you are NEVER going to be able to make side by side comparisons. Instead, play and try to enjoy the struggle of trying to work out where you CAN get the next little piece of improvement, or where you CAN get that small % more knowledge, and try to become a smarter, harder player for it.

It isn't ALL about the level at which you play.

[cpserrao]

Geet Sethi's book is very good apparently. Forget what it's called now but you can get it through Snooker Scene.

Its titled "Success Vs.Joy"