Mind-Body Synchrony for Pool Success

Mind of Steel

Mind – Body Synchrony for Pool Success

Dr. Christopher Stankovich

www.drstankovich.com

Developing a smooth, rhythmic synchrony between your mind and body is essential for many things in life, and it is especially true in the game of pool.  You already know what I am talking about when it comes to synchrony, so you don’t need any fancy definitions here other for me to say that when things just feel right, when you are seeing the balls really well, and when your pace and shot execution is at its best then you know that you are in synchrony – and probably in “the zone.” 

Players get out of synchrony for a number of reasons, but a few of the more common reasons include:

·         Allowing missed shots to get them frustrated

·         Thinking about something else other than pool while playing

·         Worried about what others will think

·         Fear of failing and playing to “not lose” rather than win

·         Trying to win 10 games in one shot (usually happens when you are far behind and trying to do too much)

·         Just having a bad day

The good news is that just as quick as you got out of synchrony, you also have the power to get back into synchrony again – and probably faster than you would have thought.  Change and momentum can happen in a moment, and in pool the same is true.  Just ask yourself how many times you have seen the tides turn, where in one moment a player was getting crushed, and then a few minutes later he is running a rack and all of a sudden you can just feel him coming on!  The problem is that in the heat of the battle we often forget this, and as a result we tend to allow outside things to enter our minds, resulting in nervous energy, and you guessed it – no mind-body synchrony!

So what can you do the next time you get out of synchrony?  Below are a few tips to consider:

• Remember, change can happen in one shot, so stay positive!
• If you are really feeling the heat, take a quick pause and step away from the table.  Think for a few seconds about a positive thought, boost your spirits back up, and take one deep breath all the way into your stomach and exhale.
• Watch what you say to yourself and keep it positive!  Rather than swearing at yourself and calling yourself all kinds of names, try some instructional self-talk like “stay calm” or “let’s work to get this rack.”  It’s amazing how your body will follow what your mind thinks!
• Another good trick is to squeeze and relax just your hands 2-3 times.  Oftentimes when we feel agitated we experience the shakes or tremors in our hands – this often happens in pool since it is a fine motor skills sport (meaning there are a lot of precision shots to make).  Therefore, by squeezing your fists a couple times you will actually “shake out” the anxiety, allowing you to make more synchronized shots.

Make sure before you go out and shoot that your mind and body are on the same page – good luck!

Dr. Christopher Stankovich is a nationally acclaimed expert in Sport Psychology and the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems.  For more information on performance-enhancement products, including the exclusive “Mind of Steel for Pool Success” and the world’s first Sport Performance Assessment for Pool, please visit www.drstankovich.com