Sometimes, Winning is Everything!
Several months ago I was struggling with my game and enlisted the help of an instructor/friend in New Jersey. He accompanied me to a tournament to observe my play under pressure.

I characterized my problems as the "pressure freeze". Whenever I felt under pressure, whether in a tournament or any other pressure situation, I would go into a weird zone. Not a good zone like 'dead stroke' but a zone where I wasn't really aware of my surroundings and did not play well. I could routinely miss the easiest shots, which only compounded the problem.

I solicited the help of an instructor and friend, who examined my fundamentals, and didn't find any glaring flaws. He was having a hard time understanding the exact problem and I was unable to explain it in any words that made sense. He finally suggested we go to a tournament together where I would play and he would observe. He felt it was better if I travel to NJ for a local tournament. Since I would not know anyone there, and that would eliminate any pressure associated with performance expectations. It seemed like a good plan.

The tournament format was ideal. It was a chip tournament. Each player begins with a fixed number of chips based on their rating. You begin by playing a single game. If you win you stay at the table. If you lose, you forfeit a chip and move to the next table. Under this system, it is impossible to know how you stand in the rankings or the level of play or ranking of your opponent. You only know if you have chips left, and when your chips are gone, you go home. The player with a chip or chips left when everyone else is out, is the winner.

I started out with 7 chips (the standard for unranked players). I got some lucky breaks early on and managed to stay in the tourny for awhile. After quite a few games--I wasn't counting--I lost my last chip and we packed it in.

On the drive to take my friend home, he asked, "How do you think you did?"

I said, "I tanked."

"What do you mean you tanked?"

I said, "I shot very poorly. I don't think I played well. And I certainly didn't play up to my ability."

He said, "I'm suprised to hear you say that. I thought you played pretty well."

Little did I know that my friend takes copious notes. He had kept statistics and a critique of every game. Yes, he admitted, I had made a few mistakes, but I also made some great shots and played some very strong safeties.

"Did you know you won 12 of the 19 games you played?", he asked.

"You've got to be kidding?"

"No, I'm not kidding. And some of your wins were against the best players there. Two of the games you lost were because someone slopped the 9 in. And remember, this was in a strange place on tables you have never seen before."

He was right. The facts spoke for themselves. I had played respectably. There were only six of us left when I was eliminated. And regardless of any other criteria I might use to judge my performance, I couldn't argue with the facts.

There are a few lessons I have tried to take from that experience. It is unrealistic to expect to play tournaments at the same level as I do in practice or casual play. I need to take it easy on myself--being over-critical will only have a negative effect. And finally, if I really begin to feel my game is headed for the toilet, get a second opinion--it may not be nearly as bad as I think.

Most of us are way to hard on ourselves and often unable to objectively judge our own overall performance. You would think that no one ever made a mistake on a pool table. Even the touring professionals can recount multiple occasions when they missed critical easy shots or made disastrous position mistakes. The players that go on to succeed are those that realize a mistake just a mistake. Yes, you have to take responsibility for it and learn the hard lessons it provides, but mistakes virtually never outweigh all of the great shots and good decisions you made.

As Max Erhmann so graciously put it in his Desiderata, "Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself."

I recently read an interesting article by a professional player and BCA instructor who did some very interesting experiments at the pool table. Those experiments were the result of a PBS Special that studied the difference between right and left-handed people.

OK, I know what you're thinking. Here is another weirdo who is going provide another take on the mental side of pool. Not really. This certainly has to do with our brain, but it is firmly based in science and has some very practical applications to the game.

The article appeared on the BCA Instructor Forum and was posted by a professional pool player who is also a BCA Instructor--I'll call her Jean. She had seen a PBS Special detailing how our brain processes information and specifically about the left brain/right brain phenomenon in right-handed and left-handed people.

Is it possible that short left-hand practice or warm up sessions can unlock the hidden powers of the right brain to increase our pool performance?

A Little Background
As you are probably aware, our brains are divided into left and right halves. The left brain is responsible for task based thinking such as analytical, logical, and sequential type thought processes. In pool, the left brain is responsible for analyzing patterns of balls, judging aim points and angles, etc. The right brain handles sensory, feel, and intuitive thinking. In pool, this relates to controlling the actual stroke and shot process after the analysis is performed by the left brain.

The PBS Special
In the PBS Special, the scientists had found that when left-handed people performed a simple task with their right hand, such as brushing their teeth, both sides of their brains were activated. But when right-handed people perform tasks with their right hand, only the left side of the brain is activated.

Interestingly, right-handed people can activate their right brain by performing a task with their left hand for several minutes. Once activated, the left brain remains active for several hours.

Applying It to Pool
Upon seeing this new information, Jean decided to take it to the pool table for a little experiment. She began practice using her normal right-hand stroke, and noted the percentage of balls pocketed. She practiced for about 20 minutes. Then she switched and began shooting left-handed. She shot very poorly, as expected, but persisted with the experiment for 20 minutes of left-handed practice.

When she returned to shooting right-handed, her ability to pocket balls had increased dramatically. She also noted that her stance and alignment had automatically changed--for the better. She logically assumed that this difference was attributable to the activation of her right brain.

Conclusion
Is it possible that short left-hand practice or warm up sessions can unlock the hidden powers of the right brain to increase our pool performance? For a sport that depends so heavily on the intuitive and sensory abilities of the left brain, this may have a good deal of merit.

Submitted for what it is worth and however you may choose to use it.

Pocket billiards is a great sport. It challenges your mind, hand-eye coordination, concentration, and sometimes your wallet. But what I love most about this sport is the incredible variety of people you meet.

The American public is probably the most diverse population in the world. But we generally gather, both for work and play, into loosely formed socioeconomic groups. Whether for geographic, religious, political, or economic reasons, we tend to segregate ourselves.

Even in sports this happens. We may all go to a ball game, but some folks sit in the box seats while the rest of us are headed to the bleachers, and even there we may divided into our own special groups. Likewise with the many folks that play golf. Some are on the sculpted fairways of a country club, while others are crowded onto municipal courses.

A pool room is the only place I know of that embraces the full spectrum of the American melting pot. The good, the bad, and the ugly can all be found comfortably enjoying each other's company at the pool table. Not just in the same location but at the same table playing the same game.

In fact, there seems to be an unwritten code of conduct in pool halls that suggests you don't ask too many non-pool questions. As Tom Ross writes, "If you have been playing regularly with someone for less than ten years and you know that person?s last name, you?re probably talking too much."

I realize, as I am writing this, that to the unitiated this may sound like an unfriendly atmosphere, but it is really quite the opposite. It provides a nonjudgmental equality that doesn't exist anywhere else. Nothing matters except what happens on and around the pool table. You are either a pool player or you're a schmuck and that is sole extent to which you will be judged.

You gotta love this game!

Consistency is the number one issue presented to instructors by new students. Let's take a closer look.

It is somewhat hard to believe that about 80% of all students who seek professional instruction say that consistency is their biggest problem. But is consistency a realistic issue. What if an instructor was able to make you consistent, but you were consistently bad? Of course, we know that not your goal; everyone wants is to be consistently great!

A truly consistent player in any sport such as pool, bowling, or golf, has a very low chance of winning any tournament.

What makes pool unique is that there is no documented average or score with which to gauge our progress. In other individual sports, such as bowling or golf, you are ranked by your average. Ask a bowler what his average is and you immediately know his skill level. More importantly, he knows how good he is, how he compares to other bowlers, and he has a realistic point of reference for his consistency.

But consider this. A good bowler may average 225. He probably has several games the 290-300 range. But he also has several games in the 170s and 180s. So we could logically say that his consistency has a 120-130 pin fluctuation.

A beginning bowler often averages around 125 with scores between 90 and 150. That is a consistency range of only 75 pins. The point is that consistency is an irrelevant measurement. No one wants to remain a beginner just because their consistency is 50 pins better than the top bowlers.

With the lack of any measurable average, pool players see themselves based on their best and worst performances. These are the most memorable guideposts. This is much a baseball hitter when asked to recount his most memorable experiences. It is unlikely he will mention the day his batting average hit .300. His memory is of that grand slam in the bottom of the 9th or the critical strike out that ended the series for his team.

Is Consistency Bad?
It is quite possible that consistency is not all that desirable. A truly consistent player in any sport such as pool, bowling, or golf, has a very low chance of winning any tournament. Tournaments, and especially handicapped events, are won by a person playing well above average. The real consistent players are always a threat, and they always play well, but they seldom win.

At a local pool room, one of the guys who is always the odds-in favorite in the Monday Night 9-ball Tournament, is also the most likely to be eliminated in the first round. He is a real hot and cold player--you could say his consistency is terrible. Nonetheless, given the opportunity, most of us would like to have his game.

Where Consistency Counts
There is one part of pool where "consistency is king" and that is the fundamentals. Here we need to strive for consistency almost to the point of being boring. Our stance, grip, stroke, and preshot should be repeatable and dependable. That is what puts us in position to be play above average pool when the stars align in our favor.

Conclusion
The next time you need help with your pool game, think twice before asking for more consistency. Consistency is not a condition, it is the result of all those little things that effect your game on a shot by shot basis. Just strive to play your best and hope for a few really great inconsistent performances to appear at the right time. And of course, a lucky roll now and then never hurts either.

The Newsweek article on page 14 of the June 2, 2003 issue is titled "Don't Think Twice--Or At All, for That Matter". The article is about golf, and specifically about putting, but it is easy to see how these same concepts can be applied to our pool game.

The article is about an ongoing research project at the University of Chicago that studies the difference in brain activity between amateur and professional golfers. The finding are very striking.

A Calm Mind
When a professional makes a golf putt, there brain is very calm--almost completely devoid of any activity. Amateurs, on the other hand, have very active brain patterns indicating that they are adjusting their aim, or thinking about the shot or some other related factor, i.e. missing the shot, the last time they made a similar shot, etc.

In virtually all sports, it is often said that "we allow our brains to get in the way", or that "we think too much". There may now be scientific support for that point of view.

This was born out when John Milton, the researcher, asked several pro golfers what they were thinking about just before they made a shot. The answer was "nothing".

Putting in golf is similar to a pool shot in that both involve a two phase approach. The first phase is the analysis and decision making process--"How do I do it?" The second phase is the performance of the shot--the "Just do it!" phase.

How to Think about Nothing
The article stops short of telling us how to actually invoke a calm brain when desired. And I am not aware of any drills or techniques to learn or test this concept.

Perhaps just knowing the importance of a calm, or non-thinking, mind when shooting is enough to allow each of us to develop our own methods.

I am headed to the table right now to see if I can apply this new information. Why not join me?

I probably shouldn't begin this series on a negative note, but most of us do not like to embarrass ourselves in public. One day soon, you will find yourself in a game with a much better player. It would be comforting to know that you can act like a pool player even if your game might suggest otherwise. Respect and adherence to pool etiquette will help you make a good impression while honing your skills on the table. Experienced players know that new players do not have fully developed skills, but they are less tolerant of players who abuse the rules of etiquette.

As you may have already found, pool players are a very diverse group of people. There are probably more colorful characters in pool than any other segment of society. In general the pool community accepts everyone and thrives on that diversity, but there is also a generally accepted code of conduct when you are around the table. They are not posted in the pool room and you won't find them on the back of a membership card, but they are very much intrenched in the game.

DO NOT Offer Unsolicited Advice
Experience players have learned that if someone wants help they will ask for it. Even if a player is suffering miserably with his game, it does not mean he wants your help or guidance.

Be Wary of Unsoliticited Advice
Because knowledgeable players know better than to offer unsolicited advice, you should be cautious of any advice or help that you do not ask for. The player "who has all the answers" often doesn't know what he is talking about.

If You Want to Know, ASK!
Although unsolicited advice is frowned upon, that does not mean there is a code of silence among players. Quite the contrary. Most players are willing to help if they can, and are generally happy to help other players during practice and casual ply--but you have to ask.

During a tournament or serious match, it is inappropriate to ask any question that would distract the other player from their game.

DO NOT Touch Another Player's Equipment Without Permission
This is simple common courtesy, so it's just a reminder to keep your hands off things that don't belong to you. Many players are particularly sensitive to the feel of their cue. The perspiration and oils from your hands can make a cue unusable to someone else. Most players are eager to show off their equipment if the time is appropriate, but ALWAYS ask before touching!

Move Away from the Table During Your Opponents Turn
The best advice I can give a new player: when it is not your turn to shoot, sit down and shut up! That may earn you more respect than running a rack of balls. During a player's turn, the table and the area around it belongs to him. He should not be expected to ask you to move to view the table from any angle or make a shot. Nor should he have to listen to or answer you while he is trying to think about the game.

DO NOT be a Distraction
Pocket billiards requires a great deal of concentration. People who are distracting to play with quickly earn a very bad reputation. I couldn't possibly list all of the things you shouldn't do, but I hope you get the idea. Be courteous. Here is a simple guideline: Do not make any noise, or create any motion in the shooters line of site while they are preparing to or executing a shot.

Respect Players on Nearby Tables
We all like to have fun when we play--that's what the game is all about. But we should also respect the fact that players on nearby tables may be in a serious match with a great deal of pride and/or money on the line. Have a good time, but try not to be disruptive of others.

Many pool rooms squeeze the maximum number of tables into the available space. During busy periods, it can be a challenge to move through the room or around your table. In such situations try to respect the space of other players especially when they are in the act of shooting.

The real value of televised pool matches may not be their entertainment value, but their use as an educational aid. It is easy to marvel at the talent and skill acquired by the pros, but there is also a wealth of pool instruction that is free for the taking.

I am not a huge fan of televised pool matches. As entertainment, it is kind of boring. But I do watch a lot of pool on TV. I find it has tremendous educational value. I only realized this a few months ago when watching Allison Fisher play a match.

Early in that 9-ball match, Allison had an easy shot but chose to shoot a safety. The announcer explained that, like many pros, she chose a safety because it was almost impossible get position for the subsequent shot. Why make the shot if you have no follow-up shot? Although that logic made perfect sense, I had never thought in those terms before. That set the wheels in motion.

I watched the rest of the match in a whole new light. I began examining the many differences between Allison's play and my own, aside from the obvious fact that she makes most of her shots and gets perfect position. I noted, for example:

1. She has a deliberate consistent preshot routine.
2. She stays down and finishes every shot.
3. She never made a shot that appeared forced or hard, but always gets plenty of movement on the cue ball to move anywhere on the table.
4. She took the same amount of time on the easy shots (if there is such a thing) as she did the tough ones.

Obviously she had learned a lesson that I still struggle with--don't take anything for granted.

Allison didn't teach me a lot I didn't know, but she sure showed me a lot of things I had been ignoring. And she demonstrated the value of some fundamental techniques I had been overlooking.

Perhaps you are already aware of this free professional pool instruction via ESPN. If not, I highly recommend watching again with close attention to the many free lessons at the hands of the masters.