Pay Attention!

Pay Attention!by Tom Simpson, InsidePOOL ColumnistHave you ever missed a shot and said something like “Jeez, I forgot to pay attention,” or “Oops, I shot before I was ready,” or “I don’t know what I was thinking there!” Of course not. Ya gotta pay attention! I’m always talking about focus and concentration and getting in the zone, and how vital it is to be fully present. This is yet another way to talk about that and find ways to play better.One really fundamental way to think about pool is that there are four requirements:
1. Stroke: We must find a way to arrange our bodies around the stick that allows and facilitates a smooth, straight, fluid stroke. We have to feel we can confidently see – and deliver – down the aim line.2. Aim: We must understand enough about ball behavior to know where to aim to accomplish what we want.3. Intent: We must have clear intent – a complete plan of exactly where to contact the cue ball, how hard to hit it, and how the shot will go. We have to be able to imagine the results of the shot we have in mind and minimize doubt.4. Attention: We must bring our full attention to bear on the shot to give it our best chance of turning out as we intend. Nailing those first three requirements does not make the shot. Yes, they are necessary, but it’s not enough. The more attention you bring to the shot, the more likely it is that you’ll succeed. Imagine your favorite pool player. How much attention are they bringing to every shot? More than you? More than you’re willing to bring? More than necessary? How much attention is necessary? That depends on how well you’d like to play. If you’re casual about your play, don’t be upset when your game is not all it could be. Watch a terrific player playing a serious match. Every shot has his full attention. While executing a shot, there is nothing but that shot. This is part of why we like this game. It’s so difficult that we must put everything else – thoughts, emotions, surroundings, whatever – aside. Attention is the currency with which we pay for results. We “pay” attention. It’s a transaction, and you get what you pay for. So, why not pay attention? It takes energy, it takes gumption, it takes commitment. But it works. How do we direct our attention in shooting pool? We take care of those first three requirements, align ourselves with the target line, and deliver energy in that direction. We’re trying to be fluid, relaxed, and fully present. The idea is that when you’re down on a shot, there should be nothing else going on – no distractions, no nagging doubts, no urge to go to the bathroom. If you’re thinking about the great shot you just made, your opponent, what the onlookers are thinking, the possibility of missing, or anything other than the shot before you, fuggedaboudit. Back away, chalk up, and start over. Don’t shoot in the thinking position (standing). Don’t think in the shooting position. Don’t go down on the shot until you are ready. And when you’re down there, if you see that you’re not fully focused, present, aware – paying full attention to the shot at hand – ramp up your attention or back away. No thinking! If your head is full of chatter, you’re not focused on the shot. How do we ramp up our attention? My belief is you already know how to do it. You do it all day long. Your attention flits from thing to thing, but sometimes you focus it. If you’re interested, if you’re serious, if you want to, you can muster some energy and put your full attention on the shot. Where attention goes, energy flows.Visit InsidePOOL for the latest techniques from the top instructors in billiards and pool.

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Inside Pool Magazine publishes billiard news. Definitive Synergy creates pool and billiard management software.