Help concentrating

[Welshsteve]

I'm having trouble concentrating when I'm in amongst the balls. Quite a few times in the last few weeks, I've played 4 or five reasonably difficult pots to get myself in prime position, then I go and waste it by maybe losing concentration, taking my eye off the ball or just playing too fast. I'm aware of this, and have tried to stop doing it, but I just play a natursally quick game (my highest break of 62 only took me on average around 10 seconds per shot).

I know this is mainly a mind thing, but is there anything you do that can help
with this at all? I'm sure I'd start getting 40/50+ breaks or more on a regular basis if I could sort this problem out. At the moment I generally get one or two breaks over 30 a week. When playing really well I can get 5 or 6 in one night, but I'm after consistency.

[The Statman]

I think this is similar to this recent thread: http://www.thesnookerforum.com/showthread.php?t=2918

I do not seem to be the only one who sometimes doesn't give the easier shots the attention they deserve and miss them, as you say, sometimes after making three or four difficult ones.

I can only endorse the advice given on the thread (above) to treat each shot equally and carry out the same pre-shot procedure for every shot, no matter how unmissable it appears. This also, of course, encourages consistency in approach which can never be a bad thing.

PS I'm no coach!

[Ginger Freak]

One thing I do tend to notice, is that, as the break goes on, the natural tendancy is to concentrate more and more on positioning. Mainly because there are fewer reds, but also because, at such a crucial stage, you want to make it as easy for yourself as possible.

This leads to taking your eye off the pot occasionally! Like Statman said, the best thing to do is treat every shot the same and do the same thing all the time.

Easier said than done of course!

[Cue_147]

One thing I do tend to notice, is that, as the break goes on, the natural tendancy is to concentrate more and more on positioning. Mainly because there are fewer reds, but also because, at such a crucial stage, you want to make it as easy for yourself as possible.

This leads to taking your eye off the pot occasionally! Like Statman said, the best thing to do is treat every shot the same and do the same thing all the time.

Easier said than done of course!

I had this same problem about positioning but since getting coaching myself i have sorted it out.

Before you get down on the shot you should know where your striking the white eg, stun, screw and the speed of the shot. Once this is sorted all you have to do is concentrate on the pot and let the white do what it wants.

My problem was that i was putting the white where i wanted but the object ball isn't going in the pocket and whats the point in that.

[Welshsteve]

Just read that thread. Some excellent advice there. I'm going to try all that.

Many thanks

[Welshsteve]

What you know!!! I was struggling a bit when practicing with a team mate last night, then thought about this discussion yesterday. I applied what I had read, and within a couple of frames I had a 59, my second highest break ever WOOHOO :D Just hope I can keep that sort of form for tomorrow night's match. My team have a cup match against the Premier league champions in our local league.

[Mitsuko]

Well done :)

[Welshsteve]

Thanks!!! :)