It's A Matter of Focus by Denny Stewart

Concentration is not something that you can force, or control. Matter of fact if you’re even trying to concentrate that means your not concentrating! Fighting your mind does not work, you can't will a state of mind, or we'd all be willing dead stroke every time. It just doesn’t work that way. What you can do is FOCUS the mind. It works like this, as you achieve your focus, the mind quiets automatically. A quiet mind only picks up what is relevant in the here and now. You will get into a state of relaxed concentration.


Having the proper rhythm helps the player to keep their MIND & BODY
Working together as one unit and to develop the sensation of Deadstroke. Ask yourself this question. Have you ever shot a shot when you weren’t ready? This is one small example of what happens when your mind and body aren’t working together.

Each routine has a starting point called a SWITCH. By having these defined starting points for various routines, it becomes easier to “start over” whenever necessary. Once these starting points have become a habit, it becomes easier to keep the mind and body working together. This starting point becomes a SWITCH that triggers specific responses in the mind and body that helps to keep your rhythm smooth and intact.

Let’s try this now, when your at the table and going into your PreShot routine, or planning a shot, then executing it, it is relatively easy to focus because your actively engrossed in what you’re doing moment by moment. But you are very vulnerable between strokes, shots, or when you’re in the chair.

Something that might benefit you for when you have those stray thoughts of winning, losing, who's there and what if I miss etc. (basically all chatter) is to focus the mind on your breathing. Nothing is more "here and now" than your breath. It also has a beneficial calming effect. So now you have some tools to keep your head in the game. Focus on the here and now while you’re at the table and running balls, and for all else you can erase with some focus on your breathing. It will keep you in a lot more games.

Next time when you’re getting ready to practice try this.
Set up a straight in shot to the side pocket. You’re going to stop the cue ball when you shoot it. Now once you have decided on what tip position and speed you’re going to shoot it at, close your eyes and I want you to feel it, hear it then listen for it to go in the pocket.

Try it and see and feel the effects of it.


This article was provided compliments of Denny Stewart from the Ohio Pool School.

For more information about Denny, visit his website at http://www.myspace.com/ohiopoolschool or email him using the email address shown above.